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D. E. WAGER. 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE 



A Descriptive Work on 



Oneida County 



NEW YORK 



EDITHD BY 

DANIEL E. WAGER 



THE BOSTON HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 
1896 



191 S 



5 ki' 



PREFACE. 



There are few sections of this country that are richer in historical ma 
terial than the one of which this volume treats. Especially is this true 
in its relation to the old wars for supremacy between the French and 
the English, and the war of the Revolution. Stirring events then took 
place within the borders of what is now Oneida county, in which 
stately figures took part And in those struggles for supremacy the 
Indians who once populated the valley of the beautiful Mohawk 
were a conspicuous element. One of the historical battles of the 
Revolutionary war was fought on Oneida county soil — a battle upon 
the issues of which many writers contend turned the success or 
failure of the attempt of the colonists to secure their independence. 
Neither is the history of this locality in later years, during which 
settlement, growth, and development marched forward to present 
advanced conditions, without interest. 

To properly set before the reader a brief record of the long and 
bloody strife that at last culminated in the triumph of American 
independence, was a labor of love on the pa<"t of the late Daniel E. 
Wager, of Rome, and the iast important literary undertaking of his 
busy life. That he was eminently qualified for the great task, no 
one who knew him well will dispute. Persons unaccustomed to 
literary and historical labor can scarcely comprehend the difficulties 
attending the preparation of such a work as this ; but no one will 
doubt the painstaking care, the unflagging patience in research, 
and the appreciative value of sources of information, brought to task 



PREFACE. 



by the author in his unwearied efforts to produce a historical work 
that would be a monument to himself and of great value to the 
people of Oneida county. It was most fortunate that his work was 
so nearly completed before he was stricken with his last sickness. 
He was given liberal assistance in the preparation of the histories 
of the various towns and the chapters devoted to modern topics, by 
persons skilled in that class of work. The compiling of the vast 
list of personal sketches, also, was in other hands than his ; and it 
is confidently believed that this department of the work, a feature 
never before attempted in this county, will be considered of the 
greatest value. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

CHAPTER I. 
PRELIMINARY HISTORY 1-5 

CHAPTER II. 
1754-1756.— FORT BULL, Etc 5-12 

CHAPTER III. 
1756-1758.— OSWEGO.— HERKIMER 12-17 

CHAPTER IV. 
1758-1760.— FORTS STANWIX AND SCHUYLER. __ 17-21 

CHAPTER V. 
1760 TO AUGUST,' 1777. _ - 22-32 

CHAPTER VI. 
1777.— SIEGE OF FORT STANWIX.— BATTLE OF OR1SKANY 32-52 

CHAPTER VII. 
1783-1788.— EMIGRATION WESTWARD 53-62 

CHAPTER VIII. 
1788.— TOWN OF WHITESTOWN.— GREAT INDIAN TREATY 63-74 

CHAPTER IX. 
1789-1792 -- - 75-93 



v: CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER X. 
COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 93-12G 

CHAPTER XI. 
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF ONEIDA COUNTY :. 126-133 

CHAPTER XII. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY 133-141 

CHAPTER XIII. 
1788-1806.— FORMATION OF ONEIDA COUNTY 141-155 

CHAPTER XIV. 
1806-1812 : 1 155-160 

CHAPTER XV. 
THROUGH THE WAR OF 1812 161-175 

CHAPTER XVI. 
1814-1819 175-184 

CHAPTER XVII. 
1820-1830 ____ 185-192 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
1830 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL WAR 192-198 

CHAPTER XIX. 
1866 TO THE PRESENT 199-208 

CHAPTER XX 
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS _ 209-215 

CHAPTER XXI. 
CANALS AND RAILROADS - - 215-228 



CONTENTS. vii 

CHAPTER XXII. 
THE BENCH AND BAR OF ONEIDA COUNTY 229-247 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND PROFESSION OF ONEIDA COUNTY... 248-260 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ..260-278 

CHAPTER XXV. 
THE CITY OF UTICA 278-371 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
THE TOWN OF ANNSVILLE _ 372-379 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
THE TOWN OF AUGUSTA 379-393 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
THE TOWN OF AVA 393-396 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
THE TOWN OF BOONVILLE ... 396-407 

CHAPTER XXX. 
THE TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER _ 407-414 

CHAPTER XXXI. 
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN _ 414-426 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
THE TOWN OF DEERFIELD... 426^32 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 
THE TOWN OF FLORENCE.. 432-437 



viii CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 
THE TOWN OF FLOYD.... - 437^145 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
THE TOWN OF FORESTPORT... 442-445 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND 445-460 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 
THE TOWN OF LEE.... 460-469 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
THE TOWN OF MARCY 469-473 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 
THE TOWN OF MARSHALL - -. 473^79 

CHAPTER XL. 
THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD 479-491 

CHAPTER XLI. 
THE TOWN OF PARIS 491-505 

CHAPTER XLII. 
THE TOWN OF REMSEN 506-511 

CHAPTER XLIII. 
THE TOWN OF ROME 511-533 

CHAPTER XLIV. 
THE TOWN OF SANGERFIELD. 533-543 

CHAPTER XLV. 
THE TOWN OF STEUBEN - 543-552 



CONTENTS. ix 

CHAPTER XLVI. 
THE TOWN OF TRENTON 552-566 

CHAPTER XLVII. 
THE TOWN OF VERNON _ 566-579 

CHAPTER XL VIII. 
THE TOWN OF VERONA. 579-588 

CHAPTER XLIX. 
THE TOWN OF VIENNA 588-596 

CHAPTER L. 
THE TOWN OF WESTERN 596-603 

CHAPTER LI. 
THE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND.. 603-614 

CHAPTER LII. 
THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN 615-636 



PART II-BIOGRAPHICAL. 

BIOGRAPHIES 1-1*8 

PART III-FAMILY SKETCHES. 

FAMILY SKETCHES 1-382 

INDFX.ES _-_ --' --' 383 



CONTENTS. 



PORTRAITS. 



Ablett, Robert ..facing 627, Part 

Adams, Silas facing 579, Part 

Allen, Bion Pemberton, M.D., 

facing 43, Part I 

Anthony, Jesse B facing 141, Part I 

Babbitt, John L facing 129, Part I 

Bagg, M. M., M.D facing 250, Part 

Bailey, E. Prentiss facing 355, Part 

Ballou, Walter facing 401, Part 

Barrows, Samuel J facing 46, Parti 

Birdseye, Rufus P facing 365, Part 

Booth, Wilbur H facing 146, Part I 

Boyle, John W facing 38, Part I 

Brewster, Amos F facing 582, Part 

Brown, Calvin facing 584, Part 

Butler, John Milton facing 363, Part 

Butler, Morgan facing 483, Part 

Capron, Seth, Dr facing 101, Part I 

Chadwick, sr. , George W., 

facing 138, Part I 
Chadwick. jr., George W., 

facing 140, Part I 
Chamberlain, Ephraim. facing 326, Part 
Cloher, jr., William H., 

facing 134, Part I 

Coggeshall, H. J facing 166, Part I 

Conkling, Roscoe facing 242, Part 

Costello. P. C bet. 420^21, Part 

Costello, P. H bet. 420^21, Part 

Coxe, Alfred C facing 230, Part 

Cromwell, Stephen facing 414, Part 

Curran, Edward .facing 288, Part 

Darling, Charles W. . . . facing 97, Part I 

Denio, Hiram facing 237, Part 

Dickinson, Albert M. ..facing 357, Part 

Dorrance, D. G., facing 566, Part 

Douglass, James A facing 392, Part 

Dunham, George E facing 356, Part 

Dunmore, Watson T... facing 232, Part 
Dwight, Benjamin W. .facing 272, Part 

Farman, Henry facing 386, Part 

Farwell, Samuel facing 292, Part 

Faxton, Theodore S. ..facing 344, Part 



Foster, Henry A _ .facing 238, Part I 

Frisbie, Willard J facing 419, Part I 

Graham, Edmund A. . .facing 227, Part I 

Hagedorn, Henry facing 563, Parti 

Hall, Benjamin facing 116, Part II 

Harvey, Edwin A facing 423, Part I 

Helmer, Robert J facing 406, Part I 

Hieber, John C .facing 67, Part II 

Hunt, James G., M.D. facing 18, Part II 
Hunt, Myron W., M.D., 

facing 125, Part IL 
Hutchinson, Charles W., 

facing 211,. Part I 

Jenkins, Timothy facing 570, Part I 

Jones, Thomas S facing 233, Part I 

Kellogg, Spencer ..facing 304, Parti 

Kernan, Francis facing 243, Parti 

Laird, Frank F., M. Defacing 64, Part II 

Lamb, Harrison facing 93, Part II 

Lee, Arthur D facing 605, Part I 

Lewis, Ladd J facing 486, Part I 

Locke, William P facing 540, Part I 

Loomis, Jon J _ .facing 10, Part II 

McGuire, Philip facing 444, Parti 

Middleton, Robert ....facing 368, Part I 

Millar, Charles facing 370 : Part I 

Miller, Addison C facing 56, Part II 

Munson, Alfred .facing 302, Parti 

Munson, Edmund facing 367, Part I 

Nicholson, Charles A. .facing 113, Part II 

North, Edward facing 271, Part I 

Osborn, Amos O. facing 16, Part II 

Owen, Philip facing 169, Part II 

Penfield, Thomas D... facing 29, Part II 

Perry, Josiah ...facing 60, Part II 

Philo, Charles H facing 488, Part I 

Ralph, George facing 320, Part I 

Rogers, Publius V facing 362, Part I 

Sanger, Jedediah facing 64, Part I 

Sanger, William Cary. facing 149, Part II 

Scott, Isaac R facing 21, Part II 

Seaton, Albert P facing 127, Part II 

Seymour, Horatio facing 204, Part I 



CONTENTS. 



Spencer, James D facing 594, Part I 

Spencer, Joshua A facing 239, Part I 

Stoddard, Davis Curtis, 

facing 74, Part II 

Studor, George M facing 443, Parti 

Tower, Reuben .facing 537, Parti 

Trevvett, Edward facing 114, Part II 

Utley, Squire _ . facing 538, Part I 

Wager, Daniel E frontispiece 

Warren, David A facing 580, Part I 

Weaver, Fred G facing 430, Part I 

Wells, John B facing 296, Parti 



Whiffen, Isaac ..facing 136, Part II 

White, Canvass facing 82, Part II 

White Hugh facing 81 , Part II 

White, William M facing 89, Part II 

Wiley, George H facing 308, Part I 

Willard, Garry A facing 403, Part I 

Williams, Abijah J facing 280, Part I 

Williams, Elliott S facing 458, Part I 

Williams, Robert S. ..facing 131, Part II 
Wilson, Claude, M.D. ..facing 6, Part II 
Woodruff, Arthur C. . .facing 416, Part I 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER I. 

PRELIMINARY HISTORY. 

Those who do not clearly understand the preliminary history of this 
part of New York, nor fully appreciate the important part it has played 
in shaping the destiny of the country and determining whether we 
should be a part of the English speaking people or under the domina- 
tion of France, it is essential to go back far enough in the past to ob- 
tain a bird's-eye view of the condition of affairs on this continent when 
England and France were struggling for its mastery. 

Not far from a century before the footsteps of the white man pressed 
the soil of what is now known as the Empire State, there dwelt along 
the borders of the Mohawk river and so on westerly to within the 
sound of Niagara's eternal roar, a powerful race of Indian statesmen 
and warriors, called by the French, the " Iroquois 1 Confederacy," by 
the English, the Five and later the Six Nations. Their names and 
location, commencing at the Hudson and going westerly, were as 
follows : 

The Mohawks, the Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and the Senecas. 
The easterly boundary of the Oneidas was a line extending from the 
north to the south bounds of New York and nearly on a line between 
the present counties of Oneida and Herkimer. The westerly boundary 
was on a line running from the north to the south bounds of the State, 
passing through or near " Deep Spring " (Manlius, in Onondaga county,) 

1 The meaning of the word is thus explained : Their people, when making a speech or any 
emphatic declaration, generally concluded with the words, "I have said it." So the French 
characterized them as the " the people who say, Iro," or " I have said, Kaue," hence Iro-quois. 



2 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

but making a detour far enough to the west to include the whole of 
Oneida Lake within the domain of the Oneidas. In 171 2, or there- 
abouts, the Tuscaroras came from North Carolina and were adopted as 
the Sixth Nation, and assigned occupancy of lands within the territory 
of the Oneidas, mostly in what is now Chenango county. In primitive 
times, when the savages roamed at will over this entire continent, and 
their routes lay entirely by Indian paths and trails and by bark canoes 
over the water courses, it is easy to see that between the east and the 
great west, the water route by the Hudson and the Mohawk to what is 
now the site of Rome and then by a short carry of only a mile or so 
overland to Wood Creek, and thence down that stream to Oneida Lake, 
and by that outlet and Oswego River to Lake Ontario, and so on to the 
great lakes of the west and the head waters of the Mississippi River, 
would be the shortest, most convenient and expeditious of any that 
could be selected ; so, too, in later times, when the white men were 
pushing their trade and settlements into this region, before the age of 
canals, railroads, or common roads even, this same route, traversed by 
larger boats and by commerce and by more dangerous munitions of 
war, was selected by imperative necessity. A glance at the map will 
show that the location of the Oneidas was more favorable than any of 
the other nations ; the scenery within the territory was magnificent, the 
soil proved to be rich and productive, and by reason of the topography 
of the country, and the course of the streams, the Oneidas, by means 
of their light and fleet canoes, could easily glide by water into the do- 
mains of the other nations. The territory of the Oneidas was the 
summit level, or the great divide, from which streams flowed in every 
direction. As with the Oneidas, so with Oneida county ; it is perhaps 
pardonable to say, that in the galaxy and in the setting of the counties, 
she is indeed the central gem. 

England and France commenced explorations and settlements on this 
side of the Atlantic (1609) about the same time. The former in New 
England and southerly along the Atlantic seaboard ; the French taking 
possession of Canada and the St. Lawrence, pushing their discoveries to 
the Mississippi, and down the sullen tide of that stream to the Gulf of 
Mexico, before 1700 occupying Louisiana. Along these routes from 
Canada to the head waters of the Mississippi and down that river, the 



PRELIMINARY HISTORY. 3 

French had established a chain of trading posts, missionary stations, 
and forts, sixty in number, with a view of ultimately surrounding the 
English and driving them into the ocean. Each nation tried to woo and 
to win the friendship of the Iroquois Confederacy ; the French in a 
great measure by their Jesuit missionaries, who, with their religious zeal, 
endeavored to imbue the Indians with love of the French nation as well 
as with a love of the Savior, and hatred of the English. As before in- 
cidentally stated, the members of this Confederacy were skilled in 
diplomacy, brave and fierce in battle, and powerful in union. They 
were important factors in determining the result of the conflicts between 
France and England in the struggle of over a century, for supremacy 
in America, The skill, bravery and power of that Confederacy were 
near their zenith when Champlain, the daring French explorer, sailed 
up the St. Lawrence and founded the city of Quebec in 1609; when 
the English discovered Cape Cod and explored the Atlantic coast ; about 
the same time when Capt. John Smith made the settlement at James- 
town ; when Hendrick Hudson sailed up the Hudson; when the Pilgrims 
landed at Plymouth, and that influence and power continued and went 
on increasing during the years in which the two European nations were 
fighting for supremacy in America and until that Confederacy, or a 
majority of its members, made the fatal mistake of linking their for- 
tunes with the English in the struggle of the American Colonies for 
independence. When that struggle ended the Six Nations as a Con- 
federacy (called the Romans of America) ceased to exist, and their 
power and influence vanished from the land as effectually as if they had 
never been. It does not, however, fall within the design nor the scope 
of this work to give anything more than an outline sketch of those Six 
Nations, nor to do more than to briefly mention such historical facts as 
seem to be required in order to better understand the history in hand. 

The portage at Rome was called by the Indians " De-o-Waim-Sta," 
signifying the place where boats are carried from one stream to another. 
The Dutch called it " Trow Plat," and the English in early times 
called it " the Great Carrying Place," to distinguish it from the " Little 
Carrying Place," where boats and their cargo were carried around the 
rapids of the Mohawk at what is now Little Falls. It may be of inter- 
est to state in this connection that in Washington county in this State 



4 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

there is another Wood Creek, called by the French, River au Chicot, 
(or river of logs), which flows into Lake Champlain, and that between 
that stream and the Hudson is a portage of six to ten miles, which in 
early times was also called " the Great Carrying Place," and students of 
history in this locality sometimes become confused in reading of Wood 
Creek and the Great Carrying Place where the tragic events around 
Lakes George and Champlain are described in the old French war and 
the war of the Revolution. In later times the portage at Rome was 
called the " Oneida carrying place," as it was within the territory of the 
Oneidas, and that name prevented it from being confounded with any 
other carrying place. 

In 1693 Albany county was formed and extended to the west bounds 
of the province and so continued until 1772. It was one of the original 
ten counties of New York. 

Prior to 1755 the territory within Oneida 1 county was" without a his- 
tory. It was scarcely mentioned, except perhaps incidentally. 

It 1705 the Oriskany Patent was granted and in that the Oneida 
carrying place is mentioned. In 1725 it is again mentioned in a peti- 
tion to the Assembly relative to the Indian trade; and again in 1736, 
when the Assembly is asked to erect forts at this carrying place. Those 
three are the only places where this locality is found to be especially 
mentioned in history. Nevertheless, this route was traversed by In- 
dians, by traders and others, and was well known by the men of that 
period. A fort was erected at Oswego in 1727 and men and materials 
went over this route to erect it. After its erection, Indians usually went 
there in May with their furs and remained until the last of July to dis- 
pose of them. In the summer of 1725, fifty-seven canoes went from 
Albany over this route and returned with 738 packs of beaver and deer 
skins ; it was estimated that 1 50 hogsheads of beaver and other fine furs 
and 200 hogsheads of dressed deer skins were exported annually from 
this country. 

The above sufficiently indicates the importance of this route, and that 
the French and English were very anxious to control the Indian trade 
and the influence of the Confederacy. It must also show that this por- 

1 It will be observed that the name, Oneida county, is used in this work long before it was 
organized with its present boundary. 



1754-1756— FORT BULL, Etc. 5 

tage was of immense importance, and that forts were essential to guard 
and protect it. This becomes more apparent when it is borne in mind 
that a dense swamp covered with cedar and undergrowth, with a soil 
too miry and porous to uphold a person, extending alongside of the 
whole length (four miles and more) of this carrying place, and two 
miles in width, forming a barrier as formidable as a solid stone wall of 
those dimensions ; and that if this portage could not be crossed, a cir- 
cuit of several miles must be made to the south through the unbroken 
wilderness. This impassable swamp continued in existence until the 
fore part of the present century. 

Neither history or tradition gives the dates of the erection of the first 
forts on the Oneida Carrying Place. The first full and reliable account 
of forts at this point is given in Paris Document XII, obtained by our 
State government from the archives in France, which account appears 
in the next chapter, including an account of the destruction of Fort 
Bull. In 1736 the New York Assembly was petitioned, as before stated, 
to erect a fort at this point, and was shown the necessity for it ; but 
there is no account as to what action if any, was taken under that 
petition, nor as to when the first fort was erected at this carrying place ; 
nor is there any previous plan for the construction of a fort here, until 
that of Fort Stanwix in 1758; although it is undisputed there were 
forts at this place as early as the spring of 1756. 



CHAPTER II. 

1754-1756.— FORT BULL, Etc. 

In 1754 and 1755 war was in progress in America between the 
French and English, each struggling for the mastery of the country. 
In the last named year vigorous measures were planned by the English 
to drive the French from their strongholds on the borders of the Eng- 
lish possessions. Among other plans three expeditions were that year 
set on foot by the English, one of which was for the capture of Fort 
Du Quesne (now Pittsburgh); another against Ticonderoga and Crown 



6 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Point, commanded by Sir William Johnson ; the other to be commanded 
by General Shirley, to go from Albany up the Mohawk, over the port- 
age (now Rome) to Wood Creek, thence via Oneida Lake to Oswego, 
there to rendezvous, and thence west by a journey of five or six days 
by boat across Lake Ontario and capture Niagara. The latter, with 
Fort Du Quesne, were the keys to the valley of the Mississippi. The 
expedition against Fort Du Quesne was a miserable failure, and resulted 
in the killing of Braddock, who commanded it. Sir William Johnson 
won a battle at Lake George, resulting in the death of Dieskau, the 
French commander ; but that success was only temporary. Early in 
the summer of 1755 General Shirley made preparations to go to Oswe- 
go via Oneida Carrying Place. Seventeen hundred beeves, to feed the 
men and supply the troops at Oswego, were started on foot from Al- 
bany and driven by the land route up the valley of the Mohawk ; the 
probabilities are, that on reaching Stanwix village in Rome, the route 
was followed past what is now the Custodial Asylum (old county 
house), thence to Oneida and around Oneida Lake to Oswego, or 
through Westmoreland, as such a body of cattle could not be taken in 
the bateaux of those days by the water route. Col. John Bradstreet, 
with six months provisions and stores costing the government $3,000, 
started for Oswego, went by the same water route and crossed over the 
portage between Mohawk River and Wood Creek. Governor De 
Lancey, writing in August of that year to the home government, highly 
complimented Colonel Bradstreet for his energy, and says that in three 
hours time the latter crossed the portage with his men, provisions, bag- 
gage and whole supply train, and with as little time as was usually con- 
sumed in getting one bateau and its cargo over that portage. Two 
regiments of raw provincials soon after left Albany by the same route, 
followed by General Shirley with 200 regular troops, the whole, about 
1,500 or 2,000, to congregate at Oswego with a view to move on and 
capture Niagara. To the northward fifty miles away was Fort Frontenac 
(now Kingston), then garrisoned by 1,400 French troops, ready to 
swoop down upon Oswego, if General Shirley ventured to move 
towards Niagara. General Shirley took with him to Oswego six brass 12 
pounders, one brass 18 pounder, and seven iron six pounders. His whole 
force reached Oswego the last of August, but not the needful pro- 



1754-1756— FORT BULL, Etc. 7 

visions and stores. His journey up the Mohawk, over the Oneida Car- 
rying Place, thence to Oswego, is graphically and poetically described 
by that elegant historian, Dr. Francis Parkman, in Vol. I of his history 
on Montcalm and Wolfe. He says : 

They left Schenectady, passed Fort Johnson, the two villages of the Mohawks, the 
German Flats, and left behind the last trace of civilized man. They rowed 60 
miles up the Mohawk through a wilderness, and reached the Great Carrying Place, 
which divided the waters that flow to Lake Ontario. Here now stands the city which 
the classic zeal of its founders has adorned with the name of Rome. Then all was 
swamp and forest, traversed by a track thatled to Wood Creek, which is not to be con- 
founded with the Wood Creek of Lake Champlain. Thither the bateaux were dragged 
on sledges and launched on the dark and tortuous stream, which, fed by a decoction 
of forest leaves that oozed from the marshy shores, crept in shadow through depths 
of foliage, with only a belt of illumined sky gleaming between the jagged tree tops. 
Tall and lean with straining towards the light, their rough gaunt stems trickling with 
perpetual damps, stood on either hand the 1 silent hosts of the forest. The skeletons 
of their dead, barkless, blanched and shattered, strewed the mud banks and shal- 
lows ; others lay submerged like bones of drowned mammoths thrusting lank white 
limbs above sullen water ; and great trees, entire as yet, were flung by age or storms 
athwart the current, a bristling barricade of matted boughs. There was work for 
the ax as well as for the oar, till at length Lake Oneida opened before them, and 
they rowed all day over its sunny breast, reached the outlet and drifted down the 
shallow eddies of the Onondaga, between walls of verdure, silent as death, yet 
haunted every where with ambushed danger. It was twenty days after leaving 
Schenectady when they reached the mouth of the Oswego river, and Lake Ontario 
greeted them stretched like a sea to the pale brink of the northern sky, while on the 
bare hill on their left, stood the miserable Fort of Oswego. 

The foregoing pen picture of the route will give but a faint idea of 
the Wood Creek and its surroundings of 140 years ago, and but dimly 
outlines the difficulties attending travel over this route in the early days 
of the colony. The heavy trees which lined the banks of Wood Creek 
and the massive ones which fell across the stream, rendering navigation 
slow and toilsome, indicate why it was thus named. General Shirley 
dare not stir from Oswego towards Niagara. The disheartening news 
of Braddock's death, the failure before Crown Point, his Indian allies 
deserting him, the winds and storms of autumn, and the fear of an ap- 
proach of the French from Fort Frontenac, paralyzed Shirley and he 
remained helpless at Oswego until the last of October, when he returned 
to Albany by the same route he traversed two months before, leaving 
700 men at Oswego. The campaign of 1755 was now closed and 
nothing gained by the English. The country for many coming months 



8 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was wrapped in snow and little else could be done by the contending 
forces, except the guarding of forts or lonely blockhouses, or scouring 
the forest in small war parties. But preparations were being made by 
both sides for a more vigorous campaign the next year. The English 
planned for the campaign of 1756 as for the year before, and in addition 
to clear the French vessels from Lake Ontario and obtain complete 
command of that lake. The French strengthened all of their fortifica- 
tions and laid plans to capture Oswego. It does not clearly appear in 
history whether or not the French were fully advised of the condition 
of the Oneida-Carrying Place, and the number or condition of the Eng- 
lish forts upon it. Certain it is, however, that the French were deter- 
mined to investigate and destroy whatever was there, to better enable 
them to capture Oswego. It was known by the French that Oswego 
was supplied by the English with troops, munitions of war, and provis- 
ions from Albany by the water route via Wood Creek and Oneida Lake, 
and if the Oneida Carrying Place could be captured or rendered use- 
less, a great point would be gained. The best, and probably the only, 
way for the French to reach it in those days, was by the route they took. 
In March, 1756, M. de Lery left Montreal with a force of French and 
Canadian Indians 362 strong, of which 103 were Indians, went across 
the country through what are now St. Lawrence and Lewis counties, to 
strike this portage. They left Montreal, came up the St. Lawrence on 
the ice to La Presentation (called by the Indians, Oswegatchie, now 
Ogdensburgh), waded through deep snows, forded or crossed on ice or 
logs Oswegatchie, Black, and Mohawk Rivers and other swollen streams 
and lost their way in the forest, led astray either by accident or design 
by their Indian guides. They were fifteen days on the journey, two 
days wholly without food, and most of them came near perishing from 
cold and fatigue. It is not easy at this late date to locate the route of 
that expedition across the country. The general course of Indian travel 
in the forest was to avoid hills and keep near streams and in valleys. 
Not unlikely that expedition struck Black River at or near what is now 
Carthage in Jefferson county, followed up the valley of that stream to 
the vicinity of what is now Boonville, and down the valley of the Lan- 
singkill and the Mohawk to Rome. They reached this locality some 
hours before daylight, on the morning of March 27, 1756, and remained 



1754-1756— FORT BULL, Etc. 9 

until four in the morning ; at that hour they resumed their march, much 
weakened by hunger and fatigue, and at half past five in the morning 
reached the head of the carrying place, towards the Mohawk. The 
scouts in advance brought to De Lery two Englishmen who were going 
from Fort Bull along the portage (supposed to be what is now Dominick 
street, Rome, or near it). They were threatened with death if they 
concealed the truth or told a falsehood. They said the fort nearest to 
Wood Creek was Fort Bull, named after the captain then in command, 
and had a garrison of 60 soldiers ; that in this fort was a considerable 
quantity of provisions and munitions of war, and that the fort was con- 
structed of heavy pickets, fifteen to eighteen feet above ground, doubled 
inside to a man's height, and the fort was nearly in the shape of a star; 
that it had no cannon, but a number of grenades which had been sent 
on by Sir William Johnson from down the Mohawk, who had received 
news of this expedition through friendly Indian runners ; that fifteen 
bateaux were to leave that evening for Oswego, loaded with supplies ; 
that at that moment sleigh loads were going along the portage from the 
Mohawk to Wood Creek with nine bateau loads; that the fort on the 
Mohawk River side of the portage was of much larger pickets and well 
planked, having four pieces of cannon and a garrison of 150 men, com- 
manded by Captain Williams, whose name the fort bore [This was 
Capt. William Williams of Sir Wm. Pepperell's regiment ; he was a 
native of Massachusetts. His regiment was disbanded in Dec, 1756; 
he died in 1787.] They said they had not been in that fort and hence 
did not know whether or not there were provisions in it. This account 
of the expedition, taken from the archives in Paris, and published in 
the Documentary History of N. Y. and in XII of Paris Documents, goes 
on to say : 

At ten in the forenoon the savages captured 10 men, who were conducting sleighs 
loaded with provisions from the Mohawk side of the portage to Wood Creek at Fort 
Bull. They stated in addition that 100 men arrived the preceding evening from 
down the Mohawk, who, it is said, were followed by a large force sent on by Sir 
William Johnson. While De Lery was distributing the captured provisions among 
his troops he was told that a negro who accompanied the sleigh loads had escaped, 
taking the road to Fort Williams, on the Mohawk, and that it was apprehended that 
Captain Williams from that fort would sally out to attack the French force. De Lery 
thereupon resolved to forthwith, and in great haste, attack Fort Bull, where he was 
assured the greater part of the provisions and stores were. The Indians were reluctant 

a 



10 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

to join in the attack, but favored an immediate return to Canada. Some 20 Indians, 
however, started with De Lery to attack Fort Bull, while the rest remained to guard 
the road and provisions and prevent an advance from Fort Williams. The orders 
were for the detachments to move rapidly, without firing a shot or making noise, and 
seize the guard on entering the fort. When near the fort and without being discov- 
ered, the Indians, in their eagerness and excitement, gave a whoop; then De Lery 
ordered an advance on double quick in order to carry the gate of the fort before it 
could be closed, but the garrison had bare time to close it. Only 6 Indians followed 
the French on this attack ; the others pursued some six of the prisoners who tried to 
escape. De Lery set some men to cut down the gate, and called upon the comman- 
der of the fort to surrender, which he refused, and answered defiantly by throwing 
a hand grenade and a fire of musketry [a brave and loyal officer], and throwing a 
quantity of grenades; the French and Canadians ran at full speed to the fort, got 
possession of the port holes, and through these fired at those inside. In about an 
hour the gate was cut down, and the French rushed in with shouts of " Vive le Roi " 
and put every one to the sword they could lay hands on. One woman and a few 
soldiers were fortunate enough to escape. The powder and other stores were thrown 
into the creek; one of the magazines caught fire, and as it could not be extinguished, 
orders were given to retire as quick as possible. There was hardly time to do this 
when the fire communicated to the powder, which blew up at three points. The ex- 
plosion was so violent that portions of the debris was thrown at some distance, and 
wounded some, and in great danger of killing the whole force. News was brought 
that a sortie from Fort Williams was being made, whereupon De Lery rallied his 
forces and caused bombs, grenades, bullets, and all the provisions that could be 
found thrown into the stream, and which were stored in fifteen loaded bateaux, and 
then set out to meet the sortie ; but he learned that the Indians had repulsed it, 
having killed seventeen men. De Lery then moved with his force and encamped in 
the woods three-quarters of a league away. The Fort Bull prisoners were then ex- 
amined, and it was learned that Sir William Johnson had sent notice to all the posts 
of De Lery's rumored coming, but it was regarded impossible on account of the 
rigor of the season. Fort Bull is situate near a creek. Fort Williams on the Mo- 
hawk. The carrying place from one fort to the other is about four miles long, over 
a pretty level country, though swampy in some places. 

No mention was made of Fort Craven, from which it may be right- 
fully inferred that this fort did not then exist, although it seems well 
authenticated that it once stood on the Mohawk near the bend of that 
stream and below where the railroad bridge of the New York Central 
now crosses the river. The French commander estimated that over 
40,000 pounds of powder were burned or thrown into the water, besides 
balls, bombs, grenades, clothing, provisions and other stores. It was a 
great loss to the English. 

Fort Bull covered about an acre of ground, was in the shape of a star 
and inside were a well and magazine, and the whole enclosed by pickets, 



1754-1756— FORT BULL, Etc. 11 

as above stated, and surrounded by a ditch into which water could be 
easily turned from Wood Creek when necessary. Its shape is yet (1896) 
plainly discernible, although 140 years have elapsed since its destruc- 
tion. For years past the curious and students of history have taken 
from the bed of Wood Creek close by the fort a large number of balls 
and other relics. In September, 1893, the location of Fort Bull and 
the events connected with its history were duly celebrated by proces- 
sions, speeches, etc. De Lery, after his victory, retreated by rapid 
marches to Canada, taking the route, as near as can now be ascertained, 
over the country towards Cape Vincent, reaching Lake Ontario in 
seven days, where he was met by a convoy of provisions in bateaux 
and proceeded down the St. Lawrence to Montreal.' The loss of the 
English is stated at ninety, men, of whom thirty were prisoners. 

In connection with the destruction of Fort Bull, an extract from the 
narrative of Robert Eastburn, published in 1758, is of interest. Mr. 
Eastburn was born in England in 17 10, and when four years of age was 
brought to this country by his parents. Robert had six children, and 
was a blacksmith by trade. In 1756 he, with thirty other mechanics, 
came from Philadelphia to what is now Rome, probably under the call 
of General Shirley for men to escort provisions over the carrying place 
and down to Oswego, as will be hereafter detailed. They reached this 
point March 26, 1756, on their way to Oswego. Fort Williams being 
full, he says they took up quarters in the " Indian House." It is diffi- 
cult to say where that was, but possibly on or near the site of Sink's 
opera house. He goes on to say : 

About 10 o'clock the next day, March 27, a negro came running down the road and 
reported that the sleigh-men who were transporting loads over the carrying place 
were all taken prisoners. Captain Williams thereupon sent a sergeant and twelve 
men to ascertain if the report was true. I, being at the Indian House, asked to go 
along, and I did. When we had advanced a quarter of a mile, a man was shot down. 
I got behind a large pine tree and shot two of the enemy. I then ran, got into a 
swamp, and by reason of the snow, the enemy tracked and captured me. They 
stripped me of my hat and clothing, so that I had nothing left but a flannel vest 
without sleeves. They put a rope around my neck, bound my arms fast behind me, 
put a long band around my body and a large pack on my back, struck me on the 
head a severe blow and drove me before them through the woods. Seventeen or 
eighteen prisoners were soon added. In the meantime the enemy determined to 

1 See route of Belletre's expedition, 1757, in next chapter. 



12 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

destroy Fort Bull, which they soon effected, all being put to the sword, except five, 
the fort burned, the provisions and powder destroyed, when they retired to the woods 
and joined their main body. As soon as they got together, having a priest with them, 
they fell on their knees and returned thanks for their victory. The enemy had sev- 
eral wounded men with them, which the}' carried on their backs; besides which about 
fifteen of their number were kiiled, and of us about forty. It being near dark and 
some Indians drunk, they marched only about four miles and encamped; the Indians 
untied my arms, cut hemlock boughs and strewed around the fire, tied my band to 
two trees with my back on the green boughs by the fire, covered me with an old 
blanket and lay down across my band, on each side, to prevent my escape while they 
slept. Sunday, March 28, rose early and the commander ordered a hasty retreat 
towards Canada, for fear of Sir William Johnson. After seven days march we ar- 
rived at Lake Ontario, where I eat some horse flesh. One of our men being so weak 
he could not keep pace, was killed and scalped. I was almost naked, traveling 
through deep snow and wading through rivers as cold as ice. 

The narrative goes on further to say they were taken down the St. 
Lawrence to Montreal and thence farther back into Canada ; that he 
finally went to England and after an absence of a year and a half he 
returned to his family in Philadelphia, who had mourned him as dead. 
It will be observed that the only forts mentioned in the foregoing are 
Forts William and Bull and that the former was the larger fort. It has 
been generally supposed that Fort Bull was the larger and more for- 
midable one. 



CHAPTER III. 

1756 TO 1758. —OSWEGO.— HERKIMER. 

The destruction of Fort Bull did not dampen the efforts of the Eng- 
lish to strengthen the forts at Oswego, which they had occupied since 
1727. General Shirley was at Albany, and his favorite plan was to 
strengthen Oswego and from that point later on to attack Niagara. 
He continued in the spring and summer of 1756, even after Fort Bull 
was destroyed, to supply Fort Williams and send supplies, munitions of 
war, and troops by this route to Oswego. Having no troops to escort 
and guard his provisions along the route, he invented the novel plan of 
taking into his pay 2,000 boatmen gathered from all parts of the coun- 



1756-1758— OSWEGO— HERKIMER. 13 

try, dividing them into companies of fifty, eached armed with a gun 
and a hatchet, and placing them under command of Lieut. -Col. John 
Bradstreet. Not unlikely Robert Eastburn and his associates helped to 
make up this escort in March, 1756, when he was captured and Fort 
Bull destroyed, as narrated in the previous chapter. In May, 1,100 
French troops prowled around Oswego to cut its communications with 
Albany ; nevertheless, Bradstreet safely conducted into Oswego a convoy 
of provisions and military stores, and July 3 set out on his return with 
his empty boats.- He fell in with the French about nine miles from 
Oswego and several engagements took place, in which Bradstreet had 
the final advantage and returned to Albany with his empty boats. The 
French returned towards Frontenac and encamped at or near what is 
now Sackett's Harbor, or in the vicinity of Black River Bay. General 
Shirley continued his efforts to reinforce Oswego, when the astounding 
news came to him that he was superseded in command. It was an- 
nounced that Col. Daniel Webb would be sent to America, followed by 
General Abercrombie, who in turn was to be followed by the Earl of 
Loudon ; Shirley to resign to Webb, the latter to Abercrombie, and the 
latter to Loudon. Notwithstanding this news, Shirley continued his 
efforts in the direction of Oswego. Webb and Abercrombie arrived in 
June, Loudon in July, 1756. It was the general understanding among 
the English that the French were preparing to attack Oswego from the 
direction of Frontenac, and the attack in May on Bradstreet was con- 
firmatory of this understanding. In July a French commander with 700 
men had gone from Frontenac and joined the French troops near 
Sackett's Harbor, as before stated. On the 21st of July Montcalm and 
the French governor of Canada left Montreal and by eight days of 
hard rowing up the St. Lawrence, reached Fort Frontenac. A 
French engineer had secretly reconnoitered the forts at Oswego 
and returned with the report that success was certain. On the 
4th of August, 1756, all was ready; 3,000 men were destined 
for the enterprise. Montcalm embarked at night from Frontenac 
and crossed over to Wolf Island with a portion of the troops 
and on that island were hidden all day, embarking again in the 
evening. They joined the other troops at Sackett's Harbor, the next 
morning at 7 (August 7). On the 8th all were united at the bay. On 



14 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the gth, covered by the universal forest, a portion of the force marched in 
advance to protect the landing of the troops. Montcalm followed, 
coasting the shore in bateaux and at midnight of August ioth landed 
within a mile and a half of Oswego. The English knew nothing of the 
coming army until in the morning, when a reconnoitering canoe discov- 
ered the invaders. There were three forts at Oswego, and after three 
or four days hard fighting, all were captured and 1,600 troops sur- 
rendered to the French. The latter destroyed the forts, burned the 
vessels on the stocks, destroyed such provisions as they could not carry 
away, and made the place a desert. Then the army decamped loaded 
with prisoners and spoil, crossed over to Fort Frontenac, descended the 
St. Lawrence to Montreal, hung the captured flags in the churches and 
sang Te Deutn in honor of their triumph. 

This detailed account of that capture is given, as it had much' to do 
with the subsequent history of this part of the country and in shaping 
its destiny. In the mean time, the plans of Shirley to reinforce Oswego 
were continued. On the I2th of August Webb was sent from Albany 
with a regiment of troops up the Mohawk, thence to go to Oswego via 
Oneida Carrying Place. He had scarcely reached the Carrying Place 
when the stunning news came to him of the disaster at Oswego, accom- 
panied by the alarming rumor that Montcalm with a force of 6,000 was 
en route for Oneida Lake and Wood Creek. Webb took fright, felled 
trees in Wood Creek so as to impede the coming of the French, burned 
Fort Williams on the Carrying Place and beat a hasty retreat down the 
valley of the Mohawk. His conduct on this occasion, as well as his 
action at Lake George, has caused his name to come down in history as 
either a coward or a very inefficient officer. The destruction of Fort 
Williams and the conduct of Webb left this part of the country defence- 
less, and exposed the Valley of the Mohawk and the territory of the Six 
Nations to the attacks of the French, and tended strongly to win over 
to the latter the friendship of the Iroquois Confederacy. 

The war between the French and English continued around Lake 
Champlain and at other points, but not in this vicinity or in what is 
now Oneida county. The French did not, however, cease their efforts 
to learn the condition of the Oneida Carrying Place, and of the route 
between Oswego and Albany. In 1757 a French spy was sent over 



1756-1758— OSWEGO— HERKIMER. 15 

this route to obtain information for his government. His report, with 
other valuable documents, are published in the Colonial History of New 
York. He started from Oswego and went up Oswego River to Oneida 
River, the outlet of Oneida Lake, and then to Wood Creek. The lake 
is about twenty-one miles long and several miles wide ; the distance 
from the mouth of Wood Creek to Fort Bull, following that crooked 
stream, is about twenty- seven miles and about one- half that distance in 
a straight line. The distance from Oswego to Fort Bull is 108 miles, 
and it took a loaded boat five days, and about three and a half to go the 
other way. In low water a loaded boat could not go from Oneida Lake 
within a mile and a half of Fort Bull ; it must be partly unloaded and 
the boat return for the remainder of the cargo The narrative of the 
French spy, goes on to say : 

Wood Creek is full of sinuosities, narrow and sometimes embarrassed with fallen 
trees. Its navigation is difficult when the water is low. Fort Bull was burned in 
1756, and was situate on the right bank of Wood Creek. From Fort Bull to Fort 
Williams is one league and a half. This is the carrying place across the height of 
land. The English had constructed a road there, over which all carriages passed, 
and the English were obliged to build a portion of the way from Fort Bull because 
of the marshy ground ; near a small stream [Stony Creek] a fort had been begun 
[Fort Newport, site of late U.S. Arsenal, now now bath tub factory] but not finished. 
It was to be intermediate between Forts Bull and Williams on the summit level. 
Fort Williams was on the right bank of Mohawk River, at the east end of the carry- 
ing place; it was abandoned and destroyed by the English in 1856 [De Lery's ex- 
pedition]. Leaving Oswego is a road over which the English drove cattle, on the 
border of Oswego River, to Oneida Lake, and around to Oneida village, and they 
can go to Forts Bull and Williams. [This is probably the route over which Gen. 
Shirley drove his beef cattle to Oswego in 1755, as mentioned in a previous chapter.] 
From Fort Williams to Herkimer is thirty-six miles. The road follows on the right 
bank [south] of the Mohawk ; leaving Fort Williams there is a road north of the 
river but it can be traveled only on foot or horseback ; there is another road which 
joins that [at Stanwix village probably] by which horses and cattle pass from Her- 
kimer to Oswego. This road is bad for about four leagues [Whitesboro]. The 
country is marshy, and carriages travel it in winter and during summer, and it can 
be easily passed on horseback at all times, though in some places there is a great 
deal of mud. After these four leagues, carts can easily go to Fort Herkimer. Five 
leagues this side of Fort Herkimer, are the forks of two roads, one of which to the 
left leads, by fording the river, to the Palatines village [village of Herkimer.] 

The forts on the carrying place being destroyed in 1756, the French 
had easier access from Canada to the English settlements down the 
Mohawk valley. In the fall of 1757 a French expedition under Belletre 



16 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

left Kingston and on the 1 2th of November, 1757, made an attack 
about three in the morning on the forts and Palatine settlements (now 
the village of Herkimer, formerly Fort Dayton), murdering the settlers 
and destroying the property. The question is, which route did that ex- 
pedition follow ? The histories of Herkimer county say that it went 
via Black River ; if this be correct, it must have followed the valley of 
the stream and struck West Canada Creek above Herkimer village not 
far from " Hess Rifts," where some authorities say, Walter Butler 
crossed at the time he was killed, on his way back to Canada in 1780, 
after his Johnstown invasion, when pursued by Colonel Willett. The 
French spy who gave the account of the itinerary from Oswego to 
Albany, above quoted, writes as follows of Belletre's expedition : 

He went from the mouth of La Famine river 30 miles below Oswego, ascended 
that river four leagues [12 miles] and leaving it on the left, and followed the path 
leading to Oneida lake, which he left on his right, and came to the level summit to 
Fort Williams, [at the Oneida Carrying Place]. He forded three rivers, the water 
being very high, during the four days he was going from La Famine to Fort Will- 
iams, from 24 to 30 leagues [77 or 90 miles.] The soil is soft only in the latter part 
of the season, the country is fine and but few mountains. 

It has always been an unanswered point in history as to the location 
of river La Famine. Some maps and authors locate it as Chaumont 
Bay ; others at the mouth of Salmon River ; some at Henderson Bay ; 
some in Ellisburgh. The French spy places it thirty miles from Oswego, 
which would locate it near the mouth of Sandy Creek in the town of 
Henderson, Jefferson county ; following up that stream twelve miles, 
would reach Adams, and the distance from the starting point to Fort 
Williams (now Rome) is about seventy- five miles, as stated by the 
French spy. Again, the description of the route would closely resemble 
the route from Henderson to Rome, and the three rivers crossed might 
have been, and quite likely were, Salmon River, Mad River and Fish 
Creek, all large and turbulent streams at times in those days ; that route 
might have led through Adams, Lorraine, Boylston, Redfield and Flor- 
ence. It will be observed that the Itinerary of the spy makes no men- 
tion of a single fort standing in 1757 at the carrying place, and cmly 
those of Forts Bull and Williams which had been erected and were de- 
stroyed the year before. Nothing is said of Fort Craven, although the 
latter, on the site of it, is shown on the topographical map in the next 



1758 TO 1760-FORTS STANWIX AND SCHUYLER. 17 

chapter. That partisan and bloody attack of Belletre closed the cam- 
paign of 1757. 



CHAPTER IV. 

1758 TO 1760.— FORTS STANWIX AND SCHUYLER. 

In 1756 William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, became Prime Min- 
ister of England. For more than two years the English in America 
had acted so much like children that the Indians were disgusted, while 
the activity of the French tended to win the admiration and alliance of 
the Iroquois Confederacy. This condition of affairs in the colonies had 
greatly troubled the English people. When Pitt came into power he 
bent the energies of his great mind to produce a change. It was to- 
wards America that he turned his heartiest efforts. He had in view 
the driving of the French from their Canadian possessions, and his first 
step in that direction was the capture of Louisburg, next Du Quesne 
and then Ticonderoga. To capture the latter Abercrombie went in 
June, 1758, from Albany to Lake Champlain, and with him went Colonel 
John Bradstreet (afterwards General Bradstreet and part owner of Cosby 
Manor) and Marinus Willett (the then future hero of Fort Stanwix), 
then eighteen years old. That expedition was a disgraceful fizzle, and 
Colonel Bradstreet, indignant at the unnecessary failure, obtained from 
his superior officer permission to take 3,000 troops and go back to 
Albany, and via Mohawk River and Oneida Carrying Place to Oswego, 
thence to attack Fort Frontenac. This scheme was kept secret from all 
but the leading officers. On reaching Albany they hastened in boats 
up the Mohawk, and reached the carrying place about the first of Au- 
gust. Here they found General Stanwix with 6,000 troops, whither he 
been ordered a short time before to erect a formidable fort in place of 
those destroyed. On this expedition went also the following, who sub- 
sequently became famous in the history of their country, viz.: Nathaniel 
Woodhull, a major, subsequently a general in the Revolutionary army, 
and the first president of the provincial congress; Horatio Gates, then 



18 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a captain, subsequently a general, who captured Burgoyne in 1777 at 
Saratoga ; James and George Clinton, the former general in the Revo- 
lutionary army, the latter the war governor of New York, the former 
then twenty-two, the latter nineteen years old. 

Bradstreet began with his usual vigor to transport his men and his 
munitions of war across the portage and to clear Wood Creek of the 
numerous trees with which General Webb had obstructed it two years 
before. A dam was built across the creek near the late U. S. Arsenal 
site to raise the water and aid in floating the boats down that stream. 
Two weeks were occupied in these preparations, and these movements 
first indicated to the troops the direction they were to take. The troops 
started from the carrying place August 14, reached Oswego in six days, 
and after resting there a few hours, started for Fort Frontenac. . On the 
evening of the twenty-fifth the fort was reached, and in three days it 
was captured. On arriving at the site of Fulton, Oswego county, on 
their return, the men were three days in dragging the boats around 
Oswego Falls, and so excessive was the labor and so great the fatigue 
that nearly 100 deaths occurred at that point, and when Fort Bull was 
reached about one-half the men were unfit for duty. It required four 
days to transport the boats and stores from Wood Creek to Mohawk 
River, and the men were so completely exhausted that, according to 
Smith's Colonial History, 500 died and were buried at the carrying 
place. The cause is attributed to the haste in cooking the food and the 
bad water of Wood Creek and the great fatigue of the men. The 
troops reached this point on their return September 10, 1758, and that 
very night young Willett was taken sick, and was confined to his tent 
until November by a dangerous illness. Before that summer was over 
it was evident that a fort was needed at this carrying place, and hence 
General Abercrombie gave orders to build one, detailing Gen. John 
Stanwix to superintend its construction. 

While General Abercrombie was at Lake George in the summer of 
1758, he wrote to General Stanwix two letters under dates of July 16 
and 23, 1758, directing that the fort should be built forthwith at the 
Oneida Carrying Place. Under date of July 27th, General Aber- 
crombie writes a third letter to General Stanwix on the same subject, 
in which he says : 



1758 TO 1760— FORTS STANWIX AND SCHUYLER. 19 

Having been told that you had been obliged to encamp your troops at Schenectady 
through the reason of the present shallowness of the Mohawk River, where it is said 
you cannot even get up light bateaux, which will have prevented your forwarding 
the tools and materials necessary for building at the Oneida Carrying Place, the post 
or fort I directed by my letters of the 16th, and 23d, should be forthwith built there 
and having been since advised, instead of that post or fort, to build one more exten- 
sive, pursuant to a plan laid before me, I have accordingly sent that plan to Lieut. 
Williams, now at Albany, with directions, if his health should permit, to undertake 
the same immediately, to join you and set about it; my reason for sending him is, 
that he is acquainted with that part of the country, and accustomed to the method 
of working in it. . . . 

General Stanwix asked the opinion of Captain Green on a plan of a 
fort to be built at the carrying place, and that officer answered as fol- 
lows : 

Heads of the ordered Plan : 

A good post to be made at the Oneida carrying place, capable of lodging 200 men 
in the winter, and 3 or 400 men in the summer for its defence, with logs — a parapet 
of such thickness as the engineer shall think necessary according to the situation. 

A ditch to be made to serve to thicken the parapet — barracks to be made under- 
neath the rampart, with flues of the chimneys to come through the top. 

The square will be the cheapest form to be made use of for this work. 

The bastions in like manner can be made use of for storehouses or magazines. In 
the square may be made lodging for officers, and the rest of the quadrangle clear — 
the whole to be logged. 

And opposite the officers barracks, may be made a storehouse for the deposit of 
Indian goods. 

By a good post — I understand to be meant such a one, as will contain with ease, 
the said number of men, to be executed in such a manner as to protect them from a 
coup-de-main, and to be of such a size as will admit of a proper defence by such a 
garrison — the exterior side of such square, cannot possibly be less (if so little) than 
300 feet which procures but a very small defence from its flank, and will make an ex- 
terior circuit of logging of nearly 1,420 feet by at the least of 14 feet high, according 
to the situation ; and in order to admit of barracks under the rampart, to which the 
retaining and braceing log works, as well as the log work fronting the interior area, 
must of course be considered, as likewise the log work to cover the barracks, store- 
houses, and magazines that are proposed to be made under the ramparts of the cur- 
tains and bastions, by which it will appear that the greatest part of the rampart 
round this post must be formed and supported with log work. 

As to the thickness of the parapet, being informed cannon may be brought by the 
enemy, it cannot be less than 12 feet, if so little, 18 feet being the standard in such 
cases. 

The rampart for the maneuver of cannon, and likewise to admit of a reasonable 
breadth for the barracks underneath, cannot be less than 20 feet. 

The breadth and depth of ditch must be considered in proportion for the earth 
wanted to form said parapet, and to cover the logwork of the proposed barracks. 



20 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Magazines and storehouses to be made under the rampart. The exterior circuit of 
Fort Edward is nearly 1,569 feet, and as I am informed took nearly two seasons to 
complete it. 

Fort Stanwix was begun August 23, 1758, by the troops under Gen- 
eral Stanwix, and nearly finished November 11, 1758; it cost 60,000 
pounds sterling. The ground where the fort was built was nineteen feet 
higher than the swamps and low land, and descended gradually west- 
ward towards Fort Newport (late U. S. Arsenal). It is supposed that 
Dominick street follows the route of the old carrying path, except that 
in those years that path went to the east, or left, of what was then Fort 
Newport (late U. S. Arsenal). Fort Stanwix was bounded east, north 
and south by what are now Spring, Liberty, and Dominick streets. An 
indentation in the ground commencing on the west bounds of George 
Barnard's late residence on Dominick street, and running northerly to 
Liberty street is where ran the westerly ditch of the fort. 

The capture of Fort Frontenac by Bradstreet, followed by the taking 
of Louisburg and Fort Du Quesne by the English in November there- 
after, closed the campaign in 1759. A fleet was to sail up the St. Law- 
rence to besiege Quebec and Ticonderoga, and Crown Point and Niagara 
were to be captured. With the latter only this narrative has to do, as 
it more immediately concerns Oneida county. Either in 1758 or 1759 
(authorities disagree as to the year), a mud fort was erected on the 
present site of Utica, on the south bank of the Mohawk River, in the 
block bounded by Second street and Ballou Creek, close by the tracks 
of the N. Y. C. R. R., a little easterly of the railroad depot. An Indian 
path leading from Oneida Castle, and one from the Oneida Carrying 
Place, met or crossed each other at the foot of what is now Genesee 
street'in Utica; one path kept on the south side of the river down the 
valley ; another forded that stream where those paths met, and led down 
the Mohawk on the north side, and another diverged (as supposed) and 
led to the Black River valley and thence north. This fording place 
was considered a good site for a fort and one was accordingly erected, 
as before stated ; it was surrounded by palisades and ditches, and was 
probably intended more as a place of rest and a moderate protection to 
the inmates, than as a formidable work of defence. It was named after 
Peter Schuyler ; authors disagree whether it was that Peter who was an 
uncle of Gen. Philip Schuyler of the Revolution, or another Peter 



1758 TO 1760— FORTS STANWIX AND SCHUYLER. 21 

Schuyler. That fort went to decay soon after the Revolution, and seems 
not to have been an important fortification. 

General Prideaux and Sir William Johnson were charged with the ex- 
pedition against Niagara. They were instructed to go up the Mohawk 
in May, 1759, with 5,000 troops, to leave a strong garrison at Fort 
Stanwix, establish a post on the east end of Oneida Lake (the Royal 
Block House, now Sylvan Beach, town of Vienna) and one at the west 
end of the lake (Fort Brewerton), descend the river to Oswego, leave 
nearly one- half his force there and proceed with the remainder to at- 
tack Niagara. These orders were accomplished, and the troops pass- 
ing up the Mohawk probably stopped for a while at Fort Schuyler 
(Utica) on their way west. Niagara was besieged, General Prideaux 
was killed, the fort captured by Sir William and the whole region of 
the upper Ohio fell into undisputed possession of the English. In the 
mean time the French forts around Lakes George and Champlain fell 
into the hands of the English, and in September Wolfe captured Que- 
bec. These victories practically assured Canada to England, although 
the war in Canada continued for two or three years longer. In 1760 a 
final campaign was ordered by the British government to drive the 
French forces which had converged around Montreal from Canada. 
One English army was to proceed from Quebec, another from Lake 
Champlain, and a third from Albany, up the Mohawk via the Oneida 
Carrying Place to Oswego, thence over Lake Ontario to and down the 
St. Lawrence. General Amherst commanded the last, consisting of 
4,000 English regulars, 6,000 Provincials, and 600 Indians under Sir 
William Johnson. With this army, and who went over this route, 1 were 
General Amherst, the commander-in-chief; Gen. Thomas Gage, com- 
mander of the British forces around Boston at the time of the Revolu- 
tion ; Colonel Haldimand, subsequently governor general of Canada ; 
General Bradstreet, Israel Putnam, later a general in the army of the 
Revolution. In September of that year the English forces converged 
at Montreal, where the French army had been driven, and the French 
were compelled to surrender, and all Canada passed into the hands of 
the English. 2 

1 The vestige of a part of an old military road near Lairdsville, in the town of Westmoreland, is 
yet visible ; said to have been the road over which some of Amherst's men traveled on that ex- 
pedition. 

2A brief sketch of General Stanwix may be of interest to the reader in this connection. He 



22 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER V. 

1760 TO AUGUST, 1777. 

The history of Oneida county, prior to 1760, is mainly written in war 
and bloodshed. Aside from the Indian trade carried on over its terri- 
tory, nothing of a peaceful character prior to that year was transacted 
within its borders. The routes across it were traveled by hostile forces, 
infested by scalping parties lurking in ambush, and lined by forts 
erected for protection and defence. Not a road was laid out, riot an 
acre of land cleared, not a tree felled, not a building erected for any 
object other than of, or for, a warlike purpose. The "old French war " 
was in progress in 1760 and continued for several years thereafter; and 
up to that date not a person with a view to a settlement had located 
within its limits. The first settlers within the county were Johannis 

entered the army as early as 1706. In 1752 he was governor of Carlisle, in the north part of Eng- 
land, which city he then represented in parliament. In 175(5 he was appointed colonel of the 60th 
Royal regiment, went as a volunteer to America, and was put in command of the southern dis- 
trict of America and made his headquarters at Carlisle, Penn , during 1757 ; in December of that 
year was made brigadier general. In 1758, having been superseded by General Forbes, General 
Stanwix proceeded to Albany, where he was ordered by General Abercrombie to proceed to the 
Oneida Carrying Place, there to erect a fort, as heretofore stated, and which in his honor was 
named Fort Stanwix, by which name it has come down to us in history, notwithstanding the 
efforts on the part of the Americans during the Revolution to give it the name of Fort Schuyler. 
By reason of this attempt and of its being so called in official dispatches, and in some histories, 
this fort has been at times confounded with the Fort Schuyler at Utica ; the latter fort has been 
called "Old Fort Schuyler." In 1759 General Stanwix returned to Pennsylvania; he repaired the 
old Fort Du Quesne, changed to the name of Fort Pitt, site of the present city of Pittsburgh. 
On his return to England he was appointed lieutenant governor of the Isle of Wight ; he married 
a second wife in 1763. In 1765 he was ordered to Ireland, and in December, 1766, in crossing the 
sea to take his seat in the English^parliament, the vessel in which he was a passenger and all on 
board, including his wife and only daughter were lost. A singular lawsuit grew out of the death 
of his family. By a stipulation on his marriage it was agreed that in case he survived his wife, 
the personal estate was to go in a certain direction, and if his daughter survived both husband 
and wife, then in another line. The case was brought into chancery and the lawyers in the case 
made ingenious arguments as to the "survival of the fittest," and as to the probabilities which 
could buffet with the waves and death longest, the old, the middle aged, or the young. The 
questions were so intricate and difficult of decision, the court advised a compromise by an equal 
division of the property, which was agreed to by the parties. In the north part of England is 
the city of Carlisle, from which General Stanwix was a member of parliament at the time of his 
death. One of the suburbs of that city is a hamlet named "Stanwix." 



1760 TO AUGUST, 1777. 23 

Reuff (anglicized John Roof) and wife. He was born January 9, 1730, 
in the city of Durlach, Suabice, Germany, and January 13, 1759, mar- 
ried in that city and both came to this country. In October of that 
year they landed in the city of Philadelphia. Soon thereafter they 
pushed their way onward to New York, up the valley of the Mohawk, 
past the Palatine settlement at German Flats and early in 1760 we find 
them located at Fort Stanwix. Not unlikely the location of the Ger- 
man Palatinates along the Mohawk and up as far as Herkimer induced 
those persons to come so far into this wilderness region. Fort Stanwix 
was erected about a year and a half before, and when Roof and wife 
came it was garrisoned by British troops and was likely to be the 
theater of active military operations, or the route for the passage of 
hostile armies. Mr. Roof erected a log house on or near the banks of 
the Mohawk, opened trade with the Indians, and as time progressed, 
furnished board and lodgment for boatmen and for those who assisted 
boatmen across the carrying place, and for those who crossed this por- 
tage to trade with the Indians. Their nearest neighbors, aside from the 
garrison, were thirty miles away, and here this newly married couple 
commenced the battle of life, the pioneer settlers of Oneida county. Mr. 
Roof leased or purchased by contract, of Oliver De Lancey, a portion 
of Oriskany Patent, just east of the river, the present site of Factory 
Village ; this land he cultivated, in due time erected barns, filled them 
with produce, and before the war of the Revolution was a thrifty, pros- 
perous business man. Unto him while at Fort Stanwix the following 
children were born: John, born August 28, 1761 ; Susannah, born 
August 9, 1766; Martyn, born February 2, 1776; Barbara, born Oc- 
tober 30, 1771 ; Adam, born May 16, 1773. 

It will thus be seen that this family were permanent settlers, for they 
lived at that fort until driven out by the siege of Fort Stanwix in Au- 
gust, 1777. John, the first born, was baptized when Sir William John- 
son and Captain Nicholas (afterward General) Herkimer were present, 
the latter acting as godfather. When sixteen years old, John entered 
the army under General Herkimer, was by the side of the latter when 
shot in the leg at the battle of Oriskany, and also present when that leg 
was amputated and the general died. The father was captain in Colonel 
Mellon's force of 200 Massachusetts men and under Colonel Gansevoort 



24 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

at the siege of Fort Stanwix. The son Marty n was baptized by Rev. 
Samuel Kirkland, the well known divine and Indian missionary ; three 
other children were born unto Mr. Roof at Canajoharie, after his family 
sought safety in that locality, subsequent to the beginning of the war. 

From the best attainable accounts Bartholomew Brothock (Brodock) 
was the next comer after Mr. Roof. He came from down the valley, 
and after the Revolution located in the town of Vienna, where descend- 
ants of his yet reside. Soon thereafter the following families were found 
located around the fort clearing up small patches of ground, trading 
with the Indians, and assisting boatmen up and down the river and 
over the carrying place, viz : William Kline, Thomas Myers, John 
Steere (or Steeve), William Quinn, Stephanes De Grow, and one Reg- 
gins, and others, about a dozen families in all. In the Documentary 
History is a letter from Eleazer Wheelock, who had charge of a charity 
school at Lebanon, Conn., for the education of Indian youths, to Sir 
William Johnson. The letter is dated August 20. 1762, and it says 
that, '" one Reggins lives at Fort Stanwix, but is doing business at the 
Royal Block house at the mouth of Wood Creek at the east end of 
Oneida Lake [now Sylvan Beach], and has in his employ a young boy 
of sixteen years by the name of George Haxton, and the latter would 
like to attend school, but his obligations to Reggins and the violent op- 
position of the latter prevent." The writer asks for the assistance of 
Sir William. These families continued around Fort Stanwix until 
driven down the valley by the Revolutionary war, as will be more fully 
stated hereafter. 

On March 12, 1772, Tryon county was taken from Albany county by 
a north and south line which ran nearly through the center of Schoharie 
county ; all west of that line in New York was in Tryon county (named 
in honor of William Tryon, then governor of the province). 

The next settlement in Oneida county, after the one at Fort Stanwix, 
was at Deerfield Corners. In 1773, George J. Weaver (spelled Weber) 
Mark Damuth (sometimes called Damoot and by the English Dame- 
wood), and Christ Jan Reall, located at the corners at Deerfield, built a 
log house and commenced to improve the land. That was in Cosby's 
Manor, which was sold the year before by the sheriff of Albany county 
for quit rents, to Philip Schuyler, for the benefit of himself, Gen. John 
Bradstreet and others. 



1760 TO AUGUST, 1777. 25 

The settlers around Fort Stanwix seemed to be doing a thriving busi- 
ness for those times, and to be acquiring considerable property. From 
old documents found in the possession of Jelles Fonda, of Caughnawaga 
(see history of State Patents), at his death, it would seem as if those 
located around the fort considered they had in 1773 a monopoly of the 
carrying place, of the price of travel, and of carriage of goods. The 
following are among the documents referred to : 

Caughnawaga [Fonda], 29 January, 1773. 

We the subscribers do agree that William Kline and Christian Reel shall have a 
wagon to ride over the carrying place, and work as we do ; and shall have a full 
share of a wagon's riding and payment for the same during their good behavior, ac- 
cording to an agreement made this 29 day of January, 1793. 

Jelles Fonda, Johannes Ruff, Anthony Van Veighton, William Kline, Thomas 
Maires, Christ Jan Reil, Bartholomay Brodock. 

Present — Daniel Steele, Richard Caller, John Seere. 

Fort Stanwix, March 3, 1773. 

Sir: — This morning we met together at Mr. Stephanes [Stephanes Degrow's] and 
has agreed about the price of the riding at this place, which is 20 shillings to Kennedy 
[Canada] Creek, and likewise from there the same to the Indian field [perhaps Shoe- 
maker's at Mohawk], and from the common Carrying place 18 shillings to Kennedy 
Creek, coming and going. 

Thomas Mearse, Johannes Ruff, William Kline, Stephanus De grow. 

P. S. — The short carrying place is 4 shillings, and from the Indian field to New- 
port is six shillings. 

The following letter was from Mr. Roof to Jelles Fonda : 

Fort Stanwix, April 23, 1773. 
Sir: — Your favor rec'd the 20 inst. ; the next day I sent them to plow with my 
servant and my plow as I want the seed in the ground as soon as possible. I want 
no pay for it, only they must help me and I them ; the riding [carrying persons, 
likely] is beginning to be pretty smart, therefore I want to have done with plowing. 
We have made a new sluice and it is in good order. The traders make complaint in 
regard to paying 4 shillings over this place, but as to Kanady Creek, I hear they 
seem to be easy about the price. They threaten to get other wagons here, but that 
we care nothing about ; for I am not afraid, one wagon this year will clear as much 
two last year. 

The foregoing will indicate what was going on in this county 120 
years ago. Thus affairs moved on hereabouts, no great, if any, addition 
being made to the settlers in the county before the Revolution ; and 
none, so far as history chronicles, outside of Fort Stanwix and Deer- 
field. 

Political affairs in the colonies were approaching a crisis. The French 



25 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

had been driven from the Canadian possessions, and England was seek- 
ing to tax and otherwise oppress her colonial subjects in America 
beyond endurance. The spirit of liberty, especially among the Angli- 
cized people in the colonies, was fully aroused and hardly a decade had 
passed before a war was again threatened in the colonies, and more 
formidable than the old French war. The battles of Lexington and 
Bunker Hill in 1775 set the country in motion. The news from be- 
leagured Boston stirred up the people to the wildest extent and enthu- 
siasm. Indians were on the war path and scattered colonial settle ■ 
ments were wiped from the face of the earth. The Declaration of In- 
dependence July 4, 1776, solidified the sentiment of the colonial patriots 
in favor of a separation from the mother country. Early in that year 
matters assumed a very warlike aspect. The various forts .in the 
Mohawk Valley were garrisoned, and although Fort Stanwix was in 
the midst of a wilderness, thirty miles from civilization, yet it was consid- 
ered the key to the western country, and to the Mohawk Valley from 
the west. General Washington at an early day had called the attention 
of General Schuyler to this fort, the importance of this carrying place, 
and the necessity of repairing and garrisoning it. In the course of 1776 
Congress directed General Schuyler to put the fort in a state of defence, 
but nothing was done to it that year. The settlers remained around the 
fort as in years before, but war parties began to move. In the summer 
of 1776 a friendly Oneida Indian was hunting north of Deerfield 
Corners and while thus engaged came upon a party of Tories and 
Indians who were very particular in their inquiries as to the white settle- 
ment at the corners. The Oneida Indian gave evasive answers, and the 
party proceeded in the direction of the settlement. As soon as out of 
sight the friendly Indian made a detour and hastened to apprise the 
whites of their danger. Being acquainted with the woods, thickets, 
hills, swamps, and streams, he reached the settlement and gave warning 
to the whites, who barely had time to hide their scanty furniture in the 
woods. The women and children in a wagon, and the men on foot, 
beat a hasty retreat down the valley. The war party came, found the 
settlers gone, set fire to and burned the buildings, and the town of 
Deerfield was again a deserted wilderness. The only settlers then left in 
Oneida county was those who yet remained around Fort Stanwix. 



1760 TO AUGUST, 1777. 



Colonel Dayton was in command of the fort of that name'(now Herki- 
mer village) in 1 776, and he was ordered to take charge of Fort Stan- 
wix and repair it. The fort had gone greatly to decay, the pickets 
rotted off, and the earthworks much out of repair. It seems that Col. 
Elias Dayton x was at Fort Stanwix in the summer of 1776 and he was 
the one who changed the name to Fort Schuyler; that name clung to it 
in part during the war, and in that way it has often been confounded 
with Fort Schuyler at Utica ; Colonel Dayton was superseded in the 
year 1776 in command at Fort Stanwix by Colonel Elmore of the State 
service. In April, 1777, Col. 
Peter Gansevoort, then twenty- 
eight years of age, of the State 
service, was appointed to suc- 
ceed Colonel Elmore by an order 
of General Gates dated April 26, 
1777. On reaching Fort Stan- 
wix Colonel Gansevoort found 
the ditches nearly filled up, maga- 
zine and barracks gone to ruin 
and the works untenable and in 
no condition for defence. He 
had but a small number of men 
and it was rumored there was 
to be an attack by the British 
during the summer. In May 

Col. Marinus Willett, then thirty-seven years old, and near Peekskill, 
was ordered with his regiment to join Colonel Gansevoort ; he started 
from Fort Constitution, opposite West Point, with his regiment in three 
sloops, reached Albany in three days, thence in boats up the Mohawk 
and arrived at Fort Stanwix May 29, 1777. When Colonels Ganse- 
voort and Willett reached Fort Stanwix, the work of repairing com- 
menced in earnest. The French engineer employed turned out to be 
wholly incompetent. Instead of repairing the works after the manner 
of their original construction, which would have been comparatively 







Peter Gansevoort, jr. 



2 Colonel Dayton was grandfather o£ William L. Dayton, of New Jersey, minister to France 
under President Lincoln, and who ran for vice-president in 1856, on the ticket with John C- 
Fremont. 



28 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

easy, he sent out to the swamp large parties to cut pickets, which when 
brought to the fort with so much labor were found to be seventeen feet 
long, seven feet longer than required, and instead of putting them in the 
center of the ditch, as formerly, they were put in the covert way. A 
building for barracks was erected outside of the fort. Another blunder 
was that the port holes in the pickets did not correspond with the em- 
brasures of the fort. The upshot of the matter was, the engineer was 
arrested and sent down the valley to General Schuyler. It was not until 
into July that this was done. 

The British plan of the campaign for 1777 was for General Burgoyne 
to go from Canada with an army of 7,000 men up Lake Champlain, cross 
over to the Hudson River at Fort Edward, down that stream to Albany 
and there unite with General Howe, who was to come up the Hudson with 
his forces, and those two armies meet St. Leger with another army, which 
was to go via Lake Ontario, Oswego River, Oneida Lake, Wood Creek, 
capture Fort Stanwix, and proceed down the Mohawk and overrun and 
wipe out the settlements in the valley. That plan was formulated in 
England, and the forces started in the spring of 1777 to execute it. If 
it had been successful it would have been the death knell of American 
independence, as it would have separated the New England from the 
other colonies, as was the plan, and trampled under foot the patriots of 
the Mohawk Valley — among the most vigilant, the most brave, the most 
alert and active, of any of the settlements in the thirteen colonies ; but 
the British authorities had not duly considered, nor given proper weight 
to, the part Fort Stanwix might, and was to act in this contest They 
did not seem to have taken into account that it was possible for St. Leger 
to fail before this fort ; but to have assumed it was to be taken and the 
valley overrun as a matter of course. 

And now the time was approaching when within the borders of Oneida 
county were to be enacted scenes, and in which history was to be made, 
of momentous import ; history concerning not this locality alone, but 
involving the destiny of a nation, and hence it is not an exaggeration to 
say that the result of the siege of Fort Stanwix was the turning point 
in the Revolutionary conflict and assured independence to the colonies. 
General Burgoyne had charge of the Champlain expedition He came 
from England in the spring of 1777, and in June went up Lake Cham- 



1760 TO AUGUST, 1777. 29 

plain and in due time reached the Hudson River with an army of 7,000 
men. ■ It was not fully known in early summer to the colonies as to the 
general plan of the English campaign; but as the season advanced, ru- 
mors thickened, and savages prowling around Fort Stanwix, picking off 
all they could see, indicated the trend of events. 

Under date of June 26, 1777, Colonel Gansevoort wrote to General 
Schuyler as follows : 

lam sorry to inform you that Captain Gregg went out gunning yesterday morning, 
contrary to orders, and about 10 a. m. Corporal Madison was killed and scalped and 
Captain Gregg shot through the back, tomahawked and scalped and left for dead ; 
but he survives. He saw two Indians. 

Under date of July 4 Colonel Gansevoort writes again, as follows : 

The soldiers are constantly at work sending out parties of observation, felling the 
timber into Wood Creek, clearing the road to Fort Dayton, which in many parts is 
impassable, and at the same time prosecuting the works, are objects of great impor- 
tance. 150 men would be needed speedily and effectually to obstruct Wood Creek ; 
an equal number necessary to guard the men at work in felling and hauling timber. 
The number of inimical Indians increases. Yesterday a party of 40, supposed to be 
Butler's emissaries, attacked Ensign Spoor with 16 privates, who were out cutting 
turf three-quarters of a mile from the fort ; one soldier was brought in dead, and in- 
humanly mangled ; two brought in wounded ; Mr. Spoor and six privates are missing. 
Our provisions are greatly diminished by reason of the spoiling of the beef; it will 
not hold out six weeks. Our stock of powder is too little. 

On the 3d of July, about noon, Colonel Willett chronicles in his nar- 
native that he was startled from his siesta by the report of musketry ; 
hastening to the parapet he saw a little girl running with a basket in her 
hand, while the blood was trickling down her bosom. It appeared that 
the girl, with two others, had been picking berries not forty rods from 
the fort (about where now stands the freight house of the N.Y. C. R. R.) 
and were fired upon and two of the number killed. The girl who es- 
caped was but slightly wounded. One of the girls killed was Katy 
Steers, twenty years old, daughter of one of the settlers; the other was 
the daughter of an invalid British officer, and was entitled to a position 
in the Chelsea hospital, but had preferred to remain in the cultivation 
of a small piece of land around Fort Stanwix than to again cross the 
ocean. Quite likely this invalid was the patentee of Sumner's Patent 
(see history of that patent), and this murdered girl his daughter. 

The storm was thickening and rapidly approaching, full of evil por- 



30 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tents ; by the middle of July Indians were prowling around the fort 
with murderous intent, and it became necessary to house the cattle 
within the fort, to send the families down the valley for safety, and for 
none of the garrison to venture out except in good sized parties and well 
armed. At this time the garrison consisted of 550 men, but they were 
only partially supplied with provisions, powder, and munitions of war. 
Boats, however, with men and supplies, were daily expected to arrive 
from down the valley. On the 30th of July a letter was received at the 
fort from Thomas Spencer, 1 a friendly half breed Oneida, an Indian 
interpreter, that in four days the king's troops would be at the fort. On 
the first of August, 1777, the walls around the fort were repaired ; the 
parapets nearly raised ; the embrasures made on three sides of the bas- 
tions ; horizontal pickets extending over the ditches from the embank- 
ment, and the perpendicular pickets were erected around the covert 
way, and the gate and bridges made secure. The sally port was on the 
east side of the fort towards the river ; the covert way was on the 
opposite side (westerly); the drawbridge on the southerly side towards 
Dominick street. On the northeast corner or bastion of the fort, 
towards St. Peter's church, were three guns ; on the northwest corner, 
towards the City Hall, four guns ; on the southeast corner towards the 
river, four guns, and on the southwest corner three guns, and there was 
the flag staff. On the side (northerly) towards Liberty street, were the 
soldiers' quarters ; on the east and south sides, the officers' barracks 
and in the southeast corner the magazine constructed of the seven feet 
cut off from the seventeen feet logs procured for pickets. Between the 
fort and the river the land was mainly cleared of trees, but the ap- 
proaches from that direction were deemed difficult if not impassable by 
reason of the morass. A deep broad ditch encircled the fort, fifteen to 
twenty feet wide at the top, sloping to the bottom, and eighteen to 
twenty feet deep. In the center of the ditch were heavy perpendicular 
pickets, sharp pointed at the top. Another row of horizontal pickets 
projected from the ramparts over the ditch. Between the fort and what 
is now the Erie Canal, the land was cleared, and so it was westerly most 
of the way between the fort and Wood Creek. August 1st an express 

1 He was killed afterwards at the battle of Oriskany. He was the one who went to Canada on 
a secret mission in the spring of 1777, and brought the news of the British plan of the campaign 
for that year. 



1760 TO AUGUST, 1777. 31 

arrived at the fort with the news that the boats coming up the Mohawk 
were near at hand. On the 2d of August in the afternoon, the boats 
with supplies and 200 men under Colonel Mellon (Mass. troops) reached 
the landing, just as a detachment from St. Leger's forces appeared in 
sight ; all of Colonel Mellon's men reached the fort except the man who 
commanded the boats, who by reason of his dilatoriness, was taken 
prisoner. An hour's difference in time might have entirely changed the 
result of that siege. There were now 750 men in the fort, provisioned 
for six weeks, with plenty of ammunition for small arms, but a scanty 
supply for the large guns, with nine rounds for each for the same 
period. The main body of St. Leger's forces was near at hand, con- 
sisting of less than 500 troops outside of the Indians, and 1,000 of the 
latter; some accounts place the number of the enemy from 1,000 to 
2,000 men. The siege commenced at once, while the parapets had to 
be finished by the garrison exposed to the fire of the enemy. 

Early in the year 1776 a regiment was raised in Connecticut, under 
authority of the Continental Congress, to serve for one year from April, 
1776. It is known as Colonel Elmore's regiment. Col Samuel Elmore 
and most of his company officers recruited their men in Connecticut, 
and to some extent from regiments which had served in the north. 
Some of the officers belonged in New York and a few in Massachusetts, 
and men were recruited from both of those States. Col. Samuel Elmore 
was from Sharon, Conn.; Lieut.-Col. John Brown was from Massachu- 
setts (both appointed by Congress) ; Maj. Robert Cochran was from New 
York (probably from Westchester county). The regiment took the field 
in July, 1776, under Gen. Philip Schuyler, and on August 25 marched 
from Albany up the Mohawk Valley. Capt. David Smith's company 
was on duty at German Flats, Capt. Lathrop Allen's company was in 
garrison at Fort Dayton (Herkimer), Capt. William Satterlee's company 
in garrison at Johnstown, Capt. Joel Dickenson's company (of which 
Robert Cochran was captain until he was promoted to be major) in gar- 
rison at Fort Dayton, Capt. Theodore Woodbridge's company, Capt. 
Albert Chapman's company, Capt. Robert Walker's company, and Capt. 
Jeremiah Parmalee's company (four companies) marched on to Fort 
Stanwix and were in that fort and its vicinity until they broke up in the 
spring of 1777, when their term of service expired. Most of the offi- 



32 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

cers and a number of the men re-entered the Continental service in the 
Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York lines. Captain Satterlee 
was from Massachusetts, Captain Cochran from New York, and the re- 
mainder of the captains from Connecticut. It is, or has been, generally 
supposed this regiment was at Fort Stanwix during its siege. This 
supposition is not well founded. The regiment at that fort during the 
siege in August, 1777, was the Third New York regiment, of which 
Colonel Gansevoort was colonel, and Col. Marinus Willett lieutenant- 
colonel. In addition there were 200 Massachusetts men under Colonel 
Mellon (of Colonel Weston's regiment) who arrived at the fort the day 
the siege was commenced by St. Leger (August 2, 1877), and barely 
reached the fort before the advance force under Brant and Colonel Bird 
arrived. April 26, 1777, Colonel Gansevoort was appointed by General 
Gates to succeed Colonel Elmore, and May 18, 1777, Colonel Willett 
was ordered to proceed from opposite West Point to Fort Stanwix, as 
lieutenant-colonel, with his regiment, the Third New York. 



CHAPTER VI. 

1777— SIEGE OF FORT STANWIX— BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 

This chapter embodies an account of events which in their results 
more vitally affected the destiny of this county and of the nation than 
any others in their history. The territory embraced in this county was 
more than a century ago the theater of passing events which then and 
there practically decided the question whether the thirteen American 
colonies then struggling for independence were to continue as depend- 
encies of Great Britain, or were to become the first, and probably the 
only, republic on this continent. Within this territory the battle was 
fought and won which practically settled that question; hence it is fair 
to assume that the student of local history will desire to be informed in 
detail of each step in the progress of events which gave this county of 
ours such paramount historical interest. 

In a former chapter is outlined the plan of the British for their cam- 



1777— SIEGE OF PORT STANWIX— BATTLE OP ORISKANY. 33 

paign of 1777. With the Burgoyne movement up Lakes Champlain 
and George, across the country to the Hudson and down that stream 
until the army met its fate on the field of Saratoga, this volume has 
very little to do. But the expedition of St. Leger from La Chine, near 
Montreal, up the St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, and thence to Oneida 
Lake and Wood Creek to Fort Stanwix, with the purpose of meeting 
Burgoyne at Albany, is of the greatest local importance and historical 
interest. 

Sir John Johnson was with this expedition, and a copy of his Orderly 
Book is before the writer. This Orderly Book was captured by Colonel 
Willett when he made his sortie at the siege of Fort Stanwix. The 
troops to accompany the expedition were of the 8th regiment and of the 
34th, each of 100 men, Sir John Johnson's regiment, 133, and, as was 
intended, 342 Hanau Chasseurs. In the Orderly Book, date of June 20, 
1777, is this order : 

Forty-eight batteaux to be delivered to the Royal Regiment (8th), 45 felling axes, 
and 3 broad axes ; 75 felling axes and 2 broad axes to the 34th regiment. The 8th 
regiment to take 440 barrels of provisions, allowing 10 bbls each for 44 batteaus; the 
rum or brandy to be put for security in the officer's boats. The 8th reg't to be com- 
pleted with 14 days provisions, commencing Saturday, June 21st. 

On the 2 1st is this order: 

Forty boats to contain 400 bbls of provisions, and 7 of rum ; the remainder to be 
left at St. Leger' s quarters. 

Lieutenant- Colonel St. Leger was to command and accompany this 
expedition, and Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus, his brother-in-law, 
subordinates. Colonel Claus, under date of October 16, 1777, after the 
expedition was over, wrote to the home government as follows : 

On the 23d of June I set out from La Chine near Montreal. The Brigadier was 
getting the artillery boats ready to take in 2 sixes, two 3's, and four cohorns (being 
our artillery for the expedition) was to follow the day after, and proceeded for an 
island destined for our rendezvous in the entrance of Lake Ontario, called Buck 
[Carleton] Island, in company with Sir John Johnson and his regiment. In my way 
thither I collected a body of 150 Missagues [a Huron clan of Indians] and 6 nation of 
Indians. The foregoing Indians the Brigadier intended should accompany him on 
an alert to Fort Stanwix by a short cut thro' the woods from the mouth of the Sal- 
mon River, about 20 miles from Oswego, in order to surprise the garrison, and take 
it with small arms. Between 60 and 70 leagues from Montreal, the reconnoitering 
party I sent to Fort Stanwix returned and met me with 5 prisoners (one lieutenant) 
and 4 scalps, having defeated, a working party of 16 rebels as they were cutting sods 



34 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

toward repairing and finishing the old fort, 1 which is garrisoned by upward of 600 
men — the repairs far advanced and the rebels expecting us, and were acquainted 
with our strength and route. The Brig, was about 15 leagues in our rear; on reach- 
ing Buck island, he admitted our artillery was insufficient, if the rebels intended to 
defend themselves in their fort. Here he had opportunity of sending for a better 
train of artillery. He was, however still on the alert. We arrived at Buck island 
July 8th. 

This expedition remained at Buck Island until the 19th of July. On 
the 17th an order appears on Sir John's Orderly Book for forty days' 
provisions for 500 men, by which it is argued by the British authorities 
that not more than 500 men, Indians and all, were with St. Leger until 
he reached Oswego, where an addition of Indians was made to his force. 
On the 18th of July the Orderly Book had the following entry: 

The 8th and 34th regiments will receive 10 boats each for their men and 20 days 
provisions; the officers allowed a proper portion for their baggage on their way to 
Oswego. The corps of Canadians will move at same time and carry 20 days provis- 
ions for 500 men. The advance corps to carry 6 days provisions in bread and pork, 
to shut any possibility of want of provisions from delay, &c. The artillery to carry 
20 days provisions for their own detatchment. The artillery, the chasseurs, officers 
and Rangers of the Indian department and Canadians, to hold themselves in readi- 
ness to embark at 4 In the morning, to-morrow. 

There is a hiatus in the Orderly Book from the above date until after 
Oswego was reached and passed, and until July 31st, when Oswego 
Falls (Fulton, Oswego county) was passed and the troops ready to pro- 
ceed in boats up the Oswego River. The letter of October 16, 1777, 
from Colonel Claus, is continued as follows : 

The Brigadier set out from Buck Island July 19, for Salmon river, I having been 
ordered to proceed to Oswego with Sir John's regiment and a company of chasseurs, 
lately arrived, there to convene and prepare the Indians to join the Brigadier at Fort 
Stanwix. I reached Oswego July 23d, and there found Brant, who informed me that 
his party of 300 Indians would be there the next day; and that having been more 
than two months upon service, were destitute of necessaries, ammunition and some 
arms. July 24th I rec'd an express from St. Ledger at Salmon river to repair there 
with what arms and Vermillion I had, and wished I would come prepared for a march 
thro' the woods. I had no arms nor vermillion, but I prepared to go upon the march, 
and was ready to set off when Brant came to my tent and told me, that as no person 
was there to take care of the Indians with him, he apprehended that in case I should 
leave them, they would become disgusted and disperse, which might prevent the 
rest of the 6 nations to assemble, and be hurtful to the expedition, and begged I 

1 This was the party that captured Ensign Spoor, mentioned in Colonel Gansevoort's letter of 
July 4, 1777, in a former chapter. 



.1777— SIEGJK OF PORT STANWIX— BATTLE OP ORISKANY. 35 

would first represent these circumstances to the Brig, by letter. The Brig, had men- 
tioned by letter to me, that my going was chiefly intended to quiet the Indians with 
him, who were very drunk and riotous; Capt. Tice, the messenger, informed me 
that the Brig, had ordered a quart of rum apiece, which made them beastly drunk, 
and in which case, it is not in the power of man to quiet them ; so I mentioned these 
suggestions to him of Brant ; upon which, and finding the Indians disapproved of 
my going, the Brig, came away from Salmon river, and arrived at Oswego the next 
day, with the companies of the 8th and 34th regiments and about 250 Indians. 

On the 26th of July the expedition left Oswego with the purpose of 
meeting at Three River Point such other Indians as were expected to 
join. On the 31st, after reaching Oswego Falls, around which it re- 
quired three days to transport the baggage and guns, the following 
entry was made in the Orderly Book : 

The detachment of the Royal artillery, and the company of Canadians are to take 
in their loading immediately ; each Capt. boat to carry 4 bbls — 10 lieut. boats 5 bbls 
each, private boats 6 each, and to hold themselves in readiness to embark at 2 P. M. 

There is no entry in the Orderly Book after the above date. 

After leaving Oswego St. Leger sent in advance a small detachment 
of thirty men of the regular troops under Colonel Bird (who was killed 
in the battle of Oriskany), to proceed to Fort Stanwix, cut the com- 
munications of the garrison with their friends down the valley, and cap- 
ture the supply boats then on their way to the fort with supplies. 
From the diary of Colonel Bird, which was captured by Colonel Willett 
on his sortie from the fort, as detailed later on, the following entries are 
taken : 

Tuesday, July 29, 1777 After going 2 miles and no savages coming up, waited 2 
hours for them. Sixteen Senecas arriving proceeded to 3 Rivers ; waited there 2 
hours ; 70 or 80 Indians came up ; they had stolen 2 oxen from the droves of the 
army, and would not advance, but stayed to feast. I advanced 7 miles farther with- 
out them — in all 19 miles. 

Wed. , July 30. Set off next morning at 6, having waited for the savages till that 
time, tho' none arrived. Ordered the boats to keep 70 rods behind each other — half 
of the men keeping arms in their hands, while the other £ rowed ; ordered that if 
any of the boats were fired upon, the men should jump ashore. Rowed all night, 
encamped at Nine Mile Point. [Probably Bernhard's Bay. It is evident that 
Colonel Bird expected an ambush.] 

Thursday, July 31st. With 27 Senecas and 9 Hurons, joined Mr. Nair's 1 party. 
Many savages being with us, we proceeded to Wood Creek, a march of 15 miles. 

Friday, Aug't 1st. The savages hinted an intention to send parties to Fort Stan- 

1 Killed at the battle of Oriskany. 



36 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

wix, but to proceed no farther in a body. I called a council of the Chiefs, and told 
them of my orders to go to the fort, and if they would not go with me, I should take 
the white men and go ; the Hurons said they would go with me. The Senecas said 
it was their way to proceed with caution. I told them I would wait until next morn- 
ing at daybreak, and then certainly go. They said they would send out large scouts 
to prepare the way ; accordingly 18 or 20 set off this evening. 

The Indians were very insubordinate and intractable, demonstrat- 
ing the embarrassment that often arose in attempting to employ them 
with regular troops. It was owing to the acts of the Indians that 
Colonel Bird was prevented from reaching the fort in time to intercept 
and capture the supply boats, as narrated in the previous chapter. On 
Saturday, the 2d of August, Colonel Bird reached the fort and imme- 
diately wrote back to St. Leger, who had arrived at Nine Mile Point. 
He wrote that no savages would advance with him, except two of the 
Six Nations. " Twelve Hurons came up two or three hours after I had 
left ; those with the scout of fifteen, I mentioned in my last, are suffi- 
cient to invest Fort Stanwix, if you favor me so far as not to order me 
to the contrary." St. Leger at once replied as follows : 

You will observe that I will have nothing but an investment of the fort ; and to 
enable you to do it with greater effect, I send Brant with his Indians to re-enforce 
you; and in case the enemy observing the discretion and judgment with which it is 
made, should offer to capitulate, you are to tell them, you are sure I am well disposed 
to listen to them. I leave here at 11 this A. m. and shall reach the entrance to Wood 
Creek (15 miles) early in the afternoon. 

The foregoing extract indicates how confident St. Leger was of suc- 
cess and how little he realized the terrible earnestness of the garrison 
and of the colonies. Not unlikely he had heard so much from the 
tory leaders of the imbecility and cowardice of the " rebels," and of 
their willingness to lay down their arms and join the king's troops, if 
they dared, he expected to capture the fort without firing a gun. 

After St. Leger left Oswego the expedition was " shadowed " all the 
way to Wood Creek by friendly runners from the Oneidas, who kept 
the garrison daily and almost hourly advised of the progress of the ad- 
vancing foe. When Wood Creek was reached the enemy found, the 
channel completely blocked by trees fallen into it by orders of Colonel 
Gansevoort. A hundred and fifty of the garrison were fourteen days 
in cutting down those trees, thus forcing St. Leger's troops to travel 
through the forest by an Indian path. In his report of the expedition 



1777— SIEGE OF PORT STANWIX— BATTLE OP ORISKANY. 37 

St. Leger says that it took no of his men nine days to clear Wood 
Creek of the trees, and that before he could get his cannon and muni- 
tions, with seven days' provisions, from Oneida Lake to the fort, he had 
to cut a road through the woods sixteen miles long, and that it took two 
days to do this. 

On Saturday, August 2d, the fort was formally invested by Colonel 
Bird and by Brant, who had been sent in advance of the main body. 
On Sunday forenoon following. St. Leger and the remainder of the 
forces reached the site of Fort Bull at the lower landing of Wood Creek. 
At that point the troops formed in line and marched to the upper 
landing, the site of the old U. S. Arsenal. From that point to the fort 
was an open plain in full view of the soldiers on the rampart. The first 
heard by the garrison was martial music and then the columns appeared 
in sight. The garrison was paraded on the ramparts to watch the com- 
ing of the enemy. Onward they marched, deploying as they approached, 
while the Indians spread themselves out on the flanks, with feathers 
fluttering in their head-gear and tomahawks glistening in their hands, 
their yells at times drowning the sound of the bugle and the drum. 
The bright scarlet uniforms of the regulars, taken out fresh that morn- 
ing, the banners and flags waving in the air as the march proceeded, the 
shimmer of the rifles in the sun and the precision of the military tread 
of the trained soldiery, were all calculated to strike terror to the hearts 
of the garrison. But the spectacle had a contrary effect. They knew 
they need not expect mercy at the hands of the invaders, and that they 
must defend to the last extremity the fort entrusted to their charge. 
The garrison watched in silence the oncoming of the foe. Not a gun 
was fired, not a shout of defiance was heard, and stillness reigned. It 
was Sabbath, and the silence of the garrison compared with the so- 
lemnity of the day. The men on the ramparts were intent upon count- 
ing the number of the besiegers. A flag of truce was sent into the fort 
by St. Leger demanding surrender, which was promptly refused. The 
4th and 5th of August were occupied by St. Leger in cutting out a road 
and getting his cannon from Oneida Lake. On Monday, the 4th, active 
hostilities began. During that day and the next Indians concealed 
themselves behind stumps and trees to pick off those who were on the 
ramparts making repairs. Both evenings were passed by the Indians in 



38 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



spreading themselves through the woods, crossing the river and encir- 
cling the fort, making the nights hideous with their yells. It was un- 
certain what would be attempted in the dead of night by the savages in 
their greed for scalps, and hence the garrison took no rest. St. Leger 
established his headquarters on the eminence now occupied by St. 
Peter's church, 600 yards northeast of the fort, and there he planted his 
cannon, with which he intended to drive out the garrison or batter down 
the walls of the fortification. 1 

Over the brow of the hill, where the batteries were placed, the camps 
and tents of St. Leger were located, within easy distance of the cool 
spring of water which then and for half a century thereafter gushed 
forth from the hill side and formed the small stream that flowed past 

and near the fort ; this stream has 
passed into history as " Spring 
brook." Following down the Mo- 
hawk and near the bend in the 
river below where the railroad 
bridge crosses it, Sir John Johnson 
with his tories and chasseurs was 
posted, while between that en- 
campment and the fort, and on 
both sides of the river, Brant and 
his Indians were located with 
license to roam at will through the 
woods surrounding the fort. A 
part of St. Ledger's troops were 
encamped on Wood Creek near 
the site of the United States arse- 
nal. It will thus be seen how effect- 
ually the garrison was surrounded by the implacable and savage enemy. 
On the evening of Tuesday, August I, the sentinels on the ramparts 
observed that a large body of the Indians and some of Sir John's forces 
were moving in the direction of Oriskany along the edge of the woods, 




Joseph Brant. 



' On the 27th of August, after the siege was abandoned, St. Leger wrote in a letter from Os- 
wego to General Burgoyne as follows : " It was found our cannon had not the least effect upon 
the sod work of the fort, and that our royals had only the power of teasing, as a six-inch plank 
was a sufficient security for their powder magazine, as we learned from the deserters." 



1777— SIEGE OP FORT STANWIX— BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 39 

and early the next morning other men from Brant's and Sir John's 
camps were seen hurrying eastward. The cause of these movements 
was involved in mystery to the garrison. It had been known for a 
couple of weeks down the valley that St. Leger was on his way to in- 
vest Fort Stanwix, via Oswego and Wood Creek. In July General 
Herkimer issued a proclamation stating that the enemy was at Oswego 
2,ooo strong and calling upon all healthy able-bodied males between 
sixteen and sixty years, to assemble at Fort Dayton (now Herkimer vil- 
lage), with a view to march and meet the enemy when they approached. 
On the 4th of August about 8oo had assembled at Fort Dayton and on 
that day began their march, keeping on the north side of the Mohawk 
and that night camping on that side of the river. The next day the 
troops forded the river at Genesee street, Utica, and proceeded to a 
point between Whitesboro and Oriskany, where they camped for the 
night. As soon as General Herkimer started from Fort Dayton, Molly 
Brant, a former housekeeper and mistress of Sir William Johnson, sent 
a swift Indian runner to her brother Joseph at Fort Stanwix with the 
news of Herkimer's advance. This act explains the cause of the move- 
ments of the Indians and Sir John toward Oriskany on the evening of 
the 5th and early in the morning of the 6th. On the evening of the 5th 
General Herkimer sent three messengers (Adam Helmer, John Da- 
muth or Demoot) and a third person (name not known) to General 
Gansevoort with intelligence of Herkimer's approach and that he was 
already at or near Oriskany. It was expected that the three men would 
reach the fort early the next morning and their arrival was to be an- 
nounced from the fort by three successive discharges of cannon, which 
it was believed would be heard at Herkimer's encampment, upon which 
the latter would move on and, acting in co-operation with the garrison, 
scatter the besiegers and enter the fort. 

At break of day on the morning of August 6, Herkimer and his men 
were astir ready for the march and anxiously waiting for the signal 
guns, but none was heard as early as was expected. The woods on the 
route were infested with unfriendly Indians and scouting parties and the 
messengers were obliged to be extremely cautious. They had to make 
a detour to the south and reach the fort through the dense cedar swamp 
described in a former chapter, so that they were greatly delayed and did 



40 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

not arrive at the fort until between 10 and 1 1 o'clock in the forenoon. 1 
The concerted signals were promptly fired, but at that time matters of 
fearful import were taking place between Herkimer's forces and those 
under Brant and Sir John Johnson. General Herkimer and his officers 
waited for hours for the signal guns. Some of the latter urged a for- 
ward movement without waiting longer. General Herkimer doubted 
the wisdom of such a course and opposed it. Colonels Cox, Paris, and 
others grew clamorous and manifested great impatience, while Herki- 
mer urged them to remain until the signal guns were heard. A con- 
sultation was held, high words ensued, and General Herkimer was ac- 
cused of being a coward, and charged with being a tory, like one of his 
brothers in the tory army, and with having brothers-in-law who sym- 
pathized with the side of the crown. Stung by these accusations the 
phlegmatic temper of the Mohawk Dutchman was quickened beyond 
control and the brave general gave the order, " march on." The troops 
gave a shout when the order came and on they pushed in files of two, 
in great haste, preceded by an advance guard, and with a guard on their 
flanks, but not with that order and care requisite in marching in the woods 
when liable to meet hostile Indians at every step. The march continued 
until about ten o'clock. Two miles west of Oriskany was a deep ravine, 
which is still plainly visible, marshy at the bottom and a dozen rods in 
width, extending from the south northerly toward the Mohawk, directly 
across the route by which Herkimer and his men were advancing. 
Over this ravine was a narrow causeway or corduroy road, to keep the 
men out of the mud and water ; the advancing line of the hurrying 
troops had descended the eastern hill, crossed this causeway, and was 
ascending the western hill ; the baggage wagons were crossing the 
ravine, followed closely by Colonel Visscher's regiment, which brought 
up the rear, when the guards on both the flanks and in front were sud- 
denly shot down by an unseen foe and the forest rang with the war 
whoop from the throats of more than a thousand savages. The greater 
part of Herkimer's forces now found themselves in the midst of a 
formidable ambuscade. Sir John Johnson's troops were in front and 
the Indians on each side of the advancing line, so arranged as to encircle 

1 St. Ledger in his letter to Burgoyne of August 27 says, "the garrison being apprised of Herki- 
mer's march by four men who were seen to enter the fort in the morning through what was 
thought an impenetrable swamp, I did not wait for the advance." 



1777— SIEGE OP PORT STAN WIX- BATTLE OP ORISKANY. 41 

sides and rear, as soon as the attack was begun in front. But the In- 
dians were so excited and impetuous that they would not wait for the 
whole force to cross the ravine, nor for the attack to commence in front. 1 
The position for the ambuscade was exceedingly well chosen. The 
ravine was deep and narrow, crooked somewhat like the letter S, in a 
dense forest, difficult to cross, and the ambuscade laid on the high ground 
west of the ravine. Had the Indians waited for an attack, the whole of 
Herkimer's forces would have been encompassed within the enemy's 
lines like a victim within the folds of an anaconda. As it was, the In- 
dians closed the gap in the rear (at the east), which shut out from the 
circle the baggage and ammunition wagons, just descending into the 
ravine from the east, and also shut out Colonel Visscher's regiment, still 
further in the rear. Thus separated the regiment turned and fled 
towards and down the river, 2 and were pursued and many of them 
killed by the Indians, though not unlikely they fought well. The troops 
surrounded fought bravely and desperately; they neither asked for nor 
gave quarter. They were thrown into disorder and confusion and 
threatened with annihilation. The savages were concealed behind trees 
whence they fired and darted forward to make certain death by the use 
of the tomahawk to those whom the bullet or the arrow had not killed. 
The many hand to-hand conflicts cannot be recorded here. General 
Herkimer was wounded below the knee early in the engagement and 
his horse was killed under him. His saddle was placed against a beech 
tree (the location of which is still pointed out, a rod or so from the 
present highway, on a rise of ground), and there with steel and tinder he 
lit his pipe, and smoked calmly through the tumult of the battle while 
giving orders to his men. The men were falling like leaves about him. 
He saw the Indians shooting from behind trees and then rushing for- 
ward with the tomahawk ; this bloody work was stopped by orders of 
General Herkimer to place two of his men behind a tree, one to load 
while the other fired. For nearly an hour the battle raged with fury 

' St. Ledger in his letter says, " the impetuosity of the Indians is not to be described. On the 
sight of the enemy, forgetting the judicious disposition formed by Sir John and agreed to by 
themselves, which was to suffer the attack to begin with the troops in front, while they should be 
on both flank and rear, they rushed, hatchet in hand, and thereby gave the enemy's rear an op- 
portunity to escape." 

2 See Irving's Life of Washington; Stone's Life of Brant ; Simm's Frontiersman. 



42 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and fierceness, the forest resounding with the yells of the savages, the 
roar of guns, and the shrieks and groans of the dying. Then came on 
a terrific rain storm, the sky was blackened with clouds, the wind blew a 
gale, the thunder roared, lightning flashed and rain fell in torrents. The 
storm separated the combatants and for an hour there was a lull in the 
struggle. In the mean time each side made a new disposition for the 
conflict to be renewed at the end of the storm. The provincials took 
possession of an advantageous position, formed themselves into circles 
back to back and thus awaited for the coming of the foe. The strife 
was renewed and again the fighting was terrific. Men seized each 
other by the throat or hair, stabbing with knife or bayonet and dying in 
each other's grasp. Some parts of the conflict could hardly be called a 
battle ; it was more like a butchery in a slaughter-pen. 

During the battle guns from Fort Stanwix were heard (probably 
those of Colonel Willett, when he made the sortie at 3 P. M.). The 
Provincials took courage, the Indians were alarmed and withdrew from 
the field, leaving Herkimer and his men in possession. During the 
thunder storm the enemy had taken some of their wounded and the 
papers captured from General Herkimer, to the camp at Fort Stanwix. 
Sir John, by a ruse, attempted to deceive Herkimer's men. After the 
firing at the fort some of Johnson's Greens put American hats on their 
heads and approached from the direction of Fort Stanwix as if they 
were friends. The ruse was well nigh successful for the capture of some 
of our men, but it was detected in time to be exposed and thwarted. 
The firing at the fort conveyed to Sir John and the Indians at Oriskany 
intelligence that their presence was needed by St. Leger, and they ac- 
cordingly retraced their steps to Fort Stanwix. Indian runners from 
the fort had also apprised Sir John of Col. Willett's sortie. 

Sad and mournful indeed was the return down the valley of those who 
survived the bloody battle of Oriskany — among the hardest fought and 
bloodiest on record, considering the number engaged. It is calculated 
that about 2,000 were engaged, and that each side lost from i6oto 200 
men. The Provincials constructed litters on which they conveyed their 
wounded ; some forty or fifty were borne away in this manner, among 
whom was the brave Herkimer. The .Indians were in the foremost of 
the fight, where they were placed to shield the tory troops, and they 



1777— SIEGE OF FORT STANWIX— BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 43 

suffered accordingly. General Herkimer was taken to his own dwelling 
two miles east of Little Falls, then occupied by John Roof's family, the 
first settler at Fort Stanwix in 1760, but who had to drop down the 
valley when the fort was besieged. When General Herkimer was shot 
at Oriskany the wound was dressed by Dr. William Petrie, 1 of Herki- 
mer, grandfather of Judge Robert Earl, late of the Court of Appeals. 

After General Herkimer's removal to his home he was attended by 
another physician and his leg unskillfully amputated above the knee by 
a French surgeon. He died August 16, just ten days after the battle. 

And thus ended the ever-to be- remembered battle of Oriskany. 
Harold Frederic, in his impressive story, " In the Valley," has painted 
in vivid colors the true significance of that conflict. He says : 

It was not until much later — until definite news came not only of St. Leger's flight 
back to Canada, but the capture of the whole British army at Saratoga — that the 
men of the Mohawk began to comprehend what they had really done. To my way 
of thinking they have ever since been unduly modest about this truly historic 
achievement. Thus it happens that the great decisive struggle of the whole long 
war for independence — the conflict which, in fact, made America free — is suffered to 
pass into the records as a mere frontier skirmish. Yet, if one will but think, it is as 
clear as daylight that Oriskany was the turning point of the war. . . . The 
essential feature of Burgoyne's plan had been that this force (which we so roughly 
stopped and turned back in the forest defile) should victoriously sweep down our 
valley, raising the tory gentry as they progressed and join him at Albany. If that 
had been done, he would have held the whole Hudson, separating the rest of the 
colonies from New England, and having it in his power to punish and subdue first 
the Yankees, then the others at his leisure. Oriskany prevented this! Coming as it 
did at the darkest hour of Washington's trials, and the colonies' despondency, it al- 
tered the face of things as gloriously as does the southern sun rising swiftly upon the 
heels of night. Burgoyne's expected allies never reached him ; he was compelled in 
consequence to surrender, and from that day there was no doubt who would in the 
long run triumph. Therefore, I say, all honor and glory to the rude, unlettered, 
great-souled yeomen of the Mohawk valley, who braved death in the wildwood gulch 
at Oriskany that Congress and the free colonies might live. 

The same storm that separated the combatants on the Oriskany 
battlefield delayed Colonel Willett in making his sortie from Fort 
Stanwix to attack the enemy's camps. At 3 P. M. the storm subsided 
and Colonel Willett prepared to make the sally. The account of this 
sortie was furnished by Willett himself to the Connecticut Courant and 

1 Dr. Petrie was himself wounded in that battle and could not attend the general down the 
valley. Skenandoah, the Oneida chief, fought in the battle on the side of Herkimer ; he lived 
until 1816 and died at the age of 110 years. 



U OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLH. 

was published in that paper August 25, 1777; it is also embodied in 
" Willett's Narrative," prepared by Colonel Willett and published in 
1 83 1. The account says : 

The men within the fort were paraded in a square and the intelligence of 
Herkimer's coming was communicated to them. Colonel Willett, who was to lead 
them, went down into the esplanade and addressed the men substantially as follows: 
' ' Soldiers, you have heard that General Herkimer is on the march to our relief. The 
commanding officer feels satisfied that the tories and Queen's rangers have stolen off 
in the night with Brant and his Mohawks to meet him. The camp of Sir John is 
therefore weakened. As many of you as feel willing to follow me in an attack upon 
it, and are not afraid to die for liberty, will shoulder your arms and step out one pace 
in front." Two hundred men obeyed the impulse, almost at the same moment; 
fifty or more with a three-pounder were soon added. As soon as the storm was over 
the men issued from the sally port at a brisk pace and rushing down on Sir John's 
camp, carried it at the point of the bayonet, drove the enemy into and across the 
river, and captured a large amount of army stores, destroyed all the provisions, 
brought off fifty brass kettles, more than 100 blankets, a quantity of muskets, toma- 
hawks 1 , spears, ammunition, deer skins, and five colors. 

Colonel Willett then attacked and scattered the Indian camp, and on 
his return to the fort along the west side of the river, St. Leger pro- 
ceeded from his headquarters across the Mohawk [into " Factory Vil- 
lage "] to fire from an ambush into Colonel Willett's men ; but they 
were soon dispersed. Colonel Willett brought in twenty-one wagon 
loads of captured articles, and as to the five captured flags, they were 
run up on the flagstaff, underneath the United States flag, then and 
there improvised for the occasion, accompanied by cheers from the 
garrison that might have been heard at Oriskany. 

On the 4th of June, 1777, Congress resolved, " That the flag of the 
thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternated red and white ; 
that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new 
constellation." This resolution was not officially promulgated until 
September 3, 1777, although it was published in the newspapers a 
month before. The news of the adoption by Congress of this regula- 
tion flag had doubtless reached the fort in this far-off wilderness, and 
the garrison hastily improvised a flag from such materials as were at 
hand — the white from the shirts of soldiers ; the blue field from a cam- 

2 Colonel Claus writes as follows of this capture : "They took away the Indians' packs with 
their clothes, they having gone in their shirts, as naked to action, and when they returned they 
had nothing to cover themselves with at night against the weather, and nothing in our camp* to 
supply them, until we got to Oswego, three weeks later. 



1777— SIEGE OF PORT STAN WLX— BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 45 

let cloak which Colonel Willett captured at Peekskill in the preceding 
March, and the red, as stated, from a red petticoat captured at the same 
time. This was the first flag, the emblem of the nation to-be, unfurled 
to the breeze on this continent. This flag should not be confounded 
with the State flag which accompanied the 3d regiment of General 
Gansevoort at Fort Stanwix, and which was present at the surrender of 
Cornwallis at Yorktown four years later. 

There were, as has thus been shown, two great events which took 
place in this locality on the 6th of August, 1777, — the battle of Oris- 
kany, in a large measure the turning point in the Revolutionary strug- 
gle, and the raising of the first flag of the embryo republic. 

In the afternoon of August 7 a white flag from the enemy approached 
the fort, escorted by three officers, with a request that they might enter 
with a message from St. Leger. Permission was granted and accord- 
ing to the custom they were first blindfolded and then conducted into 
the dining room of the officers, where the windows were darkened and 
candles lighted, the table spread with some light refreshments, the 
bandages removed from the messengers' eyes, and they were then re- 
ceived by General Gansevoort. The principal officer made known his 
errand, the purport of which was, a demand for the surrender of the 
fort, accompanied by intimations that if surrendered the prisoners would 
be treated humanely ; but if taken by force, St. Leger would not hold 
himself responsible for the cruelty of the Indians Colonel Willett was 
deputed to reply, and no one was better qualified. He said in sub- 
stance : 

This garrison is committed to our charge and we will take care of it. After you 
get out of this fort, you may turn around and look at its outside, but never expect to 
come in again, unless you come as prisoners. I consider the message you have 
brought a degrading one for a British officer to send, and by no means reputable for 
a British officer to carry. For my own part, I declare that before I would consent to 
deliver this garrison to such a murdering set as your army, by your own account 
consists of, I would suffer my body to be filled with spliiiters and set on fire, as 
you know has at times been practiced by such hordes of women and children killers 
as belong to your army. 

These sentiments were re echoed with applause by all officers present 
and by the garrison. A cessation of hostilities for three days was then 
agreed upon. As nothing was heard from down the valley since the 



46 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

battle of Oriskany, the garrison began to be uneasy. They needed 
more ammunition and might soon need provisions. Sir John Johnson 
proposed to St. Leger to march down the valley with about 200 men, 
Colonel Claus to join him with a body of Indians; but St. Leger could 
not spare the men and disapproved. As it was, the tory, Walter N. 
Butler, went down the valley to rally his tory friends and was captured, 
as hereafter narrated. A consultation was held in the fort as to sending 
Colonel Willett down the valley for assistance. The siege was mean- 
while progressing and measures were taken by St. Leger to approach 
the fort by sapping ; two parallels were formed, the second of which 
brought him near the edge of the glacis, but the fire from the fort ren- 
dered further progress difficult, although he had reached within 150 feet 
of the works. On the 9th of August St. Leger sent a written message 
again demanding the surrender of the fort, to which General Gansevoort 
replied that " It is my determined resolution, with the forces under my 
command, to defend this fort to the last extremity, in behalf of the 
united American States, who have place me here to defend it against all 
enemies." 

Matters were now getting serious and on consultation of the officers 
of the garrison, it was deemed advisable to send Colonel Willett down 
the valley for assistance, knowing his great popularity among the 
patriots of that section. Accordingly, at 10 o'clock on Sunday night, 
August 10, Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell, carrying a small 
quantity of crackers and cheese, stole silently out of the sally port and 
started without blankets or baggage, on their perilous mission. The 
usually traveled route down the river was on the south side ; but that 
route at this time was a dangerous one as it was liable to be infested 
with lurking savages. They therefore crossed the river into " Factory 
Village" by crawling on a log, and when over the stream they were in 
a dense forest in pitch darkness. In rambling about they lost their way 
and bearings and became alarmed by the barking of a dog not far 
away. They discovered they were near an Indian camp, and stood per- 
fectly still beside a large tree for hours, not venturing to move less 
they should be discovered. Thus they remained until the morning star 
appeared. From the account which Colonel Willett published in his 
"Narrative" in 183 1, their course was taken northerly, following the 



1777— SIEGE OF FORT STANWIX— BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 



47 



- 



f 



Mohawk, sometimes wading in the river, sometimes on one side and 
sometimes on the other, so as to conceal their trail. For several hours 
they pursued this route and then turned easterly to strike the Mohawk 
settlements. When night came they dare not strike a light, fearing to 
attract the notice of prowling Indians, and so camped in the thicket 
without light, fire, blankets or covering. At peep of day they were on 
their feet again, although weary and lame from the day's travel and 
night's chill. Yet they kept on 
their journey, now proceeding 
more southerly, and about 9 in 
the morning they struck a heavy 
windfall where were growing large 
quantities of ripe blackberries. 
With this fruit and the crackers 
and cheese, with spirits, they made 
a hearty breakfast. Simm's Fron- f 
tiersman says, that years before the 
Revolution a hurricane arose in 
the western part of Oneida county, 
swept through the forest in an 
easterly direction across the pres- 
ent towns of Camden and Trenton, 
and entering Herkimer county at a 

place called the " Dugway " near Poland, passed onward through Russia, 
Norway, and Salisbury, extending a distance of fifty or sixty miles in length 
with a breadth of sixty to one hundred rods, and so great was its fury that 
almost every tree in its course was uprooted. Its traces were visible 
more than half a century afterwards and a portion of the ground over' 
which it passed is to this day called "The Hurricane." Willett and his 
companions must have passed northerly of Floyd and Trenton 
and struck " the hurricane," having climbed mountains, waded 
streams and penetrated an unbroken forest the whole distance of 
sixty or seventy miles. After their breakfast they observed the 
sun and the points of the compass and without other helps steered 
for, and about 3 P. M. reached, Fort Dayton (now Herkimer village). 
On their arrival it was ascertained that General Schuyler had ordered 




Marinus Willett. 



48 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a brigade of Massachusetts troops, stationed some ten miles above 
Albany, to the relief of Fort Stanwix, and that Gen. Benedict Arnold 
was to be in command. Having rested one night, Willett and Stock- 
well started the next morning on horseback for Albany to meet the 
troops and interview General Arnold. They met the same evening and 
it was then learned that the 1st New York Regiment was also on its 
way to Fort Stanwix. 

As stated on a preceding page, Walter N. Butler went down the 
valley after the battle of Oriskany to stir up the tories. The " faithful " 
were summoned to meet him on Friday evening, August 15, at the 
house of one Shoemaker, near what is now Mohawk; he was one of the 
the king's justices of the peace. Colonel Weston, who commanded at 
Fort Dayton, heard of this clandestine meeting and sent a detachment 
of soldiers to arrest the tories. The assemblage was completely sur- 
prised and all arrested just as Butler was in the midst of his harangue. 
Among the number were fourteen white soldiers, the same number of 
Indians, and one Han Yost Schuyler. Although the latter was a 
nephew of General Herkimer and of weak mind, he was yet a devoted 
tory. General Arnold ordered a court martial to try Butler and 
Schuyler as spies, for being found within the American lines. Colonel 
Willett was appointed judge advocate and the two were convicted and 
sentenced to be executed. General Arnold approved the sentence and 
ordered the execution to take place next morning. Han Yost Schuy- 
ler's brother and his widowed mother, Elizabeth Barbara (Herkimer) 
Schuyler, hastened to General Arnold to intercede for the pardon or 
reprieve of Han Yost. As the latter was half-witted, a well known 
tory, and as the Indians always entertained towards those of weak 
minds a feeling of superstitious awe, General Arnold conceived the idea 
of using Han Yost to frighten away the besiegers of Fort Stanwix. In 
the mean time the garrison had not heard a word from down the valley 
since the battle of Oriskany, nor from Willett and Stockwell since they 
left the fort on August 10, and as St. Leger was pushing the siege with 
vigor and had approached by sapping nearly to the ditch, the situation 
of the garrison was alarming. Provisions and ammunition were getting 
low and in this extremity General Gansevoort came to the deliberate 
conclusion that if no succor came, he would make a sally at night and 



1777— SIEGE OP FORT STANWIX— BATTLE OP ORISKANY. 49 

cut his way through the enemy's camp, or perish in the attempt. The 
Indians under Brant were also getting uneasy and discouraged and it 
was with difficulty that St. Leger kept them from leaving. Suddenly 
on the 22d of August, the garrison saw the besiegers break their camps 
in great haste and confusion, leave their tents with a great part of their 
artillery, camp equipage and baggage, including St. Leger's writing 
desk, and flee precipitately towards Wood Creek, over the route they 
had traveled in a far different manner twenty days before. General 
Arnold's ruse had worked like a charm. It was this : Han Yost was to 
hasten to Fort Stanwix with the story of his capture, trial, and sen- 
tence, and of his escape, showing bullet holes in his clothes as evidence 
of his narrow chance, and relating that Arnold with a large army was 
on the march and near at hand. The mother and brother offered to be 
retained by Arnold as hostages, the latter to be executed if the ruse 
failed. It was a complete success, for Han Yost and those with him so 
well dissembled and acted their part that the Indians were ready to be- 
lieve and to run. But St. Leger doubted. When Han Yost was asked 
the number of the troops, he shook his head mysteriously and pointed 
to the leaves of the forest, as indicating the number of the troops. The 
story had the desired effect, the Indians could no longer be re- 
strained and without them St. Leger was helpless. All fled and 
took boats at Oneida Lake, while at the first opportunity Han Yost re- 
turned to Fort Dayton and his brother was released. 

General Arnold and his troops arrived at 4 P. M. August 23, and 
with four brass field pieces, banners displayed, drums beating, and 
music playing, marched into the fort amid the booming of cannon, the 
roar of musketry, and the cheers of the garrison. And thus ended the 
siege of Fort Stanwix, which placed the seal upon American inde- 
pendence. 

St. Leger, with his scattered forces, hastened to Oswego and thence 
to Montreal ; from there he proceeded to Lake Champlain and Ticon- 
deroga, with the purpose of joining Burgoyne ; but in that region also 
matters had suffered material change, to the discomfiture of the British. 
Burgoyne had gone southward, left Lake Champlain and George, 
crossed over the Hudson River, severed his connection with his base of 
supplies, and was foiled in his attempt to capture other supplies at Ben- 



50 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

nington. By reason, among other things, of the murder and scalping 
of the beautiful Jane McCrea, the yeomen of the country were rising 
and were in between Burgoyne and his line of Canada communications, 
thus placing him between two fires, instead of placing Gates and Schuy- 
ler between St. Leger and Burgoyne, as they had intended. Within 
two months thereafter Burgoyne and his army were captured (October 
17, 1777), on the fields of Saratoga, and the British gave up control of 
the Hudson, and New York was redeemed. 

These and other victories, beginning at this lone fortress in the far- 
off wilderness, sent a glow of joy throughout the colonies, paved the 
way for France in less than four months thereafter to acknowledge our 
independence, and justly entitled the territory now within Oneida 
county, where the battle of Oriskany was fought and Fort Stanwix 
successfully defended, to be ever remembered by a patriotic and a 
grateful people. 

During the siege, John Roof's buildings afforded shelter to the enemy, 
and hence were destroyed by General Gansevoort, who gave a certifi- 
cate of the destruction to Mr. Roof, that he might receive reimburse- 
ment from the government; but nothing was ever obtained by him. 
Colonel Willett did not return to the fort ; he did good service elsewhere 
in the Mohawk Valley. 

General Gansevoort remained at Fort Stanwix during 1778, except- 
ing during occasional absences. The Indians during the year were 
prowling about the fort more or less, shooting any of the garrison that 
was found outside of the works. The inaction of the garrison made the 
men restless and discontented and desertions were frequent ; from the 
fore part of April, 1778, there had deserted from the fort three sergeants i 
two corporals, twenty privates, one bombadier, and two gunners. In 
the fore part of August of that year five more deserted and were fifty 
miles on their way to Canada when they were intercepted by friendly 
Indians and returned to the fort. A court martial was held and the five 
deserters were tried, convicted and sentenced to be shot. On the day of 
the sentence, six more deserted from the fort. After this, while a party 
which had been sent down for cattle were returning, six more deserted 
and were not captured. The sentence of the five was carried into ex- 
ecution August 17, 1778, at the head of the regiment. In five days 



1777— SIEGE OF FORT STANWIX— BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 51 

two more deserted. The emissaries of the enemy had much to do with 
this. In the spring of 1778 these emissaries were at work in the fort 
to ascertain its strength and betray it. The traitor, one Geake, was 
discovered and arrested just as he was on the point of deserting to the 
British; he was tried and sentenced to be executed, but execution was 
delayed. In November, 1778, Colonel Van Schaack, with his regiment 
was ordered to Fort Stanwix and the old regiment was transferred else- 
where. In the fore part of 1779 Colonel Van Dyke was in command 
at the fort, and in February Captain Graham was in charge. 

Those of the Six Nations who adhered to the crown made their head- 
quarters in the country of the Senecas, and thence made raids into the 
valleys of Mohawk, Wyoming and Schoharie. Washington, Schuyler, 
Clinton and others felt that a country which furnished so much aid and 
comfort to the enemy should be thoroughly devastated, and accordingly 
the memorable " Sullivan" campaign of 1779 was planned to include 
an invasion of the country of the Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. 
Those nations possessed large fields of great productiveness, extensive 
gardens and orchards, and lived in frame houses, raised peaches, pears, 
apples, plums, melons, cranberries, squashes, grapes, beans, tobacco and 
corn, in great profusion. This Indian country embraced some fifty or 
sixty towns and all were in a prosperous condition. An expedition 
was planned to go into that country via Canajoharie and Elmira and 
the inland lakes. As preliminary, an armed force of 600 started in 
April of that year, in charge of Colonels Willett and Van Schaack from 
Fort Stanwix, via Wood Creek and Oneida Lake, for the Onondaga 
country to lay it in waste. This expedition left Fort Stanwix April 18, 
and was gone eighteen days, traveled 180 miles, and thoroughly ac- 
complished its work, burning buildings and destroying cattle and grain. 
In August of that year the expedition which has passed into history as 
the "Sullivan expedition" penetrated the country of the Senecas, left 
destruction in its track and substantially broke the backbone of the 
Confederacy. More than forty towns were burned, which included 700 
buildings, 160,000 bushels of corn were destroyed, gardens were laid 
waste, 1,500 fruit trees were leveled to the ground, cattle were killed or 
driven away, and the inhabitants compelled to flee to Canada. The 
army found the Indian country a garden and left it a desert. 



52 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

William Colbraith was a captain in the Sullivan expedition ; he was 
the first sheriff" of Herkimer county, and the first one of Oneida county. 
His residence was about half way between the business portion of Rome 
and the "village of Stanwix." 

For the raid of Sullivan, Brant and Sir John Johnson and the Butlers 
paid the Mohawk valley in kind. The garrison in Fort Stanwix in 1780 
was not of much practical use. In the spring of 1 78 1 , by reason of floods 
in the river and fire, the fort was ruined and abandoned. Cornwallis 
surrendered at Yorktown in October, 1781, practically ending the war. 
In February, 1783, Colonel Willett was sent by Washington from the 
Mohawk valley via Fort Stanwix and Wood Creek to capture Oswego 
by surprise. The expedition crossed Oneida Lake on the ice ; the snow 
was very deep and the expedition was not successful. When Colonel 
Willett returned to Albany he heard the joyful news proclaimed by the 
clerk by the ringing of the city bell. 

And now, after seven long years, peace reigned again in the land. 
The valley of the Mohawk had suffered more than any other like extent 
of country in the whole thirteen colonies. Statistics show that in this 
valley during the war, 700 buildings were burned, 1,200 farms left un- 
cultivated, thousands of horses and cattle Mled or stolen, millions of 
bushels of grain destroyed, 354 families abandoned their homes, 613 
persons deserted to the enemy, 197 killed at their homes, 121 taken cap- 
tives, 300 women made widows, and 2,000 children made orphans. 
This valley has justly earned the appellation of " the dark and bloody 
ground." 

At the close of the war General Washington and Governor Clinton, 
with other officers, made a tour up the Hudson and the Mohawk to Fort 
Stanwix, thence over the portage to Wood Creek and Oneida Lake, and 
thence to the head waters of the Susquehanna and to Otsego Lake and 
return. Both became owners of land in Oneida county, in Westmore- 
land and New Hartford. 



1783 TO 1788— EMIGRATION WESTWARD. 53 



CHAPTER VII. 

1783 TO 1788— EMIGRATION WESTWARD. 

The " old French War," the travel up the Mohawk and through New 
York, the trade with the Indians, the early settlement around Fort Stan- 
wix from 1760 to the summer of 1777, the siege of that fort, the battle of 
Oriskany, and the war of the Revolution, all gave Central New York a 
prominence in the history of the country, not surpassed by that of any 
other section in the thirteen colonies. These historical facts made the 
territory of the Oneidas (now Oneida county), its streams, location, 
scenery, soil, its beauty and fertility, as familiar as "household words," 
to the people down the valley of the Mohawk, but more especially to 
those of the New England States, whose men had been in trade, travel, 
and war through this section. The Revolutionary war had closed bat 
a few months before men past middle life, with large families, broke up 
their old homes in New England and made their way on foot, in ox carts, 
and by canoes up the Mohawk, to found new homes and make perma- 
nent settlements in the region now marked by the boundaries of Oneida 
county; overleaping the Mohawk settlements and pushing their way 
into the wilderness thirty miles westward from the nearest neighbor and 
habitation, they commenced anew the battle of life, to fell the forest, 
clear up the land, till the soil, erect log cabins, and to eventually make 
the wilderness to blossom like the rose; and in place of the forest, the 
savage, and wild beasts, make it the abode of a civilized and an enlight- 
ened race and to be occupied by cultivated fields, by towns, villages and 
cities. Peace was concluded in September, 1783; the United States 
armies disbanded in December thereafter and in March, 1784, emigra- 
tion commenced its course from New England to flow towards the set- 
ting sun and to settle in the former territory of the Oneidas. 

In April, 1783, Congress issued its proclamation announcing a cessa- 
tion of hostilities. In the summer of that year Washington visited that 



54 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

locality. July 15 he wrote from his headquarters at Newburgh, to Gen- 
eral Schuyler, saying he had entertained a desire to visit the northern 
part of the State, and that he had made an arrangement with Governor 
Clinton to make a tour and reconnoiter those places where the most 
remarkable posts were established, and the ground which had become 
famous by the war in 1777, and that he should set out by water on the 
Hudson July 18, and proceed to Albany. Under date of July 16, 1783, 
Washington wrote to Congress to the same effect and mentioned his 
intention to visit Ticonderaga, Crown Point, Lake Champlain, Fort 
Stanwix, etc. General Washington made the tour to Lake Champlain 
by the Hudson ; he then returned to Schenectady, and thence went to 
Fort Stanwix. On his return trip he reached Newburgh August 5 ; 
that day he wrote to the president of Congress saying : 

My tour northward and westward to Fort Schuyler (Stanwix) and my movements 
having been pretty rapid, my horses which had not yet arrived would be so much 
fatigued they will need several days rest. 

He writes further : 

1 have directed ten months' provisions for five hundred men to be laid up at Fort 
Herkimer and ordered Colonel Willett to repair the roads and remove obstructions in 
the rivers, build houses for the reception of the provisions and stores at the " carry- 
ing place " [Fort Stanwix] between the Mohawk and Wood Creek. 

At that time the cessation of hostilities was au aiting the action of the 
two governments, with a view to peace. In October, 1783, General 
Washington wrote from Princeton to an old friend (Chevalier Chas- 
telleux) as follows : 

I have lately made a tour to Lake Champlain and returned to Schenectady; thence 
I proceeded up the Mohawk to Fort Stanwix and crossed over to Wood Creek. I 
then traversed the country to the eastern branch of the Susquehanna and viewed 
Otsego Lake and the portage between it and Canajoharie. 

History does not record with exactness whether the Father of his 
Country made this trip up the Mohawk by water or on horseback, but 
it is presumable the latter, as General Washington says in his aforesaid 
letter to Congress, his horses are much fatigued, and besides, on foot or 
on horseback was the only way he could have gone from Oneida Lake 
to Otsego Lake. Nor is it mentioned where he stayed over night on his 
route to Fort Stanwix, nor the names of those who accompanied him- 



1783 TO 178S— EMIGRATION WESTWARD. 55 

Campbell's Annals of Tryon County says he was accompanied by Gen- 
eral Hand and many other officers of the New York line. 

In the spring of 1784 emigration commenced. The first to start from 
New England was Hugh White. He had been selectman of Middle- 
town, Conn., from 1779 to 1783, and was commissary in the army of 
the Revolution during a portion of the war. He became part owner of 
the Sadequahada Patent, along with Zephaniah Piatt (father of Judge 
Piatt), Ezra L'Hommedieu, and Melancthon Smith, and by an arrange- 
ment between them, the owners were to meet on the patent in June, 
1784, at the mouth of Sauquoit Creek (Whitesboro), and divide the land 
among themselves. Mr. White started from Middletown in April or 
May, 1784 ; at that time he was fifty one years old and had eight chil- 
dren. Four sons, one daughter and a daughter in-law, accompanied 
him on his journey up the Mohawk. One of the sons, with two yokes 
of oxen, preceded him by land to Albany, where they met, and thence 
with the teams, they kept even pace with the bateau up the Mohawk. 
As the party proceeded they found on their way many farms which had 
been devasted and abandoned and the charred remains of buildings, all 
of which told a sad and fearful tale of the ravages of war and the suffer- 
ings of the inhabitants of the Mohawk valley. At a vacant farm known 
as " Shoemaker's," near the present village of Mohawk, in Herkimer 
county, the party stopped to plant corn. It was a thoughtful measure, 
inasmuch as the pioneers were going to a region covered with a forest. 
This "Shoemaker's," was the same place where Walter N. Butler, Han 
Yost Schuyler and others were arrested just after the battle of Oriskany, 
as narrated in a former chapter. The time the party was thus engaged 
in planting corn was about May 20, 1784. While thus engaged, an- 
other party of pioneer emigrants on their way up the Mohawk from 
Connecticut passed the White family, and became in fact the first actual 
settlers in Oneida county. The names of those comprising the second 
party will be given later on. When the corn was planted, the White 
family moved on and arrived at Whitesboro June 4, 1784; another ac- 
count says June 25. That summer Hugh White built a log house and 
a log barn, partitioned the land with the other owners, cleared off" a few 
acres, and then returned to " Shoemaker's " in the fall, to gather the 
crop of corn planted in the spring. It was a good yield. In January, 



56 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1785, Mr. White returned to Middletown for his wife and other son and 
the two daughters and then came back to his new home in the wilder- 
ness. For years thereafter all of the State west of Utica was known as 
the " Whitestown Country." It is glory enough for all future genera- 
tions to be thus honored, aside from other honors so nobly earned, so 
rightly deserved, and so worthily bestowed. The persons who passed 
the White family at " Shoemaker's," as before stated, were James Dean, 
Andrew Blanchard, and Jedediah Phelps. They started from Connecti- 
cut in April, 1784, and reached Schenectady May 3, and thence pro- 
ceeded via Mohawk River, Fort Stanwix and down Wood Creek to a 
point near its junction with Fish Creek where they arrived May 13, 
1784. The Oneida Indians had the year before given to Mr. Dean a 
tract of land two miles square, with the right to make the selection any- 
where in their territory. He selected the tract within what is now the 
town of Vienna, north side of Wood Creek, about a mile from its junc- 
tion with Fish Creek. It was an unfortunate selection, as it turned out. 
Mr. Phelps was a silversmith and brass founder and he intended to en- 
gage in that business, and to manufacture rings and brooches for the 
Indians and Indian trade. Mr. Dean erected a log house close by 
Wood Creek, and Mr Phelps built a log shop near by for his business ; 
they made a small clearing and then and there commenced the first 
actual settlement of Oneida county, after the Revolution. At that time 
Mr. Dean was unmarried and not quite thirty six years old. Mr. Phelps 
was thirty- one, had a wife and two children, the oldest six and the other 
four years of age. Andrew Blanchard eventually located in Kirkland, 
and in 1788 was married in that town to Anna Cook. In the same 
year that Hugh White located at Whitesboro, and Dean and Phelps in 
Vienna, the three families, Damooth or Damuth, Real, and Weaver, who 
had settled in Deerfield in 1773 and were driven out in 1776, came back 
to Deerfield Corners and located, bringing with them George Damuth. 
All of these families had seen service in the war of the Revolution 
and all were true patriots. Mark Damuth (who came in 1773) was 
captain of a company ; Mr. Weaver (or Weber) was taken prisoner near 
Herkimer by a band of tories and Indians and taken to Canada, and for 
nine months was confined in prison in Quebec, and so closely that he 
did not for that time see the sun, moon, or stars. From Quebec he was 



1783 TO 1788- EMIGRATION WESTWARD. 57 

taken to England and there detained two years. Descendants of those 
and other Weavers who came to Deerfield yet reside in Deerfield and 
in Utica and are prominent citizens ; worthy sons of patriotic sires. 
Real Creek, which empties into the Mohawk opposite Utica, received 
its name from that Jan Christian Real whose house stood upon its banks 
when it was burned by the Indians in 1776. 

The next thing of importance, in the order of time, which occurred 
within the present limits of Oneida county was a treaty with the Indians 
at Fort Stanwix. The State and National governments were not as yet 
in good working order, and the relations of each towards the various 
nations of the Iroquois Confederacy were not well defined or agreed 
upon. The Indian commissioners in behalf of the State of New York 
were trying most of the summer of 1784 to get a council of the Six 
Nations convened, with a view to treat with them. In the mean time 
Congress was moving in the same direction and for a similar purpose. 
The Indians kept aloof and were adverse to treating with a State, but 
generally disposed to meet " thirteen fires " and hold a treaty of peace 
jointly with them. The State and National authorities were seemingly 
but not actually in collision with each other. The 1st of September, 
1784, the State Board of Commissioners met at Fort Stanwix deputies 
from the Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas, and Senecas. The Oneidas 
and Tuscaroras held back, but after a while deputies from those two 
nations came in. It was October 22, 1784, before a treaty was made, 
and then only as to giving up captives and regulating boundaries. 
Brant, Red Jacket (a Seneca chief), and Cornplanter, and Governor 
Clinton, La Fayette and others were present, and also other notable per- 
sonages. Red Jacket made a fiery and eloquent speech against the 
Indians ceding any of their lands. Brant left before the session was 
concluded to go on business to Canada, and nothing particular was ac- 
complished except to fix the western boundary of the Six Nations. 
No land was ceded. The United States commissioners were Oliver 
Wolcott, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee. That treaty was made with 
the United States, and none with the State, and it was the first treaty 
made by the Six Nations with the United States after the war. 

In 1785 there joined the '' Whitesboro Colony" Amos Wetmore and 
Lemuel Leavenworth, from Middletown, and possibly Nathaniel Loomis 



58 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and Roswell Goodrich in that same year. Mr. Wetmore had a large 
family and located east of Sauquoit Creek; he had been in the Revolu- 
tionary war. In the spring of 1785 Mr. Dean and Mr. Phelps found 
the waters of Wood Creek rose so high as " to drown them out." They 
were obliged to seek refuge in the garret of the house, on account of 
the rise of the water, and by means of a ladder placed on the outside 
descend into a boat and row to Mr. Phelps's shop to cook their meals. 
That would not answer their purpose, and so Mr Dean that fall obtained 
the consent of the Oneidas to make another selection. This time he 
selected a tract in what is now the town of Westmoreland, ever since 
known as "Dean Patent." He returned to Connecticut, and in 1786 
married and came back in that year with his wife, both on horseback. 
In the mean time Mr. Phelps, in the spring or summer of 1785, also 
changed his location by moving up stream to Fort Stanwix and building 
a log house and shop on the banks of Wood Creek, near the site known 
thirty years later as "the United States Arsenal." When he came to 
Fort Stanwix, Mr. Phelps said there was but one other white man here 
(and he a Frenchman, living with the Indians). Mr. Phelps carried on 
his trade and business at that location for about fifteen years thereafter. 
July 4, 1786, a third child was born unto him; three other children 
were born unto him in this new home. About 1800 he moved to what 
is now the town of Verona and in 1802 was elected its first supervisor, 
and was re-elected in each year thereafter until 1808. In 18 19 he re- 
moved to Orleans county, and died there in 1849 at the age of ninety- 
six years, with a mind quite clear for one of his years. He was the 
first settler of what is now Rome, after the Revolutionary war. A 
grandson of his married a sister of the mother of Mr. Harvey S. 
Bedell, a Roman. 

In 1786 a survey of Cosby Manor and a map of it were made by John 
R. Bleecker, son of Rutger Bleecker, one of the owners. On that map 
appear two log houses located near the ford across the Mohawk on the 
east side of Genesee street, and one house on the west .side of that 
street. : Improvements had also been made a little further westward, 
somewhere between the present lines of Broadway and State streets ; 
and there were also improvements near the present eastern limits of 

8 Bagg's Pioneers. 



1783 TO 1788— EMIGRATION WESTWARD. 59 

Utica. The occupant of the house nearest the river, on the east side of 
Genesee street, was John Cunningham, his neighbor beside him being 
George Damuth. ' Bagg's Pioneers says : " The resident on the op- 
posite side of Genesee street was Jacob Chrisman. The settler towards 
the west was McNamee, and the clearings on the eastern borders of the 
city were designated as those of McNamee and Abraham Boom." Moses 
Foot, who settled in Clinton in 1787, while on his way there, slept in the 
log house belonging to John Cunningham, one of these early settlers, who 
informed Foot that he (Cunningham) had half an acre cleared in 1785. 
Hendrich Salyea was another settler there in 1787. The father of 
Pomroy Jones, who passed through Old Fort Schuyler (Utica) in Janu- 
ary, 17875 to Dean Patent, says there were then three log houses at Old 
Fort Schuyler. The foregoing settlers around Fort Schuyler were not 
permanent; they were men mostly engaged in boating, or in the Indian 
trade. The house above mentioned as being occupied by Jacob Chris- 
man, west of Genesee street, must have been occupied in March, 1788, 
when Whitestown was formed, by William Cunningham, for the line be- 
tween that town and Herkimer " crosses Mohawk River at the ford- 
ing place near the house of William Cunningham, leaving the same 
house to the west of that line;" so that act of 1788 says. 

It is not possible at this late day, and with the scanty material at 
hand, to locate the exact date, nor the priority of their coming to Oneida 
county, of those who came along in 1785, 1786, and 1787. The United 
States census of 1790, elsewhere published, will tell very nearly who 
were here on the first Monday in August, 1790. It is pretty well 
established that those whose names have been already given were in this 
vicinity as stated. It is also pretty certain that about 1786, Gen. George 
Doolittle came from Middletown to Whitesboro, and there located ; he 
was twenty-six years old, yet he had served in the Revolutionary 
army ; he became a prominent personage in Oneida county. 

Along about 1785 there also came to Deerfield another colony of 
emigrants from down the valley, viz. : Peter, Nicholas, and George 
Weaver, George Damuth, Nicholas and Philip Harter. Nicholas 
Harter married a daughter of Capt. Mark Damuth. When Nicholas 
Harter was a lad he was perfectly familiar with all of the paths 

1 See note at the end of this chapter. 



60 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and Indian trails which led up the Mohawk, and across the country to 
Canada via Black River, or via Oneida Castle to Oswego. Both of the 
Harters and the Weavers were in the Revolutionary war, as were about 
all of the Mohawk Dutch. Nicholas died July 25, 1854, aged ninety- 
four years. 

It will be borne in mind that in 1786 Cosby Manor was brought 
into market, and that Oriskany Patent was divided and parts sold, and 
many other patents had been granted ; and that Baron Steuben, Colonel 
Willett, George Washington, Governor Clinton, and other notable per- 
sonages were owners of land in Oneida county ; and hence the foregoing 
were inducements for settlers to locate in this part of the State. Most of 
those lands were about that time offered to settlers. 

The next settlers in what is now Oneida county, came from Con- 
necticut in 1785 or 1786, and located in the shadow of Fort Stanwix. 
They were all related to each other by blood, or connected by mar- 
riage. Their names were as follows : Willett Ranney, sr., with a family 
of eleven children, all grown to maturity, and the most if not all mar- 
ried ; Seth Ranney, one of the sons, with wife and children, located 
northeast of the present Rome court house on or near the site of the late 
residence of G. N. Bissell. Willett Ranney, jr., another son and his 
family; also Nathaniel Gilbert and David I. Andrus, both of whom had 
married in the Ranney family, and had been in the war of the Revolu- 
tion. In January, 1787, there came Captain Nehemiah Jones, father of 
Pomroy Jones, and also Ephraim Blackmer at same time from Berkshire 
county, Mass., and located in Oneida county. Mr. Blackmer came in 
advance with-a horse team, bringing the families ; Mr. Jones followed 
with an ox team, with beds, provisions, and clothing. Mr. Blackmer 
had a wife and two children ; Mr. Jones a wife and one child. They 
settled upon Dean's Patent in Westmoreland. Both had rendered 
service in the Revolutionary war. That same winter and in the spring 
of 1787, Joseph Jones and Joseph Blackmer, jr., came from Berkshire 
county and settled on Dean's Patent, and perhaps also William Dean, 
brother of James. Isaac Jones, a soldier of the Revolution, came from 
Berkshire county, Mass., in 1787, and for a short time located in Clin- 
ton in this county and then moved to Westmoreland. Joseph Jones, 
brother of Isaac, came to Westmoreland from Berkshire county, Mass., 



1783 TO 1788— EMIGRATION WESTWARD. 61 

in tbe spring of 1787 and located near Lairdsville. In the same year 
there located in Kirkland, Moses Foot and family, Barnabas Pond, 
James Rronson, Lewis Sherman, and Solomon Hovey ; and possibly the 
same year Ludlim Blodgett, Timothy Tuttle, Samuel Hubbard, Randall 
Lewis, Cordial Storrs, John Bullens, and Captain Cassety. 1 

Before Whitestown was organized as a town (March 7, 1788) there 
was living therein, and near Fort Stanwix, William Colbraith (or Col- 
breath). The year he came cannot now be stated. He was captain of 
a company under Peter Gansevoort, in the Sullivan expedition of 1779 
against the Indians in the western part of New York. He was the first 
sheriff of Herkimer county in 1791, and then resided near Fort Stan- 
wix, as above stated. He was also first sheriff of Oneida county, in 
1798. He cannot be traced further. 

In the spring of 1787 Gen. Oliver Collins, with his wife and two chil- 
dren, came from Connecticut and settled upon the Middle Settlement 
road, leading from Whiteboro to Middle Settlement. While in his 
'teens he enlisted in the Continental Army and rendered faithful service 
during the war; he was at the battle of Saratoga under General Gates. 
He cames from the war a sergeant. 

There was another settler in what is now Oneida county prior to the 
time Whitestown was organized into a town, named Archibald Arm- 
strong. He located at the junction of Wood and Canada Creeks, in 
what is now the town of Rome. He was great grandfather of Jonas W. 
Armstrong of Rome, and of William C. and David Armstrong of Anns- 
ville ; he was twice married; his first wife was a sister of Heinrich 
Starring, a prominent personage in the Mohawk valley in the Revolu- 
tion, and the first judge of Herkimer county when that county was 
formed in 1791. That Armstrong came originally from Pennsylvania, 
later from down the Hudson, and still later from the Mohawk valley. 
On the 26th of August, 1775, the Tryon county militia was organized 
into four battalions, and that Archibald Armstrong was second lieuten- 
ant in the 8th company of the 4th battalion, of which George Herkimer 
(brother of the general) was captain, and Han Yost Herkimer (another 
brother of General Herkimer) was colonel. This was in the German Fiats 
and Kingsland district. On the 25 th of June, 1778, new appointments were 

1 Jones's Annals. 



62 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

made, and the nine companies organized in August, 1775, were reduced 
to seven in about eighteen months of active war. The name of Herki- 
mer entirely disappeared from the rolls after the battle of Oriskany The 
most of the loss was sustained in this battle. 

It is traditionary in the family that Archibald Armstrong served in 
the army during that war, down the valley. The military records at 
Albany show that a man by the name of Archibald Armstrong was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war, in Captain Telford's company, in a 
regiment belonging to Orange county, under command of Col. John 
Hallern ; also, that a person of the same name was in Capt. Abraham 
Westfall's company belonging to a regiment in Dutchess county, under 
command of Col. Albert Pawling; also in Capt. James McBride's com- 
pany belonging to the 2d regiment of Ulster county, under command of 
Lieut-Col. Jacob Newkirk : also in Capt. Richard Baily's company of the 
Orange county regiment under command of Lieut.-Col. Henry Wisner, 
or Col. John Hathern, and that those persons were employed in actual 
service. 1 

1 The Damooth, Demoot, Demuth, and Teymouth (or Damewood, as anglicized) family, as the 
name was variously spelled, seems to be nearly extinct in the male line ; but very few of that 
name can now be found in this section. They were prominent in the valley of the Mohawk in 
the war of the Revolution and fought bravely on the side of the colonies, and suffered severely 
by reason of their activity on the side of the cause they had espoused. John Jost Teymouth (or 
Damuth) was born in 1700 and in 1757 was living at Little Falls, and owned land there. He went 
to Deerfield in 1773, but was driven out in 1776 and returned to the German Flats. His son, Capt. 
Mark Damuth, was born in 1730, and in 1773 went to Deerfield and was also driven out, as stated 
in a former chapter. In 1777 he was captain of Rangers, was shot through the arm, taken prisoner 
October 20, 1780, at German Flats, near Fort Dayton (Herkimer). He was at the battle of Oriskany 
and his name is recorded in the list furnished at the Oriskany Centennial Celebration in 1877. 
He returned to Deerfield in 1784. A daughter married Col. Nicholas Harter, an old and aged 
resident of Deerfield and of Utica. George Damuth is supposed to have been a brother of Cap- 
tain Mark, of the Palatine District, before the Revolution, but in 1784 went to Deerfield with 
Mark. In 1780 he lived at "Old Fort Schuyler," and in 1787 leased two hundred and seventy-three 
acres of land of Rutger Bleecker, one of the proprietors of Cosby Manor. He died before 1 790, 
leaving a widow and a number of sons. One of the sons was a boatman in the employ of John 
Post, a merchant, tavern keeper, and trader at Old Fort Schuyler in 1700 ; another son remained 
with his mother on the farm of Peter Smith ; another son went to Sackett's Harbor; George Da- 
muth, another son, was called " Old Yare," was a boatman, and when an infant was captured by 
Indians, who cut his ears and put a ring in his nose. When eighteen years old he escaped and 
and served in the war of the Revolution. At one time an Indian threw a knife at him, which en- 
tered his body and which he bore until he reached his home. After the war he lived in Deer- 
field ; he married a daughter of Jacob Chrisman, an early settler at Fort Schuyler. The late Da- 
vid Gray, of Marcy, when a boy, remembered "Old Yare." with his pinked ears and the ring in 
his nose. George was living as late as 1832 ; he was buried at Herkimer. In 1775 George Damuth 
was adjutant in the 9th Company, 4th Battalion of the regiment of which Han Yost Herkimer 
(brother of the general) was colonel. The descendants of the Damuth family are scattered ; some 
went to Onondaga county, some to Wisconsin, and some to Missouri. The male members are 



1788— TOWN OF WHITESTOWN— GREAT INDIAN TREATY. 63 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1788— TOWN OF WHITESTOWN— GREAT INDIAN TREATY. 

By an act of colonial Legislature, passed March 24, 1772, Tryon 
county was subdivided into six " Districts"; Kingsland District was on 
the south side of the Mohawk River and was west of Little Falls ; the 
German Flats District, north of the Mohawk River and west of Little 
Falls. March 28, 1773, the names of the Kingsland and the German 
Flats Districts were exchanged, one for the other. April 3, 1775, the 
" old England District " was formed and embraced part of Herkimer 
county, and nearly what is now Otsego county. As before stated, 
April 2, 1784, the name of Tryon county was changed to that of 
Montgomery. By an act passed March 7, 1788, the State of New 
York was divided into sixteen counties, and those counties subdivided 
into towns, instead of " districts," as formerly. Montgomery county 
was subdivided into nine towns; all that part of the county and of the 
State lying westerly of a north and south line running across the Mo- 
hawk River at the fording place near the house of William Cunning- 
ham, at Old Fort Schuyler, leaving that house to the west of the same 
line, and bounded north and west by the north and west bounds of the 
State, and south by the State of Pennsylvania, was erected into the 
town of " Whitestown." The house of William Cunningham then stood 
near the foot of, and on the west side of, Genesee street, Utica, midway 
between Water and Whitesboro streets, as before noted. The town thus 
formed was named after Hugh White, the early pioneer, and covered 
an area nearly equal to half of the State, including 12,000,000 acres of 
land with the navigable headwaters of the Mohawk, the Delaware, the 
Susquehanna and Ohio Rivers, the chain of small lakes in Central and 
Western New York, the Genesee River and the cataract of Niagara on 

nearly extinct ; quite a number are yet alive of the female line. In 1789 there was a Mr. Demuth 
living in a loir house, on the site of St. Peter's church, where St. Leger planted his batteries at the 
siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. 



64 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE 

the American side, and the territories of five of the Six Nations, and 
with a frontage on the great lakes and rivers of at least four hundred 
t miles in length. From this year may be fairly recorded the beginning 
of the great emigration westward. 

In 1788 there was also living at "Old Fort Schuyler" Philip Morey 
and his three sons, Solomon, Richard and Sylvanus, all of whom were 
from Rhode Island, also Francis Foster. In March, 1788, there came 
to the same place Maj. John Bellinger, from down the valley. He was 
at the battle of Oriskany, and was at the side of General Herkimer 
when the latter was shot. In that same month and year Jedediah 
Sanger, who subsequently became a power in Oneida county, came 
from Jeffries, in New Hampshire, and located in what is now the village of 
New Hartford He was then thirty three years old, with a wife and 
several children, but without pecuniary means, as he had recently lost 
his property by fire. He was born on the 29th day of February, and 
consequently he had a birthday only once in four years. He purchased 
one thousand acres of land in one body, for fifty cents an acre, which 
purchase included the whole of the present village of New Hartford ; 
subsequently he became an extensive land owner. In the year 1788 
Samuel Laird came from Berkshire, Mass., and located in Lairdsville, in 
Westmoreland, and soon after began housekeeping in a log house. In 
that same year there came to that town Peletiah Rawson and John 
Blair ; Joseph Farwell located in what is now Bridgewater, and also 
came to the same town Ezra Parker. It is believed that the persons 
whose names have been given as settlers in each year from and includ- 
1784 to 1788, included all, or nearly so, who located ia what is now 
Oneida county prior to the time Whitestown was organized in March, 
1788. Not unlikely other persons squatted in the county during the 
above period, but were not here as permanent settlers. 

Elkanah Watson, an extensive traveler in this country and abroad, 
and a close observer of the course of events, was in this Whitestown 
country in 1788 and again in 1791, and left a published journal of his 
observations. His views of the prospect of a canal in the near future, 
connecting the waters of the Mohawk River with those of Wood Creek, 
the fertility of the soil and the great possibilities in the near future of 
this part of the country are of great interest. He writes under date of 
September, 1788, as follows: 




%J/&<?^$*^~ 



1783— TOWN OF WHITESTOWN— GREAT INDIAN TREATY. G5 

I forded the Mohawk at old Fort Schuyler [Utica] alone and both shores were 
alive with savages. As there was no tavern here, and but a few scattering houses, 
I proceeded to an old German log house on the margin of the river and interceded 
for something to eat. After much difficulty I pervailed upon an ill-natured German 
woman to spare me two ears of green corn and some salt. The road was as bad as 
possible, obstructed by broken bridges, logs and stumps, and my horse at every step 
sinking knee deep into the mud. I remained one day at Judge White's log house, 
the founder of the settlement, and slept in his log barn, with horses and other ani- 
mals. Whitesboro is a promising settlement in the heart of a fine tract of land and 
just in the transition from a state of nature into civilization. The settlement com- 
menced four years' ago ; log houses are already scattered in the midst of stumps, 
half burned logs, and girdled trees. I observed the log barns were well filled. A 
few years ago land might have been bought for a trifle ; now lands bordering on the 
river have advanced to three dollars an acre. Settlers are continually pouring in 
from the Connecticut hive, which throws off its annual swarms of intelligent, indus- 
trious and enteprrising emigrants — the best qualified of any men in the world to 
overcome and civilize the wilderness. They already estimate three hundred brother 
Yankees on their muster list, and in a few years hence they will undoubtedly be 
able to raise a formidable barrier to oppose the intrusions of the savages. At Orisk- 
any I passed two hundred Indians, the remnant of that once powerful confederacy. 
On ascending a hill west of Oriskany, I approached the place where the intrepid 
General Herkimer was driven into a fatal combat in August, 1777. Just before I 
reached the sanguinary battlefield, I met two Germans, familiar with its incidents. 
They conducted me over the whole ground ; they informed me, a number of the 
slain were never interred ; in corroboration of the fact, I noticed numerous human 
bones strewn upon the surface of the earth. 1 

Soon after leaving this consecrated spot, and alone in the woods, I was in the 
midst of a band of Indians, as drunk as lords ; they looked like so many evil spirits 
broken loose from pandemonium, wild, frantic, almost naked, and frightfully painted, 
they yelled, whooped and danced around me in such hideous attitudes that I was 
seriously apprehensive they would end the farce by taking off my scalp. On my 
arrival at Fort Stanwix, I found the whole plain around the fort covered with Indians 
of various tribes, male and female. Many of the latter were fantastically dressed in 
their best attire, in the richest silks, fine scarlet clothes, bordered with gold fringe, 
a profusion of brooches, rings in their noses, their ears slit and their heads decorated 
with feathers. The object of this treaty is to procure a cession from the Indians of 
territory lying west of Fort Stanwix, extending to the Great Lakes. Contemplating 
the position of Fort Stanwix at the head of bateau navigation on the Mohawk, and 
within one mile of Wood Creek, and thence west to Oneida Lake and connecting 

1 On the first settlement of this section of the country, many skeletons were found yet bleach- 
ing and uncovered, and a number of the first settlers met and gathered all that could be found 
and undistinguished between friend and foe, they were interred in a common grave. The party 
consisted of persons from Rome, Westmoreland and Whitestown. Judge Joshua Hathaway, of 
Rome, was the first to move in the matter, and a number of cart loads of bones were thus col- 
lected and buried. Judge Hathaway and his father and six brothers were under General Stark 
at Bennington. — [Jones's Annals of Oneida County. 
9 



66 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

with Lake Ontario, I am led to think it will in time become the emporium of com- 
merce between Albany and the vast Western world. 

It was calculated that at the time the town of Whitestown was 
formed it contained less than 200 inhabitants ; that included all within 
the State west of Genesee street, Utica. East of that street and south 
of the river was in the town of German Flats ; north of the river in the 
town of Herkimer. 

In the mean time serious trouble was brewing with " land grabbers," 
those who were trying to obtain from the Indians the lands in Central 
and Western New York. The State Constitution of 1777 forbade the 
purchase of the fee in the lands of the Indians by individuals, reserving 
the right to the State alone. To evade this and to come into possession 
of the lands, an association of individuals called the " New York Gen- 
esee Land Company" was organized in the winter of 1787— 8, composed 
of some eighty or ninety persons, who were wealthy and influential. 
At the same time a branch company was organized in Canada. This 
company obtained of the Six Nations a lease for nine hundred and 
ninety-nine years of all their lands; this lease was to evade the consti- 
tutional provision as to the conveyance of the fee of the lands. In 
March, 1788, John Taylor, of Albany, was appointed agent or superin- 
tendent of the New York Board of Indian Commissioners, and in that 
month he was sent to the Indian country to counteract the unlawful 
proceedings of the " Lessees." He learned that the latter had sent 
fourteen sleigh loads of goods to the Indian country ; that one hundred 
and sixty families had arrived at Tioga, on their way west to settle on 
the Indian lands. But those families learned the State was going to 
oppose the " Lessees," and hence hesitated in going further. Governor 
Clinton issued a proclamation warning purchasers against the actions of 
the " Lessees," and sent messengers to all of the Six Nations, warning 
them also of the fraud being practiced upon them. It was a formidable 
organization, embracing men of wealth and political influence. Gov. 
George Clinton met the whole matter with energy and promptness and 
urged upon the Legislature the adoption of decisive measures to coun- 
teract the plans of the " Lessees." In March, 1788. an act was passed 
authorizing the governor to disregard all contracts made with the In- 
dians not sanctioned by the State, and to cause all persons to be arrested 



1788— TOWN OF WHITESTOWN— GREAT INDIAN TREATY. 67 

who had entered upon the Indian lands under such contracts and to be 
driven off by force and the buildings destroyed. Governor Clinton or- 
dered Samuel Clyde, the sheriff of Montgomery county, and the first 
one appointed after the war (which county then extended to the west 
bounds of the State), to disperse intruders and burn their dwellings. A 
military force was called out and the orders were strictly executed. 
One of the prominent settlers and co operators of the " Lessees " was 
taken to New York city in irons upon a charge of high treason. Thus 
baffled, the " Lessees " determined to meet the State officials at Fort 
Stanwix, where the treaty was to be held in September, 1788, and by 
lobbying prevent the treaty being made. The governor took the field 
in person, backed by all the official influence at his command ; yet it 
was difficult for him for a time to effect anything The 1st of Septem- 
ber, 1788, was fixed as the period of the treaty. Active preparations 
for it were going on through the preceding summer. In all of the In- 
dian villages the "Lessees" had their agents and runners or Indian 
traders at work. The preparations at Albany and New York, on the 
part of the State officials, were formidable. A sloop came up from 
New York with Indian goods, stores for the expedition, marquees, 
tents, and specie for the purchase money (which was obtained after 
much trouble). On board of the sloop were those who resided in New 
York city and many others ; among them Count Monsbiers, the then 
French minister, and the Marchioness de Biron, his sister, who were 
going to attend the treaty out of curiosity. The commissioners and the 
retinue, goods and baggage, going up the Mohawk, started August 23, 
in bateaux built expressly for the occasion, and arrived at Fort Stanwix 
August 28. A wild and romantic scene presented itself.' The veteran 
soldier, Governor Clinton, pitched his marquee and was as much the gen- 
eral as if he had headed a military expedition. Among his associates 
in the commission and his companions were Egbert Benson, afterward 
attorney- general of the State; General Gansevoort, defender of Fort 
Stanwix; William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of In- 
dependence; Ezra L'Hommedieu, and Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the 
missionary. 

Among the noted Indian speakers and who signed the treaty, were 

1 Turner's Phelps & Gorham Purchase. 



68 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Skenandoah, who lived to be one hundred and ten years old ; Peter 
Otsequet, who was sent to France by La Fayette and there educated, 
and to whom a patent of one thousand acres was granted in Westmore- 
land ; Paulus, an Oneida chief (after whom Paulus Pond, in edge of 
Lewis county was named), and many others who had been conspicuous 
in the Revolution and became the leading men of our then young State. 
They were surrounded by the camp fires of the numerous representa- 
tives of the Six Nations numbering thousands, who had been attracted 
to the spot, some from interest, some from curiosity ; but by far the 
larger proportion of them had been attracted from their scattered wil- 
derness homes by the hopes and promises of presents, feast, and carousals. 
Indian traders and speculators from all their localities, with their showy 
goods and trinkets and plenty of " fire water," were upon the ground 
with their goods for sale to the Indians when they received the money 
for their lands. Some of the " Lessees " had preceded the governor and 
were in the crowd secretly endeavoring to thwart the objects of the 
council. Governor Clinton ordered in writing John Livingston, the 
ring leader of the " Lessees," to leave in three hours, and to retire forty 
miles from the fort. After this Governor Clinton organized a court of 
inquest and took affidavits of all that had taken place on the part of the 
" Lessees." Finding that the Senecas were holding back from the coun- 
cil and that many of the head men of the Cayugas and Onondagas were 
absent, and that a counter gathering was being held at Geneva by those 
in the interests of the " Lessees," where liquor was dealt out freely, and 
where the Indians were told if they went to Fort Stanwix, Governor 
Clinton would either cheat them out of their lands or fall upon them 
with an armed force, Governor Clinton sent thither messengers who 
undeceived most of the Indians after they had recovered from their 
beastly state of intoxication. It was the 8th of September before the 
different nations were so far represented as to warrant the council to 
proceed to business. On the I2th the treaty with the Onondagas was 
completed and the deed of cession of most of the lands executed. The 
consideration was one thousand French crowns in money, in hand, and 
two hundred pounds in clothing, and an annuity of five hundred dollars 
forever. The presents were given and friendly speeches made. [This 
treaty was ratified June 16, 1790, at Fort Stanwix, on which occasion 



1788— TOWN OP WHITESTOWN— GREAT INDIAN TREATY. 69 

the State bestowed five hundred dollars as a gratuity.] Negotiations 
with the Oneidas followed, September, 1788, which concerned the lands 
within what is now Oneida county, and continued for days, accompa- 
nied by speeches pro and con, propositions made and rejected, until at 
last a deed of cession was agreed upon and executed by the chiefs, a 
number of women signing the deed. The substance of that deed and 
the consideration are given in the chapter relative to land patents. The 
deed bears date September 22, 1788. The council had continued for 
twenty-five days. This treaty is known as the " Oneida Reservation." 
The father of the author of the "Annals of Oneida County" came to 
Oneida county in January, 1787, and he said that then there were three 
log houses at " Old Fort Schuyler " (Utica), seven at Whitesboro, three 
at Oriskany, four at Fort Stanwix, and three at Westmoreland, most of 
them mere shanties or huts. It has been heretofore stated that the Ranney 
family came to Fort Stanwix in 1785-6. Willett Ranney, senior, located 
in a log house northwest of the present Rome court house, on or near 
the site of the late residence of Gordon N. Bissell, on Stanwix street. 
Twenty eight years ago the author of this history received a letter from 
a great granddaughter of Mr. Ranney (she then residing at Theresa, 
Jefferson county). She narrates what she heard from her grandmother 
(a daughter of Willett Ranney, senior). She thus wrote: 

I have often heard my grandmother, Mrs. Samuel Jarvis, daughter of Willett Ran- 
ney, senior, tell of her early life at Fort Stanwix. She was a little girl when her 
father moved there, probably eleven or twelve ; she was born in Middletown, Conn. 
April 2, 1773. I have often heard her tell of assisting her mother baking bread at the 
time of the treaty with the Indians, at Fort Stanwix, in September, 1788; the bread 
was baked at her brother's, Seth Ranney's house, where many barrels of flour were 
stored to be baked into bread for the use of those expected to attend the treaty. 
The oven was on the outside of the house ; it was a large one and kept running night 
and day in baking bread some days before the treaty. There was also stored in the 
barn near by a quantity of liquor, and as it was feared the Indians might get it and 
thereby become furious and massacre the people, Willett Ranney, senior, with a few 
others went to the barn and poured the liquor on the ground. 

That treaty and its results were among the most important events in 
the history of Oneida county. Following, as it did, so soon after the 
dividing of the State into counties, and the said division of the counties 
into towns, and the organization of " Whitestown," its tendency was to 
give a great impetus to immigration and to make Oneida county what 
it has become. 



70 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Thus in brief has faded away the power of that once famous Indian 
confederacy. They were a wonderful people; banded together by prin- 
ciple of unity not unlike that which holds together this union of States, 
they loved liberty, were proud spirited and haughty, and scorned sub- 
mission to foreign control. They had the ability to cope in council with 
the most skillful diplomats, and the eloquence of their addresses chal- 
lenged comparison with many who boasted of their civilization They 
were indeed a powerful and a gifted people. It was at this treaty of 
1788, that Governor Clinton in his speech to the Indians, said that after 
the treaty was over, all would " indulge in innocent mirth and pleasure." 
After all had feasted and the payments and presents were made, Gov 
ernor Clinton proposed that a foot race take place among the Six Nations, 
each nation to select its swiftest runner, and the race was made over 
what is now Dominick street, and extended from Mohawk River to Wood 
Creek. The governor placed a bag of gold of two hundred and fifty 
dollars on the top of a flag staff at the river, that to be the starting point, 
and the footmen to run to Wood Creek, turn a stake, and the one who 
reached the flag staff on the return to have the gold. Each nation re- 
tired to select its runners, except the Oneidas. That home tribe, 
according to Indian etiquette (Fort Stanwix being within its territory), 
awaited for the selections to be first made by the visiting tribes that 
were from abroad. The other tribes soon returned with five stalwart, 
athletic young men, tall in stature and symmetrical in form. The Oneidas 
then retired to make their selection. Powlis, the war chief, had been in 
his day one of the fleetest runners in the confederacy, and he had a nam - 
ber of stalwart sons, grand representatives of his lofty stature and agile 
movements. Outsiders supposed that one of these would be chosen to 
represent the Oneidas. But the tribe passed by these and others of the 
like, and with great unanimity selected a slender boy of fifteen years — a 
mere stripling — the youngest son of Powlis — his parents' darling, with his 
mother's form and wiry make up. The selection of one so young and 
slim to run a long race with formidable competitors, and taken, too, 
from a tribe that could boast of its powerful braves, greatly surprised all, 
and provoked a quiet laugh among the Indians of the other tribes. But 
this laugh was quickly suppressed, as it might be construed discourteous 
to their brothers, the Oneidas. The boy was called by the whites 



1788— TOWN OF WHITESTOWN— GREAT INDIAN TREATY. 71 

"Little Paul," was the pet of the tribe, and his being the pet was sup- 
posed by the other tribes to account for the selection. Not so with the 
Oneidas. They had better reasons than favoritism, for they knew the 
staying qualities and fleet movements of the lad. Preparations were 
promptly and fully made for the race. The course was on what is now 
Dominick street, smooth and gently rising from east to west. The road 
was staked in quarters, and a horseman accompanied the runners to see 
that all was fair play. The course was straight, and there was no con- 
tention for the inside track. The runners stood side by side, in the 
order of the location of their tribes, the Mohawks first. The head of 
'-' Little Paul" scarcely reached the shoulders of the majestic Mohawk, 
and he presented a striking contrast with the other contestants in the 
field. Each bore on his head a badge of distinction. Little Paul wore 
a feather, a single white plume, stuck in his straight shining locks, which 
were as glossy and as black as the wing of a raven AH being ready, 
they start at the tap of a drum, and on they rush. They wore mocca- 
sins, but otherwise were stripped nearly to the skin. Every eye is fixed 
on the competitors, as they and the horsemen push madly forward for 
the farthest stake at Wood Creek. Not a word escapes from the inter- 
ested spectators, nor do the runners make a sound, save that made by 
their moccasined feet and panting breath. The Mohawk leads and the 
Oneida boy brings up the rear. Evidently the latter is taking it easy, 
holding his best efforts in reserve He passes over the ground as lightly 
and as lithely as a fox, and quite swiftly too, yet he is considerably be- 
hind all the rest, but the others are running at the top of their speed. 
The boy is so far behind that it looks as if he would be distanced, and 
those of the other tribes find it hard work to repress their mirth. But 
the Oneidas maintain their gravity and apparently stolid indifference. 
They know he will show his best on the home stretch. The runners 
are gradually approaching the farther goal, and Little Paul draws 
gently on his reserve force and thereby lessens the distance between 
him and the forward competitors. The horseman has kept his steed on 
a keen gallop all the way, to keep abreast of the runners. The Mo- 
hawk is ahead, the others at his heels, and the Oneida a little behind. 
As the stake at Wood Creek is reached the racers turn it almost in a 
body, and now begins the fierce struggle on the home run. Little Paul 



72 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

again draws on his reserve force and gains on the Mohawk, who leads 
all the rest, and before the first quarter stake is reached Little Paul passes 
all but the Mohawk. The latter strains every nerve ; perspiration 
stands out in beads on his swarthy frame, while his veins look like whip 
cords. The little Oneida "lets out another link," and soon is abreast 
of the Mohawk and the two run side by side. The latter feels the lad 
close at his heels, and hears the cheers of the spectators at the other end 
of the course. He must have felt that their sympathies are with the 
youngster. Not a word is uttered by either of the racers as, for a little 
distance, they run side by side. The Mohawk struggles bravely, as for 
life, but in vain. Little Paul has too much endurance and nimbleness 
of foot for his tall competitor, and before the halfway stake is reached 
the Oneida shoots ahead, and all of his competitors are behind.. Then 
it was that he gave a whoop of triumph as shrill as that of a panther, 
which resounded through the forest, was heard by the large concourse 
who witnessed the struggle, and was echoed back with a will. With 
his five competiters the race was over, but the boy had just begun to 
bound and fly. The arrow parting from its bow was scarce swifter 
than his flight, as he now seemed determined to distance the swiftest of 
the racers, and to show what he could do. He flies as on the wings of 
the wind, and the spectators partake of his ambition and enthusiasm. 
When he is within twenty rods of the home goal they went forward to 
meet the victor, and with the wildest cheers and excitement take him in 
their arms and bear him aloft in triumph to the home stake. The com- 
peting tribes were as enthusiastic as the rest, and none bestowed higher 
praise or received Little Paul with greater admiration than the van- 
quished. Governor Clinton presented the prize and congratulated the 
victor and his tribe in a complimentary speech. The Oneida chief died 
about 1818, and his remains were carried from the "meadows" near 
Taberg to Oneida Castle on the shoulders of members of his tribe, some 
200 following in the proceession. Col. T. G. Halley, then of New Lon- 
don, relates to the writer seeing that funeral procession. He well knew 
the sons of old Powlis, and remembers their return from Wisconsin some 
thirty or more years ago on a visit and to ascertain if they or their rtribe 
did not yet own lands in this vicinity. But their rights had all been 
extinguished. " Powlis Pond," in the edge of Lewis county, was named 



1788 — TOWN OF WHITESTOWN— GREAT INDIAN TREATY. 73 

after that chief, as that was one of his favorite resorts. Little Paul suc- 
ceeded to his father's title. About 1830 the family removed to Green 
Bay in Wisconsin. 

Here may be a proper place to again briefly referto the Iroquois Con- 
federacy and to the nations which composed it and which exercised such a 
powerful influence in New York for two hundred years or more. The ori- 
gin and date of the formation of that confederacy are involved in obscurity. 
It is supposed to have been formed between the years 1400 and 1500, and 
was composed of five and from 171 2 and onward of six nations. It is 
unquestioned that when the confederacy was at the height of its power, 
its members were able to cope in battle, in diplomacy, in council, and 
in oratory, with the best and most skilled of the civilized nations. But 
" fire water," the advancement of civilization, and entanglements with 
European powers eventually disrupted the confederacy and proved the 
ruin of that people. The Sullivan expedition of 1779 broke the back- 
bone of the confederacy and completed its disruption and overthrow. 
The Mohawks, under the influence of the Johnson family, took sides 
with the British in the American Revolution, with hardly an exception, 
and as a result all fled to Canada at the termination of the war. The 
Oneidas and Tuscaroras sympathized with the Americans ; the remain- 
ing nations sided with the English. England made a treaty of peace 
with her colonies, acknowledging their independence, but making no 
provision or stipulation for her Indian allies. Those of the latter who 
had fought against the colonies were in effect a conquered people and 
had no claim upon the new republic. The latter had a legal right to 
confiscate and appropriate the Indian lands without compensation ; but 
that has never been the American policy. Not conceding an absolute 
ownership of the lands to the Indians, yet a right of occupancy by them 
has been recognized, and as politic to acquire such lands by purchase 
or treaty. Upon that theory have the State and National governments 
acted. After the first cession of lands by the Indians, and especially 
after the treaty of 1788, the Six Nations were quite disposed to sell 
their lands to the white men. They clearly saw that their own power 
and influence were gone and that they were at the mercy of the white 
race. The latter have pushed their way across a continent, and the red 
men have disappeared like frost beneath the summer sun. In New 



74 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

York, where the Six Nations were once supreme, their power and influ- 
ence have withered away, and a few scattered reservations are all that 
now remain of their landed possessions, and those at the sufferance of 
the white people. 

The valley of the Mohawk, Wyoming and Cherry Valley, made red 
with the blood of our patriotic ancestors, can never be forgotten nor 
obliterated from American history ; yet, the remembrance of what 
the Iroquois Confederacy once was can never fade away, nor the intel- 
lectual greatness of its chiefs, warriors and statesmen be forgotten so 
long as so many of the lakes, streams, and places are stamped with their 
names upon the pages of history. 

Ye say that all have passed away, 

The noble race and brave ; 
That their light canoes have vanished 

From off the crested wave ; 
That mid the forests where they roamed 

There rings no hunter's shout, 
But their name is on your waters — 

Ye may not wash it out. 

Ye say their conUike cabins 

That clustered o'er the vale. 
Have disappeared, like withered leaves 

Before the autumn gale ; 
But their memory liveth on your hills, 

Their baptism on your shore, 
Your ever-living waters speak 

Their dialect of yore. 



TO 1792. 75 



CHAPTER IX. 



The fact that the Indian title to lands in Central and Western New 
York was adjusted ; that the counties of the State were subdivided into 
towns; that the "Holland Land Company" and Phelps and Gorham 
had purchased millions of acres of land in the western part of the State 
and settlers were going thither, all tended to induce emigration into 
New York. The further facts (which have already been briefly alluded 
to) that " Whitestown " was organized as a town, and that George 
Washington, Gov. George Clinton, Col. Marinus Willett, Baron Steuben, 
William Floyd, Judge John Lansing and other prominent personages 
owned lands in Oneida county ; while Cosby Manor, Oriskany, Fonda, 
Steuben, and other patents and tracts were thrown upon the market and 
most of the patentees or owners were pushing sales and making extra 
efforts to attract settlers, all had much to do in the permanent settlement 
of what is now Oneida county in the years of which we are writing. 
Under the general election law of February, 1787, general elections 
were ordered to be held in the State on the last Tuesday in April in 
each year, and the polls at an election might be kept open not exceed- 
ing five days. By an act of April 17, 1822, the time for holding gen- 
eral elections was changed to the first Monday in November in each 
year, and to be held for three successive days, including the first day. 
By an act passed April 5, 1842, the time of holding general elections 
was changed to the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in each year, 
and to be held for one day only. By the act of March 7, 1788, divid- 
ing the State into counties and subdividing the counties into towns, 
town meetings were ordered to be held on the first Tuesday in April 
in each year. Before any town meeting or general election was held 
in the town of Whitestown, as organized under the act of March 7, 
1788, Ontario county was taken from Montgomery county by an act 
passed January 27, 1789. 



76 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

That same year (1789) there came to Fort Stanwix from Wethers- 
field, Conn., Ebenezer Wright, senior, with a wife and six children ; he 
was then forty-seven years old and had been a lieutenant in the Conti- 
nental army. He was father of Benjamin Wright, who afterward be- 
came the noted engineer and surveyor. About the same time, but 
later, came Thomas, the brother of Ebenezer Wright, senior, with a 
wife and ten children. These two brothers married sisters ; Thomas 
was fifty- one years old. The two brothers lived near Fort Stanwix 
until 1790, when they "leased" land in Wright Settlement and located 
there. Both of their names appear in the United States census of 
1790. In the year 1789 the following persons located in the places as 
mentioned below : At Old Fort Schuyler, William Alverson (father- 
in-law of Theodore S. Faxton), Peter Smith, father of Gerrit Smith ; in 
the town of Paris there located in 1789, Captain Rice, Benjamin 
Barnes and son, and John Humaston, Stephen Barrett, Aaron, Adam 
and Abel Simons (three brothers) ;' in Westmoreland, Joseph Black- 
mer, senior, and Benjamin Blackmer, John and Nathan Townsend. 
The latter was owner of one of the slaves in town as shown in the 
United States census of 1790. That year or the next there located in 
Westmoreland John Vaughn and Josiah Stillman. All of the foregoing 
had served in the Continental army. In 1789 there located in Bridge- 
water Ephraim and Nathan Waldo ; they came the fore part of March 
in that year. At the time of their coming snow was a foot and a half 
deep, which increased to four feet, and the cow, two yokes of oxen, and 
a horse they had with them had to be supported entirely upon browse, 2 
Asa Beckwith and his four sons, Asa, Reuben, Walcott, and Lemuel, 
pushed their way in 1789 up the Mohawk beyond Fort Stanwix, and 
located near North Western. They were the first settlers in that region. 
The same year Henry Wager, then twenty five years old, who had been 
married five years, located near Westernville, upon a farm on which 
now resides his two granddaughters. Mr. Wager came from Columbia 
county; he was a prominent citizen of the town and for twenty- four 
consecutive years from 1800 was its supervisor. He was father of 

1 Jones's Annals. 

2 Jones's Annals. 



1789 TO 1792. 77 

David Wager, a prominent lawyer and state senator at Utica, grand- 
father of Gen. H. Wager Halleck and Bishop Whipple. 

It is not easy to give the names of all the settlers in Oneida county 
prior to 1790. The United States census of that year, elsewhere pub- 
lished, is supposed to show all who were in the county, or rather in the 
town of Whitestown, on the first Monday of August, 1790, the time 
the census was taken. Jones's Annals of Oneida County state that 
Ezra Parker, Ephraim and Nathan Waldo located in Bridgewater in 
1789; and that John and Sylvester Butler and Asa Shepard settled at 
or near Sauquoit in that year; and that in March and April, 1789, the 
families of Benjamin Barnes, junior, John Humaston, and Aaron, Adam, 
and Abel Simmons located the same year on Paris Hill. None of those 
names appears in that census. It is an historical fact that Ephraim 
Webster, Asa Danforth, junior, and Comfort Tyler were all located in 
what is now Onondaga county (then Whitestown) as early as 1786, yet 
none of those names appears in that census. 

The first town meeting in Whitestown was held Tuesday, April 7, 
1789, at the barn of Hugh White at Whitesboro. The following town 
officers were elected : 

Supervisor, Jedediah Sanger ; town clerk, Elijah Blodgett: assessors, Amos Wet- 
more, James Bronson Ephraim Blackmer; collector, Oliver Collins; poormasters, 
Hugh White and Moses Foote; commissioners of highways, George Doolittle, Jede- 
diah Sanger, Ephraim Blackmer; constables, Jedediah Phelps, Joseph Sowle, Solo- 
mon Butler, Amos Kellogg, Nehemiah Jones, and Alexander Parkman ; overseers of 
roads, Gilbert Willett, Amos Ives, Ebenezer Butler, junior, Alexander Parkman, 
Joseph Jennings; fence viewers, Lemuel Leavenworth, Rice Hawley, Lemuel Cook, 
Seth Ranney, Barnabas Pond; pound keepers, Ebenezer Butler, junior, and Daniel 
C. White. -» 

The first general election in Whitestown was held, commencing at 
Cayuga Ferry the last Tuesday of April, 1789, thence adjourned to Man- 
lius, thence to Fort Stanwix,. and closed at Whitesboro. The town 
meeting for the town in 1790 was held at the barn of Captain Needham 
Maynard, on the Middle Settlement road. Before all of the electors 
had voted, all not having arrived, the polls were opened and those who 
had come voted, and the polls were then closed and the votes counted 
and officers declared elected. Later comers objected to this and in- 
sisted upon voting and having the polls opened. A vote was taken, the 



78 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

first election declared void, and then the meeting adjourned to the next 
day and a new election was held. The two town clerks signed the cer- 
tificate of the election of the second day. The same officers in the main 
were elected on the second day, except Jedediah Sanger was elected 
supervisor, in place of William Colbraith ; Ashbel Beach, town clerk in 
place of Elijah Blodgett. Prior to 1810 town officers were elected by 
viva voce vote. By an act passed March 29, 1809, it was provided that 
" all town officers after March 1, 18 10, shall be chosen by ballot." Au- 
gustus Porter (who became county judge of Niagara county), on his way 
to that section in May, 1789, has left on record the following: 

I assisted in navigating one of the two boats, called bateaux, each navigated by 
four men. Leaving Schenectady we proceeded up the Mohawk to Fort Stanwix. 
In passing Little Falls of the Mohawk, the boats and their contents were transported 
around on wagons. At Fort Stanwix, we carried over a portage of about one mile 
to the waters of Wood Creek. The creek affords but little water from the portage 
to its juncture with the Canada Creek, seven miles west of Fort Stanwix. At the 
portage [near the United States Arsenal], there was a dam near Wood Creek for a 
saw mill, which created a considerable pond. This pond, when filled, could be rap- 
idly discharged and on the flood thus suddenly made, boats pressed down the stream 
which empties into Oneida Lake, and through that lake and its outlet. From the 
time we left Fort Stanwix, until we arrived at Geneva, we found no white person, 
except at the juncture of Wood and Canada Creeks, where a man lived by the name 
of Armstrong. 

That was the Archibald Armstrong heretofore spoken of. 

Jared Broughton settled in the Genesee country in 1790. He and 
his wife and two children and a younger brother, started in a sleigh 
from Stockbridge, Mass , in February of that year, and went via Sche- 
nectady and Old Fort Schuyler. From his published reminiscences, 
the following extract is made: 

At Utica there was a small frame store of old John Post [west side of Genesee 
street near Whitesboro street], an Indian trader, and a large log house kept as a 
tavern. There were one or two families, the Blackmers, at Westmoreland. Two or 
three families between Utica and Westmoreland ; Esquire Blackmer's was the last 
house until we arrived at Oneida Castle. It was but a wood road. At Oneida Cas- 
tle there was a Dutchman who had hired an Indian house to accommodate travelers. 
We arrived there about midnight, and found no lodgings except on the floor, all the 
beds being occupied by emigrating families. The road was very bad; we got our 
sleigh stuck, which hindered us a day. No settlement between Oneida Castle and 
Onondaga Hollow. At the latter place Comfort Tyler, Ephraim Webster, and his 
squaw wife, and Colonel Danforth resided. The latter kept a tavern. 



1789 TO 1792. 79 

Early in the spring of 1790, Nathaniel Sanborn, with his wife and 
two young children, went from one of the New England States to the 
Genesee country, via Old Fort Schuyler. From the published remin- 
iscences of hers the following extract is made : 

The last house where we slept was at Old Fort Schuyler, until we reached the end 
of our journey in the Genesee country. There was then at Old Fort Schuyler one 
log house. It was crowded with boatmen from Niagara ; we spread our bed upon 
the floor for myself, husband and children, and the wearied boatmen begged the 
privilege of laying their heads upon its borders. After that, we camped wherever 
night overtook us. 

Another early settler in the Genesee country, in 1 79 1 , in the pub- 
lished reminiscences of his journey via Old Fort Schuyler, and overland 
through Westmoreland, has left the following record: 

On the 15th of February, 1791, I left Albany on my route to the Genesee country, 
via the valley of the Mohawk. The Genesee country was then so remote and so 
very little known, I could not prevail upon the owner of the sled I had hired to go 
further than Whitestown. The road as far as Whitestown had been made passable 
for wagons; but from that to the Genesee country, it was little better than an Indian 
path, just sufficiently opened to allow a sled to pass, and the most impassable streams 
bridged. At Whitestown I was obliged to change my sled ; the Albany driver would 
proceed no further; he found that for the next one hundred and fifty miles we were 
delayed not only to take provisions for ourselves and our horses, but also blankets as 
a substitute for beds. After leaving Whitestown we found only a few straggling 
huts scattered along the path at the distance from ten to twenty miles, and they 
affording nothing but the convenience of fire and a kind of shelter from the snow. 
On the eveningof the third day's journey from Whitestown, we were agreeably surprised 
to find ourselves on the east side of Seneca Lake, which we found perfectly open and 
free from ice as in June. 

At the session of Congress held in the winter of 1789-90, Congress 
passed a law authorizing the first census of the United States to be 
taken. The act was passed March 1, 1790, and directed an enumera- 
tion of the inhabitants to be taken in the summer of 1790 of the several 
States in the Union. That census showed the population of Ontario 
county (formed in 1789) to be 960 persons, including all of the sur- 
veyors and attendants, and all then within that county. The popula- 
tion of Montgomery county as then constituted was 28,848, as shown 
by that census The population of all of the territory between the 
fording place on the Mohawk River at Old Fort Schuyler and Ontario 
county was one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one. That census 
further showed the population of the State to be 324, 127, an increase of 



80 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

over 85,000 since 1786, and such increase was mainly in the northern 
and western parts of the State. 

The settlers along the valley of the Mohawk were largely of German 
descent, intermixed with immigrants from the New England States, and 
especially since the Revolution, had people from New England settled 
in that valley; but more particularly had they peopled the central and 
western part of the State, so that the inhabitants of those parts of the 
State were almost wholly of the Yankee element when this census was 
taken, and rapidly increasing thereafter. 

A copy of this census, which included the town of Whitestown as 
then constituted, has been obtained from the department at Washington 
and appears in this chapter. It shows the names of heads of families 
in the town, with the number of free white males of sixteen years old 
and upwards in each family, including heads of families, and the num- 
ber of free white males under that age in each family ; the number of 
free white females in each family under sixteen, and the number of 
slaves The list as procured from the department was not arranged in 
alphabetical order, but it has since been so arranged and also classified 
according to the towns in the county as they now exist, as near as can 
be at this late date. 

Jacob Morris was the enumerator. Some of the given names could 
not be deciphered. It must be borne in mind that when this census 
was taken the town of Whitestown included all of the State between 
the Genesee bridge at Utica and Ontario county. 

Number of free white males of 16 and upwards ___ 689 

Number of free white males under 16 443 

Number of free white females __ 749 

Number of slaves 3 

Number not included in above 7 

1,891 
The respective owners of each of the three slaves in Whitestown 
were Nathaniel Townsend, of Westmoreland, and Zenas . Gibbs and 
Charles Putnam, residences unknown. Those marked residence un- 
known probably resided in what is now Onondaga county. Following 
are the lists : 



1789 TO 1792. 



SI 



NAMES OF MALE HEADS OF FAMILIES— CENSUS OF 1800. ll^O 



Bridgewater. 
Farewell, Joseph. 

Deerfield. 
Damewood (Damoth), Richard, 
Fanning, William, 
Shearman, James. 

Kirkland. 
Bullen, David, 
Bullen, John, 
Blodgett, Rufus, 
Blodgett, Elijah, 
Blodgett, Ludim, 
Blanchard, Andrew, 
Butler, Ebenezer, 
Butler, Ebenezer, jr., 
Butler, Salmon, 
Bristol, Eli, 
Bristol, Joel, 
Carpenter, William, 
Cassady (Cassety), Thomas, 
Curtis, Jesse, 
Catlin, Jessie, 
Cook, William, 
Eastman, Peter, 
Ellenwood, Hannaniah, 
Foot, Moses, 
Foot, Luther, 
Foot, Ira, 
Foot, Bronson, 
Ferguson, Samuel, 
Ferguson, Samuel, jr., 
Fancher, Thomas, 
Gridley, Abraham, 
Gridley, Jobe, 
Hubbard, Thomas, 
Hovey, Solomon, 
Kirkland, Samuel, 
Kellogg, Amos, 
Marsh, John, 
Marsh, Samuel, 
Marsh, Asa, 
Marsh, Theodore, 
11 



Marsh, Stephen, 
Munroe, Theodore, 
Markham, Stephen, 
Merrell, Caleb B., 
Pond, Barnabas, 
Stebbens, Judah, 
Stebbens, Judah, jr., 
Tuttle, Timothy, 
Willard, Lewis, 
Willard, Rufus. 

New Hartford. 
Blair, Joel, 
Bushnell, Stephen, 
Blodgett, Solomon, 
Beach, Ashbel, 
Cook, Trueworthy, 
Collins, Oliver, 
Gaylord, Jotham, 
Gurney, Bezelial, 
Hale, Memon, 
Haminway, Isaac, 
Higby, Joseph, 
Ives, Amos, 
Jennings, Joseph, 
Jewett, Samuel, 
Kellogg, Jesse, 
Kellogg, Jalob, 
Kellogg, Frederick W., 
Kellogg, Freeman, 
Kellogg, Aaron, 
Kellogg, Solomon, 
Kellogg, Stephen, 
Miller, Amoch, 
Olmstead, Ashbel, 
Olmstead, Gamaliel, 
Risley, Allen, 
Risley, Elijah, 
Savage, Guideon (Gideon), 
Staples, George, 
Sanger, Jedediah, 
Seward, Nathan, 
Wells, Samuel, 
Williams, Thomas, 
Williams, EzekieL 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Paris. 
Coolage, Charles, 
Barnes, Benjamin, 
Barrett, Stephen, 
Barrett, Isaac, 
Davis, Elijah, 
Fowler, Reuben, 
Griffin, Kirkland, 
Hopkins, Elias, 
Kellogg, Phineas, 
Lummas (Loomis), Ladoc, 
Plum, Joseph, 
Porter, Raphel, 
Rice, Hezekiah, 
Rice, William. 

Rome. 
Armstrong, Archibald, 
Andrus, David, 
Colbreath, William, 
Demont, Joseph, 
French, Jasper, 
Fellows, Roswell (Rozel), 
Gilbert, Nathaniel, 
Knight, Daniel W. , 
Phelps, Jedediah, 
Perkins, Silas, 
Robbins, Ephraim, 
Ranney, — eth (Seth), 
Ranny, — illett (Willett), 
Ranny, James, 
Smith, Bill, 

Wright, er (Ebenezer), 

Wright, as (Thomas). 



Sizer, Samuel. 

Utica. 
Alberson, (Alverson) Uriah, 
Bellinger, John, 
Brown, Daniel, 
Christman, Jacob, 
Clark, Aaron, 
Harris, Joseph, 
Morey, Solomon, 



Morey, Sylvanus, 
Nutting, Simeon, 
Post, John, 
Potter, Stephen, 
Parser, Jason, 
Rust, Samuel, 
Sailes, Darius, 
Saule, Joseph, 
Smith, Peter, 
Smith, Nathan, 
Smith, James, 
Wells, Arnold. 

Vernon. 

Brownson, Solomon. 

Western. 
Beckwith, Asa, 
Beckwith, Reuben, 
Wager, Henry. 

Westmoreland. 
Blackmer, Ephraim, 
Blackmer, Joseph, 
Blackmer, Joseph, jr., 
Brigham, Stephen, 
Brigham, Lyman, 
Blair, John, 
Collins, Samuel, 
Cone, Walter, 

Chittington, Gerard, (Chittenden, Jared) 
Dean, James, 
Dean, Jonathan, 
Dean, William, 
Gleason, Solomon, 
Gleason, Joseph, 
Griffin, Natheeneil, 
Jones, Nehemiah, 
Jones, Joseph, 
Laird, Samuel, 
Laird, John, 

Lummas (Loomis) Nathan, 
Lummas, (Loomis) Isaac, 
Parkman, Alexander, 
Phelps, Silas, 
Phelps, Jacob, 



1789 TO 1792. 



Phelps, Joseph, 
Rogers, Simeon, 
Smith, Amos, 
Smith, Elijah, 
Stillman, Samuel, 
Stillman, John, 
Townsend, Nathaniel. 
Townsend, John. 

Whites/own. 
Badcock, (Babcock) David, 
Barnard, Moses, 
Brainard, Jeptha, 
Beardsley, John, 
Doolittle, George, 
Ensign, Samuel, 
Ferguson, James, 
Goodrich, Rosel, (Roswell), 
Holt, Justice, (Isaac), 
Kane, Elisha, 
Leavenworth, Lemuel, 
Maynard, Needham, 
Pool, Simeon, 
Root, Joseph, sr. , 
Steel, Seth, 
Seymour, Uriah, 
Towny, John, 

Whitmore, (Wetmore), Amos, 
Whitmore, (Wetmore), Parsons, 
Wilcox, Ozias, 
White, Hugh, 
White, Hugh, jr., 
White, Daniel C, 
White, Ansel, 
White, Joseph, 
White, Philo, 
Wilson, John, 
Winch, Samuel. 

Litchfield, Herkimer Co. 
Angier, John, 

Norwich, Herkimer Co. 
Fowell, (Farwell, Dr.,) Isaac, 

Persons whose Precise Localities are 

Unknown. 
Arnold, Hopkins 



Allen, Gideon, 

Allen, John, 

Allen, Jeremiah, 

Ames, Robert, 

Austin, Nathaniel, 

Allen, Thomas, 

Arnold, David, 

Ailworth, Philip, 

Allen, Isaac, 

Atwater, Asaph, 

Brannan, Seabury, 

Barnard, Samuel, 

Belnap, John, 

Blodgett, Joseph, 

Ballard, Luke, 

Blount, Samuel, 

Barnes, Asa, 

Barker, Simeon, 

Brown, Levy, 

Badcock, (Babcock) Jonathan, 

Briggs, William, 

Bronson, Asiel, 

Clary, William, 

Cone, Osias, 

Cutter, Joseph, ' 

Cook, Samuel, 

Cook, Selah, 

Cook, Samuel, 

Cleveland, Gardner, 

Cergil, James, 

Collister, James, 

Coughlin, John, 

Coughlin, John, jr., 

Crandle, John, 

Case, Benjamin, 

Dunn, Joseph, 

Drury, Josiah, 

Davis, Joshua, 

Dewey, Elias, 

Eno, John, 

Fortune, Enoch, 

Fisk, Abraham, 

Graves, Nathaniel, 

Groves, tine (Valentine), 

Graves, Jacob, 
Gibbs, Zenas, 
Guile, Elijah, 



84 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Gridley, eadorus, 

Gillett, Timothy, 
Hall, Barnabas, 
Humphrey, Noah, 
Hall, Jonathan, 
Hale, Thomas, 
Hayden, Jonathan, 
Huggins, William, 
Higgins, Edward, 
Hulvert, Joshua, 
Hubbard, Baxter, 
Hawkins, Widow, 
Hawkins, David, 
Harrison, Elisha, 
Howard, Stephen, 
Hawley, Rice, 
Hammond, Benjamin, 
House & Pearce, (?) 
Ingram, Joseph, 

Johnstone, sa, 

Keltz, Philip, 
Kelsey, Nathan, 

King, us, 

Meyer, , 

Merriman, Christopher, 
Mills, Kanah, 
Mclntire, James," 
Morse, Joshua, 
Nurse, Jonathan, 
Noyes, Amos, 
Newell, Elisha, 
Peters, Benjamin, 
Paine, Joshua, 
Putnam, Charles, 
Parks, Robert, 
Parmalee, Amos, 
Perry, George H., 
Potter, Sheldon, 
Pryor, Azariah, 
Root, Simeon, 



Rush, Elijah, 
Stanley, John, 
Smith, John, 
Steel, James, 
Shaw, Samuel, 
Sails, George, 
Sails, Jeremiah, 
Scott, Ezekiel, 
Sheldon, Stephen, 
Smith, James, 
Sanford, Jonah, 
Smith, James, 
Smith, Benjamin, 
Smith, David, 
Smith, Ebenezer, 
Satchell, William, 
Shifferd, Samuel, 
Smith, Theodoric, 

Shurman, lmer, 

Shurman, dediah, 

Tillotson, John, 
Thompson, Zebulon, 
Tryon, Thomas, 
Tyler, Ashbel, 
Tuller, James, 
Thompson, James, 
Tuttle, Samuel, 
Weston, Jonathan, 
Willy, Bezihal, 
Wood, Joseph, 

Wright, omon, (Solomon), 

Webster, Daniel, 
Webster, David, 
Whipple, Israel, 
Whipple, Calvin, 
Wood, Thomas, 
Wilson, John, jr., 
Wilcox, David, 
Wright, Gabriel, 
Wright, Samuel. 



The next year after the foregoing census was made, and in less than 
two years after Ontario county was taken from Montgomery county, 
the Yankee element in the latter county demanded another division, 
while the German population opposed it, but the Legislature, in Feb- 
ruary, 1 79 1, formed four new counties, taking Herkimer from Mont- 



1789 TO 1792. 85 

gomery county and naming it in honor of Gen. Nicholas Herkimer, 
who fourteen years before received his fatal wound in the bloody battle 
of Oriskany. Herkimer county as thus formed included not only its 
present territory, but extended westerly to Ontario county and north- 
erly to Canada. It was provided by the act that the Courts of Common 
Pleas and General Sessions of that county " should be held in the church 
in the town of Herkimer." That church stood diagonally across the 
street from the present court house in Herkimer village. The site 
selected for a court house in the county was the present one, and work 
was soon commenced on the building. At that early time county and 
many other local officers were appointed by a council composed of one 
senator from each senatorial district and called a Council of Appoint- 
ment, which had its headquarters in Albany. The first appointees of 
officers for Herkimer county who then resided in what became Oneida 
county, were as follows: Jedediah Sanger, New Hartford, and Hugh 
White and Amos Wetmore, of Whitesboro, side judges ; Jonas Piatt, 
of the latter place, county clerk, and William Colbraith, who then re- 
sided on the road from Fort Stanwix to what is now the village of 
Stanwix, in Rome, was made sheriff. 

Mr. Sanger moved into New Hartford in 1788 and became a promi- 
nent man, as elsewhere appears in this volume; the same may be said 
of Hugh White. Amos Wetmore settled in Whitesboro in 1786 and 
was a leading citizen there. Jonas Piatt, a young lawyer of twenty- one 
years, settled in Whitesboro in 1790, was seven years clerk of Herkimer 
county, and clerk of Oneida county from 1798 to 1802 ; was elected to 
Congress in 1798, State senator in 1809, and in 1814 was appointed one 
of the judges of the old Supreme Court, which office he held until 
1 82 1. William Colbraith was a jolly Irishman, had been in the war of 
the Revolution and was captain of a company in Sullivan's army in the 
expedition against the Senecas in 1779; before 1790 he had settled in 
Rome on the road before mentioned. 

In 1793 a law was passed authorizing the courts in Herkimer county 
to alternate " between the court house in the town of Herkimer, and 
such place in the town of Whitestown as said courts should order." 
Accordingly the January term of the Herkimer court of 1794 was held 
in an " unfinished meeting house," in what is now New Hartford. 



86 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

That was the first court of record held in what is now Oneida county. 
It was on that occasion, when the court was about to adjourn by reason 
of the intense cold and absence of fire in the unfinished meeting house, 
that Sheriff Colbraith cried out, " Don't adjourn, jedge ; take some gin 
from this jug [which was passed up to the bench] and it will keep you 
warm ! " The court did not adjourn. 

From and after that date and until Oneida county was formed the 
courts of Herkimer county alternated between Herkimer village and 
" the school house near Hugh White's in Whitestown." That school 
house stood on or near the site of the present town hall in the village of 
Whitesboro. When Oneida county was formed William Colbraith was 
appointed sheriff and held the office until December of that year. 
History and tradition are silent as to his life and career after that date. 

In April, 1792, the town of Whitestown was divided, and the towns 
of Mexico, Paris, Peru, and Steuben created from it. In 1794 Onon- 
daga county was taken from Herkimer. In 1795 Sangerfield was taken 
from Paris. On March 4, 1796, Rome and Floyd were taken from 
Steuben, making the present year (1896) Rome's centennial year. In 
1797 Steuben was again divided and the towns of Steuben, Leyden, 
and Western formed from it. In March of the same year the town of 
Trenton was formed from the town of Schuyler, and on the same day 
Bridgewater was set off from Sangerfield. 

In less than four years after Onondaga county was taken from Her- 
kimer, the Yankee element of the latter county again sought a division. 
Although the county seat was in the village of Herkimer, the enter- 
prising and uneasy citizens had pushed their abodes into the wilderness 
and settled in what are now Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties, and 
were demanding a new county for their convenience and to meet the 
existing exigencies. Elkanah Watson made the following entry in his 
journal in 1788, while on a visit to Fort Stanwix : 

Settlers are continually pouring in from the Connecticut hive, which throws off 
its annual swarms of intelligent, industrious and enterprising emigrants, the best 
qualified to overcome and civilize the wilderness. They already estimate 300 brother 
Yankees on the muster list, and in a few years hence they will undoubtedly be able 
to raise a formidable barrier to oppose the incursion of the savages, in case of 
another war. 

This entry was made just ten years before Oneida county was 
formed. 



1789 TO 1792. 87 

When the Legislature convened in January, 1791, Gov. George 
Clinton called the attention of that body in a speech' to the great in- 
crease, and to recommend a new apportionment of the representatives 
in the Legislature and a new division of senatorial districts. Scattered 
settlements had been made westerly as far west as Oneida Lake and 
into the Genesee country, and northerly up the Hudson toward Lake 
Champlain The governor took occasion in that speech to state the 
above facts, and to state that the country bordering on those regions 
had been explored by an enterprising people, and at that early day in 
the history of the State to suggest that facilities ought to be afforded 
for cleaning out the obstructions in the Mohawk River, and of cutting 
a canal across the portage at Fort Stanwix between the Mohawk and 
Wood Creek; and also of opening the communication between the 
upper Hudson and Lake Champlain. The action of the Legislature on 
this branch of the speech will appear in the chapter on canals. 

The great influx of population into what was in 1790 the western 
part of Montgomery, and largely composed of New England people, 
added to the large increase in the State as shown by the census uf 1790, 
excited a great desire on the part of the Yankee element for a division 
of Montgomery county and the formation of one or more additional 
counties out of it. The county seat was at Johnstown, and it was a 
great inconvenience for those then residing in what are now Oneida, 
Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties, and even Herkimer 
county, to go so far to attend jury and other duties which called them 
to the shire town. Strenuous efforts were made in 1790 to procure a 
division of Montgomery ; but there was much opposition to it, mainly 
from the German element The petition in opposition to the measure 
bears date December 29, 1790, and contained 400 names, most of them 
descendants of the old Palatinates, 2 but push and enterprise prevailed 
and on the 16th of February, 1791, an act was passed for the formation 
of Herkimer, Otsego, and Tioga counties from the then county of 
Montgomery. The county of Herkimer in the main included then its 

1 Prior to 1823 the governor addressed the Legislatures by speeches on all matters now com- 
municated by messages. The Constitution of 1821 provided that the governor should communicate 
by message. Gov. Joseph C. Yates, the first governor elected after the adoption of that Consti- 
tution, was the first governor to send in a message. 

2 See Judge Hardin's History of Herkimer County. 



88 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

present bounds and also Hamilton county, and in addition the territory 
west to Ontario county and north to the north bounds of the State. 
No United States consus was taken of Herkimer county while it retained 
its then boundaries. The act of 1 79 1 forming Herkimer county pro- 
vided that the Courts of Common Pleas and of General Sessions of that 
county "should be held at the church in the town of Herkimer" — the 
present site of the Dutch Reformed church in the village of Herkimer. 
The judges and justices of those courts and the supervisors of the 
several towns of the county of Herkimer were authorized " to select a 
site for the court house and jail." The site thus selected is the present 
one in the village of Herkimer ; the jail was placed underneath the 
court house. Whitestown while a part of Herkimer county was never 
its county seat, although county courts were held occasionally in- Whites- 
town while it was a part of Herkimer county. Hendrick Starring, of 
the town of Schuyler, was the first county judge ; he was a farmer of 
strong sense, quite a character in the country, was a survivor of the 
battle of Oriskany and had suffered in the Revolution. Jonas Pratt, a 
young lawyer in Oneida county, and who settled at Whitesboro in 1790, 
was appointed county clerk ; William Colbraith, whose location was 
near Fort Stanwix, was sheriff. Hugh White, of Whitesboro, was one 
of the side judges.' Work on the court house at Herkimer was soon 
commenced and the court house and jail were in due time completed. 

In connection with this brief sketch of the organization of the county 
and the appointment of its officers, it may be of interest to call the at- 
tention of the curious to the act of February 22, 1788, passed at the 
same session of the Legislature which divided the State into counties 
and subdivided into towns, provided that " no person, little or great, 
shall sit upon the bench with the justices in the sessions, upon pain of 
fine and imprisonment, and said justices are hereby charged that they 
do not suffer any person to sit with them on the bench in their session, 
contrary to the intent of this act." Under the English law certain of 
the nobility were allowed to sit upon and occupy the bench of judges 
during the session of the court, even though such of the nobility were 
on trial (for a minor offense), and this law was to prevent any such in- 

1 Local officers were then appointed by the "Council of Appointment," composed of a senator 
from each senatorial district. 



1789 TO 1792. 89 

terference with justice ; it shows how jealous the people of the colonies 
were of kingly rule, and of everything that tended to encroach upon 
their rights or liberties. 

In this connection, although anticipating events and publishing them 
out of chronological order, it may be well to note the construction of 
the Great Genesee Road from Utica through to the Genesee country. 
As early as 1 790 William and James Wadsworth located on lands in 
what is now Livingston county, at Geneseo. They cut a wood road, 
along the route above mentioned, the " great Indian trail," but as trav- 
elers remarked, it was not much better than an Indian path. March 
22, 1794, an act was passed appointing Israel Chapin, Michael Myer, 
and Othniel Taylor, commissioners, to lay out and improve a road, to 
begin at old Fort Schuyler and to thence run in a line as nearly straight 
as the situation of the country would admit to Cayuga Ferry, or to the 
outlet of Cayuga Lake ; thence to the settlement at Avon in the Gen- 
esee country. The road to be laid out six rods wide, but not necessary 
to open and improve the road to over four rods in width ; the sum of ,£600 
appropriated for opening and improving said road, and the further sum 
of £1,500 was appropriated, as should not be otherwise appropriated 
at the end of the session, for making and improving the remainder of 
said road. The road was laid out, but not much of anything else was 
done, for travelers as late as in June, 1797, still represent the road as 
little better than an Indian trail. On the 1st of April, 1796, a law was 
passed appropriating £500 in amending the " Great Genesee Road " 
where it ran through the Oneida Reservation ; and the further sum of 
£500 to amend said road through the Onondaga and Cayuga Reser- 
vations. On the 28th of March, 1797, a law was passed for the open- 
ing and improving roads direct through the western, northern and 
and southern parts of the State, authorizing the raising by three suc- 
cessive lotteries of $45,000, of which $13,900 was to be used for the 
opening and improving said Genesee road from Old Fort Schuyler to Ge- 
neva. Work commenced in earnest on this highway, so that on Sep- 
tember 30, 1797, a stage started from Old Fort Schuyler and arrived at 
Geneva in the afternoon of the third day. This road was simply of 
earth, and low swampy places were crossed on logs, called "causeways." 
But emigration westward was pushing on rapidly, and the settlers were 
clamoring for a better road. 



90 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

John Maude who passed through Utica in 1800, on a visit to Niagara 
Falls, has left the following record of Old Fort Schuyler : 

Utica, ninety-six miles from Albany, Schwartz Hotel, excellent house, and miser- 
ably kept, built by Boon & Lincklaen, agents for Holland Land Company [New 
England house on Whitesboro street]. Utica is in the present town of Whitestown 
and contains about sixty houses. No genteel family except Colonel Walker, who 
resides a short distance east of the village. The Great Genesee Road turns off at 
this place. An act has lately passed making it a turnpike road to Genesee and Can- 
andaigua, a distance of one hundred miles. The expense is estimated at $1,000 per 
mile. The inhabitants of Utica subscribed to finish the first mile ; they formed 20 
shares of §50 each, which shares they afterwards sold to Col. Walker and Mr. Post 
for 44 cents on the dollar, who have finished the first mile; the river here is narrow 
and shallow; no fish; 7 boats at the wharf; heard a bull frog; groves of sugar 
maple, a tree very common here. 

On the 1st of April, 1800, an act was passed incorporating "the 
Seneca Road Company," who were to build a road to start from the 
tavern of John House in the village of Utica, and run through to the 
court house at Canandaigua. John House kept a tavern at the foot of 
Genesee street. The incorporators were Col. Benjamin Walker, Jede- 
diah Sanger, Charles Williamson, Israel Chapin, and such others as 
chose to be associated with them ; the turnpike to observe as nearly the 
line of the State road as the nature of the ground would permit. The 
capital stock was to consist of 2,200 shares of $50 each ($110,000). 
Toll gates were required to be erected at a distance of not less than 
ten miles from each other. The rates of toll were as follows : At each 
gate for every wagon with two horses, not more than 12^ cents, and 
not more than three cents for every additional horse used in any wagon, 
cart or carriage ; for every one horse cart, six cents ; for every coach, 
four wheeled pleasure carriage or pleasure wagon with two horses, 
25 cents, and three cents for every additional horse; for every chair or 
pleasure carriage with one horse, I2>£ cents, and for every additional 
horse, six cents ; for every cart drawn by two oxen, eight cents, and 
for every additional yoke, three cents ; for every saddle or led horse, 
four cents; for every sled traveling the above road from December 15 
to March 15 in each year, one half of the tolls above demanded for car- 
riages ; for every score of cattle, six cents ; for every score of sheep or 
hogs, three cents and so in proportion ; provided those who use wagons 
or other carriages the wheels of which shall exceed the width of nine 



1789 TO 1792. 91 

inches shall not pay above two-thirds of above rates. Those going on 
Sundays to and from public worship, going to their common labor on 
their farms with their cattle or teams, or returning ; or to mill for family 
purposes, etc., or going or returning from funerals went free. The 
Mohawk Turnpike and Bridge Company, between Albany and Utica, 
was then in running order. This Seneca road was pushed ahead rap- 
idly and it gave new life to Utica, while it produced an opposite effect 
upon Rome, its then rival. Thereafter the route west was by the Mo- 
hawk to Fort Stanwix, then over the portage to Wood Creek and down 
that stream to Oneida Lake and so on to Lake Ontario, or across the 
country west from Oneida Lake. The Seneca Turnpike shortened the 
distance to the Genesee country and opened a new and more expe- 
ditious mode of travel and attracted settlers along that route. Thirty 
years ago Thomas Walker informed the author that the opening of the 
Seneca Turnpike, and the refusal of Dominick Lynch, of Rome, to sell 
his land by absolute deed and his determination to give only leases, 
induced Mr. Walker to remove his newspaper, the Columbian Gazette, 
to Utica, and also influenced other settlers in the same direction; those 
two points gave Utica the start and Rome a set-back. 

The first mail to Utica was conveyed in 1793 by Simeon Pool, under 
an arrangement with the post-office department authorizing the trans- 
portation of mail from Whitestown to Canajoharie, a distance of fifty 
miles, the inhabitants along the route paying the expenses. The post- 
rider was allowed twenty-eight hours to make the trip, and the same to 
return. This contract passed into the hands of Jason Parker and he for 
a time carried the mail on horseback, his wife sometimes taking his 
place. At that time there was no post-office at Utica ; the nearest was 
at Whitestown, where Dr. Elizur Moseley was the first postmaster. A 
letter to the post-office department as to when the post-office was estab- 
lished at Whitestown, brought back the reply that a fire had destroyed 
the earlier records, but that it appears from the records that Elizur 
Moseley was postmaster in 1795 and continued such until 1825, when 
he was succeeded by William G. Tracy. Mr. Moseley had been longer 
in that service at that time than any other postmaster in the United 
States. On the 31st of March, 1801, the Oneida Turnpike Road Com- 
pany was incorporated by the Legislature, with the purpose of construct- 



92 OUE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ing a turnpike from the " dwelling house of Jonathan Dean, in the town 
of Augusta," through the Oneida and Stockbridge Reservations to the 
" dwelling house of John Lincklaen in the village of Cazenovia." An- 
other early road which was laid out about 1806 from Rome to Lake On- 
tario. On April 18, 1815, this highway and the one from Fish Creek 
to Rome and thence " to the village of Rotterdam " (now Constantia), 
were named in an act providing for taxation for their improvement. 
Benjamin Wright was appointed to assess the tax. 

By an act passed March 31, 1804, Jason Parker and Levi Stephens 
were given the exclusive right of running stage wagons from Utica to 
Canandaigua, under certain restrictions, for seven years from June I, 
1804. Two trips were to be made each week ; no more than five cents 
per mile could be charged each passenger, and no more than seven full 
grown persons to be taken at once in the stage, without the consent of 
all on board. Between June 1 and October 1, the trip was to be made 
in forty- eight hours. 

The mail leaves Whitestown every Monday and Thursday at 2 p. m., and proceeds 
to Old Fort Schuyler the same evening; next morning starts at 4 o'clock and arrives 
in Canajoharie in the evening, exchanges passengers with the Albany and Coopers- 
town stages, and the next day returns to Old Fort Schuyler. Fare for passengers 
four cents per mile, fourteen pounds of baggage gratis ; one hundred and fifty pounds 
weight rated the same as a passenger. 

Mr. Parker without doubt found his business meager in profits, for he 
petitioned the Legislature for aid (in association with other proprietors) 
in January, 1797. He was joined not long afterward by Moses Beal, 
and in 1802 they advertised that "a stage for the conveyance of the 
mail, and those who wish to travel by stage, will start from Utica to 
Onondaga twice a week." Other stage lines were put in operation, in 
many of which Mr. Parker was interested. Other prominent Oneida 
county men who were conspicuous in early transportation business were 
T. S. Faxton, S. D. Childs, John Butterfield, Joshua Ostrom, Baker & 
Swan, J. Wetmore & Co., Powell & Parker, and others, the headquarters 
of most of them being in Utica. As travel increased and' more capital 
was available for investment, stage lines were extended in length, and 
in 181 1 we find Powell ^& Parker, Baker & Co., Parker & Powell, Hos- 
mer & Co., and Landon & Co., announcing a line from Albany to Ni- 
agara Falls. Their advertisement is quaint and indicates the existing 
opposition of different proprietors : 



I 






■J&rd 



O 







COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 93 

N. B. — The public will observe that this is the only line which reaches the Falls 
and that the stages of the speculative oppositionists who impose on travelers by 
assuring them that their stages extend to Canandaigua or Niagara Falls go no 
farther than Utica; but that the present line of stages will afford them a safe and 
direct passage either to Utica, Canandaigua, Buffalo, or the Falls, without subjecting 
the passengers to the trouble of applying to another stage for conveyance. Fare 
from Albany to Utica, $5.50; from Utica to Geneva §5; Utica to Canandaigua, 
$5.75; from Canandaigua to Buffalo, six cents per mile. 

In the fall of 1816 Parker and his associates were running stages three 
times a week between Albany and Canandaigua, by way of Auburn, 
Skaneateles, Onondaga, Manlius, Cazenovia, Madison, and Cherry Val- 
ley; the trip was made in two days. 



CHAPTER X. 
COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 

In this connection, a sketch of land patents in this county, may not 
be out of place. 

It is a fundamental principle in the English law, and has been from 
time immemorial, that the sovereign is the original proprietor of all the 
land in the realm, as well as of that in all of the colonial dependencies, 
and the true and only source of title. All titles to land in the colonies 
passed to individuals from the crown, through the colonial or proprie- 
tary authorities. Notwithstanding this fundamental English principle, 
that government conceded to the Indians certain rights in the soil, at 
least those of occupancy, which it was at least politic to extinguish be- 
fore granting patents to individuals. In the early history of the colony 
it was the practice to issue instructions to the colonial governor to grant 
lands, with the consent of the council, " reserving moderate quit-rents, 
as he saw fit, and to have the patents recorded in the colonial office of 
the secretary of the colony." But it was not until after the appoint- 
ment of Governor Fletcher in 1692, and the rascality practiced in his 
five years of mal-administration, that attention was called to the loose- 
ness of those instructions and the power that the governor possessed in 



94 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the matter. During his governorship he made a fortune of forty thou- 
sand pounds and granted away to a few individuals three-fourths of the 
lands in the colony. By his corrupt recklessness he came near ruining 
the colony by granting lands without reserving proper quit -rents, there- 
by depriving his government of an immense revenue and nearly driving 
the Indians to the side of the French by reason of taking their lands 
without treaty, purchase, or pay. He granted to a minister of Albany 
a tract seventy six miles in length and twelve in breadth (about 620,000 
acres) extending through what is now Washington county into Ver- 
mont, reserving as quit- rent only one raccoon skin yearly. Another 
tract was granted to the same minister and another person of fifty miles 
in length and two in breadth on the northeast side of the Mohawk, con- 
taining about 130,000 acres, which included three of the Mohawk In- 
dian castles, and reserving as quit-rents one beaver skin yearly for the 
first seven years and eight beaver skins yearly thereafter ; some authors 
say this grant extended from Amsterdam to Herkimer ; others from 
Fonda to Frankfort. Another patent on the east side of the Hudson 
River was granted, four by twenty-nine miles in extent, containing from 
500,000 to 600,000 acres, reserving yearly as quit rent one otter skin. 
Many other patents of like import were issued, and the colonial Legisla- 
ture of 1698 annulled them ; but as such annullment had to be approved 
by the home government, a long and bitter controversy was carried on 
for years, finally resulting in their annullment, the issuing of more 
stringent instructions to the governors, and the adoption by the colonial 
council of more rigid measures. It, therefore, became the rule and the 
practice that patents should issue for only 2,000 acres (later for 1,000 
acres) to one person. This was evaded by including just as many 
persons in the patent as there were subdivisions of 2,000 (or 1,000) 
acres. These persons were always the friends or the tools of the real 
party in interest, and when the patent was issued it was transferred by 
them to the interested party. The rule and practice were established 
to require the would-be purchaser to apply in the first instance to the 
colonial authorities for leave to purchase the Indian title. If leave was 
granted a treaty was held with the Indians, an Indian deed obtained, 
frequently for a trifling consideration, and then the colonial authorities 
issued a warrant to the surveyor-general to survey the land claimed to 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 95 

have been purchased. Here again the Indians were often cheated as to 
the quantity of land they alleged they had sold. A map of the land 
was made, accompanied by field notes, and both filed. The attorney- 
general was then directed to prepare a patent, which was submitted to 
the governor and council and if approved, was engrossed upon parch- 
ment, sealed and recorded, and sent to England to be approved and ex- 
ecuted by the sovereign authorities. 

Under this system grossly fraudulent practices prevailed, and some 
who were high in colonial authority were deeply engaged in defrauding the 
Indians of their lands and the government of quit-rents. It was custom- 
ary to reserve in the patents all gold and silver mines, a certain sum for 
quit-rents payable annually, and in some cases large trees for masts for 
the navy. In some cases the patent was granted direct by the sover- 
eign, as in the cases of the '"Royal Grant" to Sir William Johnson in 
1769, of 66,000 acres, he having first extinguished the Indian title. 
From and including 1705 to 1773 the government granted within what 
is now Oneida county, seven land patents, and two others partly in this 
county and partly in Herkimer, of over 170,000 acres. The patents 
which were wholly or partly in what is now Oneida county, issued be- 
fore the Revolution, were as follows : 

Oriskany Patent. — The first patent of lands in what is now Oneida 
county, and the second one in the State west of Albany, was issued 
April 18, 1705; it included over 32,000 acres in two parcels. The 
boundaries of one parcel commenced at the junction or Oriskany Creek 
with the Mohawk and ran up that creek a distance of four English 
miles, and back into the woods a distance of two miles on each 
side of the stream. The other parcel was on both sides of the Mo- 
hawk River, commencing at Oriskany Creek and running up the 
river a distance of two miles on each side to the Oneida Carry- 
ing Place (now Rome and formerly Fort Stanwix) ; thence of the 
same width on each side of the " Indian path " which leads over that 
carrying place between Mohawk River and Wood Creek to a swamp 
then located at what is now known as West Rome. The patentees 
were five in number, viz.: Peter Schuyler, George Clarke, Thomas 
Wenham, Peter Fauconnier, and Robert Mompeson, to each one- fifth. 
The patent required the annual payment of ten shillings as quit- rents, 



96 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE 

to be paid on each Lady Day to the receiver of customs in the city of 
New York. All gold and silver mines were reserved to the govern- 
ment. Why such easy terms were obtained for so great a tract of land 
will be more apparent later on when the names and official positions of 
the patentees appear The patent is in what are now the towns of 
Floyd, Marcy, Rome, Westmoreland, and Whitestown. The respective 
patentees parted with their undivided interests by deed, will or inheri- 
tance, but the patent was never sold as a whole, nor divided, from the 
time it was granted in 1705 until after the Revolution, a period of eighty 
years. 

Peter Schuyler, one of the patentees, was the first mayor of Albany 
in 1686, a member of the colonial council from 1692 to 1720, and in 
1709, while president of the council, was acting governor of New York. 
In 1 69 1 he was made commissioner of Indian affairs and held the office 
many years. In 17 10 he went to England, taking with him several 
Iroquois chiefs to show Queen Anne what strong allies she had on this 
continent. The queen presented Mr. Schuyler with a silver vase as a 
token of her regard. He was great uncle of Philip Schuyler, of Revo- 
lutionary fame. The Schuyler and Livingston families were connected 
by marriage, and at the time of the Revolution William Livingston, the 
war governor of New Jersey, and his sister, Alida Hoffman, were the 
owner of Peter Schuyler's one-fifth share of the patent. 

George Clarke came to this country in 1762, and landed in Virginia. 
His wife was Anne Hyde, a relative of the royal family of England and 
a cousin of Lord Cornbury, who was appointed that same year by his 
cousin, Queen Anne, governor of New York. In 1703 Mr. Clarke was 
appointed secretary of the province of New York, and held the position 
until 1736. Two years after his appointment as secretary his Oriskany 
patent was obained. In 1736 Clarke became acting governor and con- 
tinued as such until 1843. His son George was made secretary of the 
colony in 1738 and acted as such until 1778, excepting two years. In 
1745 Governor Clarke went to England, having accumulated a fortune 
of over 100,000 pounds. On his way home he was captured by French 
cruisers, but was afterwards released and received indemnity for his 
capture from the English government. His wife died in New York city 
and was buried in Trinity churchyard. He died in England in 1759, 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 97 

at the age of eighty-four years, and is buried at Cheshire. He left two 
sons, Maj. Edward Clarke and George Clarke, jr. By his will Governor 
Clarke devised his interest in the Oriskany Patent to his son George, 
who, at the breaking out of the American Revolution, went to England. 
By the will of the latter, made in 1776, he devised his interest in the 
patent to his two grandnephews, George and Edward Clarke, grandsons of 
Gov. George Clarke's son, Maj. Edward Clarke. Soon after 1776 George 
Clarke, jr. (the secretary in 1738), died unmarried. Maj. Edward Clarke 
(Governor Clarke's son) died before the death of George, jr.; Edward 
Clarke, one of the devisees of George Clarke, jr., left one son, George Hyde 
Clarke, grandfather of that George Clarke who was latterly so well known 
in Otsego county and Oneida county, and who died at Richfield Springs 
a few years ago ; he was the last George Clarke who owned an interest 
in the Oriskany Patent. Those two grandnephews of George Clarke, 
jr., devisees of part of the Oriskany Patent, resided in England and 
were minors during the Revolutionary war, and their property in this 
country was saved to them through the treaty between the two govern- 
ments covering cases where the owners had remained abroad and 
taken no part in the war. George Hyde Clarke left one son, named 
George, who was father of the George Clarke who died at Richfield 
Springs, as above stated. In December, 1791, Edward Clarke, the 
grandnephew of George Clarke, jr., and the father of George Hyde 
Clarke, released his interest in the Oriskany Patent, or placed it in trust 
for his benefit, to the said George Hyde Clarke, grandfather of the 
George Clarke who died at Richfield Springs. George Clarke, father 
of the last above named, came to New York in 1789, but returned to 
England ; came over again in 1797, went back to England, and again 
came over in 1807 and remained. In 1835 ne erected the imposing 
Clarke mansion, " Hyde Hall," at the head of Otsego Lake. He had 
a large estate in England as well as in this country. He willed his in- 
terest in New York lands to his son George before mentioned. The 
father was twice married ; by his first wife he had five children, and by 
his second wife (relict of Richard Fennimore Cooper, eldest brother of 
the novelist) he also had five children, George, above named, and a 
daughter, widow of Duncan C. Pell ; the others died minors. That an 
idea of Governor Clarke's wealth may be gained it may be stated that 
13 



98 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

at his death in 1759 he owned in this country, in addition to his riches 
in England, the following lands: One-ninth of Nine Partners Patent of 
40,000 acres in Dutchess county ; one-half of the Corry Patent of 25,000 
acres in Schoharie and Montgomery counties; one-half of the Oot- 
houdt Patent of 13,000 acres in Otsego county ; one-third of four other 
tracts in Otsego and Delaware counties ; one-half of Cherry Valley 
Patent of 7,000 acres ; one-quarter owner of a patent in Greene county, 
near Catskill ; and owner of lands in Vermont and in what are now 
Fulton and Washington counties, making in all over 60,000 acres. The 
share and interest of the Clarkes in the Oriskany Patent remained in 
that family until 1887, a period of over 180 years, when it passed from 
George Clarke into other hands. 

Thomas Wenham, another patentee of the Oriskany Patent, was in 
1705 a merchant in New York city, colonel of the king's troops at Fort 
George, receiver of customs in 1702, and associate judge of the Supreme 
Court. He died in 1709, childless, and his property descended to his 
two sisters ; one of the sisters married a Mr. Smith and their only child 
was Rev. George Wenham Smith, who inherited not only his mother's 
property, but that of his mother's sister, both of whom died intestate. 
After the Revolution, Rev. George Wenham Smith sold his interest in 
the patent (the one-fifth of Thomas Wenham, the patentee) to Gov. 
George Clinton, who in 1786 owned that interest. 

Peter Fauconnier, another patentee, was receiver of customs from 

1702 to 1707, and held other positions. His interest in the patent 
passed to James De Lancy, lieutenant governor of the colony in 175 3— 
4 and 1757-60. His was among the proudest and most influential fam- 
ilies of New York. On his death his son James succeeded to the es- 
tate and held one-fifth interest in the Oriskany Patent at the time of 
the Revolution ; as he adhered to the crown his property was confiscated 
by the State of New York He went to England in May, 1775, and 
died there in [800, aged about sixty- eight years. 

Roger Mompeson, before his coming to this country in 1703, was 
twice member of parliament and once recorder of Southampton. In 

1703 he was in this country and appointed judge of admiralty, and in 

1704 was chief justice of New York and New Jersey; in 1705 (when 
he became one of the patentees) he was member of the council, and in 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 99 

1784 was chief justice of Pennsylvania. He remained chief justice of 
New Jersey until 17 10, and of New York until his death in 1715. He 
is described by Governor Hunter as a lawyer of ability and a good 
judge. By Judge Mompeson's will, made in 17 12, but not filed in the 
surrogate's office until 1741, he devised to his wife Martha, his one- 
fifth interest in the Oriskany Patent. She conveyed her interest there- 
in in 1734 to John Chambers, after whom Chambers street in New York 
city was named. She died childless in 1763, after having been twice 
married succeeding the death of Judge Mompeson. In 1735 John 
Chambers conveyed to Gov. George Clarke one-half of Chambers's in- 
terest in the Oriskany Patent, and willed the other one-half to his three 
relatives, James, Frederick and Augustus Van Cortland. James willed 
his interest to Augustus and died, and Frederick made the same dis- 
position of his property, so that Augustus Van Cortland owned one- 
half of one fifth (or one-tenth) of the patent. George Clarke and 
Augustus made a division between themselves, in which the ground 
whereon now stands the Oriskany monument fell to Van Cortland. The 
boundary line is only a few rods from the monument. It was before 
Judge Mompeson and a jury that the celebrated trial took place, in 
1707, of Rev. Francis Mackenzie, a Presbyterian clergyman, for preach- 
ing without having a license from the Bishop of London. He was 
acquitted. 

The foregoing facts as to the genealogy of the Clarke family, and the 
connecting links in the chain of title of the Oriskany Patent, the writer 
obtained from the lips of George Clarke in 1890, not long before the 
death of the latter at Richfield Springs. 

In 1779 the Legislature of New York passed a law confiscating the 
property of fifty nine persons, three of whom were married women. 
Among the number was James De Lancy, the owner of one fifth of the 
Oriskany Patent. Commissioners were appointed to partition confis- 
cated property, and in 1786 the Oriskany Patent was divided into allot- 
ments and lots and divided among the five owners. The part which 
fell to De Lancy was set off to the State. To pay the expenses of the par- 
tition, a parcel of 697 acres was surveyed, which included Fort Stanwix 
and the " carrying place," now covered by the business portion of the 
city of Rome ; that parcel was sold at auction in March, 1786, and was 

L.ofC. 



100 OTIS. COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

bid off by Dominick Lynch for 2,250 pounds. It formed the nucleus 
of Mr. Lynch's later purchases, which he designed for a city site to be 
called " Lynchville". 

Cosby 's Manor. — After the issuing of Oriskany Patent nearly thirty 
years elapsed before another patent was granted for land in what is now 
Oneida county. The next patent granted was Cosby's Manor, the is- 
suing of which was thus brought about : In 1725 Nicholas Ecker and 
other German associates of his obtained a license from Governor Burnet, 
of New York, to treat with, and buy lands from, the Indians on both 
sides of the Mohawk west of Little Falls. Ecker and his associates ob- 
tained a deed of the Indians of two parcels covering what later became 
Cosby's Manor. Nothing was done under these deeds for nine years 
thereafter, and not until William Cosby became governor of New York 
colony in 1732. He landed in New York city April 1 of that year, and 
in August thereafter assumed the duties of governor. He had married 
a daughter of Lord Halifax against her father's will, as she was much 
superior to Cosby in social rank. This marriage gave Cosby an ad- 
vantage at court and procured for him positions which he otherwise 
could not have obtained. He came to New York with a bad reputation 
for ability and honesty. Soon after he became governor he was in- 
volved in violent controversies with other branches of the government 
and incurred the bitter hatred of many of those whom he came to gov- 
ern. His administration was among the most stormy and turbulent of 
his times. It was at his instigation that Zenger, the publisher of the 
second newspaper issued in New York, was prosecuted for libels on the 
governor and tried in 1735. Chief Justice De Lancy, who presided 
at the trials, was a devoted friend of Cosby and he overruled all of the 
objections that William Smith, sen., counsel for Zenger, raised on the 
trial, and finally debarred Smith from practicing at the bar. Zenger 
was thus left without counsel, as no New York lawyer dared to under- 
take his defence. In this emergency he and his few friends secured the 
services of Andrew Hamilton, an eminent member of the bar of Phila- 
delphia. Hamilton was then eighty years old ; he came on to the de- 
fence and after a bitter contest Zenger was acquitted by the jury, in 
spite of the hostility of the chief justice. Hamilton's eloquent and suc- 
cessful defence of Zenger has passed into history as one of the great 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 101 

events of the time. The verdict of acquittal was received by Zenger's 
friends with tumultuous cheers, and in their excitement they carried on 
their shoulders from the court room the venerable counsel who had 
made such a magnificent plea and defence in behalf of the freedom of 
the press. On page 146 of Lossing's history of the Empire State is a 
graphic picture of that memorable scene. 

All the title which Ecker and his associates acquired by the Indian 
deeds was transferred to the persons hereafter named, and on January 
2, 1734, the latter acquired a patent, or rather two patents. The lands 
thus acquired on the same day are situated about one-half in what 
is now Herkimer county, and about one-half in , what is now Oneida 
county; the western boundary is the Sauquoit Creek so as to take 
in a part of the creek, and the tract is about three miles wide on 
each side of the Mohawk, and includes about 43,000 acres. The 
lands in Herkimer county were patented to John Lyne and eight asso- 
ciates ; those in Oneida county were patented to Joseph Worrall and 
ten associates ; nine of the patentees in each patent were the same. 
Six days after the issuing of these two patents, both parcels were con- 
veyed to Gov. William Cosby and have ever since been known as 
Cosby's Manor. It was provided in the patents that the patentees 
should cultivate three acres in every fifty within three years thereafter, 
and that all pine trees fit for masts for the royal navy, and all ores 
should be reserved. A quit- rent of two shillings and six pence for 
every 100 acres was to be paid annually to the government receiver in 
New York city. No quit-rents were to be paid, however, for thirty- 
eight years thereafter, and the lands were sold for those quit-rents in 
1772, as will appear further on. In 1735 Governor Cosby made his 
will, devising to his son William that part of the manor lying south of 
the Mohawk, and to his son Henry that part lying north of the river, 
and all the rest of his lands in America to his wife, Grace Cosby. He 
made no provision for his only daughter. Through the management of 
the mother, that daughter became the wife of the Duke of Grafton, who 
later in life was a prominent figure in English politics. After a sickness 
of fifteen weeks Governor Cosby died in New York city March 10, 
1736, and historians say, "universally detested." He was buried in 
Trinity churchyard and his will was proven in that city. In June, 1736, 



102 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

his widow sailed for England and never returned. She left Sir William 
Johnson her agent. The son Henry was the next one to die after his 
father, inlestate and unmarried. The son William died next, unmarried 
and insane, and both sons before 1761. The daughter died about 1791. 
The widow, through her agent, sold the land north of the river for 
6,000 pounds to Oliver De Lancy, Goldsboro Banyar, James Jauncey, 
and Peter Remsen. That was the parcel devised to the son Henry and 
was sold as containing 2 1,000 acres. By the correspondence between the 
parties, as found in the Documentary History of New York, it was dis- 
covered that there were two prior unpaid mortgages on the lands thus 
sold, and also quit- rents since the time Governor Cosby became the 
owner; and further, it was claimed that instead of 21,000 acres, there 
were only 18,000. It does not appear from that correspondence how 
the difficulty was settled Mrs. Cosby was clamorous for money, say- 
ing she was " needy." She died in 1767. As no quit rents were paid, 
proceedings were taken in 1 771 to sell the whole manor for back quit- 
rents, and it was sold by the sheriff of Albany county July 4, 1772, at 
the Albany court house. The Herkimer county land was bid off by 
Nanning Vischer, as containing 19,000 acres. The Oneida county land 
was bid off by Philip Schuyler for himself, John Bradstreet, and Rutger 
Bleecker, and the heirs of John M. Scott. The records of Oneida 
county show that ia 1793 Mr. Schuyler bought of the Cosby heirs all 
of the lands in the manor south of the river, for $10,000 In the 
sheriff's deed to Schuyler, a strip of land of 1,284 acres, next to the 
Bayard and Coxe Patents, was omitted, and this subsequently gave rise 
to serious difficulty, the forty claimants (Jedediah Sanger, Philip Schuy- 
ler, Rutger Bleecker and others), invoking the aid of the Legislature in 
1810 and again in 181 1, and commissioners were appointed to adjust 
the differences. 

In Vol. V of Peters's U. S. Supreme Court Reports, and in Jones's 
Annals of Oneida County, and in Bagg's Pioneers of Utica, will be 
found a sketch of the long litigation which took place between Martha 
Bradstreet and Utica owners relative to lands in that city which Martha 
claimed in the manor. Samuel A. Talcott, Daniel Webster, and other 
eminent counsel were engaged in the case, and although Martha in part 
managed her own case, and was as well versed as to the facts and in 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 103 

many of the points of the law as were the lawyers themselves, she was 
never successful. The writer of this remembers many anecdotes and 
incidents of that trial in Utica, related by William Tracy, Judge Grid- 
ley, and others who heard part of the trial, of the skill and ability of 
Martha in the part she took in the proceedings. 

Sadequahada Patent. — The next patent granted of lands in what is 
now Oneida county, after Cosby's Manor, was a tract of some 6,000 
acres, called the Sadaquahada Patent (Sauquoit), sometimes called the 
" Morris Tract." It was granted June 25, 1736, to Frederick Morris 
and others. At that date Mr. Morris was secretary of the colony, in 
which office he succeeded George Clarke, one of the patentees of 
Oriskany Patent, and hence he was in a good position to obtain titles to 
lands. A glance at the Oneida county map shows that this patent 
nicely fits in between Oriskany Patent and Cosby's Manor, and that it 
runs up the valley of the Sauquoit Creek to what is now Coxe's Patent. 
It is also on the north side of the Mohawk and is bounded northerly by 
Holland and Sumner Patents Parts of Marcy, New Hartford, and 
Whitestown are in Sauquoit Patent. At the time of the Revolution 
Hugh Wallace was owner of Sauquoit Patent and half of Sumner Patent ; 
he adhered to the crown and by the act of 1779 was one of the fifty- 
nine persons attainted of treason and his property confiscated. For a 
time he was confined as a political prisoner to the limits of Middletown, 
Conn., but later was allowed to escape. He and Robert Yates (after- 
wards judge from 1777 to 1790, and chief justice of the Supreme Court 
of New York from 1790 to 1798) were personal friends. To preserve 
his silver plate from loss, valued at 1,500 pounds, Mr. Wallace placed it 
in chaige of Mr. Yates, and the latter, for its greater security, sent it on 
board of a vessel. The vessel was captured by American cruisers and 
divided among the captors as a lawful prize. After the war Mr. Wal- 
lace returned to Ireland, his native country, and died in Waterford in 
1788. The purchasers of that patent, after its confiscation, where Zeph- 
aniah Piatt (father of Jonas Piatt), Ezra L'Hommedieu, Melancthon 
Smith, and Hugh White. It was arranged among the proprietors that 
the)' should meet on the tract to divide it in the summer of 1784. Mr. 
White came on from Connecticut and arrived at Whitesboro in June of 
that year; he was then fifty- one years old and had a large family who 
came later. 



104 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

" Line of Property." — The encroachments made by the white men 
upon Indian lands while New York was a colony, created serious dis- 
turbances between the two classes and finally led up to, and resulted in, 
the treaty in the fall of 1768 at Fort Stanwix by which a boundary line 
was established by the English government and the various Indian 
tribes. That treaty was attended by representatives from a number of 
the American colonies, by chiefs and representatives of various Indian 
tribes, and by squaws and children as well. Sir William Johnson rep- 
resented the English government and was the principal manager and 
speaker on that side. Some 2,000 persons were present and the gath- 
ering continued about two months. There was not much difficulty 
about the line, outside of New York ; but there was great difficulty in 
agreeing on the line in what is now Oneida county, and it required all 
the eloquence, art, making of presents, and shrewd management of Sir 
William to accomplish the agreement. The line, as agreed upon, starts 
at the mouth of Wood Creek in Rome, opposite the mouth of Canada 
Creek, and extends thence for twenty-two miles and sixty-four chains 
in a direct line through the towns of Westmoreland and Kirkland (over 
College Hill), and Marshall and Paris to the Unadilla River in the north- 
west corner of the town of Bridgewater, and so on by various courses 
and distances to the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers and beyond. This line 
has ever since been known in history as " The Line of Property." That 
treaty cost the English government over 10,000 pounds. After the 
line was established it seemed to incite the taking out of other patents, 
for within less than three years thereafter, six patents were granted in 
what is now Oneida county, embracing 160,000 acres of land. 

Servis Patent. — The next patent after Sauquoit Patent was Servis 
Patent of some 2,000 acres, mostly in Trenton, granted February 28, 
1769, to Peter Servis and twenty four others, but really for the benefit 
of Sir William Johnson. Peter Servis was a relative of the first wife of 
Sir William and twenty-four of the other patentees were his tenants or 
hired retainers. Jones's Annals of Oneida County states that after the 
patent was issued Sir William made a great feast, roasted an ox, and 
when the patentees were " in a happy mood," procured an assignment 
of the patent to himself. Before the death of Sir William in 1774 he 
had conveyed away about half of the patent, as recited in his will. His 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 105 

executors, as provided by the will, sold the remainder (about 13,000 
acres) but to whom cannot be ascertained ; and, besides, his title deeds in 
time of the Revolution were buried in the ground near Johnstown by 
his son, Sir John, and when recovered after the war were so mouldy as 
to make the writing illegible. In a litigation concerning some of the 
lands, as it appeared, a deed or patent to Sir William was once in exist- 
ence, and on proof of loss, the court allowed parol proof to be given of 
the deed or patent and the contents. The records of Oneida county 
show that as early as 1793 John Kelly, of New York, owned 2,000 acres 
in the southwest corner of Servis Patent, next to Holland Patent, and 
partly in Trenton and partly in Marcy. It is called the " Kelly Tract" 
in the deeds and on the Oneida county maps. It was' subdivided in 
1793 into twenty-two lots by William Cockburn, surveyor. The rec- 
ords do not show who conveyed to Kelly. Not far from 1790 Gerret 
Boon and others owned the Servis Patent, excepting the Kelly Tract, 
and other lands for the Holland Land Company. The records do not 
show who conveyed to Boon and others. In 1798 Peter Kemble, father- 
in-law of General Thomas Gage, purchased of Kelly the Kelly Tract. 
In 1795 the remainder of the Servis Patent was divided into 191 lots 
by Calvin Guiteau, surveyor. Kelly died in 1801. 

Holland Patent. — On the 20th of March, 1769, 20,000 acres, partly 
in Steuben, Trenton and Marcy, were granted to Henry Fox, Lord 
Holland. This is in no way connected with the Holland Land Com- 
pany, as some suppose. Lord Holland was born in 1705 and the Fox 
family for more than a century stood prominent in position in English 
history ; when young, Lord Holland was a gambler and a spendthrift, 
but later in his life he became influential in politics. He died in 1774, 
and his son Stephen, who succeeded to his titles, died a few months 
thereafter. Richard Henry Fox was then about a year old, was grand- 
son of Lord Holland and succeeded to the property. About 1795 the 
trustees of the will and of the property conveyed Holland Patent to this 
grandson, and the latter, in November, 1796, conveyed the property to 
Seth Johnson, of New York city, and Andrew Craig, of Cambridge, 
Mass., which conveyance is recorded in the Oneida county clerk's office. 
When this patent was granted it was supposed to contain about 20,000 
acres, but on a survey made in 1797 by Moses Wright, then of Rome, 
it was found to contain 21,230^ acres ; it was divided into 212 lots. 



106 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Gage's Patent. — On July 6, 1769, a tract of 18,000 acres, wholly in 
Deerfield, was granted to Sir Thomas Viscount Gage, then of New York 
city, formerly the tory governor of Massachusetts, and it was called 
Gage's patent. Quit-rents, all gold and silver mines and all timber fit 
for masts were reserved. Sir Thomas Gage came to America with Gen- 
eral Braddock in 1755 and was at the battle of Fort Du Quesne, and 
with General Amherst in 1759 in the expedition against Ticonderoga, 
and with General Wolfe at Quebec when that city surrendered to the 
English, and he was then appointed governor of that city. In 1763 he 
was made commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America, 
and in 1770 lieutenant-general. His home was in New York city 
until 1774, where he lived in a large double dwelling, numbers 67 and 
69 Broad street, which was surrounded by elegant gardens. . In that 
year he removed to Boston and assumed administration of civil and 
military affairs in Massachusetts ; as commander he vas succeeded by 
Sir William Howe in 1775, and Gage went to Engla. d in that year and 
died there April 2, 1787. He was very odious to, and unpopular with, 
the American Whigs ; the provincial Congress in 1775 declared Gen. 
Thomas Gage " an inveterate enemy of his country, disqualified from 
serving the colony and unworthy of confidence." General Gage, while 
in Boston, offered pardon for all the rebels except Samuel Adams and 
John Hancock. As before stated he married a daughter of Peter Kem- 
ble, who espoused the American cause. This daughter died in 1824 at 
the age of ninety years. The records of Oneida county show that in 
March, 1788, one Jacob Lally, a mariner, for 5,900 pounds, conveyed 
Gage's patent to Peter Kemble. Where Lally got his title the records 
do not show ; perhaps from General Gage, so as to escape forfeiture. 
The records further show that on August 10, 1794, Henry Lord Vis- 
count Gage conveyed this patent to Peter Kemble, his grandfather, for 
1,991 pounds 5 shillings. That deed recites that Gen. Thomas Gage in 
July, 1786, made his will, devising all of his property to trustees to con- 
vey to said Henry, which they did on August 4, 1794, and said Henry 
conveyed as above to his grandfather, Peter Kemble. In 1803 Alex- 
ander Enos, jr., subdivided into lots the north part of the patent, and 
Calvin Guiteau the south part. General Gage was the first military, 
and the last royal, governor of Massachusetts. He was personally es- 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 107 

teemed, but particularly odious to the Whigs of the Revolution. As 
showing how time softens the political asperities of political animosities 
it may be stated that in 1862 the Legislature of Massachusetts passed a 
resolution requesting and authorizing the governor of that State to re- 
ceive a portrait of General Gage and place it in the State library ; and 
it was so done, and thus the portrait hangs, instead of its original, which 
the Whigs of 1775 would gladly have seen hung in the same place, or 
anywhere else, 120 years ago. The granddaughter of that Peter Kem- 
ble, who had married General Sumner, offered this portrait to the Mas 
sachusetts library. Will the time ever come when the portraits of 
Jefferson Davis and Gen. Robert E. Lee will hang in the State library 
of Massachusetts ? 

Sumner Patent. — In the northwest corner of what is now Marcy is a 
tract of 2,000 acres of land granted May 2, 1770, to Hezekiah Sumner, 
reserving gold an silver mines and trees for masts, to be free of quit- 
rents the first ten'-years, and after that to be subject to the annual quit- 
rent of 2s. 6d. for every 100 acres. This tract has ever since been 
known as the Sumner Patent. The patentee was a subaltern officer, re- 
tired on half-pay. It is believed he was the officer in charge of the 
British stores of Fort Stanwix at the time of the Revolution, and whose 
daughter was shot by the Indians in July, 1777. In fifteen days after 
he got the patent, for twenty-five pounds he conveyed it to Hugh Wal- 
lace and Goldsboro Banyar. As the former adhered to the crowd his 
property was confiscated and his interest in the patent was sold in 
April, 1796, to John Clayton. The latter in a few days thereafter sold 
to John Kelly — the same who owned the Kelly Tract in Servis Patent. 
Judging by Kelly's will he must have been a queer personage. He 
made Alexander Hamilton, John V. Henry, Robert Troup, Peter Kem- 
ble, Goldsboro Banyar, Simeon De Witt, Egbert Benson, and Richard 
Harrison, all notable persons, his executors, and provided that his prop- 
erty should be held in trust, and his half interest in the Sumner Patent 
was to be conveyed in 1805 to his son, John J., on the express condition 
that the latter behaved himself properly, soberly, justly and honestly, 
and neither turns drunkard, or horse racer, nor plays cards, dice or any 
other unlawful games ; and also provided he does not become a de- 
bauchee or a vagabond. Kelly owned interests in other patents, which 



108 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

he disposed of by his will in a similar manner. The patent eventually 
was owned by Gov. George Clinton, and in 1 8 14 was subdivided into 
twenty-two lots by Benjamin Wright for the heirs of Mr. Clinton. 

Coxe Patent. — The next patent in this county was dated May 30, 
1770, to William Coxe, Daniel Coxe, Rebecca Coxe, John Tabor Kempe, 
then attorney- general of New York, and Grace (Coxe) his wife. The 
Coxe family at that time were the descendants and heirs of the Dr. Coxe, 
of London, who became in 1696 owner of the patent granted to Robert 
Heath of lands south. This patent of 1770 was in consideration of re- 
lease by the patentees of the Heath Patent The Coxe Patent in Oneida 
county embraces 47,000 acres and is bounded by the whole length of 
the Line of Property, and includes parts of the towns of Westmoreland, 
Whitestown, Kirkland, and New Hartford, and some of Rome. For 
the first ten years the patent was to be free of quit- rents. John Tabor 
Kempe adhered to the crown and his property was confiscated. In 
1783 he went to England and there died. After the Revolution the 
patent was divided into seven grand divisions. General Washington, 
Governor Clinton, and Colonel Willett owned large tracts of land in 
this patent. The first division in Rome is known as the " Fan Lots," 
by reason of its shape. 

Bayard, or Freemason. — Partly in this county, but mostly in Herki- 
mer county, is a patent of land of 50,000 acres, granted June 12, 1771, to 
William and Robert Bayard, and fifty- three others. It is called the 
"Bayard, or Freemason Patent" — why the latter name is not known, 
unless because the patentees, or most of them, were Freemasons. The 
Indian deed was obtained in 1766, but the patent was not issued until 
the date above given. At the time of the Revolution several of the 
patentees adhered to the crown and by the act of attainder of 1779 
those disloyal persons were attainted of treason and their property con- 
fiscated. John Weatherhead was one of that number ; he was an ex- 
tensive importer in New York city. William Bayard, another owner, at 
first sympathized with the colonies, but later went over to the British 
and departed for England ; the property of both of those was confisca- 
ted. Bayard died in England in 1804, a very old man. April 11, 
1787, an act of the Legislature was passed reciting that said patent be- 
fore the Revolution had been surveyed into lots by Thomas Palmer and 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 109 

Beriah Palmer for the patentees, but as the land was not actually divid- 
ed, and that by reason of the death of some of the owners, the attainder 
and removal of others, it was impracticable to make a division without 
a new survey, which would be attended with great expense ; therefore 
the Legislature appointed commissioners to make partition of the lands 
agreeable to the survey of said Palmers, and to ballot for the lots to be 
drawn and owned by the respective owners. 

Fonda's Patent. — This was the first patent in Oneida county granted 
in New York after the Revolution. It was granted Jan. 31, 1786. It 
was then in Montgomery county. Jelles (or Giles) Fonda was the pat- 
entee and lived in Caughnawaga (now Fonda), and was an active busi- 
ness man. He was a major in the British service under Col. Guy John- 
son, but in the Revolution was an active supporter of the colonists in 
the struggle for independence, for which he and his family incurred the 
bitter enmity of Sir John Johnson and his followers. In the fall of 1781 
when Sir John raided his old neighborhood in the Mohawk Valley, the 
father of Jelles Fonda, then eighty- four years old, was forced from his 
bed in the night, taken to the Mohawk River, tomahawked and scalped 
and left on the bank of the stream. Jelles Fonda had been engaged in 
the Indian trade at Caughnawaga, where he had a store and had extended 
his trips and his trade to Fort Stanwix, Oswego and Niagara, and be- 
came man of wealth for those times. When the war broke out he had 
upon his account books over $10,000 of accounts, most of which he lost. 
The patentee was State senator eight years and county judge of that 
county. The patent was issued on condition that within three years a 
settler for each 500 acres should be located on the land. The land of 
this patent is mostly in Rome and Floyd, with some in the town of 
Western, and there was quite a rush of settlers to those towns as the 
three years period approached its close. The Oneida county records 
show that in 1786 Mr. Fonda sold portions of his patent as follows: 
an undivided one-eighth to John Lansing, jr., who was afterwards chief 
justice and chancellor of New York ; an undivided one-eighth in 1788 
• was sold to each of the following: Gov. George Clinton, William Floyd 
(one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence), Stephen Lush, 
and John Taylor. In 1787 the patent was surveyed into 100 lots by 
James Cockburn. The owners gave perpetual leases, reserving an an- 



110 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

nual wheat rent, so much per acre, payable in Albany. That was then 
the easist way for the settlers in a new country to pay the rent and for 
their lands. Each year loaded teams with wheat for rent wended their 
way down the valley, stopping over night at the country taverns, the 
teamsters generally taking with them their own provisions and oats for 
their horses. The usual wheat rent was " 18 bushels good merchant- 
able winter wheat for each ioo acres." 

Fort Bull is in lot 98, very near the line of the Oriskany Patent. That 
lot fell to the share of George Clinton and later to Mr. L'Hommedieu. 
Jelles Fonda died about 1792. 

Oothoudt Patent, Henry Oothoudt, Patentee. — Soon after the close of 
the Revolution there was a great rush of settlers to the " Whitestown 
country." In 1786 in the northern part of what is now Oneida county, 
nearly 100,000 acres were granted in various patents. One of the con- 
ditions of the patent was that the patentee should within three years 
procure a settler for each 500 acres, as before alluded to. That proviso 
stimulated the activity of the patentee to place his lands in the market 
and at a low price. The most northern patent in Oneida county granted 
that year was one of 16,052 acres to Henry Oothoudt. About one-half 
of the town of Ava is in that patent, and it also includes parts of the 
towns of Lee and Western. In the same year a patent of 1,900 acres 
was granted to Mr. Oothoudt, called " Oothoudt's small patent," which 
lies easterly of and alongside of the large patent. Mr. Oothoudt was a 
resident of Catskill and a person of prominence. In 1775 and 1776 he 
was a delegate to the provincial Congress, and in 1779 and 1780, mem- 
ber of assembly from Albany county. He was one of the three com- 
missioners of forfeitures under the attainder act of 1779 and in 1789 
was a delegate to the United States convention to form the United 
States Constitution. About 1 790 he sold out most of his lands to vari- 
ous persons. In the noithwest corner of the large patent, and includ- 
ing Ava Corners, 1,237 acres were sold to Daniel Hall, and the tract is 
marked on the county map, "Hall." In 1795 'that parcel was subdi- 
vided into twelve lots. In November of that year James Caldwell, of 
Albany, who bought " Johnson Hall " in Johnstown, was owner and he 
conveyed the tract to Ezra Adams and Michael Hahn, and subsequent 
deeds so refer to it. The patent is not on record in Oneida county nor 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. Ill 

are the intermediate deeds to Cadwell. East of the Hall or Cadwell 
purchase is a tract of 750 acres deeded by Mr. Oothoudt to Nathan 
Rosco, Isaac Knapp, and William Wiltsey, which is on the Blankman 
map of 1894 marked " Knapp, Rosco & Co." In 1701 Andrew Clarke 
was owner. No deeds are on record prior to Clarke's, which recite the 
former conveyances. South of the last parcel is the "Carpenter lot" of 
1,000 acres in said patent, conveyed by Mr. Oothoudt in 1790 to Benja- 
min and David Carpenter ; the deed to them is not recorded. South 
of and next to the Carpenter lot is a tract of 1,100 acres conveyed Feb- 
ruary 22, 1790, by the patentee to Piatt Rogers and called the " Rogers 
lot." In May, 1795, Rogers conveyed to Melancthon Smith. South of 
that parcel are 1,000 acres called the " Van Tine lot," conveyed by the 
patentee to Robert Van Tine February 20, 1790. South of the Van 
Tine lot and in Western, are 1,800 acres which Mr. Oothoudt deeded to 
Nicholas Boeram, called " Boeram's purchase." It was divided into 
twelve lots by Benjamin Wright. South of the aforesaid tract deeded 
to Hall, is a parcel of 1,350 acres deeded by Oothoudt to Nathan Rosco 
and Isaac Knapp, marked on said county map as " Rosco & Knapp." 
South of that parcel are 200 acres deeded to Daniel Ter Boss, marked 
on the map as " Ter Boss tract." In 1800 Ter Boss deeded to Andrew 
Hunter and to two others. The county records show nothing of deeds 
prior to the one from Ter Boss South of the Ter Boss lot and in the 
town of Lee is a parcel of 2,150 acres designated on the county map as 
the " Cooper tract," and sometimes as the " Mappa tract," and also in 
deeds as the " Boone lot." In 1795 it was subdivided into sixteen lots 
by Calvin Guiteau. In 1790 it was deeded to Thomas Palmer by Mr. 
Oothoudt, but that deed is not recorded. Prior to 1800 the Holland 
Land Company became the owner of this tract and of 100,000 acres in 
Oneida county, and as Cooper, Mappa, and Boone had each and all 
been connected with that company, that fact may account for the above 
different designations of the lot. There was left of the above patent a 
parcel of 4,432 acres, mostly in Lee and partly in Ava and Western. 
In 1793 Mr. Oothoudt caused this to be divided into twenty- six lots. 
In July, 1795, he sold it to David Tallman ; in December of that year 
the latter sold one half to Robert Bowne, and in July, 1796, he sold the 
other half to Bowne, so that it took the name of " Bowne's purchase." 



112 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

That is east of the Mappa tract and includes West Branch. Mr. 
Oothoudt conveyed other parcels in that large patent, but none of his 
deeds are on record. Chief Justice Ambrose Spencer, as the county 
records show, owned 300 acres in 1833, near the "Bates place," in 
Ava. 

Machin Patents. — Seven patents of lands in Oneida county, aggre- 
gating over 57,000 acres were granted to Thomas Machin in the years 
1786, 1787, and 1788. The first one of 2,400 acres is partly in the 
town of Steuben and partly in Western. December, 1787, Machin sold 
this patent and by sundry mesne conveyances it passed into the hands 
of Charles Tillinghast. The intervening deeds were lost without being 
recorded and on application to the Court of Chancery, an order was 
made by that court appointing trustees to receive from Machin a deed 
of the patent, for benefit of Tillinghast, to take the place of the lost 
deeds, and in 1804 such a deed was executed by Machin, as appears by 
Deed Book eleven in the county clerk's office ; hence this patent is some- 
times called in the deeds, "the Tillinghast tract." In 1786 another 
patent of 2,400 acres next west of the Tillinghast tract was granted to 
Machin. In 1787 he conveyed it to Simeon De Witt, who for fifty 
years was surveyor-general of this State, and hence in many of the 
deeds it is called the " De Witt tract." This tract includes Frenchville 
and North Western. In 1795 the patent was subdivided by Benjamin 
Wright into fourteen lots. In 1787 another patent of 2,400 acres 
was granted to Machin next west of the one last described and most of 
it west of the Mohawk. Machin sold the tract to Thomas and 
William Burling, of New York city. In some deeds it is called the 
" Burling tract." In 1780 those two gentlemen conveyed 900 acres of 
the patent to Samuel Dean, of New Castle, in Westchester county. On 
March 3, 1786, a patent of 2,096 acres in Western and next east of the 
Banyar Patent, was granted to Machin. In July of that year he con- 
veyed it to Peter Nestle, and three years later Leonard Fisher, 
"surgeon barber," of New York city, was owner of a large portion of 
said patent, and hence it is sometimes called the " Fisher tract." In 
August of the same year a patent of 1,600 acres in the town of Lee, 
next west of the Banyar Patent, was granted to Machin. In July, 1787, 
he conveyed it to James Giles and the latter conveyed to Joseph 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 113 

Bloomfield, of New Jersey. The latter had been governor of that State, 
member of congress, and attorney-general, and had seen much service 
and suffered severely in the war of the Revolution and was stationed at 
Fort Stanwix. He was cousin of the late John W. Bloomfield, of 
Rome. In April, 1793, Mr. Bloomfield sold the patent to his brother- 
in-law, Joseph Mclllvane, and hence it is often called the " Mclllvane 
tract." In the spring of that year John W. Bloomfield, as agent for 
Mr. Mclllvane, came to this region on horseback to look after that tract. 
From Whitesboro he was accompanied by John Youngs, a brother-in- 
law of D. C. White, son of Hugh White. They examined the land and 
aiso explored adjacent lands; they purchased of George Scriba 6,000 
acres nearly all in Lee and since called the " Six thousand acre tract." 
Scriba sold to John Hall and others nearly 4,000 acres, called "the four 
thousand acre tract." In April. 1795, George Huntington, of Rome, 
purchased of Scriba 2,000 acres in Lee, called " the two thousand acre 
tract." Mr. Bloomfield returned to New Jersey via Wood Creek, Oneida 
Lake and Otsego county, and reached home after an absence of three 
months. In that year he took up his residence at Taberg, and in 18 1 2 
removed to Rome, where he died in 1849 at the age of eighty-four 
years. In May, 1787, a patent of 15,360 acres was granted to Machin 
in Ava and the south part of Boonville called the " Gore patent." In 
June, 1788, a patent of 31,360 acres, lying partly in Forestport and ex- 
tending into Herkimer county, was granted to Machin, thus making 
over 57,000 acres granted to him within three years. Thomas Machin, 
patentee of the above described lands, was born in England and came 
to New York in 1772. He was a skilled engineer and surveyor and 
during the Revolution rendered valuable services under the direction of 
Washington and Governor Clinton to the American cause, in placing 
obstructions across the Hudson at West Point and other places on that 
river to impede the passage of the British. He died in Charleston, 
Montgomery county, in 18 16, at the age of seventy- two years. He 
had a son named Thomas, who also became a noted surveyor. He died 
in Albany in 1875, at the age of ninety years. 

Steuben Patent. — Baron Frederick William Steuben came to this 
conntry in the war of the Revolution and rendered valuable service to 
the American cause in disciplining troops. The United States gave 

15 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 




him a pension of $2,500 yearly. The Legislature of New York by an 

act passed May 5, 1786, recited that Baron Steuben had rendered very 

essential service to this State, 
therefore the Land Commissioners 
were directed to issue a land patent 
to the Baron, of one fourth of a 
township, equal to 16,000 acres, 
without fee or reward. A patent 
was issued to him June 27, 1786, 
which lies mostly in the town of 
Steuben, as shown on the Oneida 
county map. In 1790 the Baron 
went upon the tract, erected a log 
house, and in it, with a few do- 
mestics, he lived until his death, 
November 28,1794, at the age of 
sixty-four years. He was buried 
at his own request in the center 
Baron Steuben. of a five-acre parcel of woodland ; 

in 1872 a monument, erected at 

his grave by citizens, mostly German, was finished. " After life's fitful 

fever he sleeps well :" 

How sleep the brave who sink to rest 
With all their country's wishes blest ; 
When spring with dewy fingers cold, 
Returns to deck the hallowed mold, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod, 
Than fancy's feet have ever trod. 

Dean's Patent. — An act of the New York Legislature, passed May 5, 
1786, directed the Land Commissioners to issue letters patent to James 
Dean on the Line of Property and on Oriskany Creek, two miles 
square, of 2,560 acres. That tract is in the town of Westmoreland, 
near Lairdsville. Mr. Dean was born in Connecticut and in early life 
was destined as a missionary to the Indians, and when twelve years old 
was sent to live with an Indian missionary in Broome county in this 
State, who was then laboring with a branch of the Oneida tribe. He 
soon became master of the Indian tongue and so perfect was he in that 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 115 

language that it was said he was the only white person who spoke the 
language so perfectly and fluently that he could not be detected as a 
white man. He became such a favorite with the Indians that a female 
of the Oneidas adopted him as her son. He subsequently graduated 
from Dartmouth College. In 1774 he was sent by the Continental 
Congress to ascertain the views of the Six Nations as to the then im- 
pending war of the Revolution ; he rendered valuable services to his 
country in that war. During most of the war period he was stationed 
at Fort Stanwix and Oneida Castle. By his efforts and those of Rev. 
Samuel Kirkland, the great body of the Oneidas were induced to re- 
main neutral during the struggle. In the siege of Fort Stanwix and 
the battle of Oriskany, in August, 1777, Mr. Dean was absent down 
the valley, but he returned with General Arnold when the siege was 
abandoned, August 22. He always had the confidence of the Oneidas, 
For his services they gave him a tract of land two miles square. He 
chose for the location a tract on Wood Creek in what is now Vienna, 
and in the spring of 1784 he came from Connecticut to settle on the 
land. He remained there about a year, but found the location too wet, 
which fact he communicated to the Indians, and in 1785 he left it. 
The Indians agreed that he might make another choice in any place 
on the west of the Line of Property, and he accordingly located near 
Lairdsville, as before stated, in the fall of 1785, and the State ratified 
the grant in the next year. He became judge of the old Oneida Com- 
mon Pleas and was twice member of assembly. He died in 1823, aged 
seventy- six years ; one of his daughters was the wife of Joshua A. 
Spencer, an eminent member of the Oneida bar. The deed to James 
Dean from the sachems and chief warriors of the Oneidas, dated August 
II, 1785, recites that it is by consent of the nation and for great and 
important services by Dean, and as a token of the esteem and affection 
borne him by the Oneidas. The patent from the State bears date Feb- 
ruary 6, 1787. 

Kirkland Patent. — On the 5th of May, 1786, an act was passed di- 
recting a patent for 640 acres to be issued to Rev. Samuel Kirkland, in 
a square form, and to be bounded by a tract to be issued to James 
Dean, and one to be issued to Abraham Wemple ; one-half of the 640 
acres to be to Mr. Kirkland in fee and the other half in trust for any 



116 OUE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

minister who might be employed by the Oneidas. In 1846 the Oneidas 
agreed to release their half of this patent from the trust. The treaty 
of 1788 recited that lands were intended for G. W. and J. T. Kirkland, 
and therefore an act was passed February 25, 1789, authorizing the 
Land Commissioners to issue a patent of one square mile to J. T. 
Kirkland, and one of the same to G. W. Kirkland, and a patent of two 
square miles to Rev. Samuel Kirkland and his heirs, the whole to be 
contiguous to, and bounded on, the Line of Property and adjoining the 
patent granted to Abraham Wemple. The Kirkland Patent is in the 
town of Kirkland, southwest of Clinton. Rev. Samuel Kirkland is too 
well known in history as a minister, a missionary to the Indians, be- 
loved by the Oneidas, and a friend to the colonies in their struggle for 
independence, to require further notice He was founder of the school 
out of which grew Hamilton College ; he died in 1808 at the age of 
sixty- seven years. G. W. and J. T. Kirkland were his sons. 

Brotherton Tract. — Before the Revolution there were remnants of 
various tribes of Indians in New Jersey, some on Long Island, and 
some in New York. At the treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1768, as to the 
Line of Property, the commissioners from New Jersey bought of the 
Oneidas some 30,000 acres for the benefit of those remnants. Some 
settled on the tract purchased and a minister was furnished them. The 
tribes were remnants of the Mohegans, Narragansetts, Pequods, Mon- 
tauks. etc. In 1786 Rev. Samson Occum was preaching there. He 
was a highly educated and talented Indian. In the treaty of Septem- 
ber, 1788, as to the Oneida Reservation, it was provided that the tract 
reserved for the New England Indians, where Rev. Samuel Occum 
preached, should be respected. He had been to England, preached 
before King George III, and the latter presented him with a gold- 
headed cane, and the first pulpits in that country were open to him. 
February 25, 1789, an act of the Legislature confirmed the grant there- 
tofore made by the Oneidas by the name of " Brother Town," and a 
township with this name was formed and officers elected until about 
1831. Being composed of different tribes, they spoke only the English 
language and in time lost their Indian pride and respect and became 
dissipated and demoralized. They sold out from time to time their in- 
terest in the land and moved to Green Bay. This tract is partly in 
Kirkland, but mostly in Marshall. 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 117 

New Petersburgh. — In 1794 Peter Smith, father of Gerrit Smith, 
leased of the Indians a tract of 60,000 acres, partly in Augusta and 
partly in Madison county. It took the name of New Petersburgh. 

Banyar Patent. — Partly in Lee and partly in Western, and next east 
of the Mclllvane tract, are 5,000 acres of land granted by patent to 
Goldsboro Banyar July II, 1786; it was subdivided into fifty lots in 
1 793, by William Cockburn and son, and C. C. Broadhead. Mr. Banyar 
was a prominent personage in his day and largely interested in lands in 
this State. He was born in London and came to America in 1738, 
locating in New York city. In 1746 he was deputy secretary of state, 
deputy clerk of the colony of New York, and deputy clerk of the Su- 
preme Court. In 1752 he was register in chancery and in the next 
year judge of probate (Surrogate's Court). When the Whigs of New 
York city in the Revolution assumed power he removed to Rhinebeck 
on the Hudson. It was doubtful with which side he sympathized dur- 
ing the war, so closely did he keep his counsels Before the attack on 
Esopus (now Kingston) in October, 1777, Sir Henry Clinton sent a 
messenger with a sealed letter to Mr. Banyar ; when the sealed answer 
was opened by Mr. Clinton it simply read, " Mr. Banyar knows noth- 
ing." In 1767 he married a daughter of Mr. Martin, then postmaster- 
general, a widow of Judge Appey, judge advocate. After peace in 
1 783 he went to Albany and took an active interest in all that concerned 
internal improvements He, Elkanah Watson, and General Schuyler 
were commissioners to report on the feasibility of constructing a canal 
(the Inland canal) from the Mohawk River through Rome to Wood 
Creek. He visited this region with those men and they made a report 
which is published in the Documentary History of New York. In the 
late years of his life he became totally blind and was led about the 
streets by a colored servant. He died in Albany November 15, 181 5, 
at the age of ninety one, leaving a large fortune. His son Goldsboro 
died in New York city in 1806. 

Lansing- Patent. — On September 12, 1786, a patent of 2,000 acres 
was granted to John Lansing, jr., and Stephen Lush, and subdivided 
into twenty lots. It was called Lansing Patent No. 1, and is in the 
north part of the town of Western, next east of the Curtenius Patent. 
One of Stephen Lush's daughter was the wife of Henry G. Wheaton, a 



118 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

noted lawyer of Albany John Lansing, jr., was a prominent man in 
the State and rendered valuable service to his country in the Revolu- 
tion. He had been a member of the convention that framed the first 
United States Constitution ; was mayor of Albany, judge of the old 
Supreme Court of this State from 1790 to 1798, chief justice from 1798 
to 1801, chancellor of New York from 1801 to 1814. His death is in- 
volved in mystery. He left his hotel in New York city, December 12, 
1829, to go to Albany on a boat up the Hudson, and was seen as he 
left the rotunda of the hotel, but never afterwards, nor was his body 
ever discovered. In the autobiography of Thurlow Weed it is stated 
that years afterwards he was informed as to how the chancellor was 
murdered and the motive for the deed ; but Mr. Weed was not at liberty 
to give the facts. Next east of the Banyar Patent, and in the town of 
Western, is a patent of 2,000 acres granted Stephen Lush September 
12, 1786, and subdivided into fifteen lots ; it is next south of the Boeram 
and Taylor Patents. Next south of the Curtenius Patent is a patent of 
2,000 acres granted September 12, 1786, to John Lansing, jr., and 
divided into twenty lots. Partly in Steuben and partly in Western is a 
patent of 2,000 acres granted to Lansing and Van Schaack September 
12, 1786, and divided into twenty lots, next south of Lansing Patent 
No. 2. North of No 2 and next to the town of Boonville, partly in 
Western and Steuben, is a patent of 2,000 acres granted to John Lan- 
sing, jr., L. Theal, and Quick, subdivided into twenty lots, granted 
September 12, 1789, called Lansing Patent No 3. In September, 1788, 
a patent of 2,000 acres was granted to Richard Lush and Dr. Stringer, 
in the town of Western, next south of Lansing Patent No. 1, divided 
into twenty lots 

Curtenius Patent. — On September 21, 1786, a patent of 2,000 acres 
was granted to Peter Curtenius and Jonathan Pearse, lying in the town 
of Western next to Boonville and called the Curtenius Patent; it was 
divided into twenty lots in 1793 by William Cockburn. Mr. Curtenius 
was born in New York city, always resided there and was a wealthy 
merchant Besides this patent he owned thousands of acres in Oswego 
county which he purchased of George Scriba, the patentee. He was 
member of assembly in 1804 and in 1806; was appointed by President 
Jefferson marshal of the southern district of New York and held that 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 119 

office until 1812, when he was appointed by President Madison and 
continued until 1814. Mr. Curtenius died about 181 7 and the next 
year his widow with five children and two others by a former wife, 
moved to Whitesboro that the children might there be educated. She 
purchased the residence of Arthur Breese, the first surrogate of Oneida 
county (the former residence of Gideon Granger) ; a granddaughter of 
Mr. Curtenius became the wife of the late Edward Brayton, of Utica. 
A daughter of Mrs. Curtenius married William Wolcott ; another daugh- 
ter became the wife of William S. Wetmore, a grandson of one of 
Whitesboro's pioneer settlers; she became a widow in 1846 and died a 
few years ago, having resided in that village about seventy years. 

Remsenburgh Patent. — There is a patent of 48,000 acres lying partly 
in Oneida county and partly in Herkimer county, granted December 
.28, 1787, to Henry Remsen. J. G. Klock and George Klock and John 
Van Sice. They had presented a petition to the Legislature stating 
these lands had been conveyed to them by deed dated May 28, 1766, 
and now on record in the office of the secretary of state. An act was 
passed May 5, 1786, authorizing a patent to issue of any ungranted 
lands, unlocated, in one parcel, if such a large parcel could be so located, 
etc. A patent was thereupon issued. 

Willett Patent. — On the 15th of September, 1786, a tract of 1,500 
acres was granted to Col. Marinus Willett of lands lying partly in the 
town of Steuben and partly in Boonville. The name of Colonel Willett 
as the heroic defender of Fort Stanwix is too well known to require 
further mention, except that he died August 23, 1830, a few weeks 
past his ninetieth birthday, and the fifty-third anniversary of the day 
the siege of Fort Stanwix was abandoned. 

Scriba's Patent.— In August, 1791, John and Nicholas I. Roosevelt, 
merchants of New York city, purchased by contract of the State some 
500,000 acres at the price of three shillings and one penny an acre, 
lying partly in Oneida county, but mostly in Oswego county. The 
easterly boundary of this tract commences at the junction of Canada 
and Wood Creeks, in Rome, runs up the former stream and Fonda and 
Oothoudt Patents to Macomb's Purchase, being on the northern bound- 
ary of Oneida county. It includes what are now the towns of Anns- 
ville, Camden, part of Ava, Florence, part of Lee, part of Rome, and 



120 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Vienna, in Oneida county. Besides the Roosevelts, and Franklin and 
Robinson, George Scriba was interested in this purchase and on April 
7, 1792, they sold to Scriba, and on December 12, 1794, a patent was 
issued to the last named man ; this has ever since been known as the 
Roosevelt Purchase, or Scriba's Patent. In 1793—4 Benjamin Wright 
subdivided this patent into twenty-four townships and great lots. Mr. 
Scriba gave a name to each township, but in their reorganization only 
one in this county (Florence) retains the name given it by him. Town- 
ship No 1, named Fulda, is the northwest part of the town of Lee and 
the northeast part of Annsville. Township No. 2 is parts of Rome and 
Lee, and was named " Unden." Township No. 3 is the northwest part 
of Annsville and was named " Solingen." Township No. 4 included the 
west part of Florence and was so named. Township No. 5 included 
the west part of Camden and was named " Linley." Township No.. 
8 included the east part of Camden and part of Annsville, and was 
named " Bloomfield," after the late John W. Bloomfield. Township 
No. 9 included the east part of Vienna and was called " Embden." 
Township No. 10 included the west part of Vienna and was named 
" Edam." Soon after his purchase Mr. Scriba commenced making im- 
provements, built a store, saw and grist mills in Constantia, which he 
named " Rotterdam," and nearly 100 years ago he built a two-story 
frame dwelling on the shore of Oneida Lake at that place, into which he 
moved ; this house is yet standing. He sold off the " Munro Tract " on 
the share of the lake ; sold large tracts to Alexander Hamilton and 
others; sold in December, 1794, to John W. Bloomfield and others the 
Six Thousand Acre Tract north of Lee Center in Lee ; to John Hall 
and others the Four Thousand Acre Tract in the same town, and the 
Two Thousand Acre Tract in the same town to George Huntington in 
April, 1795, as before described. A tract of 7,147 acres he laid out 
on the north shore of Oneida Lake, which includes Cleveland, Bern- 
hard's Bay, and Constantia, and called it " Scriba's Location." In the 
town of Annsville is a tract of 1,254 acres which he laid out and called 
" Scriba's Reservation ; " it includes Glenmore, north of Taberg. Mr. 
Scriba was a New York merchant, a German, and at the time of his 
purchase was worth a million and a half of dollars. But his great pur- 
chase made him " land poor " and he died in Constantia a poor man, on 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 121 

August 26, 1836, at the age of eighty four years; his remains were 
buried in that village. He left an only child, Frederick Scriba, who 
died years ago, leaving a widow, now residing in the old homestead ; 
she has a son, George Scriba. 

Franklin and Robinson Tract. — In January, 1795, George Scriba sold 
from his patent 75,000 acres, partly in Lee and Annsville, and a part in 
Ava, with some in Oswego county, to Abraham Franklin and William 
Robinson; it is known as the Franklin and Robinson Tract, and is some 
times called the " Quaker Tract," those persons being Quakers. It is 
recited that said parties were interested in the original contract of pur- 
chase commonly called " Roosevelt Purchase," and that they had paid 
their share of the purchase. 

Muller Tract. — Franklin and Robinson mortgaged twelve lots (37 to 
48, both inclusive), as surveyed by Benjamin Wright, making 1,615 acres, 
to Rembrandt Muller. That parcel extends north past Point of Rock 
and into Ava, east of the Fish Creek Reservation, to the county line. 
The mortgage was foreclosed and the premises sold on April 1, 181 I, 
and bid off by Muller ; since then the land has been known as the Muller 
Tract. That Muller was father of Adrian H. Muller, of New York city, 
so well known in connection with auction and real estate sales there. 
The latter died in October, 1886, aged eighty- four years. 

Sargeant's Patent. — John Sargeant was a native of New Jersey, at- 
tended Yale College and graduated therefrom in 1729. He became a 
tutor in that college, but relinquished his plans and was ordained minister 
in August, 1734, at Deerfield, Mass., and was then a missionary among 
the Stockbridge Indians in that State. He died July 27, 1749, at the age 
of thirty- nine years, leaving three children; the youngest was named 
John and he afterwards became a minister. In 1775 young Sargeant 
took charge as missionary of the mission school of Stockbridge Indians. 
In 1785 he removed to New Stockbridge and took charge of a church 
there, where he passed six months of each year. In 1796 he moved his 
family there and continued his labors among the Indians in this new 
home until his death, September 8, 1824, aged seventy-seven years. A 
monument at his grave in Vernon, near his former home, states that he 
was missionary for thirty-six years. By an act passed April 1, 1796, the 
Land Commissioners were directed to issue a patent a mile square, ad- 

16 



122 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

joining land called New Stockbridge, for John Sargeant, Minister of the- 
Gospel, who resides among the Indians at that place. That patent is 
located a little to the southwest of Vernon Center. 

Oneida Reservation. — In the description of the Line of Property on a 
previous page of this chapter, an account -is given of the cession by the 
Indians of all lands (except some reservations) lying east and south of 
that line. That was the first cession of lands by the Indians to the gov 
ernment within what is now Oneida county, and included about two- 
thirds of the present area of the county. After the Revolution and on 
June 28, 1785, a treaty was made at Fort Herkimer, with the Oneidas 
and the Tuscaroras, by Governor Clinton and Indian commissioners, 
under which the lands of the Oneidas occupied by the Tuscaroras, lying 
between the Unadilla and the Chenango Rivers, were purchased for 
$1 1,000. After this the Tuscaroras moved to the land of the Senecas. 

On the 22d of September, 1788, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix 
by the Oneidas and representatives of the State, by which the former 
ceded all of their lands in New York State (except as hereinafter stated) ; 
the main and larger part thus reserved has passed into history as the 
Oneida Reservation. The line of that reservation commenced on Wood 
Creek opposite the mouth of Canada Creek, where the Line of Property 
begins, and runs thence along the easterly line of the towns of Verona, 
Vernon and Augusta; along the southerly line, or nearly so, of the latter 
town, and so on westerly until it intersects a line due north to "Deep 
Spring" in Manlius, on the east line of what is now Onondaga county ; 
thence by the nearest course to Canasaraga Creek, and thence via Oneida 
Lake and Wood Creek to the place of beginning; the Oneidas to hunt 
and fish forever in all the ceded territory. There was also reserved to 
the Oneidas one half a mile square at the distance of every six miles 
along the north bounds of Oneida Lake ; also the lands half a mile in 
breadth on each side of Fish Creek. This cession by the Oneidas was 
made subject to the rights of the Brotherton Indians, under Samson 
Occum, and the Stockbridge Indians (a tract of two by three miles). 
The State was to pay the Oneidas for the cession, $2,000 in money, 
$2,000 in clothing and other goods, and $1,000 in provisions, with $500 
towards building a grist mill and a saw mill at their village ; and to an- 
nually thereafter on June 1st, pay at Fort Stanwix $600 in silver, or in 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 123 

clothing and provisions as the Oneidas might elect. The State was also 
to grant to John Francis Perache a tract of land at the Line of Property, 
two miles square, in satisfaction of what the Oneidas had agreed to give 
Perache for an injury done him by one of their nation; and further, the 
State was to grant to John T. Kirkland, and also to G. W. Kirkland, 
other lands as a compensation for other lands which the Oneidas had in- 
tended for those persons ; also to grant to Peter Penet certain lands for 
services rendered by him to the Oneidas, the tract to be ten miles square. 
(A tract ten miles square, called "Penet Square," was set offin Jefferson 
county for this purpose.) 

This treaty was written on parchment two feet square, with thirty- 
five seals of the parties, and appended to it is a string of wampum made 
of blue and white beads strung upon deer skin cords. This belt is 
about two inches wide and nearly two feet long. The document was 
placed in the office of the secretary of state for preservation. The above 
reservation included what is known as the Wood Creek Reservation. April 
26, 1832 a law was passed authorizing a sale of the latter reservation. 
The Oneidas became divided among themselves on religious matters, 
one party taking the name or the " christian party," and another the 
" pagan party." In 1805 a partition of the lands was made, by which 
the pagan party took those east of Oneida Creek. In February, 1809, 
the pagan party sold their lands to the State, which extended from 
Oneida Lake to Mud Creek, which empties into Oneida Creek south of 
Oneida Castle; a few reservations were made. This tract has passed 
into history as the " first pagan purchase." In 1807 the christian party 
deeded a part of their tract to the State, and in 1809 the "Fish Creek 
Reservation " was sold to the State, comprising about 7,500 acres, ex- 
cepting a few reservations. From time to time the Oneidas sold to the 
State and to individuals all of their lands, including their right to the 
Stockbridge and the Brotherton tracts. A patent was issued to Perache 
in 1789, in pursuance of the treaty of 1788. The lands are in West- 
moreland north of Spencer settlement. 

Wemple Patents. — By an act of the Legislature passed May 5, 1786 
a Patent of 640 acres was granted to Abraham Wemple, to be located 
next to James Dean's Patent and next to the Line of Property. The 
patent was issued February 5. 1789. April 1, 1796, an act was passed 



124 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

reciting that Abraham Wemple had aided the Oneidas while refugees 
at Schenectady, during the late war ; that a patent of one mile square 
be issued to Abraham Wemple, out of the lands purchased in 1795 of 
the Oneidas. That patent was issued in March, 1798, and the lands are 
situated in the town of Vernon, near the village. 

Van Epps Patent. — The same act of 1796 which granted the patent 
to Wemple, ordered one to be issued to Abraham Van Epps, of two 
miles square, and it was so issued and included Vernon village. The 
act recites that Van Epps had aided the Oneidas and made advances 
to them. The father of Van Epps was a fur trader. After the Revo- 
lutionary war he again embarked in the business, but was plundered in 
Canada and his death remained a mystery. Young Van Epps took up 
the business in 1784 and came from Schenectady up the valley. In 1785 
he located at Oriskany and there began trading with the large body of 
Oneida Indians then located there. About 1787 he settled in what is 
now Westmoreland. After he received his patent he moved upon it ; 
he died in 1844 at the age of eighty-one years. He had a store in 
Westmoreland and was the first merchant in Vernon. 

Baschard's Location. — In the town of Vernon, to the southeast of 
Vernon village and extending to and including Vernon Center, is a 
tract of 4,911 acres, granted to T. L. Whitbeck and others (see Oneida 
county deed of books, No. 6), called Baschard's Location. Its history 
is as follows: On June 27, 1786, a patent for 4,883 acres was granted 
by the State to " Bass Chard," Samuel Hatch and others of the Isle 
La Mott, in Lake Champlain. In the difficulties between New York 
and Vermont, that island was ceded to the latter State, and the New 
York Legislature, by act passed April 11, 1796, authorized a patent to 
the above patentees, or their assigns, for any unappropriated lands in 
New York, in lieu of the said island The parties located their lands in 
Vernon, as above stated, and hence the name of the " Location." 
About 1797 a company of wealthy farmers from Connecticut bought a 
part of this patent, a part of the Van Epps Patent, and a part of the 
Sergeant Patent, laid out a town plat six miles square and sold to 
actual settlers. 

Bleecker Patents. — By a treaty made with the Oneidas the State 
agreed to grant a patent of lands to John I. Bleecker, for lands which 



COLONIAL LAND PATENTS. 125 

the Oneidas had agreed to give him, and on February 25, 1789, a 
patent called " Bleecker's South Patent," was issued ; it lies in the town 
of Vernon, next south of Dean's Patent. By the same act another 
patent a mile square was ordered to be issued to Bleecker for further 
compensation for his faithful services ; this patent is called " Bleecker's 
North Patent," and is located in Westmoreland next to the Line of 
Property, and next northerly of Dean's Patent. 

Otsequette Patent. — An act was passed March 18, 1791, directing a 
patent of 1,000 acres to be issued to Peter Otsequette, of the Wolf 
tribe of the Oneidas, for Otsequette's use for life and the issue of his 
body. That tract is in Westmoreland, next to Dean's Patent and 
Bleecker's North Patent. Otsequette was a noted personage, was one 
of the chiefs who signed the treaty at Fort Stanwix in September, 1788, 
was highly educated and when a youth was taken to France by La Fay- 
ette and placed in the French schools where he remained seven years. 
He could speak French with great fluency and recite with thrilling 
effect from the tragedies of Racine and Corneille. And yet he possessed 
Indian tastes and instincts and would drink whisky from a keg and 
whoop like the lowest savage In February, 1820, an act was passed 
reciting the death of Peter Otsequette (who died in 1792), and that 
Anthony was his only surviving child and entitled to one-half of the 
benefits of said patent, and that George and Henry Hill, infant children 
of a deceased daughter, are entitled to the other half; and Anthony, 
desirous of surrendering his half to the State upon being paid $300 and 
$42 annuity, it was enacted that those sums be paid and a release taken ; 
in March, 1821, the share of the Hill children was disposed of in the 
same way. 

Lawrence, or Smith Patent. — On December 23, 1793, a patent was 
issued for 1,896 acres to Melancthon Smith. The parcel is in Rome 
and includes Green's Corners, or Greenway, as now called. The con- 
tract was made in 1791 for three shillings and seven pence per acre. It 
was divided into lots by C. C. Broadhead, surveyor. Mr. Smith was a 
prominent man in his day, was largely interested in lands, was a mem- 
ber of assembly for New York and member of the Provincial Congress. 
Before 1800 he sold the land to Jonathan Lawrence, a merchant of New 
York, and hence it is sometimes called the Smith Patent and sometimes 



126 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the Lawrence Tract. Mr. Lawrence usually leased the land for lives. 
Mr. Lawrence died intestate before 1816 and in that year his heirs par- 
titioned the property among themselves. 

McKesson Patent. — In Westmoreland and including Lowell, a patent 
of 4,080 acres was granted to John McKesson, of New York; it was 
contracted to him for three shillings, six pence per acre. A patent was 
issued to him May 20, 1795. He died September 18, 1798, intestate, 
leaving no children and his real estate descended to his brothers and 
sisters, five in number. In 1801 the patent was partitioned among 
them ; it was called the " two- mile tract," and was supposed to contain 
2,000 acres. 

Adgate's Patent. — In 1761 Matthew Adgate, of Columbia county, 
purchased of the State by contract, a parcel of land in the north part of 
this county, estimated to be 45,000 acres, for two shillings six pence per 
acre. It is known as Adgate's Western Tract, and lies next to Ma- 
comb's Purchase. A patent was issued January 30 1798. Another 
tract called Adgate's Eastern Tract, of 40.000 acres, was owned by 
Adgate, lying partly in Oneida county and partly in Herkimer county. 
In 1794 Benjamin Wright surveyed the western tract into lots west of 
Black River. Mr. Adgate was member of the convention that formed 
the first United States Constitution, and member of assembly. 



CHAPTER XI. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 

The oldest land on this continent was a V— shaped ridge which 
appeared above the vast waters then covering all of North America. 
This ridge stretched from a point north of Lake Ontario, northeast to 
Labrador, and northwest to the Atlantic Ocean, and belongs to what is 
known in geology as the Azoic Age, or the Archaic Rock. It was 
upheaved at a time previous to the existence of life on the earth and is 
now found overlaid in places by a series of layers of sedimentary rocks 
in which are found fossil remains of the lowest forms of animal life. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE COUNTY. 127 

This series of sedimentary rocks, up to a certain point, constitute what 
is known in geology as the Silurian Age, and in it is embraced the terri- 
tory beginning at the north shore of Lake Ontario and extending to a 
point in the southern part of Oneida county where the series closes 
with what is known as the Oriskany Sandstone. The Silurian rocks 
were formed mainly by the decomposition and gradual disintegration of 
the older rock mentioned, and the washing down of the material thus 
produced into the sea. In the course of the passing ages sufficient of 
this material was thus deposited and slowly hardened into stone, to form 
the lowest and oldest layer of the series, which was succeeded by 
another, and so on to the uppermost. A later upheavel tilted these 
vast layers of rock and lifted their northern edges above the waters, 
giving the layers a dip towards the south, at the same time driving the 
waters southward and forming a new shore. In other words, these tilted 
rock layers lie upon each other like the shingles on a roof. As these 
layers of sedimentary rock came into being and their edges appeared 
above the waters to the northward, the shore of the great ocean moved 
southward, each succeeding layer forming a step in the progression, 
until the first appearance of the Niagara limestone is reached at Oneida 
Lake. About this time a great upheaval occurred to the eastward and 
southward, in the region of what is now Maryland and West Virginia, 
which cut off from the main body of water several great inland seas, 
one of which covered the territory which now constitutes that part of 
this State lying south of a line drawn from Oneida Lake to Niagara 
Falls. The waters of this sea. thus cut off from the main ocean and 
having no larger rivers flowing in to increase their volume, slowly 
evaporated under the heat of the sun, depositing the minerals which they 
contained, and thus forming, with the clay and impure limestones of 
the muddy bottom, the rocks of the Salina Period. It is believed by 
good authorities that after the close of the Salina Period the rocks of 
that series probably remained for a long time at the surface of Central 
and Southern New York. During this time the older granitic rocks 
toward the north were being disintegrated and ground up ; and when 
the great convulsion occurred which ushered in the Devonian Age (next 
above the Silurian), this sandy material was washed down into the bot- 
tom of the new-formed sea, and re-hardened into the layer now known 



128 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

as the Oriskany Sandstone. When the Devonian sea became calm, the 
layers of the Onondaga Limestone were deposited at its bottom by the 
carbonic acid gas of the heavy atmosphere uniting with the lime held 
in solution by the water. This sea finally became shallower and was 
subsequently filled up by the Hamilton shales. 

In the territory now embraced in Oneida county there is an outcrop 
of nearly every formation from the lower (the Archaean) to the Carbon- 
iferous (see diagram). Thus, beginning with the primary rocks of the 
Adirondack region, there occur as we go south, the great lime stone sys- 
tem known as the Trenton formations, containing wonderful fossil re- 
mains; then the Utica Slate; the Lorraine Shales, or Hudson River 
Group; the Oneida Conglomerate; the Medina Sandstone ; the Clinton 
Group ; the Niagara Shale and Limestone ; the Onondaga Salt Group ; 
the Helderberg Limestone ; the Oriskany Sandstone ; and the Hamil- 
ton and Chemung shales and sandstones. Of these several formations, 
the Trenton Limestone, the Utica Slate, the Oneida Conglomerate, the 
Clinton Group, and the Oriskany Sandstone received their names from 
their remarkable development in Oneida county. 

It is probable that the Adirondacks were uplifted before the formation 
of the sedimentary rocks began, and that they are part of the earliest 
uplift on the globe. The outcropping formations of the State of New 
York represent the Archaean, the Silurian, the Devonian and partly the 
Carboniferous Ages (see diagram). In the Archaean no animal life is 
known to hav.e existed, and there is no positive evidence that vegeta- 
tion had yet appeared on the earth. In the Silurian the Invertebrates 
appeared, and plants of the Algae ; in the Devonian, various fishes are 
represented and some new forms of vegetation ; in the Carboniferous, 
amphibious animals made their appearance, and other plant life, among 
which were those that contributed largely to the formation of the coal 
beds. The thickness of the sedimentary rocks in this State, above the 
Archaean, is about 1 3,000 feet, and it rapidly and greatly increases as we 
proceed southward. 

The celebrated Potsdam sandstone lies directly upon the primary forma- 
tion and contains a few forms of animal life ; as we come upward these in- 
crease both in species and in individuals, until the Trenton Group is 
reached, which is largely composed of animal remains, particularly in its 



PHYSICAL FEATURES OP THE COUNTY. 129 

upper strata. The picturesque gorge of West Canada Creek at Trenton 
falls is cut for three miles through the Trenton limestone to a depth 
of from 60 to 100 feet, offering to the naturalist a most prolific source 
of rare and beautiful specimens of extinct life. Black River, in the 
northeastern part of the county, runs very nearly on the line dividing 
the primitive from the secondary formation ; on the east is the granite 
rock and on the west the Trenton limestones. The outcrop of the Tren- 
ton rocks covers an area in Oneida county of 100 or 150 square miles. 
Extensive quarries have been and are worked. The thickness of the 
Trenton limestone in Oneida county is about 300 feet, while in the 
Appalachian Mountains it reaches 2,000 feet. In geology the Trenton 
Period includes the Black River and Trenton Limestones, the Utica 
Shales and Slates, and the Hudson River and Cincinnati groups of 
Limestones and Shales. The Utica Shale overlies the Trenton and 
Black River formations and extends in a narrow band along the Mohawk 
valley, reaching a thickness of 1 5 to 35 feet at Glens Falls, 250 feet in 
Montgomery county, and about 300 feet in Oneida county. It out- 
crops in Boonville, Steuben, Western, Floyd, Trenton, Rome, Marcy, and 
Deerfield. It has no value for building purposes. 

Succeeding this is the Hudson River group, known as the Hudson 
River, Pulaski, and the Lorraine Shales, which is similar in character 
to the Utica shale and like that abounds in fossils. It is found in the 
towns of Boonville, Ava, Western, Lee, Annsville, Whitestown, and 
Utica, and extends down the Mohawk valley on its southern side to the 
Hudson. 

This closes the Lower Silurian Age, and is succeeded by the Upper 
Silurian, as shown in the diagram, which includes the Niagara, Salina, 
Lower Helderberg, and the Oriskany formations The Niagara group 
includes the Medina, the Clinton, and Niagara subdivisions, while the 
Medina includes the Oneida Conglomerate and the Medina Sandstone. 
The Oneida Conglomerate is a pebbly sandstone or grit and extends 
through the towns of Florence, Camden, Annsville and in a narrow 
strip into Herkimer county, where it disappears. Its thickness is from 
20 to 120 feet. In Ulster county it reaches 500 feet in thickness and 
the celebrated Esopus millstones are manufactured from it. The upper 
formation of the Medina epoch is the well known valuable Medina sand- 

17 



130 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

stone, which from a great thickness in the western part of the State, 
gradually becomes thinner to the eastward and disappears in the central 
parts of Oneida county. It is found in Camden, Vienna and Rome. 

Above the Medina stone appears the Clinton Sandstone, which ex- 
tends from Schoharie county westward through Herkimer and Oneida 
counties and on westward across this State through Canada and Michi- 
gan. In Oneida county it has a width of six to ten miles, and Oneida 
Lake lies wholly within the formation ; its thickness in this county is 
from ioo to 200 feet, and it has been quarried to some extent for build- 
ing purposes for which it is superior. Iron ore is found in this forma 
tion. 

Overlapping the Clinton is the Niagara formation, which extends 
from Herkimer county through Oneida in a narrow belt, outcropping in 
the towns of Paris, Kirkland, and Vernon. While very thin in this 
region, it increases in thickness to the westward, being about 88 feet at 
Niagara Falls. The Niagara rock abounds in fossils. 

Next above the Niagara is the Salina Period, or Onondaga Salt Group t 
which affords the brine of the salt supply. From a thickness of 700 to 
1,000 feet in Onondaga county, the rock grows thinner to the eastward, 
and is only a few feet thick at the Hudson The formation is almost 
destitute of fossils. The Lower Helderberg, which is next above, ex- 
tends across this State. It is known also as the Waterline Group, be- 
ing a bluish, impure limestone of thin layers. It abounds in fossils. 
The Upper Helderberg extends as far west as Ontario county, but is 
very thin, although it reaches a thickness of 400 feet in eastern New 
York. In Oneida county it passes through the towns of Paris, Marshall, 
Augusta and Vernon. 

The uppermost rock of the Silurian Age is the Oriskany Sandstone, 
which extends from Central New York, in the Oriskany neighborhood, 
southwestward along the Appalachians and spreads out in the Missis- 
sippi valley ; it thins out towards the Hudson River. Dana says that " in 
New York it consists either of pure siliceous sands, or of argillaceous 
sands. In the former case it is usually yellowish or bluish, and some- 
times crumbles into sand suitable for making glass. The argillaceous 
sandstone is of a dark brown or reddish color, and was evidently a sandy 
or pebbly mud." During the formation of this rock sea weeds were not 



PHYSICAL FEATURES OP THE COUNTY. 131 

uncommon and traces of terrestrial animals have been found. The 
number of fossils discovered in the Silurian reaches far into the thou- 
sands, among which are many varieties of the Trilobites. 

The Devonian Age, or Age of Fishes, is next above the Silurian, as 
shown in the diagram, and includes the Corniferous, the Hamiltonian, 
the Chemung, and the Catskill Periods in the order named. The first 
two divisions of the Corniferous Period thicken towards the Hudson 
River and one of them, the Schoharie Grit, may possibly reach Oneida 
county. The upper divisions, the Onondaga and the Corniferous Lime- 
stones exist in this county, the first outcropping in Sangerfield, and the 
last named near Waterville. The Corniferous abounds in fossil plants 
and animals, and the remains of vertebrates, in the form of fishes, appear 
first in America in these rocks. 

Above the Corniferous Period comes the Hamilton, which includes 
the Marcellus. Hamilton, and Genesee Shales. The Marcellus is a soft 
argillaceous rock ; the Hamilton (so named from the town of Hamilton, 
Madison county) consists of shales and flags, with some thin limestone, 
and is extensively used in Utica and many other places for walks and 
other purposes. The Genesee shale is a blackish, bituminous shaly rock 
overlying the Hamilton. 

Next above comes the Chemung Period, which includes the Portage 
and the Chemung groups. The former consists of shales and laminated 
sandstones and does not appear in the eastern part of the State. The 
Chemung covers a large part of southern New York, but neither that 
nor the Catskill is developed in Oneida county. 

The Carboniferous Age, next above the Devonian, and its several for- 
mations, are not found in this State, except in the lower portions (the 
sub carboniferous), and therefore need not be further described in these 
pages 

The topography of Oneida county presents a variety and beauty of 
landscape that has attracted the attention not only of the early ambi- 
tious agriculturist in quest of a favorable location to establish his home, 
but also of the artist and the poet seeking subjects for the canvas and 
the song. The fame of the valley of the Mohawk has traveled far and 
the swelling hills that border it possess equal natural beauty of another 
order. From northwestwardly to southeastwardly extends the broad 



132 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

valley of the beautiful river, the lowest pass through the Appalachian 
mountain system, and one of the most fertile sections of this State. 
Northward and southward from the valley rises a broken and hilly re- 
gion, in the southern part lying in ridges extending north and south 
and divided by streams and ravines ; northward of the valley the sur- 
face rises abruptly to a height of 800 to 1,200 feet and spreads out in a 
nearly level plateau, except as broken by the ravines of streams. The 
height of this part of the county culminates in " Penn Mount," in the 
town of Steuben, which rises 1,727 feet above the sea, the height of the 
Mohawk above tidewater at Albany being 427 feet. The highest point 
south of the Mohawk is locally known as " Tassell Hill," from a Dutch- 
man named Van Tassel who lived near it; it is near the joining four 
corners of the towns of Marshall, Sangerfield, Bridgewater, and Paris, 
and is approximately 1,800 feet above the Mohawk at Rome. The 
northeastern part of the county extends into the borders of the great 
northern wilderness. Oneida county is well drained, the Mohawk ris- 
ing upon the north border of the county, flows southerly to Rome and 
thence southeast to the eastern bounds of the county. Its principal 
tributaries from the north are Nine Mile Creek and Lansing Kill, and 
from the south, Sauquoit and Oriskany Creeks. East Canada Creek 
forms a part of the east boundary of the county and Black River flows 
across the northeast corner. The western and southwestern parts are 
drained by Wood Creek (flowing west into Oneida Lake), Fish Creek, 
Mad River, and Little River. Included in the towns of Vienna and 
Verona is a part of Oneida Lake, probably about 57,000 acres. In the 
northeastern part are several small lakes and ponds which are further 
described in the town histories. 

The soil of the northeastern part of the county is derived from the 
disintegration of the primitive rocks before described and is light and 
sandy. In the central part it is a sandy and gravelly loam and alluvium 
of great fertility. The highlands south of the Mohawk have a soil com- 
posed of clay and sandy and gravelly loam, well adapted to pasturage. 
Minerals of value are confined to the lenticular clay iron ore of the Clin- 
ton Group, bog iron ore in the swamps near Oneida Lake and possibly 
magnetic ore in the northeastern part. Waterlime and gypsum have 
been quarried to a limited extent, and marl and peat have been found 



DESCRIPTION OP THE COUNTY. 133 

in some places. Nearly all of the territory of the county was formerly 
covered with a heavy forest of valuable timber which was of consider- 
able value to the pioneers. 



CHAPTER XII. 

DESCRIPTION OF COUNTY. 

By an act passed April 10, 1792, the town of Whitestown, then in 
Herkimer county, was divided and the towns of Westmoreland, Steuben, 
Paris, Mexico, Peru, and Whitestown formed therefrom. These towns 
embraced substantially the following territory : The town of Westmore- 
and, in the main its present boundaries, and in addition the town of 
Verona and part of Vernon. 

Steuben, its present boundaries and the towns of Ava, Boonville, 
part of Annsville, Lee, Western, Floyd, and Rome in Oneida county, 
and a large part of the territory in what is now Jefferson and Lewis 
counties. 

Paris, the present territory of the town, and Bridgewater, Kirkland, 
Marshall, and Sangerfield in Oneida county, and portions of the terri- 
tory in what are now Chenango and Madison counties. 

Mexico was an immense town and has been justly styled " the mother 
of towns." It included as thus constituted the present counties of On- 
ondaga and Cortland, all of Oswego lying west of the east bounds of 
the Military Tract and a line drawn from the mouth of the Caneseraga 
Creek through Oneida Lake to Ontario, which line would strike a point 
near the northwest corner of Williamstown in Oswego county. Febru- 
ary 26, 1796, the town of Mexico was reformed and the second Mexico 
included all of what is now Oswego county east of Oswego River and 
north of Oneida River and Lake and including the towns of Camden, 
Florence and Vienna and part of Annsville in Oneida county, and 
most of the towns in Jefferson and Lewis counties lying west of Black 
River. 

Peru embraced all of Whitestown, in Herkimer county, lying west of 



134 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the town of Mexico as first formed, bounded westerly by Ontario 
county and northerly by Lake Ontario. It was that territory lying west 
of the present counties of Onondaga and Cortland. The western bounds 
of the townships of Homer, Tully, Marcellus, Camillus, Lysander, and 
Hannibal in said Military Tract, being the eastern bounds of the town 
of Peru, and the westerly bounds of the town of Mexico, as first organ • 
ized. All of the remainder of the town of Whitestown was constituted 
a town by itself and named Whitestown ; which remainder included the 
present towns of Whitestown, New Hartford, Augusta, and part of 
Vernon, and the city of Utica. 

In 1792 the first bridge over the Mohawk in Oneida county was 
erected on the line of Second street. It was swept off in a few months and 
in 1794 a new one at the foot of Genesee street was constructed. 

Judge Vanderkemp was a pioneer settler in and became a prominent 
citizen of the town of Trenton. In 1792 he journeyed from Kingston 
up the Hudson to Albany and thence up the Mohawk to Old Fort 
Schuyler, thence to Fort Stanwix, crossed over to Wood Creek and 
down that stream to Oneida Lake and so on to Oswego. He writes as 
follows : 

Although the Mohawk becomes navigable for bateaux at no great distance from 
Cohoes, all merchandise nevertheless is thus far carried by wagons from Albany to 
Schenectady (16 miles) whence these are conveyed in bateaux for about 100 miles, 
including one mile portage at Little Falls, via Fort Stanwix. Here is a carrying 
place of one mile to Wood Creek, which empties it waters, after it is joined by Can- 
ada and Fish Creeks, in Oneida Lake; as handsome, as rich in fish, as any lake in 
the western world. Our government has passed a law to clear the navigation from 
the Mohawk to the Hudson. So much is certain that it is resolved to open the carry- 
ing place between the Hudson and Wood Creek, and to clear the latter from any 
obstructions. Fort Stanwix must become a staple place of the commodities of the 
west stored there from the fertile lands bordering the lakes and rivers and Old Fort 
Schuyler, nearly the central part of intercourse between the north and west, trans- 
formed in an opulent mercantile city, where future Lorenzos will foster and protect 
arts and sciences; where the tomahawk and scalping knife shall be replaced by the 
chisel and pencil of the artist, and the wigwam by marble palaces. Our canals open 
an early communication between the lakes Ontario and Oneida, which is possible, 
and can thus be executed. Go on, then, and dig canals through the western dis- 
trict and be not afraid that a single hair shall be hurt on the head of its inhabitants 
by the waves of Lake Erie. Dare only to undertake the enterprise, and I warrant 
the success. . . 

I rode to Schenectady from Albany, and passed a few hours with the Rev. 
Romeyn, one of the most learned and eminent divines of the Reformed Church in 



DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY. 135 

this State. He assured me that fifteen hundred families passed by his house during 
the winter of 1791 to various parts of the western lands; while I was informed by 
another credible witness that during the winter of 1790, within 40 miles of the 
river point, where the rivers of Onondaga, Seneca, and Oswego are joined [Three 
River Point west of Oneida Lake] two hundred and forty yokes of oxen had been 
counted. . . Now I was in Herkimer, passed slowly through the German Flats. 
Col. Starring was the man with whom I intended to dine, if it was obtainable ; al- 
though his honor was at the time a Judge of the Common Pleas, thus high in civil 
and military authority, yet he kept a public house. The Col. was gone to meeting; 
his barn was the place of worship. I went thither ; the assembled congregation was 
very numerous; our Lord's supper was celebrated with decency, and as it appeared 
to me, by many with fervent devotion. Four children were baptized by Rev. Mr. 
Rosenkrantz. After service, the congregation flocked to the Col.'s house and used 
sparingly some refreshments. The weighty principle with many was, that now 
(inasmuch as George Clinton was elected Gov.) the court house should be fixed at 
Herkimer. Near Old Fort Schuyler I crossed the Mohawk, and took my tea at John 
Post's; reached Whitesborough about evening, and stopped at the house of Judge 
White, the father of this flourishing settlement. Gov. Clinton had favored me with 
a letter of introduction to Jonas Piatt, then county clerk. I met on the road to 
Whitesborough a group of Oneida Indians, some of them on horseback, others walk- 
ing and jumping; the one with a bottle, another with a jug or small keg of rum ; for 
the most part, merrily jolly ; some deeply soaked by the beverage, distilled from the 
cane. Their numbers increased as I approached near Whitesborough. There I 
saw about 200 of every age and of both sexes, around their fires near the road, 
eating, drinking, smoking, singing, laughing, all of them in perfect harmony. The 
occasion of this unusual concourse was, they came to receive the corn from the 
State, which had been stipulated in one of the articles of the late treaty ; they soon 
changed this corn (a large part) for money, and that for silk handkerchiefs, linen, &c. 
Judge White was commissioned to distribute the corn. He is a man between 50 and 60, 
middle stature, corpulent and of acomely appearance. The roads are daily improving, 
as evidenced from the fact that while I was here, Mr. and Mrs. Livingston came to visit 
their son-in-law, Jonas Piatt, from Pokeepsie, in their own carriage in 4 days. 
There is scarce an acre of land for sale in Whitesborough. Mr. Elizur Moseley [the 
first physician, the first merchant, the first postmaster of the place and the second 
sheriff of Oneida county] paid §150 for 3 acres, for a building spot. About two miles 
from Whitesborough I crossed Oriskany creek, where many Oneida Indians resided 
in former days. I had advanced but a few steps when my attention was fixed on a 
number of skulls, placed in a row on a log near the road. I was informed by work- 
men that this place was the fatal spot on which the murderous encounter happened 
between Gen. Herkimer and his sturdy associates and the Indians and English. 
Where the brave and gallant soldier did fall, I was shown a tree, on which was 
closely carved something resembling a man's head intended to represent this in- 
trepid warrior. About noon on Monday, I arrived at Fort Stanwix. Baron De Zeng 
was employed in laying out a kitchen garden. He gave me a cordial reception, and 
introduced me to Col. Colbraith [then sheriff of Herkimer county], a revolutionary 
soldier. We partook of some refreshments ; my horse was turned out on luxuriant 



136 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

pasture grounds. Baron De Zeng is a German nobleman, descended from a noble 
family in Saxony and arrived in America during the revolutionary war. He mar- 
ried a respectable lady in New York and intends to begin a settlement in this 
vicinity. 

The soil here is not much different from Whitesborough. By digging 10 and 12 
feet, often deeper, leaves are found perfectly preserved, and branches of trees, large 
pieces of timber are discovered. I saw several samples of all these when a well was 
dug for Col. Colbraith. > While at Fort Stanwix a large bateau of furs came from 
the west; two yokes of oxen drew the furs over the portage. This was the second 
cargo within a week. From these examples, it may be conjectured what riches the 
waters of Oneida lake may carry on to Fort Stanwix, if obstruction should be re- 
moved. Salmon river and Fish creek, are in the spring full of salmon ; an Oneida 
Indian with his spear took 45 salmon in one hour, another, 65 in one night, and an- 
other 80. The eel of Oneida lake is equal to the best in the Holland market; in the 
waters hereabouts, are also pike, pickerel, catfish, lobster, turtle, swordfish, whitefish, 
etc. Scarce a day passes, in which not two, sometimes three, bateaux arrived whose 
destination was towards the Genesee lands. We met daily with groups of 5 or 6 
on horseback in search for land, with intention, if succeeding, to move on with their 
families the next winter, or following spring; while every day someone wanted to 
buy of us land, of which we did not own a single inch. During the time I tarried 
here, a large bateau with furs, arrived from the west; two yokes of oxen drew it 
over the portage ; this was the second cargo within one week. We arrived at Fort 
Bull, three miles distant — or rather where that fort once stood. There came up a 
great rain storm, with thunder and lightning; we proceeded rapidly, and discovered 
after a few minutes a light in a small cottage. It was that of Widow Armstrong on 
the corner of Wood and Canada creeks, 7 miles from Fort Stanwix — the part of land 
where Roosevelt Purchase [Scriba's Patent] begins. As we are now engaged in dry- 
ing our clothes by a good fire and Mrs. Armstrong is preparing our supper and 
couches, I must allow you a little rest before I offer 3'ou my rough sketch of the skirts 
of that noble tract, once the heritage of the Oneidas. On Sunday we bid adieu to 
the good widow Armstrong, who left nothing undone which was in her power to 
render her homely cottage comfortable to us. About 3 miles from her house 
a small swift running stream empties into Wood creek from the south. From thence 
we proceeded to a place called " Oak Orchard" [close by lots 11 and 12 Wood Creek 
Reservation, south side of Wood Creek in town of Verona]. Ere long we arrived at 
a singular neck of land, about a mile in length, and so small that by standing, we 
discovered the water at the opposite side. This was a tedious circumnavigation in- 
deed. We might have passed it in a few seconds if a passage had been cut through. 
Not far from this spot we discovered a clearing, extended towards the F'?h creek, on 
the north, known by the name of Captain Phillips and "Dean's improvements." 
[This was at the southwest corner of lot 112, Scriba's Patent, on the north side of 
Wood Creek in the town of Vienna, and about a mile or so before Wood and fish 
Creeks unite; it is where James Dean and Jedediah Phelps settled in 1784, as before 

1 These evidences are confirmatory of the theory, that from Oneida Lake to Little Falls was 
once one large continuous body of water, and that the gap at Little Falls is the outlet to this 
lake, where the water broke away in early ages. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY. 137 

narrated]. We left our canoes to look at the land ; it was low and flat near the bor- 
ders of the creek, and had the appearance of being annually overflowed ; Wood creek 
increased in width, and had the appearance of a handsome river. We were sur- 
prised to see a little after sunset, nine fires in a semi-circular form on the lake. The 
fires were made by the Indians spearing eels. They are usually 2 or 3 in a canoe. A 
catfish was brought in by a fisherman that weighed 10 pounds ; we afterwards ob- 
tained one of 24 pounds ; some have been taken of 40 and 45 lbs ; but those of the 
largest size are brought from Lake Ontario. . . At the end of Oneida lake we 
met Judge John Lansing of the Supreme Court, and Morgan Lewis, Atty. Gen. of 
the State, who went to attend the circuit court in Ontario county. We returned to 
Wood Creek, where we met Abraham Lansing and Jelles Fonda. It was 2 P. M. be- 
fore we arrived at Widow Armstrong's cottage. In an instant the kettle was hung 
on the fire to boil our fresh salmon. We made ourselves an ample compensation for 
our frugal repast at breakfast. Amos Fuller who resides now (with his family) at 
the Widow's until he should be successful as he said in purchasing a farm in this 
neighborhood; he informed us that men from Mass. had been looking over the land 
and were willing to give £1,000 for a township of land and to have 35 families settled 
upon it in 2 years. Fuller tackled his horse to our canoe and dragged it to Fort 
Bull. 

The widow Armstrong mentioned herein was the second wife and 
the widow of Archibald Armstrong, heretofore spoken of. Be- 
tween 1789 and 1792 this Archibald Armstrong died and was 
buried on the east side of the highway which leads to New London 
from the junction of Wood and Canada Creeks. She returned down 
the valley and in 1805 Nicholas Armstrong, son of Archibald, became 
one of the early pioneers of Annsville and settled on the " Indian 
meadows" in that town ; he and Dan Taft and Adam P. Campbell were 
the first settlers of Annsville. 

On July 10, 1793, the first newspaper west of Albany was established 
at New Hartford, and called the Whitestown Gazette. Its proprietors 
were Jedediah Sanger, Samuel Wells, and Elijah Risley. Its printer was 
Richard Vanderberg. After a while it was discontinued, but was re-estab- 
lished in May, 1796, Samuel Wells, proprietor, and William McLean prin- 
ter. In the same year of 1793 the erection of the first church in Oneida 
county was begun at New Hartford ; it was the meeting house where 
the first court of record was held in the county. In January, 1794, the 
Western Centinel was established at Whitesboro by Oliver P. Eaton, who 
was fitted out by Mr. Swords, of New York city, for that purpose. 

In 1793 John W. Bloomfield, who was then twenty-nine years old 
and had been married four years, came on horseback from Burlington, 



138 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

N. J., to visit this part of the State. He became a large landholder in 
this county, was the first supervisor of Camden (1799), after whose wife, 
Ann, the town of Annsville was named. He died in 1848 at the age 
of eighty-four, and in that year was written out by B. J. Beach the fol- 
lowing reminiscences of his trip, taken from his lips; Mr. Beach was his 
grand nephew : 

In the spring of the year 1793 I came to New York State for the first time. Mr. 
Mclllvane, of Burlington, N. J., had purchased 1,600 acres of land in the present 
town of Lee from Joseph Bloomfield, then governor of New Jersey [the Mclllvane 
tract], whose title was derived from Thomas Machin [or Matchin], the original 
patentee, and the conditions of the patent were, that a certain number of settlers 
should be established upon the land within a limited time. I set out on horseback 
in the early part of April, 1793, went up on the west side of the Hudson river, thence 
to Esopus and Albany, and to Schenectady. Of this place the Dutch had at that 
time full possession, and I believe there was not a single English inhabitant. I 
went up the Mohawk on the south side ; the flats were under full cultivation, and not 
divided by fences; the road was open and ran directly through the fields of grain 
and grass. I crossed the Mohawk at Little Falls, and continued on to Fort Schuyler 
[Utica] which was a few rods lower down the river than the site of the present (1848) 
R. R. depot; about where the depot now stands, was the only house, with one ex- 
ception, within the present limits of the present city of Utica. There was already a 
large clearing of 200 acres, but I was unable to get food either for myself or horse, 
and was obliged to continue on without stopping to Whitesboro. This was the prin- 
cipal settlement — the headquarters of civilization in what is now the county of 
Oneida. Here was the office of the county clerk of Herkimer county, kept by Mr. , 
afterwards Judge, Jonas Piatt; here was the most western post-office in the 
State. 1 The tract known as Scriba's Patent, had been contracted to the Messrs. 
Roosevelt at 7 cents an acre, and George Scriba, a merchant of New York city, 
in company with 4 or 5 others, were assignees of the contract. At Whitestown, 
I agreed with Mr. Young, who resided there, and a son-in-law of Judge White, and 
the founder of Youngstown, Ohio, and who was a surveyor, to go with me to point 
out the boundaries of the lands, and was to look after and assist me in the explora- 
tion. We came together to Fort Stanwix, where there was a tavern kept by John 
Barnard, a little northeast of the present Rome court house— a tenant of Dominick 
Lynch. The carrying business, between the Mohawk river and Wood creek, was 
brisk, and the tavern was crowded constantly with boatmen and emigrants. In 
this house, occupying a part of the barroom and of the bar with his goods, was George 
Huntington, then a young unmarried man, who that spring opened the first store in 
Fort Stanwix. Wood and myself went over to the Mclllvane tract, and also explored 
the tract since known as the " 6,000 acre tract," lying between the Mclllvane land and 
Fish creek reservation. That reservation was J a mile wide on each side of that 
stream, from Oneida lake, to, or near to, its source. Finding the land very good, a 
company was formed to purchase of Mr. Scriba 4,000 acres, and to extend it to 6,000 

1 This would indicate that there was a post-office at Whitesboro as early as 1793. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY. 139 

acres, if we thought proper. The price was 12 shillings an acre, and Daniel 
C. White and myself received a joint deed. After further exploring, we concluded 
to extend the purchase to 6,000 acres; the additional 2,000 was' however divided be- 
tween Young, White and myself. After this I went down Wood creek in one of the 
small boats, used in conveying goods. In the same boat was a Frenchman who a 
year ago, had made his escape from France, carrying a nun, whom he had stolen 
from a convent in that country. He had married her, and for the purpose of security 
had taken up his residence upon an island of about 30 acres in Oneida lake, about 3 
miles from shore; now called Frenchman's Island. It is opposite the village of 
Rotterdam, now Constantia. He built a log hut upon it, and mainly supported his 
wife and himself by fishing. This man remained on the island until 1796, when the 
troubles in France, having subsided, he returned to that country. He loaded his 
boat with wife and clothes, and went up Wood creek and down the Mohawk and the 
Hudson, all the way in his boat, and in New York city, Mr. Scriba aided him with 
funds to go to France. I staid at Rotterdam one night, where Mr. Scriba had made 
a considerable of a settlement. We went to Oswego, which the British yet held. 
After my return, to Fort Stanwix, I set out on my return to New Jersey, via Old Fort 
Schuyler, New Hartford, Bridgewater, Unadilla, Cooperstown ; thence to Fort Plain, 
down the south side of the Mohawk to Schenectady and Albany, crossed the Hudson 
and reached the village of Hudson July 4, 1793. Here I was tired and took a boat, 
shipped myself and horse to New York, and reached Burlington July 10, after an 
absence of nearly 3 months. 

Work was begun on the Herkimer jail, and in January, 1793, a law 
was passed authorizing the supervisors to raise ^1,000 to defray the 
expenses already incurred in the erection of those buildings. By the 
same act the county courts were authorized to alternate " between the 
court house in Herkimer, and such place in the town of Whitestown, as 
said courts should order to be entered on the minutes." In pursuance 
of the above act the January term of 1794 of the Common Pleas was 
held at an unfinished meeting house in the village of New Hartford, 
Judge Starring presiding. This was the first court of record held in 
what is now Oneida county. It was at that term of court of which the 
story is told of Sheriff Colbraith, a jolly Irishman. The day was bitterly 
cold, the meeting house insufficiently warmed, and along in the after- 
noon the court directed the crier to adjourn for the day. A jug of 
spirits had been in use by some of the bar to aid them in keeping warm, 
and as the sheriff heard the order to adjourn, he seized the jug and 
holding it towards the bench, cried out: " Oh, no, Judge, don't adjourn 
yet ; take a little gin, Judge j it will keep you warm. 'Tain't time to 
adjourn yet!" And suiting the action to the word, he passed the jug 
up to the court. The court did not then adjourn. After that term 



UO OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

those Herkimer courts alternated between Herkimer and the log school 
house near Hugh White's, which stood on or near the site of the pres- 
ent town hall. 

On March 5, 1794, Onondaga county was taken from Herkimer. 
March 5, 1795, the town of Cazenovia was formed from parts of Paris 
and Whitestown, and three towns were formed from Sangerfield. 
March 4, 1796, the town of Steuben was divided and the towns of Floyd 
and Rome erected from its territory. March 10, 1797, the then town 
of Steuben was divided into three towns of Steuben, Western and Ley- 
den. March 24, 1797, Trenton was taken from the town of Schuyler, 
and by an act passed on the same day, Sangerfield was divided and 
Bridgewater formed from its territory. 

From a series of letters written by a man prior to 1800 and published 
in the Documentary History of New York, the following extracts are 
made : 

The first settlement of the Genesee County, was attempted by Oliver Phelps in 
1789. By the census taken in 1790, it appeared that Ontario county contained 960 
inhabitants, including all travellers, surveyors and their attendants. To remedy the 
inconvenience for want of roads, the legislature passed an act in 1797, authorizing 
the raising of $45,000 by lotteries, towards the construction of a road from Old Fort 
Schuyler to Geneva. The inhabitants through which the road passed made a volun- 
tary contribution of their services and subscribed 4,000 days' work, which they per- 
formed with fidelity and cheerfulness. The State Commissioners were thus enabled 
to complete the road of 100 miles, opening it 64 feet wide and paving with logs and 
gravel, in the moist parts. Hence the road from Old Fort Schuyler to Genesee 
river, instead of being as in June, 1797, little better than an Indian path, was so far 
improved, that a stage started from Old Fort Schuyler September 30, and arrived at 
the hotel in Geneva in the afternoon of the 3d day with 4 passengers. This line of 
road being established by law, not less than 50 families settled on it in the space of 
4 months after it was opened. It now bids fair to be one continuous settlement to 
Geneva, in a few years. All last winter 3 stages, one of them a mail stage, ran from 
Geneva and Canandaigua to Albany, weekly; 3,000 families came into the Genesee 
country in the winter of 1797-8. Land which 6 years ago could not be sold for 25 
cents an acre, is now reckoned cheap at $10 an acre. The cost of the following is 
given : A good log house with 2 rooms, if made by hired men will cost §100 ; a small 
log house, 20 feet square will cost $50 ; 1 yoke of oxen §70 ; a cow $15 ; farming uten- 
sils at first $20; an ox cart $30. This is the least any family can do with. During 
the summer months, sloops are constsntly passing from New York to Albany ; they 
generally run the distance in 2 days, and sometimes in one ; Utica is 96 miles from 
Albany, and the road here is intersected by the Great Genesee Road ; you will find a 
well settled country to Geneva. I will now give you an idea of the route. From 
Old Fort Schuyler to Samuel Laird's tavern [Lairdsville] on the Great Genesee Road 



1788 TO 1806— FORMATION OF THE COUNTY. 141 

is 10 miles. To Abraham Van Epps' [Vernon village] near the Oneida Reservation, 
6 miles. To Wemple's in the Oneida Reservation, 6 miles. To the Deep Spring [in 
Manlins] 11 miles. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1788 TO 1806.— FORMATION OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 

When the American colonies became independent of Great Britain, 
the State of New York held more than 7,000,000 acres of wild, unculti- 
vated and unappropriated lands. A number of patents of lands had 
been granted prior to 1791 ; as to those in Oneida county, see the chap- 
ter on State patents. Those were patents comparatively small in amount, 
and but few sales had been actually made, considering the amount of 
land in the market. The State being in want of funds and all well- 
wishers of the growth and prosperity of the State being desirous to in- 
duce settlements in the wilds of New York, favored more numerous and 
extensive grants, as it was agreed, thereby the patentees would be influ- 
ential in inducing settlers to take up lands. Accordingly in 1791 over 
5,000,000 acres were disposed of, for the sum of $1,030,433. Among 
the sales was a parcel of 3,635,200 acres to Alexander Macomb, for 
eight cents an acre, in the northern part of the State, it being on the 
northern boundary of Oneida county. Another parcel of 500,000 acres 
was sold to J. I. and Nicholas Roosevelt (Scriba's Patent) for three shil- 
lings and one penny an acre, mostly in Oswego county. Other parcels 
were also sold, some for two and some for one shilling an acre. Such 
large sales, especially the Macomb Purchase, created a great deal of 
excitement at the time and serious accusations were made against the 
commissioners of the land office, especially as the prices of the different 
parcels were so different. The upshot of it was, the sales were confirmed 
and there was no real belief that anything dishonest had been practiced. 

The above is not strictly a part of the history of Oneida county, but 
it is placed in this connection as showing the influence those sales had 
in attracting to this region a large class of settlers and hastening the 
organization of Oneida county. Settlers had pushed their way into 



142 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Redfield and other parts of Oswego county and into what are now the 
counties of Jefferson and Lewis, and quite numerously into this county, 
so that the clamor for a new county was much greater than it had been 
seven years before, when Herkimer county was formed. On the 15th 
of March, 1798, a new county was formed from Herkimer, and at the / 
suggestion of a resident of Whitesboro, it was named after that nation 
of the Iroquois Confederacy whose territory the new county was to 
occupy. By the act creating Oneida county, it was provided that there 
should be held in said county a Court of Common Please and General 
Sessions of the Peace, three times in each year, to commence and end 
as follows : The first term to begin the third Tuesday of May [then next] 
and may continue till the Saturday following inclusive. The second 
term to begin the first Tuesday in September, and may continue until 
the Saturday following inclusive; and the third term to begin the last 
Tuesday of December and end on the Saturday following inclusive. 
Nothing was contained in said act to prevent the judges and justices 
adjourning on any day previous to Saturday in any of said weeks, if the 
business of said courls permitted the same. It was further provided that 
said terms of the court should be held at the school house near Fort. 
Stanwix in the town of Rome in said county. That school house was 
erected in 1795 and stood at the southwest corner of the West Park, 
across Park street from the present city hall building. It was made 
lawful to confine Oneida county prisoners in Herkimer county jail, until 
a jail in Oneida county was erected. The justices of the Supreme Court 
were not required to hold a Circuit Court in Oneida county in the year 
1798, unless in their judgment they deemed it proper and necessary. 
Oneida, Herkimer, and Otsego counties were constituted a district for 
the prosecution of offenses, under the charge of the assistant attorney- 
general. It was provided that the court house and jail in and for 
Oneida county should be erected within one mile of Fort Stanwix, as 
the surpervisors of the several towns in the county should designate. 
Three members of assembly for the county were to be elected. The 
first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the county was to be held 
at said school house on the last Tuesday of May, 1798. The following 
were the first county officers : 
First judge, Jedediah Sanger, of New Hartford; side judges, Hugh White, of 



1788 TO 1806— FORMATION OP THE COUNTY. 143 

Whitesboro ; David Ostrom, Utica, George Huntington, Rome, James Dean, of 
Westmoreland; sheriff, William Colbraith, Rome; county clerk, Jonas Piatt, 
Whitesboro ; surrogate, Arthur Breese, Whitesboro. The following were appointed 
assistant justices; Amos Wetmore, Needham Maynard, and Elizur Mosely, Whites- 
boro; Thomas Cassety, Augusta; Garret Boon, Boonville; Adrian Vanderkemp, 
Trenton; Peter Colt, Rome; and Henry Mc'Neil. For justices of the peace, James 
S. Kip, James Steele, Mathias Hurlbut, James Sheldon, Jared Chittenden, Joseph 
Jennings, Reuben Long, Ithamer Coe, Jesse Curtiss, Kirkland Griffin, William 
Blount. James Kinney, Ephraim Waldo, Thomas Converse, Joseph Jones, Daniel 
Chapman, Ebenezer Hawley, Abram Camp, Joshua Hathaway, Jesse ' Pierce, 
Mathew Brown, jr., Daniel W. Knight, Samuel Sizer, Ebenezer Weeks, William 
Olney, Henry Wager. John Hall, Isaac Alden, Joseph Strickland, Samuel Royce, 
John W. Bloomfield, Benjamin Wright, Luke Fisher, Jonathan Collins, John Storrs,' 
D. C. I. De Angelis, Stephen Moulton, Abel French, Daniel J. Curtiss, Samuel 
Howe, Rozel Fellows, Rudolph Gillier, Medad Curtiss, John Townsend, Abial Linds- 
ley, G. Camp, Alexander Coventry, and John Bristol, (48). 

The first Court of Oyer and Terminer for Oneida county was held on 
June S, 1798, by James Kent, justice of the Supreme Court, at the 
aforesaid school house, assisted by George Huntington, side judge of 
the Common Pleas, and by Thomas Cassety and Elizur Moseley, assist- 
ant justices. The next Oyer and Terminer was held on the second 
Tuesday of September, 1798, at the school house. The first term of 
the Common Pleas was held at the said school house on the third Tues- 
day in May, 1 798, present Jedediah Sanger, first judge, and George Hunt - 
ington and David Ostrom, side judges. Thomas R. Gold, Joseph Kirkland, 
Arthur Breese, Joshua Hathaway, Erastus Clark, Joab Griswold, Nathan 
Williams, Francis A Bloodgood, Rufus Easton, Jonas Piatt, and Medad 
Curtiss having been theretofore admitted as attorneys to the Herkimer 
Common Pleas, were at that term of the court admitted to the Oneida 
Common Pleas. 

The first Circuit Court held in Oneida county was also at the same 
school house on the second Tuesday of September, 1798, by Hon. John 
Lansing, chief justice of the Supreme Court.' Previous to May, 1802, 
the county courts were held at the Rome school house. 

For over 200 years the office of justice of the peace has existed in 
New York. Before the Revolution justices were appointed by the 
colonial Governor and Council ; after the Revolution by the Council of 
Appointment. As many were appointed in each county (not by towns) 
as were deemed necessary " to keep the peace." In colonial times they 



144 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

were called the " king's justices." Under the first Constitution of New 
York in 1777, justices held their office at pleasure of the appointing 
power, but the commissions must issue at least every three years. Jan- 
uary 30 1787, an act was passed providing " that every county in this 
State, good and lawful men of the best reputation and who were known 
to be no maintainers of evil or barrators, shall be assigned under the 
great seal, from time to time, justices to keep the peace in the same 
counties." By an act passed April 11, 1808, suitors (except in the 
case of sickness) were not allowed to have attorneys appear and advo- 
cate for them; this act was repealed in 18 10. In 18 13 it was enacted 
that in every county in this State, "fit and discreet men should be ap- 
pointed to keep the peace." By the State Constitution of 1821, boards 
of supervisors and the Court of Common Pleas were authorized to act 
together and appoint justices of the peace, who were to hold office for 
four years, and to appoint as many in each town as should be provided 
by law. April 17, 1826, an act was passed submitting to the people 
an amendment to that Constitution, authorizing the electors of the sev- 
eral towns, at the annual election (not town meeting) to elect justices of 
the peace. That amendment was adopted. An act was passed May 4, 
1829, authorizing justices to be elected at town meetings, four in each 
town. 

On the organization of the county the same act creating Oneida 
county provided, that part of the town of Frankfort included within 
Oneida county was added to and made a part of the town of Whites- 
town ; and all that part of the town of Schuyler included in Oneida 
county was erected into the town of Deerfield ; and all that part of the 
town of Norway within Oneida county was erected into the town of 
Remsen, and the town of Augusta was erected from all that part of 
Whitestown bounded westerly and southerly by the county of Che- 
nango, easterly by the Brothertown Reservation and Paris, and north- 
erly by the southernmost " Great Genesee Road " ; and the remainder 
of Whitestown lying within the Oneida Reservation was annexed to 
Westmoreland. 

By an act passed April 3, 1798, "Old Fort Schuyler" was incorpo- 
rated into the village of Utica. An act passed March 13, 1799, direct- 
ing the then clerk of Oneida county to deliver to the Herkimer county 



1788 TO 1806— FORMATION OF THE COUNTY. 145 

clerk all records, books, and papers appertaining to the clerk's office of 
the latter, excepting deed and mortgage books, and as to those they 
were to be retained by the Oneida county clerk and he to give a certi- 
fied copy of them to be recorded in Herkimer county, so far as they re- 
lated to Herkimer county lands. Those record books are yet in Oneida 
county clerk's office. A fire in 1804 in the Herkimer county clerk's 
office destroyed all the books, papers and records then in that county 
clerk's office. 

By an act passed March 15, 1799, the town of Mexico was divided 
and the town of Camden was erected out of the portion taken off. 
Camden then contained what are now the towns of Annsville, Camden, 
Vienna and Verona. In 1793 the third newspaper was started in Oneida 
county, at Rome, called the Columbian Patriotic Gazette. Its first 
issue was dated August 15, 1799, and Thomas Walker and Ebenezer 
Eaton were its proprietors. The Gazette in 1803 was removed to Utica. 

On March 14, 1800, Redfield was erected into a town from Mexico. 
It will be remembered that when Oneida county was formed it included 
the present counties of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence, and that 
part of Oswego county lying east of the Oswego River, and also Oneida 
Lake. 

An act was passed April 7, 1800, authorizing the Board of Supervis- 
ors of Oneida county at their annual meeting in the next May, to raise 
$3,000 to build a jail in Oneida county, pursuant to a petition of the 
supervisors ; and the prisoners were to be removed to said jail when 
the sheriff of the county reported that it was finished. Nothing indi- 
cates where the jail was to be built nor who was to authorize its con- 
struction. 

The law of 1798 organizing Oneida county provided for the erection 
of a court house and jail within one mile of the school house at Fort 
Stanwix, as the supervisors should designate ; and that county courts 
then named should be held at that school house ; yet the act did not 
provide where the Circuit Courts of Oyer and Terminer should be held, 
nor where the county clerk's office should be located and its reports 
kept, nor where other county buildings should be located. At that 
time there were three persons residing in different localities within the 
county, men of influence, who had large landed interests to be bene- 



146 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

fited by the erection of the county buildings and the designation of the 
county seat, viz.: Dominick Lynch, of Rome, Jedediah Sanger, of New 
Hartford, and Hugh White, of Whitesboro. The first named was a 
resident of New York city, but he owned a large acreage of lands at the 
" Oneida Carrying Place " ; Judge Sanger was a large land owner at 
New Hartford, and Judge White at Whitesboro. Judge Sanger had 
large political influence, but it is not recorded that he donated, or offered 
to donate, a site for any of the county buildings. Mr. Lynch in 1796 
mapped out for a village plot the territory then owned by him, which 
included what is now the business portion of Rome city, and he divided 
it into village or city lots, gave it the name of Lynchville, and engrafted 
upon his tenure system " durable leases " for a term of years (except in 
a few instances), instead of conveyances in fee. By a deed of convey- 
ance Mr. Lynch on the 2 1st of May, 1800, conveyed to the Board of 
Supervisors of Oneida county the East and West Parks and the sites 
now occupied by the court house and jail, for the use of these buildings, 
and also provided that all on the east side of James street should be laid 
out and appropriated for the purpose of building and erecting, and to 
the use of the court house and jail, and that all the part west of James 
street, for the purpose of building and erecting a church and school 
house thereon, which church and school house shall be established and 
built according to the direction of a majority of the freeholders of the 
town of Rome, for the benefit of all the inhabitants of said town. About 
the time that deed was given, individuals erected on the site now occu- 
pied by the jail a wooden structure for a jail one story high, made of 
hewn timber, flattened and dove- tailed together so that it was a firm and 
substantial structure for those times. The timber was blocks of wood 
one foot to eighteen inches in thickness and two and one-half feet long 
That was before the site for a court house and jail was fixed, and it was 
doubtless erected in view of Mr. Lynch's deed and to influence the offi- 
cial location of those buildings. 

In 1800 the second United States census was ordered to be taken. It 
was ordered to be commenced on the first Monday in August and to be 
completed within nine months thereafter. Indians not taxed were 
omitted from the lists. The enumeration was to be made as of the first 



1788 TO 1806— FORMATION OP THE COUNTY. 147 

Monday in August, 1800. That census shows the population in the 
respective towns then comprising Oneida county as follows : 

Town. Formed in Population. 

Augusta,. 1798,. 1,598 

Bridgewater, 1797,..' ._ 1,061 

Deerfield, _ 1798 1,048 

Floyd, 1796, _ 767 

Leyden, 1797, ._ 622 

Mexico, 1796, 246 

Paris,... 1792,.... 4,721 

Remsen, 1798,. __ 224 

Rome,. 1796 1,497 

Steuben 1792, 552 

Trenton, ..1797, 624 . 

Westmoreland,.. .1797 _ 1,493 

Whitestown, . _ 1788 4,212 

Total 18,665 

An act was passed March 30, 1801, making it lawful for all officers 
of Oneida county to confine their prisoners in the jail in Herkimer 
county, until a jail is erected in Oneida county ; and that as soon as 
the sheriff of Oneida county shall deem the jail directed to be built in 
that county sufficiently finished for the safe keeping of prisoners, the 
same shall from thence be the jail of Oneida county, and the sheriff 
shall so remove his prisoners. At the December term of the Common 
Pleas of 1801, Sheriff Broadhead reported the jail at Whitesboro was 
completed, and that authorized prisoners to be removed there under the 
act before mentioned. 

On the 3d of April, 1801, the State Legislature divided the State 
into counties, making the boundary of Oneida county more definite as 
follows : 

All that part of the State bounded easterly by the county of Herkimer, northerly 
by the County of Clinton, and by the northern bounds of this State, from the most 
westerly corner of the County of Clinton to a place in Lake Ontario where the said 
northern bounds shall be intersected by the new pre-emption line aforesaid, con- 
tinued due north; westerly by the line last mentioned to the south bank of Lake 
Ontario ; and southerly by the counties of Cayuga, Onondaga, and Chenango, and the 
Southern bounds of the- patent granted to William Bayard and others, called the 
" Freemasons' Patent." 

Under an act passed April 7, 1801, describing the divisions of the 



148 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

various counties into towns, the following were named as the then ex- 
isting subdivisions of Oneida county: 

Bridgewater, erected from Sangerfield March 24, 1797 (annexed to 
Oneida county April 4, 1804) 

Deerfield, erected from Schuyler (then Herkimer county) March 15, 
1798. 

Trenton, erected from Schuyler (in Herkimer county) March 24, 
1797. 

Paris, erected from Whitestown, April 2, 1792. 

Whitestown, erected March 7, 1788. 

Remsen, erected from Norway (in Herkimer county) March 15, 1798. 

Floyd, erected from Steuben March 4, 1796. 

Steuben, erected from Whitestown April 10, 1792. 

Western, erected from Steuben March 10, 1797. 

Leyden, erected from Steuben March 10, 1797 (taken into Lewis 
county when it was erected, in 1805). 

Rome, erected from Steuben March 4, 1796. 

Camden, erected from Mexico (now Oswego county) March 15, 
1799. 

Redfield, erected from Mexico March 14, 1800 (taken into Oswego 
county when it was erected in 1816). 

Watertown, erected from Mexico March 14, 1800 (taken into Jeffer- 
son county when it was erected in 1805). 

Champion, erected from Mexico March 14, 1800 (taken into Jefferson 
county in 1805). 

Lowville, erected from Mexico March 14, 1800 (taken into Lewis 
county in 1805). 

Turin, erected from Mexico March 14, 1800 (taken into Lewis county 
into 1805). 

Mexico, erected from Whitestown April 10, 1792, as part of Her- 
kimer county, and taken into Oswego county in 18 16 

Westmoreland, erected from Whitestown April 10, 1792. 

Augusta, erected from Whitestown March 15, 1798. 

Of this list of twenty towns seven are now in other counties, as noted. 
To the remaining thirteen have since been added thirteen others, be- 
sides the city of Utica, the erection of which was as follows : 



1788 TO 1806— FORMATION OF THE COUNTY. 149 

Annsville, formed from Lee, Florence, Camden and Vienna April 12, 
1823. 

Ava, formed from Boonville May 12, 1846. 

Boonville, formed from Leyden (Lewis county) March 28, 1805. 

Florence, formed from Camden February 16, 1805. 

Kirkland, formed from Paris April 13, 1827. 

Lee, formed from Western April 3, 181 1. 

Marcy, formed from Deerfield March 30, 1832. 

Marshall, formed from Kirkland February 21, 1829. 

New Hartford, from Whitestown April 12, 1827. 

Sangerfield, formed from Paris March 5, 1795. 

Utica, formed as a town from Whitestown April 7, 18 17. 

Vernon, formed from Westmoreland and Augusta February 17, 1802. 

Verona, formed from Westmoreland February 17, 1802. 

Vienna, formed from Camden April 3, 1807 (as Orange). 

The first attempt to divide Oneida county after its erection was dis- 
cussed in the early years of the century and in 1804 assumed tangible 
form. Three delegates were chosen from each of the towns most inter- 
ested in the project and they met on the 20th of November, of the year 
named, at the house of Freedom Wright, in what is now the town of 
Denmark (Lewis county). The usual contention for the location of the 
county seat of the proposed new county ensued among the delegates 
and it was found impossible to come to an agreement. The problem 
was finally solved by a proposition to erect two new counties instead of 
one, and application was made to the Legislature to this effect. The 
result was the passage of the act of March 28, 1805, erecting Lewis 
and Jefferson counties. This left Oneida county with substantially its 
present territory and all of the present county of Oswego lying east of 
Oswego River, which was taken off on the 1st March, 18 16. 

On the 6th of April, 1801, the Legislature appointed Thomas Jenkins 
and Hezekiah L. Hosmer, of Saratoga, and Dirck Lane, of Rensselaer 
county, commissioners for designating the place for a court house and 
jail in Oneida county ; and said commissioners by said act, to repair to 
the county, as soon as may be after May 1st, and after exploring the 
county, to ascertain and designate a fit and proper place therein, for 
erecting said building, having respect or reference to a future division 



150 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the county; and it was provided, that in the opinion of any two of 
said commissioners, the building erected for a jail in the town of Rome 
by individuals of the same county, shall be at a proper place and duly 
constructed for the purpose aforesaid, then in that case, the supervisors 
of said county were directed to audit the accounts of such individuals 
for erecting said jail and allow such just sum therefor as might with 
reasonable economy have been necessarily expended upon the same 
building, and thereupon draw an order or orders in favor of such indi- 
viduals upon the county treasurer of Oneida county for same ; and it 
was further provided, that if said commissioners or any two of them 
shall agree and designate any other place than that at which the said 
building for a jail is so erected, as a fit and proper place for such court 
house mid jail, and file a certificate with the county clerk, then and in 
that case it shall and may be lawful for the said supervisors, and they 
are required to appoint one or more commissioners to erect a jail for 
said county at the place designated, to be constructed upon such plan 
and in such manner as said supervisors shall prescribe. And the 
supervisors were required by said act to audit and pay the accounts of 
such commissioners in erecting said jail; provided, that in case the 
commissioners above named, or any three of them, shall not be able to 
agree upon a place for said court house and jail, it shall then be their 
duty to nominate an additional commissioner to associate with them in 
discharging said trust, and the determination of any three of them to be 
final. It was further provided by said act, that the building erected, or 
to be erected, for said jail and so designated, shall be the jail of said 
county, and as soon as said building shall, in the opinion of the sheriff 
of Oneida county, be finished in such manner as to confine his prisoners, 
it was made lawful for such sheriff to remove his prisoners in his county 
to such jail. It was further provided, that in case the jail was not 
selected which the individuals had erected, then the supervisors were 
directed to audit and pay the accounts of said individuals for erecting 
said jail. 

Mr. Hosmer, one of the commissioners named, was member of con- 
gress from Columbia county in 1797 98. Mr. Thompson was county 
judge of Saratoga county in 179 1, member of congress in 1797-98, and 



1788 TO 1806— FORMATION OF THE COUNTY. 151 

a member of the State constitutional convention in 1801. Mr. Lane 
was a member of assembly from Rensselaer county in 1809. 

Following dates in chronological order as far as practical and con- 
venient, it need be stated that on April 7, 1801, the counties of the 
State were subdivided into towns, and that the towns in Oneida county 
in that year were as follows : Augusta, Bridgewater, Camden, Champion, 
Deerfield, Floyd, Leyden, Lowville, Mexico, Paris, Redfield, Remsen, 
'Rome, Steuben, Turin, Trenton, Watertown, Western, Westmoreland, 
and Whitestown (20). 

Matters in reference to locating the court house and jail were ap- 
proaching a crisis and Hugh White bestirred, himself. On the 20th of 
June, 1 801, he conveyed to the Board of Supervisors of Oneida county 
one acre and fifty-three rods of land in Whitesboro, on the corner of 
the road leading to Utica and the one leading to Middle Settlement, 
for the sole and exclusive use of a court house and " gaol " (as that 
word was then spelled), for said county buildings to be erected thereon, 
and for no other use, cultivation or improvement whatever, except for 
a public parade or common forever ; subject to the express condition 
that the said supervisors shall erect and set up a good and sufficient 
fence around said grounds and keep the same in repair; and in default, 
said grant to become void. Said deed was acknowledged before Arthur 
Breese, master in chancery, September 28, 1801, and recorded the same 
day. As before stated, Sheriff Broadhead reported to the court in De- 
cember, 1 801, that the jail was completed sufficient for prisoners. It 
was constructed similar to, if not exactly like, the Rome jail ; the cor- 
ners fastened by pins (like the jail in Rome). The structure is now 
used as a residence ; the court house is now used as a town hall. When 
those buildings ceased to be used for the original purposes, the prop- 
erty reverted to the heirs of Hugh White, the grantor. In a chancery 
partition and sale of property, Hon. Philo White, a descendant of the 
donor, became the owner, and he in 1 860 donated the old court house for a 
town hall to the village and town for public purposes; and he also donated 
or dedicated the public green in front for similar uses and purposes to 
the same municipal bodies. 

An act was passed February 20, 1802, authorizing and directing the 
supervisors of Oneida county to levy $539 for the purpose of complet- 



152 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ing the jail in said county. It is not said which jail, but the one at 
Whitesboro is presumably the one. 

On March 3, 1802, the county of St. Lawrence was taken from 
Oneida county. On February 17, 1802, the towns of Verona and 
Vernon were formed of parts of the towns of Augusta and Westmore- 
land. On April [ of the same year the towns of Leyden, Mexico and 
Watertown (then in Oneida county) were divided and the towns of 
Adams, Brownville, and Rutland, now in Jefferson county, were formed 
from their territory. 

An act passed February 22, 1803, divided the towns of Champion, 
Lowville, Mexico, and Turin, and the new towns of Ellisburgh, Harris- 
burgh, and Martinsburgh were formed therefrom ; and by an act passed 
on the same day, all such parts of the Steuben Patent as were pre- 
viously included in the towns of Remsen and Trenton were annexed to 
the town of Steuben. 

Prior to 1802 all the courts in Oneida county were held at the school 
house near Fort Stanwix ; in that year they were held at the school 
house near Hugh White's in Whitesboro. By an act passed April 6, 
1803, the courts of Oyer and Terminer and the Circuit Courts in Oneida 
county were authorized to be held either in Rome or Whitesboro, at 
the discretion of the justices of the Supreme Court ; and the courts of 
General Sessions of the Peace and the Common Pleas in and for said 
county were required to be alternately held between Rome and Whites- 
town. And the same act provided, that the commissioners appointed 
by the supervisors of the county for building the jail in said county were 
directed to cause the doors of the jail lately built at Rome to be made 
complete, and the supervisors were directed to audit and pay the ac- 
counts. On February 26, 1803, an act was passed authorizing the su- 
pervisor of Oneida county to raise $500 for finishing and completing 
the jail at Whitestown. 

The following shows the towns of Oneida county in 1803, the number 
of residents and non-residents, the names of the supervisors, and the 
aggregate valuation in each town : 



1788 TO 1806— FORMATION OF THE COUNTY. 



1803. 
SUPERVISORS AND TOWNS. 



1. Jedediah Phelps, Verona... 

2. Daniel Kelley, Lowville 

3. Sheldon Parmelee, Augusta 

4. Gershom Hinckley, Jr., Remsen. 

5. Joseph Jones, Westmoreland 

6. Jesse Curtis, Paris... _ 

7. Henry Huntington, Rome. _ 

8. Geo. Doolittle, Whitestown 

9. Samuel Wetmore, Vernon 

10. Nathan Sage, Redfield 

11. Henry Wager, Western 

12. Isaac Brayton, Deerfield 

13. Henry Coffeen, Watertown. 

14. Asa Brayton, Martinsburg 

15. Silas Southwell, Leyden 

16. David Coffeen. Rutland 

17. Samuel Sizer, Steuben 

18. Eleazer House, Turin 

19. Noadiah Hubbard, Champion 

20. Jacob Brown, Brownville 

21. Jarvis Pike, Floyd 

22. Lewis Graves, Harrisburg. 

23. Nicholas Salisbury, Adams 

24. Reuben Hamilton, Mexico 

25. John Humaston, Camden.. 

26. John Storrs, Trenton 

27. Asher Flint, Bridge water 



2 








;d 


8 


Pi 


4> 




Pi 














Z, 


is 


107 


28 


161 




224 


7 


53 


24 


171 


17 


758 


28 


248 


25 


600 


6 


160 


9 


55 


17 


252 


30 


181 


16 


163 


24 


53 


13 


183 


42 


129 


18 


143 


25 


145 


7 


93 


16 


124 


6 


142 


25 


110 


9 


120 


12 


121 


45 


194 


29 


158 


17 


187 


12 



5 48 

41 

82 

57 

211 

403 

189 

705 

65 

52 

127 

240 

46 

45 

287 

29 

75. 

279 

27 

484 

149 

54 

83 

628 

129 

116 

145 



,129.00 
,300.00 
,271.00 
,544.00 
,223.00 
,139.00 
,748.00 
,113.00 

966.00 
,537.50 
,043.00 
,532.00 
,412.10 
,418.80 
,885.77 
,734.00 
,209.11 
,824.00 
,263.00 
,856.75 
,332.00 
,006.00 

455.37 
,071.00 
i,499.00 
1,250.70 
,441.00 



By an act passed March 24, 1804, the towns of Adams and Mexico, 
then in Oneida county, were divided, and the towns of Harrison, Malta, 
and Williamstown formed out of such division. February 16, 1805, 
the town of Camden was divided and the town of Florence formed 
therefrom. 

And now the time was near at hand when it was self-evident that the 
county of Oneida was to be divided and one or more counties formed 
from the territory detached. The settlement in what are now Jefferson 
and Lewis counties, and in the town of Redfield and contiguous terri- 
tory, placed the inhabitants of those localities at a great inconvenience 
in going to Rome for a county seat, as the settlers in Oneida and Herki- 
mer counties had suffered in going to Johnstown and later to Herkimer 
for county seats, before Herkimer and Oneida counties were or- 



154 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ganized. In 1804 the excitement ran high. The towns of Redfield, 
Champion, Watertown, Brownville, Lowville, and Martinsburgh aspired 
to be county seats. The first two named did not expect the honor if 
two counties were formed. At Redfield Square was quite a settlement, 
made prior to 1800. The leader there was Capt. Nathan Sage; he had 
been in the Revolution, commander of the war vessel Middletown, six- 
teen guns and one hundred men, and came from Connecticut about 
1795. At Champion was Judge Noadiah Hubbard, father of the late 
Judge F. W. Hubbard, of Watertown. He went in 1797 from Steuben 
in Oneida county, with a number of others, to settle on the new town - 
ship now known as Champion, and to act as agent for the two owners 
(Champion and Storrs). He started in the fall, went down Black River 
to Carthage, then known as Long Falls ; thence across the country 
eight to ten miles through an unbroken wilderness to Champion. There 
were also in 1804 settled at Champion three young lawyers, in expecta- 
tion that it would be selected as the county seat, viz. : Moss Kent, 
Egbert Ten Eyck, and Henry R. Storrs. Mr. Kent was brother of 
Chancellor Kent and land agent for land owners ; later assemblyman 
and congressman from Jefferson. Mr. Ten Eyck was later county 
judge and member of congress and of the Assembly ; he was later the 
father-in-law of the late Judge Mullin. Henry R. Storrs was son 
of one of the proprietors of the township and went from Whitesboro to 
Champion ; when that town did not become a county seat he returned 
to Whitesboro, became one of the most eloquent jury lawyers in the 
State, judge of Oneida county and member of congress four terms. 
At Watertown was Henry Coffeen, the first county clerk, and a host of 
other strong men. At Brownville was Gen. Jacob Brown, who settled 
there in 1799 and was agent for Le Ray. He, like Colonel Willett, 
was of Quaker origin, yet both became military heroes, Colonel Willett 
in the Revolution, and General Brown in the war of 18 12. At Lowville 
was Judge Stow and at Martinsburgh General Martin, both with large 
landed interests to be benefited by the location of the county seat. All 
of these men, as well as most of those who settled in the " rural dis- 
tricts" early in the present century, and seventy- five or even fifty years 
ago, were generally remarkable men. " They were giants in those days." 
Those in this county whose names readily come to memory, without 



1806 TO 1812. 155 

consulting records, are such men as Judge Amos Woodworth of 
Florence; Caleb Goodrich and Richard Hurlburt, of Boonville ; Judge 
Israel Stoddard, of Camden the " king of the Fish Creek nation," who 
carried the towns of Camden, Annsville, Vienna, and Verona in his 
pocket ; Delos De Wolf, of Bridgewater ; " King" David Moulton, of 
Floyd ; Hiram Shays and the Prescotts, of New Hartford ; John D. 
Leland of Deerfield ; Aaron Stafford, of Sangerfield ; Judge Truman 
Enos, and Pomroy Jones, of Westmoreland ; David and Squire Utley, 
and the Wagers and the Braytons, of Western; Israel S. Parker, of 
Vienna. 

Well, the outcome of the division of Oneida county was that two 
counties were taken off, Jefferson and Lewis; the one named after the 
then president of the United States, and the other after Morgan Lewis, 
then governor of the State. The county seat for Jefferson was located 
at Watertown ; the one for Lewis at Martinsburgh. The act incorpo- 
rating those counties passed March 28, 1805 ; and by the same act the 
town of Boonville was formed from that of Leyden which remained in 
Oneida county. 



CHAPTER XIV 

1806 TO 1812. 

On March 21, 1806, an act was passed dividing the town of Mexico, 
then in Oneida county, and forming the town of Fredericksburg (now 
Volney, Oswego county) from a portion of the territory. 

On the 2d of April, 1806, an act was passed authorizing the Board of 
Supervisors of Oneida county to raise $4,000 for the purpose of build- 
ing the court houses in the county, one to be erected near the jail at 
Whitesboro, and one near the jail at Rome. These two court houses 
were erected accordingly and completed about 1807. Both were built 
of brick. The one at Whitesboro is still standing and is now used as the 
town hall; over the front door is a marble tablet bearing the inscription, 
" Erected in 1807." The court house in Rome was erected at the same 



156 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

time and was destroyed by fire March 15, 1848. At the time of the fire 
there were three prisoners in the jail (two men and one woman), and one 
of the prisoners was first to give the alarm ; he stated the smoke found 
its way into his room, and seemed to come from the roof of the jail, and 
the fire had made such headway when first discovered, it was evident 
the jail could not be saved ; the court house was forty feet westerly 
from the jail, and between the two buildings was a wooden build- 
ing ; that was torn down to save the court house, but of no use. The 
prisoners were removed and Mrs. Calvin Washburn, the jailor's wife, 
was sick in bed ; she, too, was carried to a place of safety. The west 
wind was blowing furiously, and carried burning cinders and shingles 
to near dwellings, and also to the roof of the M. E. church, which then 
stood in close proximity. A burning shingle was carried by the wind 
to the spire of that church and lodged above the dome and set it on fire. 
A number of men went up the steeple on the inside, and Albert Soper, 
more venturesome than the rest, broke a hole through the top of the 
dome, and went to the outside, and at that dizzy height, with one hand 
clung to the edges of the loose tin with which the dome was covered, 
and with the other hand and a tin dipper, dashed water on and put out 
the fire. A number of old residents remember that fire ; but nothing 
was so vividly impressed on their memories, as they related to the au- 
thor the story of that fire, as that daring, fearless adventure of Albert 
Soper. A sketch and a picture of Mr. Soper, appear elsewhere in this 
volume. It is supposed both court buildings were very much alike, if 
not exactly the same, and smaller than the present Rome court house. 
Where the brick were made which were used in the buildings is uncer- 
tain. They were brought from Albany via the Mohawk River. John 
Healt came to Rome in 18 16 from Herkimer county. His son, David 
W., now over seventy-five years old, and John Healt's daughter, Sarah, 
now over eighty, relate that they often heard their father say that he 
helped pole the boats up the Mohawk from Albany which carried those 
brick ; that their father in those days did much of that kind of work and 
that his shoulders were as raw as a piece of uncooked beef, caused by 
the pole resting against them while pushing boats up the stream. When 
the Rome court house was burned in 1848, Woodman Kimball, an old 
Rome contractor, had the job of building the present Rome court house 



1806 TO 1812. 157 

and the right to the old brick. The brick were used by him in erecting 
the dwelling which was his, and which now stands on the corner of 
George and Court streets. 

February 20, 1807, the town of Williamstown, then in Oneida county, 
was divided and the town of Richland formed, and a part added to the 
town of Redfield. By an act passed April 3, of the same year, the town 
of Camden was divided and the town of Orange was formed from it. 
On April 6, 1808, Orange was changed to the town of Bengal, and on 
April 12, 18 16, that town was changed to the present town of Vienna. 
On April 8, 1808, the town of Williamstown in Oneida county was 
again divided and the town of Constantia was erected. 

In February, 1808, an act was passed authorizing the governor of 
New York to distribute military stores in different parts of the State, 
and among other places Rome was designated as the depository of 700 
stand of arms. The records of Oneida county clerk's office show that 
in June, 1809, Dominick Lynch deeded to the State by gift a parcel of 
land now occupied by St. Peter's church in Rome, on the road leading 
to Floyd. The premises were 98 by 200 feet and were to be used for 
a deposit for military stores ; and when for three years they ceased to 
be used for that purpose, the land was to revert to the grantor. A 
brick building with a stone foundation was erected about 1809 or 1810 
and used by the State for storing arms until 1822. On May 22 of that 
year that. building was destroyed by fire, after which the arms not 
burned were removed to the U. S. Arsenal, then on Wood Creek, Rome, 
now the bath tub factory. 

On March 19, 1810, an act was passed directing the supervisors of 
Oneida county to raise money not exceeding $1,000 for the purpose of 
completing the court houses in the county. 

April 5, 181 1, the town of Fredericksburgh, Oneida county, was 
divided and the town ofScriba was formed from its territory, and the 
rest of the town of Fredericksburgh took the name of Volney. 

March 1, 1816, the towns of Constantia, Mexico, New Haven, Red- 
field, Richland, Scriba, Volney, Williamstown (all then in Oneida 
county), and Hannibal in Onondaga county, were formed into a new 
county named Oswego. Whatever other changes were subsequently 
made in the towns of Oneida county will be described in the history of 



158 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the respective towns. The matters contained in preceding chapters 
relative to the formation of Oneida county show how it happened that 
our county was given two court houses and two jails — in fact two county 
seats. 

Members of the local bar half a century ago, whose memories went 
back a quarter of a century farther, stated to the author that they re- 
membered when stocks and the pillory were in use in this county for 
the punishment of minor offenses. Hamilton Spencer, son of the late 
Joshua A. Spencer, stated that among his early recollections of Whites - 
boro jail, was seeing a man in the stocks standing in the court house 
yard for some minor offense. The stocks were made of two upright 
posts and a platform on which the offender sat, while his legs were 
thrust through two holes in a board in front of the platform, and there 
fastened The pillory was similar except that the offender's head and 
arms were put through the board in front. The late Harmon Pease 
and Hon. Philo White, of Whitesboro, related seeing in their younger 
days the stocks in the court yard in that village, about midway between 
the court house and Main street. 

By an act passed March 24, 1787, punishment for petit larceny by 
whipping was authorized, not to exceed thirty-nine lashes in one day ; 
and whipping posts were in use and in jail yards after the American 
Revolution ; but by an act passed March 26, 1796, that mode of pun- 
ishment was abolished. By an act passed February 7, 1788, forcer- 
tain offenses and in certain cases the offenders were ordered " set in the 
pillory for the space of one hour, in some town or public place, where 
the offense was committed." Cooper, in his " Pioneers," describes the 
punishment of Leathsr Stocking, in what is now Otsego county, by 
placing him in the stocks. That old Indian hunter and trapper, whose 
domain was the boundless woods, and who never knew what fear, con- 
finement, or restraint was, was humiliated beyond measure to be thus 
deprived of his liberty, even for one hour. 

February 23, an act was passed authorizing convicted offenders to be 
placed in the stocks for. two hours for drunkenness, profane cursing and 
swearing, and similar offenses. This mode of punishment was abolished 
in this State about the time of the adoption of the Revised Statutes, 
not far from 1830. 



1806 TO 1812. 159 

April 30, 1890, Congress authorized for certain offenses against the 
United States, that the offender should be punished by whipping, not 
to exceed thirty-nine lashes in one day. February 28, 1839, that mode 
of punishment was abolished by Congress, as was the pillory and the 
stocks. It is understood that Delaware is the only State in the Union 
where the whipping post is retained. It is a matter of interest, as well 
as astonishment, to read in this enlightened age of the various offenses 
which were punishable by death in England as late as 1806. There 
were 160 of them, of which the following are a part : Treason, murder, 
arson, rape, counterfeiting coin, falsifying judicial records, hunting in 
the night in disguise, writing threatening letters to extort money, pull- 
ing down toll gates, assembling to produce riots, smuggling, marrying 
a couple except in church without a license from the Archbishop of 
Canterbury, wandering as gypsies for thirty days, burglary in the night, 
stealing from the person over twelve pence, stealing fish, hares, or rob- 
bing on the highway, soldiers or sailors found begging without pro- 
ducing testimonials of their discharge from service. A British soldier 
who had lost a leg in the battle of Oriskany, or a sailor an arm fighting 
against Paul Jones off the coast of Great Britain, was liable to the death 
penalty if found begging, without producing evidence of his discharge 
from service ; and in addition to the punishment the offender might be 
dragged to the place of execution at the heels of horses, or disemboweled 
while alive, or quartered and the parts nailed up in a conspicuous place 
or his skeleton left to rot on the gallows, or his hands and ears cut off 
and his nose slit, or be branded on the hand or cheek, before execution. 
With such barbarous laws existing on the statute books of England, is 
it a wonder that some of the minor punishments should have found 
their way into the laws of the colonies and remained there for years 
after we became separated from the mother country ? 

March 26, 18 10, Congress authorized the third United States census 
to be taken, the enumeration to begin on the third Monday in August 
in that year. For convenience the fourth census of 1820 is also here 
given, and also the votes for governor in each of those years. In 1810 
Jonas Piatt, who then resided in Whitesboro, was one of the candidates 
for governor, which may account for the large vote he received in this 
county ; his majority was 377 in the county, but he was defeated in the 



160 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



State by 7,514. Mr. Clinton's majority in the State in 1820 was only 
1,457. Following is the record of votes in each of those years in the 
towns then in Oneida county : 



-Population. 



-Governor, 1810.—. 



—Governor, 1820.^ 



Augusta 

Boonville. 

Bridge water 

Bengal (Vienna) . 

Camden . 

Constantia 

Deerfield 

Floyd 

Florence 

Fredericksburgh . 

Mexico . . 

Paris 

Remsen 

Redfield 

Richland 

Lee 

Rome 

Steuben 

Sangerfield 

Trenton 

Verona ._ __ 

Vernon 

Westmoreland . _ . 

Whitestown 

Williamstown ___ 

Western 

Scriba 

Utica _ 



2,004 
393 

1,170 
454 

1,132 
153 

1,232 
970 
396 

"845 
5,418 
489 
362 
947 

ism 

1,105 
1,324 
1,548 
1,014 
1,519 
1,135 
4,912 

562 
2,416 

328 



2,771 
1,294 
1,533 
1,307 
1,772 

2^346 

1,498 

640 



6,707 
912 



2,186 
3,569 
1,461 
2,011 
2,617 
2,447 
2,707 
2,791 
5,219 

2~2§7 

2^972 



150 
15 
63 
46 
68 
7 
62 
99 
33 
5 
61 

187 
19 
54 
73 

100 
83 

44 
45 



161 

34 

255 



200 
52 



110 
19 
55 
28 
29 
6 
61 

465 
14 
3 



82 
57 

133 
82 
53 

102 
93 

372 
48 
25 



123 
96 
44 
26 
41 
78 
20 
95 

103 
64 

134 
16 
25 



104 
36 
86 
149 
166 

97 
61 
41 



430 
31 



32 
140 

51 
142 
133 

95 
196 
135 
260 

32 

24 
108 
122 



Whatever Oneida county history there is from this period down to 
the close of the war of 18 12 is so closely interwoven with that war that 
it is difficult, as well as unnecessary, to treat it separately. A brief 
sketch of that war, in which Oneida county figures, is given in the next 
chapter. 



THROUGH THE WAR OF 1812, 161 



CHAPTER XV. 
THROUGH THE WAR OF 1812. 

With the close of the war of the Revolution the long-harassed inhab- 
itants of the Mohawk valley turned to peaceful vocations, intent only 
upon providing homes for themselves and their children ; and before the 
loud alarms of war again resounded through the land fifteen years later, 
marked and important changes had taken place in the territory of which 
this work treats. Many settlers had come in and at various points 
formed the nucleus of hamlets, usually where mills were built ; forests 
fell before the pioneer's axe leaving clearings around every log house 
that year by year extended their boundaries and gladdened the owner's 
heart with larger crops ; early mills were built and primitive stores were 
opened where the settler and his family could procure their limited sup- 
plies without the long journeys of the first years ; schools and churches 
were established and roads opened in many directions, making it possi- 
ble for distant neighbors to meet for social and other purposes and ren- 
dering communication with mill and store more easy. But this prog- 
ress was slow and followed only upon arduous and unremitting toil 
and many hardships. 

It will be correctly inferred that the first settlers in the Mohawk val- 
ley were a patriotic band ; it could scarcely be otherwise after their pro- 
longed and bitter experience at the hands of the enemy, in whose ranks 
had fought a considerable number of their former neighbors and ac- 
quaintances — the so-called tories. When the war closed there was 
shown a disposition on the part of many of the tories to return to the 
State and occupy their former homesteads. This prospect called forth 
from the Whigs the most emphatic protests and practical opposition. 
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the Canajoharie and Mohawk dis- 
tricts, proceedidgs were enacted that demonstrated in the most remark- 
able manner the feelings of the patriots towards their recreant neigh- 



162 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

bors. After recounting in a preamble the barbarities of the tories the 
following was adopted : 

Therefore, Resolved unanimously, That all those who have gone off to the enemy, 
or have been banished by any law of this State, or those who we shall find tarried as 
spies and tools of the enemy, and encouraged and harbored those who went away, 
shall not live in this district under any pretence whatever ; and as for those who 
have washed their faces from Indian paint, and their hands from the innocent blood 
of our dear ones, and have returned either openly or covertly, we hereby warn them 
to leave this district, before the 20th of June next, or they may expect to feel the just 
resentment of an injured and determined people. 

This document is dated May 9, 1783. Similar and more extended 
resolutions were adopted at a meeting held in Fort Plain on the 7th day 
of June, 1783. The patriotism of the people would not even tolerate 
the name "Tryon " as applied to the great county embracing a large 
part of the State, and it was changed to Montgomery on the 2d of April, 
1784. 

The reader has learned in the preceding chapter that the territory of 
Oneida county presented characteristics that would be sure to attract 
settlers as soon as guarantees of peace was established. No land fairer 
than the Mohawk valley exists anywhere, and the natural features of 
other parts of the county are little less attractive. Hence, when peace 
settled down upon the country, the pioneers came in rapidly, many of 
them having become to some extent familiar with the region during the 
Revolution. Whitestown and Vienna each received its first settler i 
1784, Rome in 1785, Westmoreland about the same time; in 1786 there 
were a few houses in the vicinity of Utica, and in 1788 New Hartford 
was first settled, while Kirkland had received her earliest pioneer in the 
previous year. Steuben, Paris and Western were settled in 1789, Floyd 
in 1790, and before the middle of that decade nearly or quite all of the 
towns of the county had welcomed their pioneers. 1 Between the close 
of the war and the first year of the present century almost all of the ter- 
ritory of the county (including the colonial patents) had been granted in 
land patents which are described in Chapter X. The progress that had 
been made in the valley was recorded by Capt. Charles Williamson, an 
English land agent, who made a journey from Schenectady westward in 
1792. He said : 

1 This, of course, leaves out of consideration the settlements of Fort Stanwix and Deerfield 
described in Chapter V. 



THROUGH THE WAR OF 1812. 163 

After leaving Schenectady I traveled over a most beautiful country eighty miles to 
Fort Schuyler (old Fort Schuyler, the site of Utica), where I forded the Mohawk. 
This extent was the scene of the British and savage cruelty during the late war, and 
they did not cease while anything remained to destroy. What a contrast now! Ev- 
ery house and barn rebuilt, the pastures crowded with cattle, sheep, etc., and the lap 
of Ceres full. I next passed through Whitestown. It would appear to you, my 
friend, on hearing the relation of events in this western country, that the whole was 
fable ; and if you were placed in Whitestown or Clinton, ten miles west from Fort 
Schuyler, and could see the progress of improvement, you would believe it en- 
chanted ground. You would there view an extensive, well built town, surrounded 
by highly cultivated fields, which spot in the year 1783 was the "haunt of tribes " and 
the hiding-place of wolves, now a flourishing, happy situation, containing about six 
thousand people. Clinton stands a little south of Whitestown, and is a very large, 
thriving town. After passing Clinton there are no inhabitants upon the road until 
you reach Oaeida, an Indian town, the first of the Six Nations. It contians about 
five hundred and fifty inhabitants. 

Elkanah Watson from whose journal of 1788 we have already quoted 
in Chapter VIII made another journey in 1791, accompanied in the lat- 
ter by Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and kept a voluminous diary, from 
which some pertinent quotations will be of interest in this connection. 
He left Albany on the 1st of September, and after noting events and 
places in his travels to this vicinity, he writes as follows under date of 
September 8 and later : 

Septe?nber 8. — A pleasant sail of ten miles this fine morning brought us to Old 
Fort Schuyler. Here we were joined by General Van Cortlandt and Mr. Bayard, 
who were waiting for us, which completes our number to thirteen. 

From Little Falls, thus far, the river is nearly competent to inland navigation, 
with the exception of a serious rapid, and a great bend at the German Flats, called, 
Wolf-riff, which must be subdued either by a cut across the neck of land, upwards of 
one mile, or by removing the obstructions. 

An Indian road being opened from this place (now Utica) to the Genesee country, 
it is probable that the position at Fort Stanwix and this spot will become rivals as to 
the site of a town, in connection with the interior, when it shall become a settled 
country. 

If, however, the canals should be constructed, I think Fort Stanwix will take the 
lead at a future day. Such was my impressions when there in 1788. Since that only 
a few houses and stores have been erected here, also a tolerable tavern to administer 
comfort to the weary traveler, which I experienced the want of three years past. In 
the afternoon we progressed thirteen miles, meeting many obstructions in conse- 
quence of the cruel conduct of the new settlers (who are wonderfully increased since 
I was here), filling the river with fallen trees cut on its margin, narrowing it in many 
places, producing shoals where the deepest waters had been accustomed to flow, and 
impeding the progress of our boats. We pitched our camp on the right bank of the 
river, in the midst of woods. All hands fell to work, soldier-like. We soon had a 



164 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

roaring fire and the tents pitched, — open on one side to the fire, and closed at each 
end with canvas. We found an excellent substitute for feathers, laying our buffaloes 
on hemlock twigs; although the ground was extremely moist, we were effectually 
protected from any inconvenience. We enjoyed a pleasant night, with ten times 
more comfort than we could in the miserable log huts along the banks of the river. 

September q. — At noon we reached Fort Stanwix, to which place, with some aid of 
art, the river continues adapted to inland navigation for boats of five tons burthen. 
Emigrants are swarming into these fertile regions in shoals, like. the ancient Isra- 
elites, seeking the land of promise. 

We transported our boats and baggages across the carrying-place, a distance of 
two miles, over a dead flat, and launched them into Wood Creek, running west. It 
is a mere brook at this place, which a man can easily jump across. In contemplating 
this important creek, the only water communication with the immense regions in the 
West, which are destined to bless millions of freemen in the approaching century, I 
am deeply impressed with the belief, considering the great resources of the State, 
that the improvement of our internal navigation cannot much longer escape the de- 
cided attention of our law-makers, and more especially as it is obviously practicable. 
When effected, it will open an uninterrupted water communication from the immense 
fertile regions in the West to the Atlantic. But more of this as I advance in my 
travels. 

The situation of Fort Stanwix appears destined to become a great city. It lies in 
an open plain, — healthv, and exactly at the point where the eastern and western 
waters unite. There is a large clearing about the old fort, with two or three scatter- 
ing houses. No progress has, however, been made since I attended the treaty here 
in 1788, although the plan of a city is now contemplated. 

September 10. — This morning our bateaux began to descend Wood Creek, with 
the aid of a mill-dam which had been filled just above. Some of our party at the 
same time descended by land on a tolerable wagon road to Canada Creek six miles. 

Although aided by the sluice, we progressed with infinite difficulty. In many 
places the windings are so sudden and so short, that while the bow of the boat was 
plowing the bank on one side, her stern was rubbing hard against the opposite shore. 
In some places our men were obliged to drag the boats by main strength, and in 
others the boughs and limbs were so closely interwoven and so low as to arch the 
creek completely over, and oblige all hands to lie flat. These obstacles, together 
with the sunken logs and trees, rendered our progress extremely difficult, often 
almost impracticable. 

From a superficial view of this important creek, it appears to me the great difficul- 
ties may be surmounted, — First, by cutting away all the bushes and trees on its 
banks ; second, by cutting across the necks, and removing all sunken logs and trees ; 
and, lastly, by erecting substantial sluices or inclined planes at given distances, so 
as to continue a head of water from sluice to sluice. This creek in its present state 
may be considered a natural canal, from ten to twenty feet wide. 

Bateaux which ascend the creek, and frequently the descending boats, at this sea- 
son, are dragged by horses traveling in the water. This is a work of incredible 
fatigue and difficulty. 

The accession of Canada Creek more than doubles the size of Wood Creek. 



THROUGH THE WAR OP 1812. 165 

September n. — Last night and this day we were inundated by heavy rains, which 
our tent was unable to repel; in consequence we were all exposed in the most uncom- 
fortable manner. In the intervals of showers we amused ourselves by catching fish. 
Salmon, Oswego bass, catfish, chubs, trout, pike, are the fish common in this river. 
Salmon are sometimes caught at the mill-dams, near Fort Stanwix. 

September 12. — At 2 o'clock we reached the royal block-house, at the east end of 
the Oneida Lake. The innumerable crooks and turns in Wood Creek carried us to 
every point of the compass. Should the Western canals be ever attempted, I am per- 
suaded this creek may be shortened at least one-third. The lands on each side of 
Wood Creek are low, and heavily timbered with beech, maple, oak, elm, linden, and, 
near the lake, some white pine. Bears are plenty, and deer scarce. At two miles 
from the lake the river suddenly widened, and we took to our oars. Fish Creek, one 
mile nearer the lake, falls into Wood Creek from the north, and is about one hundred 
feet wide. Thence to the lake the stream is bold and spacious. We caught a catfish 
as large as a common-sized cod, measuring five inches between the eyes. 

September 13. — This morning we wrote home by a boat coming from the West 
loaded with hemp, raised at the south of Cayuga Lake. What a glorious acquisition 
to agriculture and commerce do these fertile and extensive regions in the West pre- 
sent in anticipation ! And what a pity, since the partial hand of nature has nearly 
completed the water communication from our utmost borders to the Atlantic Ocean, 
that art should not be made subservient to her to complete the work ! 

Immediately after breakfast we embarked, doubled a point of land, and entered 
the Oneida Lake with our sails filled to a light easterly breeze. The lake opened 
to our view, spreading before us like a sea. We glided smoothly over its surface, 
and were delighted with a charming day. On the south is the Oneida Reservation, 
at present inhabited by the Oneida nation of Indians. The country lies flat for eight 
or ten miles, and then swells into waving hills. On the north it is generally low, but 
heavily timbered. 

This lake is thirty miles long, and from five to eight broad. We are now sailing 
parallel with the Ontario Ocean, which I hope to see, and at least enjoy in delightful 
anticipation the prospect of a free and open water communication from thence to 
the Atlantic, via Albany and New York. 

Near the west end of the lake are two small islands, on one of which resides a re- 
spectable Frenchman, who came from France a few years since, and has voluntarily 
sequestered himself from the world and taken up his solitary abode upon this island, 
with no society but his dogs, guns, and library, yet he appeared happy and con- 
tent. 

This lake is extremely turbulent and dangerous, a small breeze producing a short, 
bobbing sea, in consequence of its shoal waters. 

The bateauxmen commonly hug the north shore as safest, as well as more direct 
from point to point. On that side these points project less into the lake than on the 
south shore. The wind soon rose to a brisk side gale, which occasioned such a dan- 
gerous agitation as obliged us to make a harbor at Twelve-Mile Point, near which 
we noticed two large bears walking along the shore in majestic confidence. 

We trolled with our lines and caught some bass. The day concluded with heavy 
rains and a violent squall. In spite of our tents we were much wet and suffocated 
with smoke. 



166 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The territorial divisions of Montgomery county prior to the erection 
of Oneida county, have been described as far as necessary for the pur- 
poses of this work, in former chapters. On the 15th of March, 1798, 
an act was passed by the Legislature dividing the county of Herkimer 
and erecting from its territory the new counties of Chenango and Oneida. 

The new county of Oneida included all of what are now the counties 
of Oneida, Lewis, and Jefferson, and all that part of Oswego county 
lying east of Oswego River. The territory of St. Lawrence county 
also appears to have nominally been included, but it was provisionally 
annexed to Clinton county in 1801, and erected into a separate county 
on March 3, 1802. The town of Sangerfield was included in Chenango 
county, but was annexed to Oneida county April 4, 1804. 

At the beginning of this century the population of New York State 
had reached 589,000, of which total about 60,000 dwelt in New York 
city. Albany was a considerable community, while at Utica, Rochester 
and Buffalo the foundation had been laid for the present thriving cities. 
At Oswego the incipient commerce of the great lake was beginning its 
growth, and salt from Salina was passing eastward through the Mohawk 
valley. Development through Central New York was early stimulated 
by improvement of the old waterway so frequently mentioned in the 
previous chapters by the Western Inland Lock and Navigation Com- 
pany. This improvement consisted of the construction of a canal with 
locks around the rapids at Little Falls, the opening of a canal from Rome 
to Wood Creek, connecting thence with Oneida Lake, and the improve- 
ment of navigation facilities in the Oswego and the Seneca Rivers. 
The work was completed in 1800 and many early settlers in this county, 
carrying their families and household stores, traveled over this route, 
and until the opening of the Erie Canal it was of vast commercial im- 
portance to the whole State. In 1812 the firm of Eri Lasher & Co. 
were running during the season a weekly line of boats from Schenec- 
tady for Cayuga, Seneca Falls, and Oswego, which, with the use of 
wagons kept constantly in readiness, enabled them, as they advertised, 
to " transport from Albany to any part of the western country either 
by land or water whatever property might be directed to their care." 

In the mean time the east and west turnpike were considerably im- 
proved, as described in Chapter IX. 



THROUGH THE WAR OF 1812. 167 

Early in the century began the acts on the part of England and 
France which resulted in another war. Through orders issued by Great 
Britain and decrees made by Napoleon, all American commerce in neu- 
tral ships with either of those nations was suspended. American sailors 
were claimed as British subjects and seized on American vessels, the 
right to board such vessels for this purpose being one of the unjust 
claims set up by Great Britain. These and other outrages continued 
until forbearance was exhausted. Late in October, 1807, Congress 
opposed this action by laying an embargo on all vessels in United States 
harbors. This measure, necessary as it may have appeared as a gen- 
eral policy, was disastrous to the mercantile and shipping interests of 
the whole country. The embargo act was supported by a large part 
of the Democratic party, and as strongly opposed by the Federalists. 
On June 1, 1812, President Madison sent a confidential message to 
Congress in which he reviewed the causes of complaint against Great 
Britain and called upon that body to decide whether they would act 
upon their rights and as duty dictated, or remain passive under accumu- 
lating injustice. It was well known that the president favored prompt 
retaliation. By one party he was urged by ridicule as well as threats 
to declare war, while the other bitterly opposed such a policy. Mad- 
ison's message was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, 
which, on June 3, made a report favoring the president's views and ac- 
companied by a bill declaring war with Great Britain. An attempt 
was made to include France in the declaration, which failed. After 
much debate and amid great excitement throughout the country, Con- 
gress passed the bill on July 18, and the president signed it. On the 
19th the president issued a proclamation announcing the fact and call- 
ing on the people of the country to support the government in its war 
policy. Although, of course, the settlers in Oneida county felt a deep 
interest in the approaching conflict, their inland situation relieved them 
to a great extent from the special anxiety that existed on the seaboard 
and at lake ports. At Oswego and Sackett's Harbor, for example, 
excitement ran high and was reflected to the people of this county. 
All along the northern frontier the inhabitants realized that war meant 
the destruction of their developing lake commerce and its many attend- 
ant blessings, while they could not escape the conviction that the ap- 



168 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

proaching struggle meant bloodshed and desolation at their very doors. 
Oswego was still directly and closely connected with Oneida county 
and the whole valley by the old waterway so frequently mentioned, 
and memories of the Revolution and the bloody scenes witnessed along 
its line were still comparatively fresh. 

Full details of the Oneida county men who took part in this war can- 
not be obtained. It is known that after the close of the Revolution the 
militia force of Montgomery county comprised five regiments, consti- 
tuting one brigade, of which Frederick Fisher was commander. Be- 
tween this time and 1812, reorganizations and changes were fre- 
quent. In one of these, made about 1791, a troop of horse 
was formed of which Jonas Piatt was commander, while John Franks 
commanded a company of artillery. At the breaking out of the war, 
or very soon thereafter, there was a general reorganization and exten- 
sion of the militia, in which many Oneida county men joined. Great 
Britain again sought to enlist the services of the Six Nations and the 
Canadian Indians, but failed in the attempt. A council was held in 
Buffalo on the 6th of July, 1812, where speeches were made by the 
great Seneca chief, Red Jacket, and by representatives of the govern- 
ment, and a policy of neutrality decided upon by the Senecas, who 
promised also to influence the Mohawks to adopt the same course. The 
Indians evidently soon foresaw where their interests lay and by the year 
1814 the American forces were augmented by large bodies of the Iro- 
quois and other nations. 

Military preparations were made and minor events occurred on the 
northern frontier in 18 1 2. Provisions were early made for a naval 
squadron on Lake Ontario, in view of the facility with which the British 
could occupy its waters for offensive demonstrations. At each end of 
the lake was an important military gateway through which the enemy 
could send expeditions to act upon water or land. At the beginning 
of the conflict the only armed vessel on the lake was the Oneida, but 
all available craft were soon purchased by the government and armed. 
Commodore Chauncey made his headquarters at Sackett's Harbor in 
the fall of 1 812, and with several vessels blockaded Kingston, Canada, 
until the ice closed it in. Late in the autumn, in anticipation of an at- 
tack upon Ogdensburg, Gen. Jacob Brown was sent thither, where he 



THROUGH THE WAR OF 1812. 169 

arrived October 1st. He was none too early, for on the next day 
a flotilla of British vessels with about 750 men from Prescott attacked 
the place. They were soon repulsed. Some time in 18 12, the first de- 
tachment from Oneida county went to Sackett's Harbor under com- 
mand of Colonel Bellinger. This detachment was accompanied by 
Major Samuel Dill, of Rome. Joshua Hathaway, of Rome, was 
appointed quartermaster- general of the State and ordered to the same 
post. On the 22d of June, 18 12, four days after war was declared, two 
expresses passed through Utica and Rome, with news of the war 
declaration, and on the 13th of August a company of flying artillery, 139 
strong, from Lancaster, Pa., passed through Utica and Rome, on their 
way to the frontier. In the fall of 18 12 the militia of Oneida county 
were called out and ordered to Sackett's Harbor, and the 157th regi- 
ment, known as the Rome regiment, commanded by Col. John West- 
cott, of Rome, marched to that post. Among the officers were Lieut.- 
Col. Joshua G. Green, Captains Rudd, Fillmore, Church, Grannis, 
Hinckley and Peck, and Adjutant Samuel Beardsley, Paymaster Jay 
Hathaway, a Roman, and Surgeon Henry H. Smith. ' 

In September, 18 12, a body of 800 drafted men from Albany camped 
in Utica for a week, and during their stay the number was increased to 
1,600, with drafted men and volunteers. They were from the eastern 
and southern counties of the State, were under command of General 
Dodge, and were wholly undisciplined and committed many pettv 
depredations. About the 20th of September the 5th United States 
Regiment, recruited in Maryland, under command of Colonel Milton, 
passed north They were insolent to their officers and clamorous for 
their long overdue pay. On the 22d of September two companies of 
light artillery from Baltimore and Philadelphia, marched through Utica 
and Rome, north, and on the 30th ninety sailors passed through on their 
way to Sackett's Harbor. On the 5th of October, 150 men, including 
the crew of the John Adams, under command of Lieutenant Pettigrew, 
with fifty wagons, camped in Utica twenty- four hours, and then left for 
Buffalo. They are credited with thefts and other depredations. On 
the day of their departure, 130 more men with twenty wagons passed 
through. On the loth of October, 130 United States marines passed 

1 Jones's Annals of Oneida County. 



170 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

through Utica, their neat uniforms and soldierly bearing in marked con- 
trast to the looks and acts of the militia volunteers. On the 13th and 
14th other bodies of troops passed through the county. On the 24th of 
that month the 23d United States Regiment arrived at Utica from Al- 
bany. They started out 300 strong, but had lost some by desertion. 
They also were demanding their back pay and $2 was given to each 
man with a double allowance of liquor. On the 27th they resumed 
their march for Buffalo. At about the same time 130 artillerymen 
passed through Utica, and with the coming on of winter several de- 
tachments were quartered in and around Utica and New Hartford. 

On the 16th of February, 1813, Baltimore volunteers to the number 
of 190, under Captain Moore, broke in the door of the hotel and took 
possession. On the 6th of April a detachment of 150 light horse came 
to Utica from Sackett's Harbor, having left that post on account of 
scarcity of provisions; and on the 13th of the same month 150 more 
arrived. On the 24th and 25th about 500 soldiers were in Utica, and 
100 sailors belonging to the famous frigate, Constitution, halted at Deer- 
field Corners. The latter departed for Sackett's Harbor, having come 
from Boston to Utica in wagons. Following them came 500 horse and 
foot soldiers who passed on towards Buffalo. During April and May 
movements of other bodies of troops through the country were numer- 
ous and frequent. On the 14th of May the high grounds above the 
village of Utica were covered with tents. On the 15th and 16th not 
less than 900 men are reported as passing through from Massachusetts, 
and four days later left, accompanied on their march by a body of dis- 
mounted cavalry. All were dissatisfied with their rations, their pay and 
their duties. On the 23d of May about 500 men, mostly from the 2 1st 
United States Regiment, slept in Deerfield barns, grumbling like the 
rest and dissatisfied with the war. On the 26th a column of from 500 
to 1,000 men passed Utica, and about the 15th of June 300 of the 14th 
United States Regiment arrived at the village, with a rifle company. In 
the latter part of this month and the forepart of July the town was 
thronged with sailors on their way to Sackett's Harbor, and on the 19th 
of July 270 men from the 3d and the 25th U. S. Regiments were in 
Utica. On the 22d a salute was fired there in honor of the arrival of 
Gen. Henrv Dearborn. 



THROUGH THE WAR OP 1812. 171 

These many military movements need not be followed further. They 
continued through the year, and as the war progressed were varied by 
the passage of British prisoners On the 3d of November Commodore 
Oliver Hazard Perry was in Utica and was given a public dinner. These 
brief chronicles are derived from the diary of Dr. Alexander Coventry, 
of Utica, and are sufficient to indicate the fact that the inhabitants of 
Oneida county were kept on the alert as to the progress of the war 
and its bearing upon their own locality. 

During the year 1 8 1 3 Sackett's Harbor was the chief depot of military 
and naval supplies on Lake Ontario and presented a tempting prize for 
the enemy. About noon of May 28, 18 13, Sir James L. Yeo, com- 
manding the British squadron, arrived off Sackett's Harbor from Kings- 
ton, with six armed vessels and forty bateaux carrying more than 1,000 
troops. The harbor was feebly protected and a prompt assault would 
have resulted in its capture ; but the appearance of a few American gun 
boats transporting a regiment to its relief, frightened away the enemy. 
An attack was, however, made on the following day, and fearing cap- 
ture, the Americans burned stores worth $500,000. The British, see- 
ing the hurrying to and fro of the people on the land, fled in disorder 
to their vessels and the whole squadron sailed away. Sackett's Harbor 
was not again molested. 

In the month of June several armed vessels of the British appeared 
off Oswego harbor. They opened fire on Fort Ontario, then occupied 
by a small garrison. Anchored in the harbor was the American vessel, 
Growler, of three guns. She replied vigorously, as did also the fort 
batteries, and after a brief cannonade the enemy retired. 

In 1 8 12 a brilliant young naval officer, twenty-seven years old, had 
charge of a fleet of gun boats in New York harbor. In 1813 he was 
called northward, served a short time on Lake Ontario under Commo- 
dore Chauncey, and was then given command of an armed fleet of nine 
small vessels on Lake Erie. This young officer's name was Oliver 
Hazard Perry. His flag ship was the Lawrence. On September 10 
he encountered the British squadron and after a desperate and bloody 
battle the enemy was defeated with a loss of 200 killed and 600 pris- 
oners. Perry announced his victory to General Harrison by sending 
his famous message " We have met the enemy and they are ours." 



172 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Operations were also active on the Niagara frontier during 1813 and 
culminated on the last day of the year in the burning of Buffalo and 
Black Rock, a deed which the British justified by the previous burning 
of Newark, on the other side of the river, by the Americans. 

It was during the year 18 16 that the United States government com- 
pleted the arsenal in Rome, commenced in 18 14, to which reference has 
already been made. A State arsenal had been built prior to 1810, on 
the site of St. Peter's church in Rome, and which was burned May 22, 
1822. The United States arsenal, with its officers' quarters, magazines, 
and workshops, was quite a pretentious establishment and was erected 
under superintendence of Major James Dalliba, of the ordnance depart- 
ment. The arsenal property was sold in 1873 to Mudge & Ames and 
converted into a knitting factory. 

Early in 18 14 it was evident that the British intended a more vig- 
orous prosecution of the war. The victory of the allies over Napoleon 
Jiad relieved from European service thousands of English soldiers, and 
early in the summer nearly 1 5,000 of Wellington's bronzed veterans were 
sent over to Canada. The inhabitants of this State received this news 
with deep concern. During the winter and spring the military author- 
ities on both sides of the St. Lawrence and the lakes made preparations 
for a determined struggle, with Lake Ontario as the prize. Commander 
Chauncey was adding largely to his fleet at Sackett's Harbor, which was 
finally armed with guns and provided with stores sent from Albany by 
way of Mohawk, Rome, Wood Creek, Oneida Lake and down the 
Oswego River to Oswego, whither they were transported by water. 
This armament was delayed at Oswego Falls, and there were also 
large quantities of military stores accumulated at Oswego With all 
these valuable and much needed supplies feebly protected and with 
Commodore Chauncey practically tied up at Sackett's Harbor awaiting 
their arrival, an auspicious opportunity was presented to the British for 
an attack on the important post of Oswego. They promptly availed 
themselves of the opportunity. No sooner had the ice left Kingston 
harbor than Sir James Yeo sailed out with a fleet of eight war vessels, 
several other fighting craft, and a force of about 3,000 men, with Oswego 
as his destination. As soon as General Gaines (Edmund P.), then in 
command on the land at Sackett's Harbor, learned that a fleet was pre- 



THROUGH THE WAR OF 1812. 173 

paring to sail from Kingston, he sent Colonel Mitchell with five artillery- 
companies, about 300 strong, armed as infantry, to Oswego with orders 
to protect the threatened stores at all hazards. Mitchell arrived at 
Fort Ontario on April 30, 18 14, and found a wretched state of things 
— only five rusty guns on the ramparts and dilapidation and ruin on all 
sides. The assault of the British was made on the 5th and 6th of May. 
Their fleet anchored half a mile from the fort on the 5th and a force 
attempted to make a landing; but the prompt and effective defense of 
Colonel Mitchell and his troops sent the enemy back to his vessels in 
shattered boats, and the fleet sailed away. Not so on the 6th. Under 
similar circumstances the fleet returned and the British, outnumbering 
the Americans two to one, effected a landing, and in spite of a deter- 
mined and heroic defense, drove the garrison to retreat. The enemy 
fortunately did not pursue, and it is doubtful if they knew of the val- 
uable stores, large quantities of which had been secreted in the vicinity. 
The British loss was somewhat larger than the American. Five promi- 
nent citizens of Oswego were captured and taken to Kingston, but were 
soon after released. Strange as it seems under the then existing cir- 
cumstances, the British did not occupy Fort Ontario, and it remained 
without another garrison until 1838. The sound of the cannonading of 
the battle was heard for miles around, causing intense anxiety. There 
were Oneida county men present at Oswego and the inhabitants of the 
county shared in the general apprehension. The stores and munitions 
were finally safely delivered at Sackett's Harbor. 

On the 31st of July Commodore Chauncey sailed up the lake from 
Sackett's Harbor, blockaded Kingston and vainly endeavored to draw 
Sir James Yeo into action. With the completion of a man-of-war of 
1 12 guns in that port in September the American commander pru- 
dently returned to Sackett's Harbor, where the building of two first- 
class frigates was begun ; they were never finished. When the ice 
closed in on the lake, the war had ended on the northern frontier. 

Other principal military operations of the year 18 14, ending with the 
final victory of General Jackson at New Orleans, January 8, 1815, were 
those at Fort Erie July 3, and August 13-15 ; at Lundy's Lane July 
25 ; on Lake Champlain and at Plattsburg September 1 1 ; at Chippewa 
October 15, and the victories of Decatur and others at sea. 



174 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A treaty of peace was agreed to between commissioners of the United 
States and those of Great Britain, at Ghent on December 24, 18 14, and 
ratifications were exchanged at Washington February 17, 181 5. The 
treaty provided for the mutual restoration of all conquered territory, 
and for three commissions — one to settle the title to the islands in Pas- 
samaquoddy Bay; one to lay out the northeast boundary of the United 
States as far as the St. Lawrence, and the third to run the line through 
that river and the lakes to the Lake of the Woods. Other minor mat- 
ters were embraced in the treaty. The reception of the news in this 
country spread joy throughout the land, reaching New York city Feb- 
ruary 11, 1 8 1 5. Banquets and illuminations followed, not alone in the 
metropolis, but in many principal villages and cities. No one can now 
tell us of what he saw in the small villages of Oneida county when the 
news of peace came slowly northward ; but we may well believe that in 
proportion to numbers of population, the joy and exultation of our 
peace-loving settlers were demonstrated with the same enthusiasm dis- 
played elsewhere through the country. 

The following list of officers is copied from the rolls on file in the office 
of the county clerk at Utica. From a note at the bottom of the roll it 
would appear that a part of them belonged to the Third Brigade : 

Brigadier-Generals. — Oliver Collins, Joseph Kirkland, Henry McNeil. 

Colonels. — William Stone, Caleb Clark. 

Majors. — James Dodd, Samuel Dill, David Curtiss, Gardner Avery, James 
Lynch, Eleazer Dickinson, Theodore W. Sill (Artillery), Jonathan Tower, John 
Westcott. 

Captains. — Francis Brown, Amos Wetmore, William Hubbard, Gurdon Caswell, 
Fortune C. White, Orrin Gridley, John Harris, Joseph Stone, Asa Bullock, James 
Gardiner, Jacob Hovey, Timothy L. Bacon, Ichabod Davis, Samuel Shepherd, jr., 
Edward Grannis, Zimri Howland, G. Chamberlain, Rice Austin, Benjamin Rudd, 
Peleg Matteson, Asa Baker, Daniel Butts, Joshua Northrup, Edward Grannis, Ed- 
ward Fuller, Ichabod Cole, Enos Githert (Artillery), John Wright (Cavalry). 

Lieutenants. — Amos Woodward, Bradford Seymour, Salmon Laird, Nathan Rose, 
Seth Hastings, Henry Bingham, Stephen Leonard, Bridge Wakefield, Samuel Corn- 
stock, Nicholas Smith, Albion Smith, W. B. Savage, Abram Catlin, Abel Dewey, 
James Lynch, Rollin Blount, Chester Andrews Nathan Eells, A. Earms, John Z. 
Hartwell, Edward Allen, Dan Bosworth, Calvin Church, Arunah Wright, Jos. A. 
Clark, J. C. Greene, Ezekiel Clark Seth Langdon, Gates Peck, A. Spencer (Cav- 
alry), Paul Taft (Cavalry), Charles Wyhe (Artillery), Levi Green (Artillery). 

Ensigns. — Abel Downey, Job Herrick, Saml. Comstock, Frederick Kellogg, Bar- 
nabas Cook, Rollin Blount, Oren Betts, Wm. B. Savage, James Sage, A. W. Gridley, 



1814 TO 1819. 175 

Amasa Rowe, Job Herrick, Calvin Pierce, EHphalet Hotchkiss, Reuben Daggett, 
Roswell P Hayes, A. W. Gridley, Abel Mosher, Abram Young, Jared Vining, Am- 
asa Hinckley, Jonathan Tibbitts, Hazel Lathrop, Ely Wheelan, Joseph Hallock, 
William Parker, Aaron Smith, Simeon Fuller. 

Comets. — Job Williams, Joel Parker. 

Adjutants. — Timothy L. Bacon, William Williams, Jonah Bacon, Joshua 
Bushnell. 

Quartermasters. — Jonah Bacon, Silas Judson, Waitstill Wolcott, Warren Kent. 

Paymaster. — Jesse Doolittle. 

Surgeon. — Roswell P. Hayes. 

Surgeon ' s Mate. — Zenas Huntington. 

Brigade I?ispector. — Richard Sanger. 

Names of officers on file in the county clerk's office belonging to the One Hundred 
and Fifty seventh Regiment New York Militia in 1818: Colonel John Westcott; Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, Benjamin Rudd; Major, Joshua G. Green; Surgeon, George Brown; 
Quartermaster, B. B. Lansing; Paymaster, B. B. Hyde; Adjutant. Robert G. Clark; 
Captains, Wm. Tallcott, Jonathan Tibbits, Joseph Hallock, David Hill, Simeon 
Fuller; Lieutenants, John Bailey, James Snyder, James Knox, Milton Bird, Abner 
Chase; Ensigns, Chester Hayden, Peter Hartwell, James Powell, Benjamin Wig- 
gins, Harvey Phelps. 

Officers of the rifle company attached to the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Reg- 
iment, 1818: Captain, Archibald T. Frink; Lieutenant, J. Hathaway; Ensign, Amos 
Flint. 

Part of the officers of the Seventy-second Regiment, 1818: Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Ichabod Davis; Major, Henry Sheldon; Lieutenants, Aaron White, Andrew Bill- 
ings, Eusebius Ball; Ensigns, Stephen Brooks, Matthew Buck; Surgeon, Jeremiah 
Carrier. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
1814 TO 1819. 



When the war of 1812 had been in progresss nearly two years, the 
United States government commenced the erection of United States 
arsenals in the States for the manufacture of gun carriages, machines, 
ammunition, and military supplies, and for the deposit of those articles. 
The one at Watervliet, in Albany county, erected in 18 14, was and is 
the most formidable, outside of the city of New York. On the 1st of 
March, 18 14, the government purchased of Dominick Lynch in Rome, 
N. Y., a parcel of land on the southerly side of Dominick street, extend- 



176 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ing from that street (then known as the Sackett's Harbor road) southerly 
to the then Inland Canal. October 9, 181 5, the government bought of 
Mr. Lynch other grounds adjoining the above on the south side of that 
road for arsenal purposes, and also a parcel on the northerly side, oppo- 
site, for a site for the residence for the officers in command. July 4, 
1 8 16, the government purchased other lands on both sides of said roads, 
for the same purpose as above. The work of constructing the arsenal 
buildings was commenced in 1 8 14, and was completed in 18 16. This 
was the first and only United States arsenal erected in Oneida county, 
or of one nearer than Albany and the Madison Barracks at Sackett's 
Harbor in 1816 and 1819 D. W. Flagler, brigadier-general and chief 
of ordnance at Washington, has kindly furnished the author the follow- 
ing facts relative to this Rome arsenal, and the officers in charge of it at 
various times : 

The total cost of the land and buildings, as completed in 1816, was $36,078.61. 
The work of construction was under the supervision of James Dallaba, who com- 
manded the arsenal from August 5, 1813, to February, 1816. [He was a brother-in- 
law of the late B. N. Huntington, of Rome.] The records in the department show 
that no moneys were expended for ordinary repairs after 1816, until 1838, when there 
was an expenditure of $1,124.38. Again from 1838 to 1842 there were no expendi- 
tures, except for ordinary repairs, but between 1842 and 1851 there were consider- 
able improvements amounting in all to §6,164.85. The following are the officers 
who commanded the Rome arsenal, and the dates of their commands: Major James 
Dallaba, August 5, 1813, to February, 1816; Third Lieutenant John Hills was 
stationed at the arsenal as an assistant, March 2, 1815, and Third Lieuteaant 
James Simonson, September, 1816; Lieutenant Richard C. Pomeroy, February, 1816, 
to April, 1817; Capt. D. T. Welch, April, 1817, to January, 1821; Lieutenant John 
W. Thompson, June, 1821 to January, 1825; Lieutenant J. H. Cooke, April 29, 1826, 
to 1827 ; Lieutenant A. D. Tompkins, March, 1827 to 1828 ; Lieutenant of Artillery 
James S. Abeel, 1 April, 1828 to 1833; Lieutenant H. S. Mallory January 1834, to 
November, 1836; Military Storekeeper S. Perkins, December, 1836, to December, 
1837; Lieutenant and Captain James S. Abeel, military storekeeper, January, 1838, 
to March, 1855. On May 7, 1855, in obedience to instructions of the war department, 
Captain Abeel turned over the arsenal to Captain Delos B. Sackett for a recruiting 
station. Captain Sackett left the arsenal with his command August 21, 1855, and 
from that date until 1862. there was no officer stationed at the Rome arsenal, in com- 
mand of the same; but the arsenal was under the control of the commanding officer 
of Watervliet arsenal at West Troy, N. Y. J. Molinard, military storekeeper, 1862 
to 1863; Captain James S. Abeel, military storekeeper, June, 1863, to February, 
1870. February 16, 1870, the arsenal was again turned over to the commanding 

1 A sketch of Captain Abeel is elsewhere published in this volume. 



1814 TO 1819. 177 

officer of the Watervliet arsenal, who remained in charge of the same until the 
arsenal grounds south of Dominick street were sold June 2, 1873, to Jerome L. 
Mudge. 

Mr. Mudge sold to the Mudge & Ames knitting works. In 1891 
the premises southerly of Dominick street became and is now (1896) 
the property of R. M. Wilson, who is extensively engaged in the manu- 
facture of bath tubs. 

The premises where the brick dwelling is, north of Dominick street, 
in 1883 became and is now the property of Leopold Hower, senior, and 
Leopold Hower, junior, as a residence. Th'e arsenal at Rome was 
erected and used simply as a depository of military stores. In the 
magazine was gunpowder only, sometimes as much as twenty tons. 
In the basement of the arsenal were saltpeter, bomb shells, cannon balls, 
grape and cannister shot, cartridges, flints, boxes of sabres, cavalry 
pistols, cartridge boxes, belts, holsters In the second story in cases, in 
racks, were muskets, carbines, sabres, pistols, and base and snare drums 
and bugles. On the third floor were swords, sabres, and swabs used 
for cannon. There were in sheds, cannon, twenty-five immense guns, 
two brass pieces, captured from the English at Sackett's Harbor 
in 18 13. In the laboratory rockets were made, and in the repair shop 
was the polishing wheel, where arms were kept bright. The map shows 
the other buildings on the grounds, and their use, on each side of the 
road. Some ten to a dozen men were employed looking after the arms 
and keeping them in order, and were subjected to stricter discipline 
than ordinary laboring men. John B. McHarg, of Rome, the only man 
now living who was employed in the arsenal as early as 1830, furnishes 
the foregoing information. His father, James McHarg, came from the 
Watervliet Arsenal to the Rome Arsenal in 18 18. 

Here is as good a place as any, to make mention of the cold summer 
of 1816, characterized as "the year without a summer." It was not 
confined to Oneida county, but extended over most of the Northern and 
Eastern States. In fact, it has passed into history as the coldest year 
ever known in the United States and Europe. The month of May in 
the New England States was unusually cold for the season, buds and 
fruits were frozen, cornfields were again and again replanted, until 
deemed too late. June was the coldest ever known in that month in 



178 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

that latitude ; frost and ice were common. In Vermont snow fell to 
the depth of ten inches, seven in Maine, three in the interior of New 
York State, and one in Massachusetts. In a town in Vermont a flock 
of sheep belonging to a farmer had been turned out as usual to pasture. 
On the 17th of June a heavy snow fell, the cold was intense and the 
owner started at noon for his sheep. Night came, the storm increased 
and he did not return. The next morning the family started for help, 
the snow had covered up all the tracks and not until the end of the 
third day did they find the man, on the side of the hill with both feet 
frozen an unable to move. Farmers built large fires around their corn- 
fields to keep them from freezing. Coming down to Oneida county, 
old residents who were old twenty-five years ago and remembered the 
cold summer of 18 16, informed the author that there were frosts in 
Oneida county every month that year ; corn which had come up was 
cut down by the frosts in June. The fore part of the month the nights 
had been unusually cold, and on the 6th of June it snowed in all parts of 
the county ; in some places snow fell to the depth of several inches. 
But little corn, wheat and potatoes were raised that year. Wheat was 
$3 a bushel; corn $1.50. Jones's Annals of Oneida County mentions 
that cold summer and relates the story of four children in the town of 
Annsville, residing in the neighborhood of " Cold Hill Bridge," over 
Fish Creek, attending school three miles distant ; one boy was nine, the 
other six, the other two of the four were girls, about the same ages ; 
they usually walked to and from school. The youngest girl was the 
only one who had a pair of shoes ; none of them had stockings. On 
the 6th of that ever- to- be- remembered June, the four children were 
punctual at school in the morning. At 2 P. M. the weather had become 
so cold the teacher concluded to dismiss the school and send her 
scholars home. About one-quarter of a. mile from the school house a 
family resided, and the four children mentioned passed that way on 
their way home, but when they got there the inmates were absent, and 
the house was locked. Snow was falling fast and it was already two 
inches deep. The oldest boy had on his father's roundabout. He took 
the six year old boy on his back, put the little fellow's feet in the 
pockets of the roundabout and directed the two little girls to go ahead 
as fast as they could, and when tired sit down and rub each other's bare 



1814 TO 1819. 179 

feet until he came up. When the large boy came up to the girls, he 
put the boy down from his back, took the large girl on his back, who had 
no shoes, and the boy and the small girl pushed on. When within forty 
rods from home, the father heard the cries of the children, and hastened to 
their aid. The feet of the larger boy were so lacerated with sticks and 
stones and frozen on the way, that it was several days before he could 
go out. Such were the sufferings of many who became pioneer set- 
tlers in the country. 

On the 4th of July, 1817, the opening ceremonies of commencing 
work on the Erie Canal were observed in Rome, a little to the south- 
west of the then United States Arsenal. The following account is 
taken from the newspapers of the dates as named below, and hence the 
account may be considered authentic : 

[From the Utica Gazette, July 15th, and New York Columbian, July 18th. 1817.] 

An intention to celebrate the anniversary of American Independence, at the vil- 
lage of Rome, on the Fourth of July instant, having been announced in the public 
papers, and the preparation of the Canal Commissioners being in a state of suffi- 
cient forwardness, an engagement was made by the Hon. S. Young (the only com- 
missioner present), and the committee of arrangements, to unite with this joyous 
festival, the commencement of the excavation of the Grand Erie Canal. 

Accordingly on that da}', at sunrise, a large lumber of citizens, accompanied by 
the commissioners and engineer, assembled and proceeded to the place appointed on 
the line of the canal. 

The Hon. Joshua Hathaway, of Rome, on the part of the citizens 
present with a few pertinent observations delivered the spade into the 
hands of the commissioner, by whom it was delivered to Judge Rich- 
ardson, of Cayuga county, who had entered into the first contract for 
constructing a portion of the canal. The contract bore date June 27, 
1 8 17. Judge Richardson said : 

"Fellow Citizens : — We have assembled to commence the excavation of the Erie 
Canal. This work, when accomplished, will connect our Western Inland Seas with 
the Atlantic. It will diffuse the benefit of internal navigation over a surface of vast 
extent, blessed with a salubrious climate and luxuriant soil, embracing a tract of 
country capable of sustaining more human beings than were ever accommodated by 
any work of the kind. 

" By this great highway unborn millions will easily transport their surplus produc- 
tions to the shores of the Atlantic, procure their supplies, and hold a useful and 
profitable intercourse with all the marine nations of' the earth. The expense and 
labor of this great undertaking bear no proportion to its utility. As nature has 



180 OUR COtJNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

kindly afforded every facility, we have all the moral and physical means within our 
reach and control. Let us, then, proceed to the work, animated by the prospect of 
its speedy accomplishment, and cheered by the anticipated benedictions of a grate- 
ful posterity." 

Judge Richardson then broke the earth, and was followed by the citizens, and his 
own laborers, each vieing with the other in this demonstration of the joy of which 
all partook on that interesting occasion. 

Thus, accompanied by the acclamations of the citizens, and the discharge of can- 
non from the United States Arsenal, has been struck the first stroke towards the con- 
struction of a work, which, in its conception, will unite Erie with the Hudson ; the 
West with the Atlantic ; which will scatter plenty along its borders ; carry refinement 
and civilization to the regions of the wilderness, and ever remain a proud and useful 
monument of the enlightened views of its projectors and of the wisdom and mag- 
nanimity of the State of New York. 

The foregoing account from the Utica Gazette and the Columbian 
makes no mention of Governor De Witt Clinton being present at the 
ceremonies, and awards to Judge John Richardson the honor of shovel- 
ing the first spadeful of earth. Jones's Annals of Oneida County awards 
that honor to Hon. Joshua Hathaway, of Rome, and it is so inscribed 
on the tombstone of Judge Hathaway in Rome cemetery. History 
records (E. H. Roberts's History of New York) that Governor Clinton 
was present, and that he entered upon the duties of his office only three 
days before. Further, the late Judge Henry A. Foster informed the 
author of this work, that when he (Judge Foster) was senator in 1828, 
Governor Clinton informed him (Judge F.) that he was present at those 
ceremonies and stated that to him (the governor) really belonged the 
honor of casting the first spadeful of earth. 

On the 21st of October, 1819, the channel of the canal between Utica and Rome, 
was filled with water from Oriskany creek, and on the next day a boat named the 
"Chief Engineer," in honor of Judge Benjamin Wright, made a trial trip from Rome 
to Utica. A military band and a number of citizens were on board, and they were 
received by the Uticans by the ringing of bells, the firing of cannon and the applause 
of the multitude. On the 23d of the same month, that boat returned to Rome with 
a company of 70 ladies and gentlemen, among whom were Governor Clinton, 
General Van Rensselaer, the canal commissioners, Colonel Lansing, Judge Morris S. 
Miller and Judge Benjamin Wright. The boat was 61 feet long, 7-| feet wide, a 
cabin at each end, and each cabin 14 feet in length, with a flat deck between the two 
cabins. At 9 that morning, the excursionists embarked at Utica for Rome, amid the 
ringing of bells, the firing of cannon, and the shouts of the people. In 40 minutes 
the boat reached Whitesboro, and at 1 p. M., arrived at Rome. All along the route, 
the canal banks, the fences, the trees and the buildings, were crowded by an eager, 
curious and excited multitude, to witness the novel sight. At 3 p. m. the boat 



1814 TO 1819. 181 

started from Rome on its return trip, and reached Utica a little before 8 in the even- 
ing. 

In the spring of 1820 the canal between Utica and Montezuma was open for busi- 
ness, and about the middle of April of that year the first boat of the season, and the 
first packet which ever run on the Erie canal, started from Utica for Montezuma. 
The boat was the "Chief Engineer;" it left Utica early in the morning of Thursday, 
having on board John T. Clark, (afterwards state engineer,) Mayor Burse, (or Buss,) 
John B. Pease, then sheriff of Oneida county, (father of the late Harmon Pease,) and 
others. It reached Rome about 1 r. M. and took on board Henry A. Foster, (now 
ex-Judge Foster, and who is my informant,) Colonel John Westcott and his son, 
Simon Matteson and his brother, Clark Matteson. Jesse Matteson was captain. 
About 5 v m. that boat reached Brandy Brook, in the town of Verona, and there was 
obliged to remain until Friday afternoon, owing to the low state of the water in the 
canal, by reason of a break. That night (Friday) the boat reached a point in the 
town of Sullivan in Madison county, and there remained all night. Saturday night 
the boat and its company reached "old Real's tavern" in the town of Manlius in 
Onondaga county, and there remained over night, and Sunday night the party 
reached " Corinth " (now Syracuse.) Some twelve to fifteen horses were taken along, 
to distribute along the route to be used as packethorses and for a change. Portions 
of the way oxen were used to draw the boat along. The return trip was made a 
little quicker, and the party reached home in time to vote at the general election, 
then held the last of April, at which De Witt Clinton was elected governor over 
Daniel D. Tompkins. 

On the 30th of May of the same year an excursion was made by the " Chief Engi- 
neer" and "Montezuma" from Utica to Seneca river, and among the excursionists 
were Governor Clinton, the canal commissioners, and a large party from Utica, 
Whitesboro, Rome, and other points. 

In June, 1820, the ' Erie Canal Navigation company" advertised that 100 miles of 
the canal was open from Utica westward, and that boats left Utica Mondays and 
Thursdays at 9 A. m. and and reached Canastota at 7 p. M., and that the fare was $4 
including meals. 

In the same year that the work was commenced on the Erie Canal, 
President James Monroe made a partial tour through the Northern 
States. It is not definitely known whether he passed through Oneida 
county or not, but it is thought he did not. The object of the tour was 
to inspect the military condition of the northern frontier. He came up 
the St. Lawrence River as far as Ogdensburgh ; there he was met 
August I, 1817, by Gen. Jacob Brown and others, escorted oyer the 
country to Rossie, Antwerp, Leray and thence to Watertown. He 
proceeded from there to Brownville and to Sackett's Harbor, which 
place he reached August 4. There he was received with military honors 
and a brief address and on the 6th he embarked on board the United 
States brig Jones, bound for Niagara. 



182 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

It has been incidentally mentioned in a previous chapter that the 
Rome jail, which was erected. before 1800, was destroyed by fire in 181 7. 
That fire was an incendiary one, set by the prisoners confined therein, 
and occurred August 19, 18 17. There were a number of prisoners in 
the jail at the time, and some five of them attempted to escape by set- 
ting fire to the jail. The flames, however, got under such headway be- 
fore being discovered by outsiders, that many of the prisoners came 
near to death by suffocation. It was some time before the doors were 
opened. They all crowded to the door, through a small crack in which 
a little fresh air came, and where they crowded each other and struggled 
and fought for a breath of air and for life. One of the prisoners, Elisha 
Green, was killed in the struggle, or died of suffocation. When the 
doors were opened the prisoners were so much exhausted as to make it 
difficult to revive them. They were laid out in the open air upon the 
grass and as they revived their agony and contortions were dreadful. 
One of the prisoners, John J. Sundown, an Oneida Indian, was alive 
some twenty-five years ago, living at Oneida. Five of the prisoners 
who were implicated in the offense of setting the fire were indicted for 
arson at the December term of the court held by Judge Piatt at Whites- 
town in 1 8 17, and tried at the same term. Their names were John 
Harris, John Denny, James O'Brien, David Linus, and Roswell T. Pratt. 
Denny and Linus were Oneida Indians. Denny was in jail under an in- 
dictment for an assault with intent to kill; Pratt under an indictment for 
passing counterfeit money. Harris, Linus and O'Brien were in jail under 
sentence to the State's Prison for three years for grand larceny. The 
prisoners were defended by T. R. Gold and F. C. White, of Whitesboro. 
All of the five indicted persons were convicted, the penalty of which was 
death, and were sentenced to be hung the 2d (Friday) of February, 
18 1 8. Apollos Cooper, of Utica, was sheriff and John Westcott, the 
Rome jailor. The coffins were made for the prisoners and a gallows 
erected for the five. The day of execution was in midwinter and old 
residents gave to the author a quarter of a century ago an account of 
the burning of the jail, the scene presented by the suffocating prisoners, 
and the looks of the gallows and the crowd that came to witness the 
execution. Men, women, and children, came in sleighs, on horseback, 
and some on foot, from all parts of the county, some of the way through 



1814 TO 1819. 183 

woods, and breaking roads and starting the night before and riding all 
night so as to be on hand in time to witness the execution. There was 
a large gathering of people, but on the day of the execution and a few 
hours before the time fixed, there came from the governor a commuta- 
tion of the sentence of death penalty to imprisonment for life. De Witt 
Clinton was then governor of the State. Being thus deprived of wit- 
nessing the hanging, a number of persons clubbed together, erected a 
gallows of their own in a little piece of woods near the present St. 
Joseph's church, close by the Central Railroad, and there hung the five 
prisoners in effigy. One of the spectators froze his feet by standing so 
long in the snow to witness the spectacle. 

It has been stated in a previous chapter that on the organization of 
Oneida county in 1798 Jonas Piatt, of Whitesboro, was the first county 
clerk. That office he held until he was succeeded February 2, 1802, 
by Francis A. Bloodgood. The law had fixed the site of the court 
houses and jails in this county, but not the site of a clerk's office, and 
hence the clerk could keep the records in his own private office, as the 
clerks did until a law was passed fixing the site of the county clerk's 
office. Mr. Bloodgood resided in Utica, on Whitesboro street, a little 
westerly of what fifty years ago was the hotel known as the " McGregor 
House," and later the " Dudley House." His office was on the same 
street a little westerly of his residence. By successive appointments Mr. 
Bloodgood held the office until February 23, 1813, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Abram Camp, who held the office until March 16, 1815, when 
Mr. Bloodgood was reappointed. April 5, 1816, an act was passed 
authorizing the county to raise $2,000, to construct a fire-proof build- 
ing for a county clerk's office to be erected in Utica. Charles C. Broad- 
head, Francis A. Bloodgood, and Joseph Jennings were appointed com- 
missioners to locate and purchase a site, and contract for the erection of 
the building. The site selected was on Whitesboro street, not far from 
the place where Mr. Bloodgood had kept his office. April ii 5 1817, 
the Legislature authorized the raising of an additional $1,000 to com- 
plete the building. The county clerk's office was kept there until 1849, 
when it was removed to its present location on Genesee street. The 
manner of the change occurred after this wise : Prior to the State Con- 
stitution of 1 82 1 there were five judges of the Supreme Court in this 



184 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

State. Each of those judges held Circuits and Courts of Oyer and 
Terminer, and together acted as an appellate court. The General Terms 
were held prior to 1818 in Albany and New York. The clerks of those 
courts were wholly different from the county clerks and from the clerks 
of our present courts. April 14, 1820, an act was passed authorizing 
the holding of the October term of the General Term (that was held in 
New Yotk) to be held at the Utica Academy. That building was 
erected in 18 18, and as there was no court house in Utica prior to 1850, 
courts were frequently held in that academy. It was in the second 
story of that building the famous McLeod trial took place in October, 
1841. It was probably through the influence of Judge Jonas Piatt, who 
was from 18 14 to 1823 one of the judges of the Supreme Court, that 
that the October general term was authorized to be held in Utica The 
October teim of 1820 was the first time that court was held there, and 
the judges who held the term were Ambrose Spencer, W. W. Vanness, 
Joseph C. Yates, John Woodworth and Jonas Piatt. Among the emi- 
nent lawyers in attendance at that term of the court were Martin Van 
Buren, T. A. Emmett, Elisha Williams, A. Van Vechten, Daniel Cady, 
John V. Henry and Thomas Oakley, then attorney-general. Not far 
from 1820 a story and a half building was erected on the site now occu- 
pied by the county clerk's office on Genesee street and for the clerk's 
office of the old Supreme Court. The State Constitution of 1846 abol- 
ished the old Supreme Court and the clerks went with the court. An 
act was passed January 29, 1848, authorizing the Commissioners of the 
Land Office to convey to Oneida county the premises of the old supreme 
court clerk's office on Genesee street, and the State to receive in ex- 
change the site of Oneida county clerk's office on Whitesboro street. 
Those conveyances were executed. 



1820 TO 1830. 185 



CHAPTER XVII. 

1820 TO 1830. 

An event of great historical importance in and to Oneida county took 
place on October 23, 1819. It is well worthy of a place in this history, 
as thereby the narration of facts which now rests only on newspaper 
publications can be preserved in a more enduring form. The account 
of this event is from the Utica Observer of October 26, 18 19, and is as 
follows : 

On Saturday, October 23, 1819, his Excellency Governor Clinton ; Gen. Van 
Rennsalaer ; Messrs. Holly and Seymour, canal commissioners ; Mr. Wright, engi- 
neer of the middle sections of the Erie Canal; Messrs. White, Bates and Jarvis, 
assistant engineers, and Mr. Agent Barton, together with the Rev. Dr. Blatchford, 
of Lansingburgh; and Mr. Stanbury, of Albany; Mr. Bunner, of New York; Judge 
Miller, Mr. Williams, Mr. Clark, Mr. Van Rennsalaer, Mr. Bloodgood, Mr. Lansing, 
Mr. Childs, Mr. Walker, and many other gentlemen of the village of Utica, and its 
vicinity; the sheriff of Oneida county, Colonel Westcott and the Hon. E. Hart and 
P. G. Childs, senators of the Western District, started in a canal boat from the east- 
ern extremity of the middle section, on an excursion of curiosity, and experiment, 
for Rome. 

The dam at Oriskany Creek having been finished and the bars of earth adjoining 
it having been removed, so as to admit the passage of a boat; a depth of two and 
one-half feet of water had been let into the canal on the Thursday preceding. The 
first admission of water into a canal is always attended with great solicitude. It is 
the ultimate test of the accuracy of the levels, and affords most important references 
as to the solidity and fidelity with which the banks have been constructed, and the 
sufficiency of the feeders. One of the jobs east of Oneida Creek, not being entirely 
completed, it was deemed expedient to prevent the water extending further west on 
the Rome summit than Wood Creek aqueduct, a distance of eighteen miles ; and it 
was known that the quicksands at Oriskany Hill presented more cause of alarm than 
is anywhere else to be found on the section. A number of men had been stationed 
on the bank at that place to watch the effect and motion of the waters as they accu- 
mulated, and to arrest as quick as possible the progress of any evil that might arise. 
The waters moved gently on from Oriskany Creek, the great feeder of the eastern 
end of the level, towards Utica, swelled around Oriskany Hill to the intended depth, 
and were not observed to produce any threatening indications on the banks for sev- 
eral hours, when at about one o'clock on the morning of Friday, a breach was sud- 
denly effected at a place where a drain had been very recently filled up. At the 
24 



186 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

place of this drain, the natural surface of the ground was two feet below the bottom 
of the canal. 

Of course when the water was two and one-half feet deep along the line in gene- 
ral, there was here a pressure of four and one-half feet head. But this pressure 
would have produced no injur}', if due care had been taken in raising the bottom of 
the canal, and breaking in the sides of the drain, and puddling the .earth required 
in closing it. By the activity and energy of Mr. Brown, assistant engineer, and 
Messrs. Brainard, Miller, Chapin and Simpson, contractors, the breach was soon 
repaired, so that by noon on Friday, the waters were again allowed to enter the 
canal; and before daylight on Saturday, they filled it for eighteen miles to the depth 
of near three feet. On the morning of this day, therefore, the party above men- 
tioned commenced their excursion. The scene was novel and most interesting, con- 
sidering the circumstances of our country, the great benefits sure to result to us 
from internal trade, the intelligence of our citizens to perceive and appreciate these 
benefits, their virtues and public spirit to make the necessary permanent appropria- 
tion beforehand, the influence on all our best sympathies, which cannot fail to be 
most extensively produced by such easy, pleasing, and economical means of general 
intercourse, as are furnished by navigable canals, and in the construction of our 
great work, not only in the light of its exceeding utility, but as introducing through- 
out the ample territories of our National Empire, a spirit of action and persevering 
internal improvements; it is believed, that the records of social life, do not afford a 
scene more interesting: 

Amidst the cheers and shouts of almost the whole neighboring population, the 
ringing of the church bells in Utica, and the patriotic tunes of a band of music on 
board, the boat was put in motion. It was drawn by one horse, by means of a rope 
eighty feet long, of which one end connected with the whippletree, and the other 
with a hook secured to the boat, a little distance from the bow, on the towing 
path side. And everybody was surprised to see the ease with which a single horse 
moved on, at the rate of four miles an hour, drawing a boat with from 70 to 100 pas- 
sengers continually on board. The agitation of the waters in the canal, in conse- 
quence of the motion of the boat, was not such as to induce the fear of much injury 
to the banks, and when the whole depth of the waters is let in, it will be much less. 
At a short distance from the place of starting, on the line of the canal, there is an 
embankment over Nail Creek, twenty-one feet in height above the natural surface 
of the ground, and thirty -two rods long, under which is constructed a large semi- 
circular culvert of stone for passing the waters of the creek under the canal into the 
Mohawk River below. The arch of the culvert has a span of five feet, and the whole 
structure looks stable and well adapted to its object. In a canal the triumph of art 
is most apparent where the navigation is carried high over the neighboring land ; 
this embankment was therefore regarded with great complacency. 

In thirty-six minutes we had passed near three miles, and reached the east end of 
an embankment about 130 chains long across the valley of the Soedaqueda (Socke- 
voit) Creek. The creek itself is passed by an aqueduct 260 feet long, connected with 
the embankment. This aqueduct consists of two abutments, with the necessary wing 
walls, and seven piers of solid masonry. And this stone work supports a trunk six- 
teen feet wide, consisting of timber and plank, for the water of the canal to occupy, 



1820 TO 1830. 187 

and a towing path of plank eight feet wide for the horse to travel on. There is an 
angle in the embankment where it connects with the aqueduct, at each end ; but the 
connection is so contrived as to admit of an easy passage in both directions, and the 
whole work appears strong and well-planned. Passing westerly, this embankment 
is terminated by excavation through the beautiful plateau of land which constitutes 
the site of the village of Whitesborough. All the way to this place many hundreds 
of spectators had followed the boat on the banks of the canal, very frequently filling 
the air with their animating cheers. Arrived here, the bells of Whitesborough be- 
gan to ring, a salute was fired from a road bridge, by a detachment from Captain 
Mann's company of artillery, and the whole village arrayed itself with the most 
lively demonstrations of curiosity and joy upon the banks of the canal. Some of the 
passengers in the boat gave place to the ladies and gentlemen of Whitesborough; 
and the Rev. Mr. Frost, with his wife, Mr. Gold, with two of his daughters, Mr. 
Sheriff Pease, Judge Young, Mr Sill, Mr. White, and several other persons came on 
board. When the boat came in sight of the place where the breach in the bank had 
occurred, about twenty hardy looking workmen, who had not quite completed the 
necessary preparation, sent up a shout of welcome, more cordial and contagious than 
ever before echoed through the woods of the Mohawk. The pond in the Oriskany 
Creek, above the dam, is about thirty rods wide, and the towing path bridge is not 
yet made across it, it was necessary to move the boat over it, by setting poles ; this 
was effected in nine minutes ; when, after taking Colonel Lansing on board, with 
Mr. Green and several others, and being greeted by the ringing of the factory bell, 
and the acclamation of a multitude of spectators, the passage was continued, while 
the little girls were seen throwing flowers and green sprigs into the boat. Oriskany 
to Rome the canal is laid chiefly through swamps. In several places the depth of 
digging is from eight to ten feet; and from four miles below Rome the northern 
bank is all the way westerly to that place, raised fourteen feet above the bottom of 
the canal, with a view of protection against the floods of the Mohawk. The depth 
of the excavation, the size of the guard-bank, the apparent security of the whole 
canal, with the regularity of its straight lines, and the beauty of its curves, gave all 
the passengers great delight. At the bridge across the canal, in the swamp, a little 
southwest of the hotel in Rome, the passage westward was ended, after having 
been extended a few chains more" than fifteen miles. The officers of the United 
States garrison stationed at Rome, and many of the inhabitants of the village, came 
to mingle their congratulations with those of their fellow citizens, on the perfect suc- 
cess at the first attempt at navigation on the Erie Canal. It was in this vicinity and 
but two 3'ears ago, the fourth of last July, that the first shovelful of earth was ex- 
cavated in the construction of this great work. And it is truly with a mixture of 
wonder, surprise and the most joyful anticipations, that one now sees so many miles 
filled with water and navigable; and learns, that it is almost certain, that the whole 
middle section, and the side cut from the main trunk to the village of Salina, in all a 
distance of ninety miles, will be navigable in one-month more. An elegant dinner 
had been provided at Rome, for the passengers, which they were obliged to forego, 
by the engagement most of them had entered into, of returning that evening. After 
a delay of forty-eight minutes, during which the party partook of suitable refresh- 
ments, prepared for them in the boat, Mr. Wright and Mr. Bunner debarked, and 



188 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Lynch, from Rome, and Alderman Lawrence and Mr. Benson, of New York, 
came on board. The boat set out on the return to Utica, where she arrived ten 
minutes before eight, without the occurrence of the slightest incident of an unpleas- 
ant nature. And if ever deep-felt gladness was exhibited, on the human face divine, 
it was in universal and full display, throughout this excursion. The boat was built 
at Rome by Messers. Miller, Chapin and Brainard, contractors, on a neat and con- 
venient model, being sixty-one feet long, eight feet wide and four feet deep, with 
two cabins, each of which is fourteen feet long, six feet six inches from the floor to 




The First Boat Built for the Erie Canal. 
[From an old newspaper print.] 

the ceiling, and accommodated with the necessary closets and furniture. She is 
called the " Chief Engineer of Rome," and carried a flag on this occasion, on which 
was handsomely painted the American Eagle, and a canal boat with the words 
•' Erie Canal " above and " Inland Navigation" below. In building the boat, taking 
out the bars of earth near Oriskany and making every other provision for the first 
experiment of navigating the canal, Messrs. Brainard, Miller and Chapin, Sheriff 
Pease and Colonel Westcott, have made great and laudable exertions ; and it was 
easy to perceive that the canal commissioners, the engineer with his assistants, and 
every other witness and partaker of this expedition, will set down the day on which 
it occurred as the happiest in their lives. 

The boat returned to Utica at ten minutes before eight, making the whole time of 
the trip ten hours and thirty-five minutes. From which deduct (in all stops) two 
hours and fifteen minutes, and the whole time of the passage is eight hours and 
twenty minutes, a distance of more than thirty miles. 

A Passenger in the Boat. 

Other details of the construction of the canal are left for a separate 
chapter on the subject. 

The State constitutional convention of 1821 agreed upon a new Con- 
stitution for the State. Various amendments were made to former con- 
stitutions, among which was a change in the judiciary system ; many 
offices were made elective which had theretofore been appointive ; 
an enlargement of the right of suffrage was provided for, etc. The 
delegates to that convention from Oneida county and a part of Oswego 
county, were Ezekiel Bacon, Henry Huntington, Nathan Williams, S. 
S. Breese, and Jonas Piatt. The last two did not approve of nor sign 



1820 TO 1830. 



189 



the Constitution. It was submitted to a vote of the people of the 
whole State January 15, 16, and 17, 1822, and adopted by the following 
vote: For, 73,732 ; against, 41,402. The vote in this county by towns 
is given below, and for convenience the U. S. census of 1830 is put in 
the same table : 



Annsville . 

Augusta 

Boonville 

Bridgewater.. . 

Camden 

Deerfield 

Floyd. 

Florence 

Kirkland 

Lee.._ 

Marshall. 

Paris. 

New Hartford. 

Remsen 

Rome 

Steuben 

Sangerfield 

Trenton 

Utica 

Verona 

Vienna 

Vernon 

Westmoreland. 

Whitestown 

Western 



For. 


Against. 


69 


88 


59 


15 


87 


15 


47 


111 


95 


84 


140 


41 


31 


18 


126 


27 


252 


299 


16 


23 


222 


44 


74 


4 


72 


89 


108 


122 


139 


90 


134 


83 


73 


58 


164 


219 


109 


354 


126 


600 


5 


263 



1,481 
3,058 
2,746 
1,608 
1,945 
4,182 
1,699 
964 
2,505 
2,514 
1,908 
2,765 
3,599 
1,400 
4,360 
2,094 
2,272 
3,221 
8,323 
3,739 
1,766 
3,045 
3,303 
4,410 
3,418 



A matter of national interest and importance was the visit of La 
Fayette to this country. He landed in New York, August 15, 1824, 
after an absence of forty years, and visited every one of the then twen- 
ty-four States of the Union, stopping in most of the large cities. His 
tour was a perfect ovation from the time he set foot on American soil 
until he left Washington for France, September 7, 1825 — over a year. 
He went up the valley of the Mississippi to the West and came from 
Buffalo, most of the way by the Erie Canal (which was completed 
nearly to Buffalo in the summer of 1825). He reached Canandaigua on 
the evening of June 7, 1825, left that village on the morning of the 8th, 
reached Geneva, where he had a public reception, and left there at 1 P. M., 
passed through Waterloo, Syracuse, etc., and arrived at Rome about 
IO P. M. of June 9. He was met on the canal a few miles west of 



190 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Rome by a committee from Utica, Whitesboro and Rome ; a number 
from Rome were ladies with bouquets. Cols. B. P. Johnson, H. 
A. Foster, and Ardon Seymour were at the head of the Rome military 
organizations. The canal boats stopped at the " White House," a short 
distance southwesterly from the late U. S. Arsenal, where the company 
landed from the boats and proceeded in a procession, by the light of 
tallow candles, to the American Hotel, which then stood on the corner 
of James and Dominick streets. There La Fayette was welcomed by 
Wheeler Barnes, then a prominent lawyer of Rome. After the recep- 
tion and hand-shaking, La Fayette and the procession proceeded down 
James street to the old canal and there took the boat for Oriskany. 
Rome village was illuminated for the occasion. The distinguished 
visitor stayed that night with Colonel Gerrit Lansing, at Oriskany, who ■ 
was under his command at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, in 
October, 1 78 1 . The forenoon of June 10 the company proceeded to 
Whitesboro. There on a raised platform in front of Jonas Piatt's then 
residence, the marquis was seated in an arm chair and received the con- 
gratulations of the people and a thorough hand-shaking. He inquired 
if the good woman (the widow of Hugh White) was still living who 
made him such a nice johnny-cake ! La Fayette was through Whites- 
boro in 1784 on his way to attend the treaty that whs held that year at 
Fort Stanwix, as narrated in a former chapter; on being informed that 
the woman was still alive he called upon her again. Later on he pro- 
ceeded on his way to Utica, accompanied by the reception committee. 
The following account of La Fayette's visit to this county was published 
at the time in a Utica newspaper : 

June 9, 1825, the deputations from the general committee of arrangements at 
Utica, of which his honor Judge Williams was chairman, accompanied by Colonel 
Lansing and his honor Judge Storrs, proceeded to Rome to meet General La Fayette. 
After fitting honors had been paid him both at that place and at Whitesboro the 
committee proceeded to conduct him hither. The procession was formed at Whites- 
boro; the general was seated in the barouche accompanied by Judge Williams and 
preceded by an escort of cavalry commanded by Gen. John J. Knox. The general 
was followed by a carriage conveying his son, Colonel La Fayette, Colonel Lansing, 
Colonel Mappa, and Richard R. Lansing. Next succeeded coaches with his secre- 
tary, M. Le Vasseur, the other gentlemen of his suite, and the Utica committee, 
Judge Storrs, Lieutenant Simonson, and Captain Wright, of Rome. A large caval- 
cade of citizens on horseback riding three abreast followed, and were succeeded by 
a squadron of cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Cone. The procession 



1820 TO 1830. 191 

moved rapidly and increased as it passed from the accession of citizens. All the way 
the fences were lined and the houses thronged with people manifesting the utmost 
eagerness to see the favorite and guest of the nation, When the general arrived at 
the boundary of the village a salute of twenty-four guns was fired. The procession 
entered La Fayette street, where the troops under the command of Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Ostrom were drawn up on both sides of the way and saluted the general as he 
passed. The procession entered Genesee street, the crowd of eager spectators ac- 
cumulating at every step, and passed the bridge over the canal where a triumphal 
arch was erected surmounted by a flag labeled " La Fayette, the Apostle of Liberty, 
we hail thee — welcome !" The procession moved down Genesee street and stopped 
at Shepard's Hotel, where the general was received on the steps at the front door by 
William Clarke, esq., president of the village of Utica, and a speech was delivered 
by Mr. Clarke followed by a reply from La Fayette. 

The general breakfasted and dined at Shepard's, and in the interval the ceremonies 
of introduction and the review of the troops were performed. An immense number 
of gentlemen of the county of Oneida and the vicinity were introduced to the general, 
and at 12 o'clock the ladies were introduced, which ceremony occupied nearly an 
hour, so great was the number whom patriotism, respect, and affection called to the 
interesting scene. The troops passed in review before the general, who received 
their salute standing with head uncovered on the steps of Mr. Shepard's front door. 
At the particular request of La Fayette the chiefs of the Oneidas were invited to 
meet him, and among them he recognized two whom he knew during the Revolu- 
tionary war. But one of the most solemn and affecting incidents was the interview 
between the general and the old soldiers of the Revolutionary army. A large num- 
ber were assembled, some of whom were with him at the attack on the redoubts at 
Yorktown. The deep and keen feelings manifested by these venerated men on once 
more beholding their beloved general, and his frequent exclamatins "Oh, my friend, 
I know you!" with the impassioned salutations, excited the livliest sympathies of 
every heart. 

Over the front door of Mr. Shepard's hotel was placed a splendid transparent 
painting by Mr. Vanderlip, on which was inscribed in large letters "Welcome, La 
Fayette." After the general had partaken of a cold collation (the only dinner which 
circumstances would permit), at which Rev. Mr. Wiley craved the blessing of Prov- 
idence, the general, by particular request of the president of the United States, vis- 
ited the family of Alexander B. Johnson, esq. (Mrs. Johnson being a niece of the 
president), who with a few ladies of the village received him with the cordiality and 
respect which all feel. On his return he called for a moment at the house of Arthur 
Breese, esq., where the Rev. Mr. Galusha delivered him a neat poetical address. 
The general then paid his respects to the family of President Clarke and was con- 
ducted to the packet boat Governor Clinton, named for the occasion La Fayette, 
commanded by Major Swartout, and which had been fitted in tasteful and elegant 
style for his accommodation to Schenectady. It was drawn by three white horses, 
which with their riders had appropriate decorations. At the moment of embarkation 
a salute of twenty-four guns was fired, and when the boat began tomove the citizens 
congregated on the bridges and banks of the canal rent the air with loud and long 
continued cheering, which was repeated at intervals until the general had passed 



192 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the compact part of the village. At the last bridge, near the residence of the 
lamented Judge Miller, little boys threw baskets of flowers into the boat as it passed. 
The general all the time presented himself to the people and answered their con- 
gratulations with bows and expressive gesticulations. The committee attended him 
to the bounds of the county and a deputation proceeded with him. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
1830 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL WAR. 

The history of Oneida county to 1866, while devoid to a great extent 
of important or exciting events, except in connection with the civil 
war, is a record of continuous growth and advancement in all direc- 
tions. It was a period that witnessed the introduction of railroads, the 
rapid development of canal traffic, the establishment of plank roads, the 
formation of four towns in the county, the opening of many highways, 
the founding or reorganization of several important educational institu- 
tions, and the adoption of other public measures of considerable im- 
portance. 

The population of Oneida county, which had reached almost 60,000 
in 1820, increased to 71,326 in 1830, and to 85,310 in 1840. The act 
of Legislature of February 21, 1829, erecting the town of Marshall from 
Kirkland, was followed by another under date of March 30, 1832, creat- 
ing the town of Marcy from Deerfield. Only two other subdivisions of 
the county were made, those erecting Ava from Boonville, May 12, 1846, 
and Forestport formed from Remsen, November 24, 1869, making the 
number of towns twenty-six, besides the cities of Utica and Rome. 

An act of the Legislature of April 26, 1830, incorporated the Rome 
and New London Turnpike Company, and authorized the construction 
of a road from the town of Verona to " near the house of Benjamin 
Potter, in the town of Rome." But methods of transportation were 
about to undergo a wonderful transformation. The canal had proved 
to be of immense utility, but a successful rival was coming into exist- 
ence to the eastward. A charter had been granted by the Legislature 
to the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad Company in April, 1826, 



1830 TO THE CLOSE OP THE CIVIL WAR. 193 

and this was followed in the next decade by other charters almost with- 
out number for roads in various parts of the State, many of which were 
never built. The charter for the first railroad to enter. Oneida county 
was granted in 1833 to the Utica and Schenectady Railroad Company, 
and work was begun on the road in 1834; it was opened for traffic in 
the summer of 1836 The incorporation of the Utica and Syracuse 
Railroad Company was effected in May, 1836, and the road was finished 
in June, 1839 The original charter of the Rome and Watertown Rail- 
road was granted in April, 1832, but the construction of the road was 
not commenced until 1848. The Utica and Black River Railroad Com- 
pany was chartered in 1853 and the line was opened to Boonville the 
following year. These and other later railroads are noticed more in 
detail in a later chapter. 

The opening of these early railroads marked the beginning of a new 
era in Oneida county. They were influential in promoting the material 
growth of Utica and Rome and in locating and building up various vil- 
lages along their lines, sometimes to the detriment of other nearby busi- 
ness centers. Among the companies incorporated at an early date and 
which did not carry out their plans were the Utica and Susquehanna 
Railroad Company, incorporated April 25, 1832, and the Black River 
Company, April n, 1832, to build a canal from Rome or Herkimer to 
the St. Lawrence. On March 23, 1834, the Utica and New Berlin Mc- 
Adam Turnpike Company was incorporated, and by an act of June 29, 
1832, Oneida and Oswego counties were constituted the 17th Congress- 
ional district. 

In the mean time the memorable cholera epidemic of 1832 swept over 
the country and this county suffered in common with others, and espe- 
cially those along the line of the canal over which were then traveling 
westward hosts of emigrants. In this county the ravages of the disease 
were greatest in Utica and Rome and are more particularly described in 
the histories of those places in later pages. 

Oneida county passed through the financial crisis of 1837-38 with as 
little loss and suffering, perhaps, as any other section similarly situated. 
Utica and Rome being. at that time without large natural and manufac- 
turing resources, and with limited banking facilities and accumulated 
capital, felt the stringency severely as elsewhere recorded ; but the ag- 



194 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ricultural districts were comparatively rich and prosperous, and not only 
recovered quickly themselves, but aided materially in bringing renewed 
financial health and activity to the business centers of the county. 

What may be termed the plank road era began in 1846, when in July 
the first one in the United States was opened from Salina to Central 
Square, Onondaga county. The following list embraces nearly if not 
quite all the plank roads constructed in Oneida county, with other infor- 
mation concerning them : The Rome and Utica Plank Road Company, 
authorized November 18, 1847, located ,n June, 1848; the road was 
partly surrendered in 1856, and later was wholly abandoned. The New 
London Plank Road Company was incorporated November 22, 1847; 
the road was only five and one-half miles long and extended between 
points in Vienna and Verona. The Rome and Turin plank road was 
located in 1848, extending from Rome through the towns of Lee and 
Ava to Turin in Lewis county, and was abandoned in 1855. The Fish 
Creek Plank Road Company built a road from near McConnellsville to 
Fish Creek Landing in Vienna. The Bridgewater and Utica Plank 
Road Company laid out its road in 1848 The Northern Plank Road 
Company laid out its road in the fall of 1848, extending from 
Deerfield northward beyond Remsen village ; this was one of the most 
important of these highways. Its charter expired in 1877 and was not 
renewed. The Hamilton and Deansville Plank Road Company laid out 
its road in June, 1848; it was abandoned in 1874. The Utica and 
Waterville Central Plank Road Company laid out its road in February, 
1849, and surrendered its charter in 1854. The Frankfort and Utica 
Plank Road Company built its road in April, 1849, ar >d abandoned it 
in 1 86 1. The Russia and North Gage Plank Road Company laid its 
road in 1849, and surrendered it in i860. The Rome and Madison 
Plank Road Company laid its road in April, 1850, through Vernon and 
Augusta, to Madison. The Seneca Plank Road Company built a road 
on the turnpike bearing its name, and the Waterville and Utica Com- 
pany laid a road in 1848. The Earlville and Waterville Plank Road 
Company was organized in 1849, an< ^ the road was laid between the 
two points named ; it was abandoned in 1869. The Augusta Plank 
Road Company was organized in 1852, and built a road which was 
abandoned about 1869. The Holland Patent and Marcy Plank Road 



1830 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL WAR. 195 

Company laid its road in 1850, and the Central Square and Vienna 
road, laid about the same time, was abandoned in 1855. The Rome 
and Taberg Plank Road Company was organized March 28, 1854; the 
road was abandoned in 1871. The Winfield and Paris Plank Road 
Company, organized in 1854, abandoned its road in 1872. The Tren- 
ton and Prospect Plank Road Company abandoned most of its road in 
i860. For a time many of these useful highways paid profits, but when 
the planks had to be renewed and railroads came into competition with 
some, while the condition of the ordinary highways improved, they in 
many cases failed to pay expenses. 

The population of the county by 1850 had reached 98,537, and pros- 
perity was everywhere manifest. The great value of manufacturing 
industries began to be appreciated and the reader of subsequent city 
and town histories in this work will note what was accomplished to- 
wards their establishment in this county. 

By an act of the Legislature of March 30, 1846, Oneida county was 
given four members of assembly, and under another act of May 13 of 
that year it was associated with Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Madison and 
Otsego to form the Fifth Senatorial District. 

The increase in population from 1850 to i860 was comparatively 
small, it being in the latter year 101,626, about 3,000 more than at the 
beginning of that decade. During that period the county passed 
through another financial crisis which was in some respects more dis- 
astrous than the one of twenty years earlier. Two financial institutions 
in Utica failed, business was greatly depressed in all sections, and anx- 
iety and suffering were generally prevalent through the year 1857. 

The country at large was now upon the eve of momentous events. 
The " irrepressible conflict " for the abolition of southern slavery reached 
a crisis in the election of Abraham Lincoln for president of the United 
States, and led to the opening of the guns of Charleston upon Fort 
Sumter on the 12th of April, 1861. The oncoming of civil war found 
the people of Oneida county ready with patriotism, men and money to 
meet its demands. A call was issued signed by nearly 500 citizens for 
a meeting in Utica as early as February 1, 1861, of " all who believe a 
real and substantial difficulty exists in the administration of the Federal 
Government." The meeting was largely attended and many patriotic 



196 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

speeches were made. Other similar gatherings were held in other 
places in the county. The first call of the president for volunteers was 
made April 15, 1861, for 75,000 militia to serve three months. This was 
followed by another on May 3, under which and the several acts of ap- 
proval of that summer, a total of over 700,000 men was required. Re- 
cruiting began at once in Oneida county and what became known as 
the First Oneida regiment was mustered into the service for two years 
on May 17, 186 1. It served honorably throughout its term. Only 
four days later, May 21, the Second Oneida regiment, as it was known, 
was mustered in for two years, and came home with an honorable 
record. These two regiments were regularly numbered the Fourteenth 
and the Twenty-sixth. 

The next call for troops was issued on July 2, 1862, for 300,000 men, 
which was succeeded by another on August 4 for 300,000 nine months 
men, and recruiting in Oneida county, which had been quiet for some 
months, again became active. A large meeting was held in Utica on 
the 14th of July, where a liberal subscription was made towards a fund 
for the payment of bounties. This was followed by a special meeting 
of the supervisors at Rome on the 14th of August, at which a com- 
mittee reported the following resolution : 

Resolved, That Horatio Seymour, C. H. Doolittle, Francis Kernan, William H. 
Ferry, William J. Bacon, Edward Huntington, E. B. Armstrong, and Samuel Camp- 
bell, together with L. Rouse, chairman of the meeting, and O, Carpenter, clerk, be 
appointed a committee to raise upon the credit of the county $162,700, upon county 
orders, bearing interest, signed by the clerk and chairman. 

The quota of Oneida county under the last call was about 1,200, and 
under the foregoing resolution a bounty of $50 was offered to each vol- 
unteer. In that year (1862) the following towns voted the sums named 
for bounties: 

Augusta, §1,180; Bridgewater, $2,688.50; Lee, $647; Marcy, $317; New Hartford, 
$3,400; Paris, §1,600; Remsen, §2,017.50; Trenton, §3,227.62; Verona, §150; West- 
moreland, $1,000. 

Recruiting under the two calls above mentioned was pushed to the 
utmost. The third regiment from this county was the 97th, which was 
organized at Boonville and was mustered into the service at that place 
on the 18th of February, 1862, and served in many of the important 
battles of the war and was mustered out July 18, 1865. Before this 



1830 TO THE CLOSE OP THE CIVIL WAR. 197 

regiment was filled, recruiting for the next was under way, and early 
in August, 1862, the first company of what became the 1 17th regiment, 
the fourth one from this county, was mustered in. The regiment was 
mustered in and broke its camp to start for the front on the 22d of 
August. It was mustered out of the service after a long and most hon- 
orable term, on June 8, 1865, at Raleigh, N. C. 

Recruiting continued active through the summer and fall of 1862, 
and the fifth regiment from this county, the 146th, was filled and mus- 
tered in at Rome on the 10th of October, 1862. It saw three years of 
exceptionally hard service and became known as " the fighting regi- 
ment." It was mustered out at the close of the war, July 16, 1865. 

A draft was ordered for August 25, 1863, to supply deficiencies in 
the quotas of the several towns. The draft was held in Utica as an- 
nounced and passed off without trouble of any kind. Meanwhile many 
enlistments were made in organizations that were partly filled in other 
localities. Among these were Companies C, D, and E of the 50th In- 
fantry (Engineers), mustered in September 18, 1861 ; Company B of 
the 47th Infantry ; parts of Companies D, E, and H of the 68th Infantry, 
mustered in August, 1861; Companies C, E, and I of the 8 1st Infantry, 
mustered in September 14, 1861 ; Company H of the 164th Infantry, 
mustered in November, 19, 1862 ; parts of Companies A, B, C, D, E, 
and F, of the I92d Infantry, mustered in during the spring of 1865 and 
parts of companies in many other regiments of infantry, cavalry and 
artillery, which were were recruited under the several calls succeeding 
those already mentioned. 

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors held December 7, 1863, 
a resolution was adopted taxing the county a sum sufficient to pay each 
volunteer $300, amounting to $389,400. This was for the quotas of 
that year. On the 23d of August, 1864, the board adopted a resolu- 
tion to pay $400 to two year men and $500 to three year men. On 
the 2 1st of December, 1864, under another call for 300,000 men, the 
board passed a resolution to pay volunteers $200 for one year; $400 
for two years, and $600 for three years. The total amount of county 
orders issued to December 22, 1864, including interest was $777,939.59. 
On the 24th of January, 1865, the board adopted a resolution to pay 
$300, $500, and $700 respectively for one, two, and three year men. 



198 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The payments of the county treasurer for 1864 were $651,447.92; for 
1865, $309,962.19. The following table shows the amount of war bonds 
issued to the towns in 1865 : 

Annsville $21,750.00 Rome.... §72,375.00 

Augusta ...14,500.00 Sangerfield 18,550.00 

Ava ..18,125.00 Steuben 14,475.00 

Boonville 32.425.00 Trenton _ ...33,600.00 

Bridgewater .13,750.00 Utica . 171, 945.00 

Camden 31,975.00 Vernon 30,700.00 

Deerfield 17,400.00 Verona .44,600.00 

Florence 27,675.00 Vienna 26,100.00 

Floyd 8,000.00 Western 20,350.00 

Kirkland 19,575.00 Westmoreland 26,125.00 

Lee 29,150.00 Whitestown 22,950.00 

Marcy _ 18 850.00 C. H. Doolittle .500.00 

Marshall .5,075.00 T. Buchanan, jr 386.03 

New Hartford 24,900.00 

Paris 26,325.00 $819,176.03 

Remsen 26,850.00 

The following is a summary of the bonds issued each year and the 
amount paid to the county treasurer by the supervisors: 

Bonds of 1864. _ _ .8129,350.00 

Interest on above.. _ _ 9,054.50 

8138,404.50 

Bonds of 1865 864,474.29 

Orders of 1864 (extended) 14,900.00 

Paid treasurer by supervisors 28,407.78 



Total 81,046,186.57 

Of this amount $973,5 10 was refunded by the State. 1 

' For further details of the enlistments from this county and the deeds of Oneida county men 
in the field, the reader is referred to the State muster rolls in the county clerk's office, to the 
various histories of regiments and brigades, and to the full account given in the Everts history of 
the county of 1878. 



1866 TO THE PRESENT. 199 



CHAPTER XIX. 

1866 TO THE PRESENT. 



The condition of the country at large at the close of the Civil war is 
well remembered by most people of the present generation. The out 
ward aspect of material affairs indicated unexampled prosperity. While 
the "war prices" of all of the necessaries and the luxuries of life were 
unprecedentedly high, money on the other hand was extremely plenty. 
Fortunes of greater or less magnitude had been rapidly accumulated 
and the current in financial channels everywhere flowed freely. As a 
consequence, public improvements of various kinds were projected ; 
railway extension, the founding of new manufactures, and the multipli- 
cation of mercantile houses in this and other counties, all evidenced the 
high tide of apparent prosperity. Of course much of this outward 
prosperity was fictitious, resting as it did upon a greatly inflated cur- 
rency, and built up, as it was, during a period of the most extravagant 
expenditures, now fortunately closed. A reaction was sure to follow, 
sooner or later. 

The history of Oneida county since the war must be briefly written, 
except as it further appears in later chapters. It has been similar to 
that of almost all other counties in the State. The people united, in 
spirit at least, with those of the whole North in welcoming peace to the 
land, and turned with new energy to their ordinary vocations. While 
general progress and growth have been marked in this county, signifi- 
cant changes have been taking place which constitute a small part of 
the great social and industrial problems of the time. For example, a 
glance at the statistics of population at the close of this chapter shows 
that only eight of all the towns in Oneida county have increased their 
number of inhabitants since 1870, and these eight only by a small per 
centage ; all the others have decreased, and of the eight mentioned a 
part had more population at a still earlier date than 1870, than they 
have at the present time. All of the eight, excepting Forestport, have 



200 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

within their respective limits one or more active villages or industrial 
centers, which have been sufficient to attract such small gain in popula- 
tion as they have had. During this census period (1870-1892) Utica 
has grown in population from about 28.000 to nearly 50,000, and Rome 
from 1 1,000 to 14,000. It need scarcely be noted that these facts have 
been repeated, in some cases in an exaggerated form, in very many of 
the Middle and the New England States. It is a part of the great drift 
of population towards the larger villages and cities. One of the causes 
of this exodus from the country is the changed condition of agricultural 
interests which have been brought about since the war, largely through 
the competition of the products of the great West, and partly through 
the general depreciation of rural real estate values ; this latter being in 
turn caused partly by the western competition mentioned and by the 
gradual return to the business basis that existed before the war. Oneida 
county is not alone in seeing this remarkable decrease in value of farm 
lands ; it is a condition that confronts the farmer all through the East, 
and what will be its ultimate consequences is difficult to determine. 

At the same time quite important changes have taken place in the 
character of agricultural products in the county during the period since 
the war. As the growing of grains became unprofitable, dairying has 
been followed more extensively; the butter and cheese of Oneida 
county have gained a high reputation and Utica has become one of the 
most extensive cheese markets in the State. As a whole, the farming 
community in this county is as prosperous as it is in any of the adjoining 
counties, and much more so than in many other localities. 

Among the public improvements following the close of the war 
and in which Oneida county was especially interested was the extension 
of the Black River Railroad which was carried out between 1862 and 
1880, under the presidency of John Thorn, of Utica. It was of large 
benefit to the eastern part of the county and the city of Utica. 

The Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Railroad Company was 
formed January 11, 1866, the road extending southerly from Utica 
through the towns of New Hartford, Paris, Marshall, and Sangerfield 
in this county, and thence on southward. It was opened to Waterville 
November 14, 1866. During the next two years the road of the Utica, 
Clinton and Binghamton Company was opened to Oriskany Falls and 



1866 TO THE PRESENT. 201 

subsequently extended southward. All of these lines were instrumental 
in developing the districts through which they passed and contributed 
to the changes mentioned in the beginning of this chapter. The West 
Shore Railroad was opened through this county in October, 1883, but 
its influence in this county was not marked excepting in the southwest- 
ern part, as it extends parallel to the New York Central through much 
of the distance across the county. 

An act of the Legislature of May 23, 1867, authorized the construc- 
tion of a railroad from Forestport to Bellinger town and a branch by 
way of Grant's Mills to the west line of Herkimer county ; this road 
was useful in the prosecution of the large lumber business of that sec- 
tion. 

By an act of Legislature dated June II, 1889, the supervisors were 
authorized to raise by tax the sum of $15,000 to aid in the erection of 
the beautiful soldiers' monument now standing in the city of Utica. 
Another act of June 3, 1890, authorized the supervisors to raise by tax 
such sum as should be necessary to buy a site for a new State Armory 
in (Jtica, and the old arsenal property was sold to the State for $25,000. 
The new armory erected in that city is one of the finest in the State. 

An act of April 13, 1892, placed Oneida and Herkimer counties in the 
Twenty fifth Congressional district; and in the same month another act 
gave the county two assemblymen, and constituted this county with 
Otsego and Lewis counties the Twenty-third Senatorial district. 

The following table gives the population of the various towns of the 
county from 1800 to 1892, as shown by the census records: 
26 



202 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



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I860 TO THE PRESENT. 



203 



A State census, taken at various periods, shows the following figures 
for the county: Census of 1814.45,228; of 1825, 57,847; of 1835, 
77,518; of 1845, 84,776; of 1855, 107,749; of 1865, 102,713. 

The succeeding table gives the assessed valuation in the county in 
1894 and 1895, which will be found useful for reference, which is fol- 
lowed by a record of the tax and ratio for the same years: 



Annsville 

Augusta __ 

Ava 

Boonville 

Bridgewater 

Camden _ _ 

Deerfield 

Florence _ 

Floyd 

Forestport 

Kirkland 

Lee 

Marcy _ 

Marshall 

New Hartford.. 

Paris 

Remsen 

Rome, 1st ward 
2d ward. 
3d ward. 
4th ward 
5th ward 

Sangerfield 

Steuben 

Trenton 

Utica, 1st ward. 
2d ward . 
3d ward _ 
4th. ward 
5th ward 
6th ward 
7th ward 
8th ward 
9th ward 
10th ward 
11th ward 
12th ward 

Vernon 

Verona .. 

Vienna 

Western 

Westmoreland . 
Whitestown . . . 

Total . 



Real Estate. — 

1895. 1804. 



370,330 

657,125 

199,765 

876,980 

509,250 

859,740 

690,018 

201,000 

392,466 

162,839 

1,684,745 

475,040 

677,045 

883,950 

1,681,695 

1,072,000 

366,414 

963,036 

857,854 

1,387,125 

660,115 

1,367,650 

1,333,765 

438,480 

882,420 

1,791,500 

1,974,450 

2,352,380 

2,487,056 

362,720 

417,515 

1,623,150 

1,332,800 

1,211,725 

790,540 

1,429,150 

881,785 

981,725 

1,712,084 

404,619 

590,490 

991,700 

2,535,240 



843,021,487 843,320,476 84,342,154 



814,330 

47,525 

1,200 

74,360 

51,900 

32,150 

17,400 

2,300 

13,906 

120 

166,000 

9,050 

6,600 

26,200 

129,100 

103,250 

42,080 

14,600 

160,583 

110,210 

11,000 

81,632 

123,000 

12,330 

39,830 

824,785 

291,447 

493,441 

456,000 

2,000 



21,000 
313,500 
117,875 



117,000 



94,100 
32,900 
1,050 
46,700 
32,200 
207,5(10 



816,330 

52,590 

1,050 

69,310 

52,100 

" 62,550 

17,400 

2,300 

6,880' 

120 

184,650 

9,750 

9,200 

27,700 

130,900 

122,600 

47, 

14,600 

155,833 

165,7 

9,000 

102,247 

123,000 

12,500 

40,390 

817,000 

293,095 

494,941 

256,000 

2.000 



21,000 
209,950 
117,875 



109.000 



97,000 
35,800 
1,280 
48,950 
33,400 
206,500 



Total 

1895. 1894. 



84,380,943 847,363,641 847,701,419 



8386,660 

709,715 

200,815 

946,290 

561,350 

922,290 

707,418 

203,300 

399,346 

162,959 

1,869,395 

484,790 

686,245 

911,650 

1,812,595 

1,194,600 

414,394 

976,636 

101,687 

1,552,897 

669,115 

1,469,897 

1,256,765 

450,980 

922,810 

2,608,500 

2,267,545 

2,847,321 

2,943,056 

364,720 

417,515 

1,644,150 

1,512,750 

1,329,600 

790,540 

1,538,150 

881,785 

1,079,125 

1,747,884 

405,899 

639,440 

1,025,100 

2,741,740 



204 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



RATIO AND APPORTIONMENT. 





. Total 

1895. 


Tax , 

1894. 


, R 

1895. 


itio — , 
1894. 




$5,246.63 
6,682.78 
3.077.42 
4,297.17 
5,711.70 

12,402.07 
9,592.85 
3,347.22 
3,980.18 
3,100.44 

14,620.89 
6,326.30 
7,571.18 
8,285.79 

16,856.25 
9,770.75 
5,412.97 

68,276.22 

14,518.02 
4,271.40 

10,344.98 
202,965.81 

11.585.36 

22,368.80 
9,727.01 
8,644.04 

10,457.99 

27,628.16 


§4,696.43 
6,042.56 

•2,792.45 
9,955.58 
4,030.65 
9,916.29 
7,524.19 
3,013.71 
3,661.81 
3,608.09 

11,578.03 
5,864.28 
5,979.00 
8,294.08 

13,443.03 
8,750.11 
3,577.12 

58,655.67 

10,178.03 
4,047.33 
7,596.89 
166,847.32 
9,814.87 

20.147.81 

10.191.12 
6,764.14 
7,896.23 

22,152.99 


.1405 
.0955 
.1623 
.1496 
.1020 
.1318 
.1357 
.1662 
.1034 
.1894 
.0729 
.1337 
.1106 
.0920 
.0930 
.0838 
.1340 
.1215 
.1166 
.0977 
.1113 
.1058 
.1096 
.1283 
.2401 
.1310 
.1022 
.1027 


.1214 




.0851 




.1390 




.1052 




.0718 




.1075 




.1063 




.1482 


Floyd 


.0916 




.2214 
.0619 




.1209 




.0872 




.0909 




.0741 




.0732 




.0863 




.1032 


Sangerfield _. . - 


.0809 
.0897 




.0823 


Utica 


.0870 




.0909 




.1152 
.2510 




.1057 




.0770 




.0807 








§525,070.38 


5437,019.81 





CIVIL OFFICERS FROM ONEIDA COUNTY. 



Governor. — Horatio Seymour, elected in 1862. John F. Seymour, appointed pri- 
vate secretary to the governor. James McQuade aid-de-camp. 

State Etigineers. — John T. Clark, November 8, 1853; William B. Taylor, Novem- 
ber 5, 1861 ; J. Piatt Goodsell, November 7, 1865 ; William B. Taylor, November 7, 
1871; Horatio Seymour, jr., November, 1877, engineer and surveyor; Campbell W. 
Adams, November, 1893. 

Canal Commissioners. — Henry Seymour, appointed from Onondaga county, 
March 24, 1819; removed to Oneida county the same year; Ephraim Hart, 1818; S. 
N. Dexter, 1840 ; Christopher A. Walrath, November, 1875. 

Canal Appraiser. — Chester Hayden, April 18, 1843. 

Bank Commissioner. — Hiram Denio, April 10, 1838. 

Inspector of State Prisons. — Wesley Bailey, November 4, 1856. 

State Superintendent of Public fnstructioti. — Abram B. Weaver, April 7, 1868. 




HORATIO SEYMOUR. 



1866 TO THE PRESENT. 205 

Regents of the University. — Frederick William, Baron de Steuben, April 13, 
1787; Nathan Williams, January 28, 1817; George R. Perkins, January 30, 1862; 
Francis Kernan, February 10, 1870; Wm. H. Watson, February 2, 1881. 

Principal of State Normal School. — George R. Perkins, January 12, 1848. 

Commissioner of Public Charities. — John C. Devereux, February 11, 1874. 

Delegates to Constitutional Conventions. — 1801, James Dean, Bezaleel Fisk, 
Henry Huntington ; 1821, Ezekiel Bacon, Samuel Sidney Breese, Henry Huntington, 
Jonas Piatt, Nathan Williams; 1846, Hervey Brayton, Julius Candee, Edward 
Huntington, Charles P. Kirkland; 1867, Benjamin N. Huntington, Francis Kernan, 
Richard U. Sherman; 1872, Commission for amending the Constitution, Francis 
Kernan. 

United States Senators. — Henry A. Foster, Rome, November 30, 1844; ap- 
pointed in place of Silas Wright by the governor during legislative recess and vacated 
by the meeting of the Legislature. Roscoe Conkling, Utica, elected January 15, 1867, 
and served until 1882. Francis Kernan, Utica, January, 1875, served until 1881. 

Representatives i?i Congress. — Following are the Congressional districts, with 
their numbers, which have included Oneida county : Act of March 23, 1797, district 
number 9, Chenango, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida. Act of March 30, 1802, dis- 
trict number 15, Herkimer, Oneida, St. Lawrence. Act of March 20, 1804, district 
number 15, Herkimer, Jefferson, (1805) Lewis, (1805) Oneida, St. Lawrence. Act of 
March 8, 1808, district number 11, Madison, Oneida. Act of June 10, 1812, district 
number 16, Oneida, part of Oswego, 1816. Act of April 17, 1822, district number 14, 
Oneida county. Act of June 29, 1832, district number 17, Oneida and Oswego, two 
members. Act of September 6, 1812, district number 20, Oneida county. Act of 
July 19, 1851, the same. Act of April 23, 1862, number changed to 21. Act of June 
18, 1873, nnmber changed to 23. Act of May 16, 1883, district number 23, Oneida, 
Lewis. 

Jonas Piatt, Whitesboro, 1799-1801; Benjamin Walker, Utica, 1801-3; Nathan 
Williams, Utica, 1805-7; Thomas R. Gold, Whitestown, 1809-11, and 1811-13, and 
1815-17; Morris S. Miller, Utica, 1813-15; Henry R. Storrs, Whitesboro, 1817-19, 
1819-21, 1823-25, 1825-27, 1827-29, 1829-31; Joseph Kirkland, Utica, 1821-23; Sam- 
uel Beardsley, Utica, 1831-33, 1833-35, 1835-37, 1843-44; Henry A. Foster, Rome, 
1837-39; John G. Floyd, Utica, 1839-41, 1841-43 ; Timothy Jenkins, Oneida Castle! 
1845-47, 1847-49, 1851-53; Orsamus B. Matteson, Utica, 1849-51, 1853-5^, 1855-57, 
1857-59; Roscoe Conkling, Utica, 1859-61, 1861-63, 1865-67, 1867-69; Francis Ker- 
nan, Utica, 1863-65; Alexander H. Bailey, Rome, 1867-69, 1869-71; Ellis H Rob- 
erts, Utica, 1871-73, 1873-75; Scott Lord, Utica, 1875-77; William J. Bacon, Utica, 
1877-79; Cyrus D. Prescott, 1879-81, 1881-83; J. Thomas Spriggs, Utica, 1883-85| 
1885-87; James S. Sherman, Utica, 1887-89, 1889-91; and to present time by re- 
election. 

Presidental Electors. — (Appointed by the Legislature from 1792 to 1825.) 1804, 
William Floyd; 1808, Henry Huntington; 1812, Henry Huntington, James S. Kipp; 
1816, Montgomery Hunt; 1820, William Floyd, Henry Wager; 1824, Samuel Hicks. 
(Elected by districts), 1828, Ebenezer B. Shearman. (Elected on general ticket), 
1832, David Moulton ; 1836, Parker Halleck; 1840, John J. Knox; 1844, Thomas H.' 
Hubbard ; 1848, William B. Welles ; 1852, Thomas H. Hubbard ; 1856, James S. Lynch ; 



206 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1860, Benjamin N. Huntington; 1864, John J. Knox, 1868, James McQuade (did 
not accept and Morven M Jones appointed to the vacancy); 1872, Samuel Camp- 
bell; 1876, James McQuade; 1880, Patrick H. Costello; 1884, Fredericks. Easton; 
1888 John S. Koster. 

Stale Senators — Under the first State Constitution Oneida county 
was a part of the Western district ; under the second Constitution, it 
was placed in the Fifth district, and under the Constitution of 1846 it 
was made the Nineteenth district. 

1797-1802, Thomas R. Gold, Whitesboro; 1797-1804, Jedediah Sanger, New Hart- 
ford; 1805-7, Henry Huntington, Rome; 1808, William Floyd, Western; 1809-16, 
Francis A. Bloodgood, Utica; 1810-13, Jonas Piatt, Whitesboro; 1817-22, Ephraim 
Hart, Utica; 1823, Samuel Beardsley, Utica; 1825-26, George Brayton, Western, 
1827-30, Truman Enos, Westmoreland; 1829-32, William H. Maynard, Utica; 1831- 
34, 1841-44, Henry A. Foster, Rome; 1836^0, David Wager, Rome; 1846^7, Joshua 
A. Spencer, Utica; 1848-49, Thomas E. Clark, Utica; 1850-51, Charles A. Mann, 
Utica; 1851-53, Benjamin N. Huntington, Rome; 1854-55, Daniel G. Dorrance, 
Florence; 1856-57, Eaton J. Richardson, Utica; 1858-59, Alrick Hubbell, Utica; 
1860-61, William H. Ferry, Utica; 1862-65, Alexander H. Bailey, Rome; 1866-69, 
Samuel Campbell, New York Mills; 1870-71, George H. Sanford, Rome; 1872-74, 
Samuel S. Lowery, Utica; 1875-76, Theodore S Sayre, Utica; 1877-78, Alexander 
T. Goodwin. Utica; 1879-80, William W. Rockwell; 1881-82, 1883 to 1896, Henry J. 
Coggeshall. 

Member of Assembly. — 1798-99, Abel French, Henry McNeil, David Ostrom ; 
1800, John Hall, David Ostrom, Nathan Smith; 1800-1, Jesse Curtiss, Abel French, 
David Ostrom ; 1802, Joel Bristol, Abel French, David Ostrom ; 1803, James Dean, sr., 
Abel French, John Lay, Aaron Morse; 1804, David Coffeen, Joseph Kirkland, David 
Ostrom, Abraham Van Epps; 1804-5, Geo. Brayton, Jos. Jennings, Jos. Kirkland, 
Benj. Wright; 1806, George Brayton, Thomas Hart, Joseph Jennings; 1807, George 
Brayton, Uri Doolittle, Charles Z. Pratt; 1808, Thomas R. Gold, Henry McNeil, 
Benjamin Wright; 1809, Joel Bristol, James Dean, sr., David Ostrom, John Storrs, 
Benjamin Wright; 1810, Levi Carpenter, jr., Samuel Chandler, John Humaston, 
Davifl Ostrom, John Storrs; 1811, Isaac Brayton, George Doolittle, George Hunting- 
ton, 'Henry McNeil, John Storrs; 1812, Isaac Brayton, Joel Bristol, Erastus Clark, 
George Huntington, John Storrs; 1813, Josiah Bacon, Erastus Clark, George Hunt- 
ington, John Lay, Nathan Townsend; 1814, Isaac Brayton, Laurens Hull, James 
Lynch, Henry McNeil, Theodore Sill; 1815, Theodore Sil', John Lay, James Lynch, 
Rufus Pettibone, John Storrs; 1816, Isaac Brayton, Jesse Curtiss, James Lynch' 
Roderick Morrison, Richard Sanger; 1817, David I. Ambler, Wheeler Barnes, Abram 
Camp, Martin Hawley, Henry Huntington, Newton Marsh ; 1818, George Brayton, 
Henry Huntington, Joseph Kirkland, Nathan Williams, Theodore Woodruffe; 1819, 
(Oneida and Oswego) Ezekiel Bacon, Luther Guiteau, David P. Hoyt, George Hunt- 
ington, Theodore Woodruffe; 1820, (Oneida and Oswego) James Dean, jr. , George 
Huntington, Henry McNeil, Theophilus S. Morgan, John Storrs; 1821, (Oneida and 
Oswego) Josiah Bacon, Allen Fraser, George Huntington, Joseph Kirkland, William 



1866 TO THE PRESENT. 207 

Root; 1822, (Oneida and Oswego) Greene C. Bronson, Samuel Chandler, George 
Huntington, Peter Pratt, Israel Stoddard; 1823, (Oneida) Uri Doolittle, Thomas H. 
Hamilton, Jesse Lynch, Henry Wager. Saml. Wetmore; 1824, Joseph Allen, Apollos 
Cooper, Joseph Grant, John Ruger, Henry Wager; 1825, Joseph Kirkland, David 
Pierson, Israel Stoddard, Broughton White, Samuel Wood-worth ; 1826, Aaron 
Barnes, Russell Clark, Laurens Hull, Theodore Sill, Israel Stoddard; 1827, John 
Billings, W. H. Chandler, Benj. P. Johnson, John Parker, Theodore Sill; 1828, 
Gardiner Avery, S. Sidney Breese, Thomas E. Clark, Benj. P. Johnson, Eli Savage; 
1829, Reuben Bacon, Benj. P. Johnson, Eli Savage, Reuben Tower, Fortune C. 
White; 1830, Arnon Comstock, Linus Parker, Elisha Pettibone, Eli Savage, Ithal 
Thompson; 1831, Reuben Bettis, Arnon Comstock, David Moulton, Riley Shepard, 
John F. Trowbridge; 1832, Nathaniel Fitch, Lemuel Hough, Rutger B. Miller, 
David Moulton, Daniel Twitchell; 1833, Ichabod C. Baker, Levi Buckingham, John 
Dewey, Squire Utley, David Wager ; 1834, Pomroy Jones, Israel S. Parker, Hiram 
Shays, Aaron Stafford, Ithal Thompson ; 1835, Merit Brooks, Dan P. Cadwell, Riley 
Shepard, David Wager, Amos Woodworth; 1836, Henry Graves, John W. Hale, 
William Knight, Jared C. Pettibone, John Stryker; 1837, Levi Buckingham, John I. 
Cook, Lester N. Fowler, Andrew S. Pond; 1838, Russell Fuller, Henry Hear- 
sey, Fortune C. White, James S. T. Stranahan; 1839, Jesse Armstrong, Ward 
Hunt, Amasa S. Newberry, Israel Stoddard; 1840, Nelson Dawley, Anson Knibloe, 
Charles A. Mann, John F. Trowbridge; 1841, Calvin Dawley, Joseph Halleck, 
Luke Hitchcock, Nathaniel Odell; 1842, Ichabod C. Baker, Ebenezer Robbins, 
Horatio Seymour, De Witt C. Stevens; 1843, Dan P. Cadwell, Amos S. Fassett, 
David Murray, John H. Tower; 1844, Justus Childs, James Douglass, Richard 
Empey, Horatio Seymour ; 1845, Andrew Billings, Merit Brooks, Calvert Comstock, 
Horatio Seymour ; 1846, Chauncey C. Cook, Benj. F. Cooper, Daniel G. Dorrance, 
Russell Fuller; 1847, Nathan Burchard, Abel E. Chandler, Isaac Curry, John Dean. 
Under constitution of 1846: 1848, Luke Smith, Warren Converse, B. S. Beach, 
Henry Wager; 1849, Oliver Prescott, N. N. Pierce, J. M. Elwood, C. Stevens; 1850, (/ 
Wm. J. Bacon, Ralph Mcintosh, R. Frazier, Luther Leland; 1851, Joseph Benedict, 
Lawrence Rouse, Lewis Rider, Geo. Brayton ; 1852, G. D. Williams. C. S. Butler. 
Henry Sandford, John J. Castle; 1853, D. Gilmore, Amos O. Osborne, Julius C. 
Thorne, Amos C. Hall; 1854, Jos. Benedict, A. P. Case, D. L. Boardman, James 
Mitchell; 1855, G. D. Williams, Levi Blakeslee, H. H. Beecher, Daniel Walker; 
1856, G. F. Fowler, J. J. Hanchett, T. D. Penfield, Caleb Goodrich; 1857, R. U. 
Sherman, P. B. Babcock, John Halstead, I. Townsend; 1858, Henry R. Hart, Wm. 
J. McKown, Thomas G. Hailey, Reuben Knight; 1859, C. M. Scholefield, Edward 
Loomis, P. C. Costello, Didymus Thomas; 1860, J. McQuade, Benjamin Allen, 
Thomas Evans, George Williams; 1861, F. Kernan, L. T. Marshall, M. L. Kenyon, 
William Lewis; 1862, C. M. Scholefield, Eli Avery, T. D. Penfield, Jeremiah Sweet; 
1863, A. B. Weaver, D. M. Prescott, Asa S. Sherman, Isaac McDougall ; 1864, A. B. 
Weaver, Levi Blakeslee, C. Brodock, J. W. Douglass ; 1865, A. B. Weaver, Lorenzo 
Rouse, T. D. Penfield, Geo. W. Cole; 1866, Geo. Graham, Alva Penny, B. N. Hunt- 
ington, Silas L. Snyder; 1867, L. Blakeslee, Ellis H. Roberts, Geo. H. Sandford, L. 
W. Fisk; 1868, W. H. Chapman, Alanson B. Cady, James Stevens, A.'Nicholson; 
1869, Eli Avery, A. B. Tuttle, James Stevens, Erastus Ely; 1870, S. S. Lowery,' 



208 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

David M. Miner, St. Pierre Jerred, James Roberts; 1871, G. W. Chadwick, Sidney 
A. Bunce, Thos. Mulhall, Isaac McDougall; 1872, M. L. Hungerford, E. Beckwith, 
Geo. K. Carroll, Albert L. Hayes; 1873, N. A. White, H. J. Coggeshall, P. H. 
Costello, Daniel Walker; 1874, G. W. Chadwick, Arthur F. Brown, John J. Parry, 
G. O. Jones; 1875, R. U. Sherman, Silas T. Ives, Edward Lewis, H. Lilly bridge ; 
1876, R. U. Sherman, S. Gridley, J. H. Flanagan, Walter Ballou; 1877, Jas. Corbett, 
Everett Case, Beuj. D. Stone, J. Robert Moore; 1878, Wm. Jones, A. De V. Townsley, 
Cyrus D. Prescott, Robt. H. Roberts; 1879, Benjamin Allen, Frank Sang, Thomas D. 
Peniield, H. D. Grant; 1880, Henry J. Cookinham, James A. Douglass, David 
Gray; 1881, James Armstrong, David G. Evans, Thomas D. Roberts; 1882, Patrick 
Griffin, Morris R. Jones, Frank A. Edgerton; 1883, William Townsend, Clarence E. 
Williams, Thomas B. Allanson ; 1884, Joseph Joyce, Joseph Ackroyd, T. James 
Owen; 1885, Henry A. Steber, Lewis B. Sherman, T. James Owen; 1866, Benjamin 
Hall, Robert W. Evans, Israel J. White; 1887, Benjamin Hall, Robert W. Evans, 
John C. Davies; 1888, J. Harry Kent, George G. McAdam, George Beatty, jr. ; 1889, 
Joseph J. Kent, George G. McAdam, Abisha B. Baker; 1890, James K. O'Connor, 
James L. Dempsey, Russell S. Johnson ; 1891, Cornelius Haley, James L. Dempsey, 
Russell S. Johnson; 1892, Cornelius Haley, Harry S. Patten, Chester W. Porter; 
1893, Cornelius Haley, Chester W. Porter ; 1894, Henry P. Hoefler, Joseph Porter ; 
1895, Henry P. Hoefler, Wm. Cary Sanger. 

Comity Treasurers. — Appointed by boards of supervisors until 1846, since which 
they have been elected for terms of three years. The records are not accessible for 
this office prior to 1830. 1830-41, Jay Hathaway; 1842-45, A. Bennett; 1846, W. 
Tracy; 1847^8, E. B. Armstrong; 1849-51, Sanford Adams; 1852-54, E. H. Shelley; 
1855-57, J. Thomas Spriggs; 1858-66, John J. Parry, jr. ; 1867-72, Charles Northrup; 
1873-78, William McPherson; 1879-90, John R. Edwards; 1890-93, Charles F. 
Barnard; 1893-6, William E. Richards. 

County Clerks. — Appointed up to 1846 and elected since for three years. 1798, 
Jonas Piatt; 1802, Francis A. Bloodgood; 1813, Abraham Camp; 1815, Francis A. 
Bloodgood; 1821-22, Elisaph Dorchester; 1825, John H. Ostrom; 1831, George 
Brown; 1834, John D. Leland; 1837, James Dean; 1840, P. Sheldon Root; 1843, 
Delns De Wolf; 1846, Patrick Mahon; 1849, Alexander Rae; 1852, Richard Hulbert; 
1855, Zenas M. Howes ; 1858, J. Earl Hulbert ; 1861, Daniel P. Buckingham ; 1864, 
Orson Carpenter ; 1867, James C. Bronson ; 1870, Linus R. Clark ; 1873 , James B. 
Paddon; 1876, Taliesin Evans; 1879, Henry J. Coggeshall; 1882, Arthur H. Ballou; 
1885, M. Jesse Brayton ; 1888, Frederick D. Haak; 1891, Rouse B. Maxfield; 1894-6, 
Garry A. Williard. 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 



CHAPTER XX. 

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 

The location of the State Hospital (better known as the Utica State 
Insane Asylum) makes it proper to give in these pages a brief sketch of 
its history. The act under which it was established was passed March 
30, 1836, after discussion of the subject during the preceding five years. 
The site, embracing about 130 acres of land, was purchased in the sum- 
mer of 1837 at a cost of $16,300, of which sum the citizens of Utica 
contributed $6,300. The original plan contemplated four buildings, each 
550 feet long, to be erected around four sides of a quadrangle and con- 
nected at the angles by verandas of lattice work. At the close of 1838 
$46,881.79 had been expended and the foundations laid after the plans. 
In the years 1839, 1840, and 1841, appropriations of $75,000 in each 
year were made. On the 6th of January, 1842, the commissioners re- 
ported the institution ready for occupation, excepting furniture. In 
January, 1842, the trustees, Messrs. David Russell, W. H. Shearman, 
N. Devereux, Dr. C. B. Coventry, and T. S. Faxton, reported a system 
of government for the institution, which was in the main adopted. 
During that year furniture and apparatus were purchased to the amount 
of $25,000, and in the following year $16,000 were appropriated for con- 
structing a drain to the river, a water supply, and other improvements. 
The asylum was opened for patients on the 16th of January, 1843, and 
during that year 276 were received. The rapid influx of patients led to 
the abandonment of the original plans, and in 1844 the Legislature ap- 
propriated $60,000 for building two brick wings to extend 240 feet from 
the main building, and $4,000 for the purchase of additional land. In 
1846 $17,000 were appropriated for finishing the wings, $15,000 for 
furniture and fixtures, $5,000 for the water supply, and $3,000 for other 
purposes. In i860, 48 acres of land on the Mohawk flats were pur- 
chased at a cost of $10,880. Various improvements and additions have 
27 



210 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

been made since that time. On July 14, 1857, the main building was 
burned, causing a loss of nearly $200,000 ; there were then 470 persons 
in the building and Dr. L. F. Rose was so badly burned that he died ; 
a fireman was also killed. 

In 1893 the care of the insane passed directly to the State and this 
institution took the name of the State Hospital. 

County Poor House and Asylum. — In the early years of the history 
of this State the various towns were required to care for their own poor. 
Subsequently the Legislature made laws providing for the erection of a 
county poor house. While the towns cared for their own poor, it was 
customary to let out their support to the highest bidder, a practice that 
was open to the most flagrant abuses. In Oneida provision was made 
for the support of the poor at large by the purchase of a farm of about 
lOO acres about the year 1825. Subsequently additions were made 
until now the county owns nearly 200 acres. The first building erected 
for the purpose was a cheap two story stone structure, in which the 
paupers and the insane of the county were kept indiscriminately. In 
1859 measures were adopted to provide a better building, in which 
facilities should be provided for separating the incurable insane from 
the other inmates. A plan for an asylum was made by Dr. John P. 
Gray, then at the head of the State Asylum, which was adopted by the 
supervisors, and in the following year (i860) a new structure was erected 
at a cost of $18,000, the funds being borrowed of the State for the pur- 
pose. About $1,200 was expended in furnishing the building. To pay 
this indebtedness the sum of $5,000 was authorized to be raised by the 
county annually. In 1862-63 a lunatic asylum was erected at a cost of 
$6,000. In 1869-70 a new asylum was built under supervision of a 
committee consisting of Harvey Head and E. B. Armstrong, at a total 
cost of a little more than $12,000, and in 1874 a further expenditure 
was made on the farm of about $7,000. In 1875 about $5,000 were 
expended on the farm buildings. In 1876-77 extensive additions and 
other improvements were made, including a new asylum, which cost 
about $30,000, a new barn, etc.; the total expenditure at this time was 
nearly $60,000. In 1893 the asylum part of the property passed to the 
State, for which the comptroller was required to pay to the county the 
sum of $104,621, the care of the insane being assumed by the State au- 





£u 



K^^r^/^*7Z^f*^ 



. 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 211 

thorities. Steps were at once taken to erect what is now the County 
Home, a short distance out of Rome city, which cost over $100,000. 
Few counties, if any, in the State have now better accommodations for 
their poor. 

Oneida County Historical Society. — This society was founded in 1876 
by the following persons : 

Horatio Seymour, president; Charles W. Hutchinson, Alexander Seward, and 
Edward Huntington, vice-presidents; S. N. Dexter North, recording secretary; Mor- 
ven M. Jones, corresponding secretary; Robert S. Williams, treasurer; and William 
J. Bacon, John F. Seymour, Daniel Batchelor, Richard U. Sherman, and Simon G. 
Visscher, managers, and Roscoe Conkling, Pomroy Jones, Luther Guiteau, Philo 
White, Daniel B. Goodwin, Charlemagne Tower, John Stryker, Ward Hunt, Ellis 
H. Roberts, De Witt C. Grove, Francis Kernan, John H. Edmonds, Michael Moore, 
Alexander S. Johnson, Edward North, Othniel S. Williams, William D. Walcott, 
Daniel E. Wager, John P. Gray, John G. Crocker, and Theodore S. Faxton, board 
of councillors. 

Following is a list of the first members : 

Horatio Seymour, Deerfield, N. Y. ; Alexander Seward, Utica, N. Y. ; Charles W. 
Hutchinson, Utica, N. Y. ; Pomroy Jones, Lairdsville, N. Y. ; Robert S. Williams, 
Utica, N. Y. ; Ellis H. Roberts, Utica, N. Y. ; M. M. Bagg, Utica, N. Y. ; John F. 
Seymour, Utica, N. Y. ; E. D. Buckingham, Utica, N. Y. ; S. N. Dexter North, Utica, 
N. Y. ; Andrew McMillan, Utica, N. Y. ; Harold Frederic, Utica, N. Y. ; M. M. Jones, 
Utica, N. Y. ; James Benton, Utica, N. Y. ; Francis Kernan, LTtica, N. Y. ; Samuel 
G. Wolcott, Utica, N. Y. ; Joseph E. West, Utica, N. Y. ; S. G. Visscher, Rome, N. 
Y. ; Richard U. Sherman, New Hartford, N. Y. ; J. L. Earll, Utica, N. Y. ; Edgar 
O. Wagner, Utica, N. Y. ; P. G. Webster, Fort Plain, N. Y. ; W. H. Christian, Utica, 
N. Y. ; George Graham, Oriskany, N. Y. ; Matt. D. Bagg, Utica, N. Y. ; William J. 
Bacon, Utica, N. Y. ; De Witt C. Grove, Utica, N. Y. 

The society has maintained an active existence since its formation 
and has accomplished a vast amount of good. Through its instrument- 
ality a monument on the Oriskany battle field has been erected, 
and steps taken towards providing another in honor of Gen. Herkimer. 
The society has accumulated a great quantity of historical books, docu- 
ments and relics. The late Mrs. James Watson Williams left a fund of 
$50,000 for the erection of a building for the society to be called the 
Munson Williams Memorial. Plans were procured from Robert M. 
Hunt, the eminent architect and one of the finest structures of the kind 
in the country has just been finished (1896). The first president of the 
society was Horatio Seymour, who was succeeded by Ellis H. Roberts, 
and he by the incumbent, Charles W. Hutchinson. 



212 OtTR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Present Officers. — President, Hon. Charles W. Hutchinson ; vice-presidents, 
George D. Dimon, Thomas R. Proctor, Hon. Daniel E. Wager ; > corresponding sec- 
retary, Hon. Chas. W. Darling, A.M. ; recording secretary, W. Pierrepont White, 
LL. B. ; librarian, M. M. Bagg, M.D. ; treasurer, Warren C. Rowley. 

Agricultural Society. — The first agricultural society in Oneida county 
was formed in 1818, under the title of the Oneida County Agricultural 
Society. Col. Garrett G. Lansing was its president and Elkanah Wat- 
son, vice-president. The first fair was held at Whitesboro October 1 8, 
of that year, which was largely attended; addresses were made by Mr. 
Lansing and Mr. Watson and a grand ball was given in the evening. 
The premiums given were mostly in cash or silver ware. There are no 
accessible records as to the after life of this society. 

The present Oneida County Agricultural Society was organized in 
1 841, in which year its first annual fair was held. These continued 
many years, usually alternating between Utica and Rome Grounds 
were enclosed in Rome and in 1850 admission was charged to all who 
were not members. These grounds were the property of Col. E. B. 
Armstrong and comprised ten acres. From a date soon after the close 
of the war the fairs were all held in Rome. In 1872 the society became 
joint owner of Riverside Park with the Rome Riverside Park Driving 
Association, and in 1878 the agricultural society purchased the entire 
property. The park encloses about 50 acres and has an excellent driv- 
ing track and commodious buildings. 

New York State Cheese Manufacturers' Association. — It may not be 
generally known that the first cheese factory in the United States was 
put in operation in Rome, Oneida county, during the war, by Jesse 
Williams. To this man is given much of the credit of founding a sys- 
tem of dairying which has been of incalculable benefit to the agricultu- 
ral communities, and to none more than the region of which Oneida 
county forms a part. Interest in the work of Mr. Williams increased, 
and on January 6, 1864, a meeting of dairymen was held in Rome, 
where a Dairymen's Convention was organized with the following of- 
ficers : 

President, Jesse Williams, of Oneida County; vice-presidents, Lyman R. Lyon, 
Lewis; L. Warner, Ontario; Daniel Smith, Montgomery; A. L. Fish, Herkimer; 
Alonzo Peck, Madison ; D. W. Maples, Cortland ; M. R. Stocker, Otsego ; Geo. C. 

1 Died April, 1896. 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 213 

Morn, Erie; D. H. Goulding, Chautauqua; A. D. Stanley, Jefferson; Alfred Buck, 
Oneida; Dwight Ellis, Mass.; A. Bartlett, Ohio; secretaries, B. F. Stevens, Lewis; 
Geo. W. Pixley, Oneida. 

Representatives were present from sixty-nine cheese factories, and 
resolutions were adopted organizing the New York State Cheese Man- 
ufacturers' Association. At the second annual meeting this association 
was merged in the American Dairymen's Association, an organization 
extending throughout the United States and Canada. It is an unqual- 
ified honor to Oneida county that this great and useful association found 
its inception here. Horatio Seymour was its president many years, 
and addresses and essays have been given at the annual meetings by 
men eminent in dairy work from various parts of the country. 

The Central New York Farmers' Club. — This association of farmers 
was organized in Utica January 21, 1870, at which meeting a commit- 
tee was appointed to prepare a constitution and by-laws. The follow- 
ing persons were elected officers : 

President, Hon. Samuel Campbell, of New York Mills; vice-presidents, Horatio 
Seymour, of Deerfield; John Butterfield, of Utica; Henry Rhodes, of Trenton; 
Morgan Butler, of New Hartford; M. Quinby, of St. Johnsville; Harris Lewis, of 
Frankfort; S. T. Miller, of Constableville ; Josiah Shull, of Ilion; Stephen Thomas, 
of Cassville; recording secretary, T. D. Curtis, of Utica; corresponding secretary, 
W. H. Comstock, of Utica; treasurer. L. L. Wight, of Whitestown ; librarian, Wm. 
Ralph, of Utica. 

Besides these a board of eight directors was chosen, to serve from 
one to four years respectively. Meetings of the club were held twice 
each month for discussions, reading of papers, etc. The organization 
has accomplished a vast amount of good for its members and others. 

Oneida County Farmers' Alliance. — This association, comprising 
prominent farmers of this county, was organized at a meeting held in 
the Utica court house March 13, 1878, at which a committee was ap- 
pointed to prepare constitution and by-laws. Meetings were to be held 
alternately in the various towns of the county, for the discussion of gen- 
eral agricultural topics and particularly to promote legislation and 
awaken interest in freight charges, taxation, and kindred subj'ects for 
the improvement of agricultural interests. 

The Utica Board of Trade. — The subject of forming boards of trade 
for the sale of dairy products was discussed in the winter and spring of 
1 87 1, and on March 6 a meeting was held in Little Falls, where a reg- 



214 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ular market was maintained, at which preliminary action was taken. At 
another meeting held April 14 new articles were prepared and added to 
the constitution and by-laws and the New York State Dairymen's Asso- 
ciation and Board of Trade was organized. The first transactions under 
this organization between buyers and sellers took place on May 1, 1871, 
when 2,000 boxes of cheese were offered. This was the first interior 
board of trade organized for the sale of cheese and butter in the United 
States. In February, 1871, a call was issued for a County Dairymen's 
Association, which should " frequently and practically discuss the sev- 
eral questions that naturally arise during the dairying season." The 
first meeting was held at Bagg's Hotel March 1, 1871, and an organiza- 
tion effected under the title of the National Dairymen's Club ; T. D. 
Curtis was elected president. The next meeting was held March 17, 
when a constitution and by-laws were adopted The first sale day was 
May 29, although the original plan of the club did not anticipate any 
connection with establishing a market. The club was governed by a 
carefully prepared code of regulations. At the annnal meeting of 1875 
the name of the organization was changed to The Utica Dairymen's 
Board of Trade and the original purposes of the club were largely 
abandoned. The marketing of dairy products in Utica soon became 
very large, increasing from about 40,000 boxes in 1 871, to 100,000 in 
1873 ; 155,000 in 1874, and over 200,000 in 1877. This board has 
accomplished more for the best interests of dairymen in Oneida county 
than any other influence. 

The Oneida County Bible Society. — The inception of this society dates 
back to 1 8 10, when, on the 15th of November, the Oneida Bible 
Society was organized in the Presbyterian church in Utica. That was 
six years before the organization of the American Bible Society. A 
constitution was adopted at that meeting, the first article of which 
could not be repealed and was as follows: "The object of this 
society shall be the distribution of the Holy Scriptures in the com- 
mon version, without note or comment." The earliest officers were 
Jonas Piatt, president; Rev. Asahel S. Norton (of Clinton), vice pres- 
ident ; Rev. James Carnahan (Utica), secretary ; Rev. Amos G. Bald- 
win, treasurer. There were also sixteen directors. In 1849 the consti- 
tution was revised and the name of the society changed to Oneida 



CANALS AND RAILROADS. 215 

County Bible Society. The county has been several times thoroughly 
convassed by agents or members of the society with a view to discover 
and supply every family not having the Scriptures with a copy. 
Annual meetings have been held, with the exception of the years 1833 
to 1836 inclusive. The good accomplished by the society cannot be 
estimated. 



CHAPTER XXL 

CANALS AND RAILROADS- 
CANALS — Nothing has contributed so much to the growth and pros- 
perity of New York State as its canal system. It greatly enhanced the 
value of farming lands, enriched the farmer, the merchant, the mechanic, 
the laboring man, and in fact all classes of persons, and largely in- 
creased all kinds of business. It is not easy to specify in detail the 
various and numerous methods by which this State and its citizens have 
been benefited by our canals, or to summarize in figures the untold 
wealth and prosperity which have been thereby added to the county. 
At an early day shrewd observers and far-seeing statesmen predicted 
an auspicious future to the country, and particularly to New York, if 
the natural waterways leading east and west could be connected by 
short canals, and trade, travel and commerce thereby find a cheap and 
expeditious transportation between the seaboard and the western lakes ; 
but even the most sanguine, the most earnest and enthusiastic never 
looked far enough ahead to believe that there was in store such a glori- 
ous future as was actually realized. As early as 1724 Cadwallader 
Colden. surveyor-general' of New York, suggested plans for inland 
navigation. In 1761 General Schuyler, while in England, witnessed 
the construction of a canal, which to him was suggestive of improve- 
ment of the Mohawk, and the construction of canals around the rifts 
shallows and rapids, of that stream, and across the portage at Fort 
Stanwix ; on his return to America he urged that scheme. Taking the 



216 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

hint from General Schuyler, Sir Henry Moore, governor of the colony 
of New York in 1768, presented the same views to the Legislature. 
In 1772 Christopher Colles lectured on the subject, and in 1784 went 
over the same route and presented to the Legislature an elaborate re- 
port in favor of the plan. In 1783 George Washington, when he visited 
Lake Champlain and also Fort Stanwix, as narrated in another chapter, 
gave expression to his earnest views in the same line of thought. Next 
came Elkanah Watson, an ardent supporter and earnest advocate of in- 
land lock navigation. Extracts from his papers elsewhere published in 
this volume show what a rosy view he entertained of that project. 
Governor George Clinton was also an earnest advocate of the measure, 
and on his recommendation the Legislature passed an act, March 24, 
1 79 1, authorizing the Land Commissioners to cause to be explored and 
survey to be made, at a cost not to exceed one hundred pounds, of the 
ground between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek at Fort Stanwix 
and also between the Hudson and Wood Creek in Washington county, 
and to estimate the expense that would attend making the canals for 
loaded boats to pass, and to report the same to the Legislature On 
the 30th of March, 1792, the Legislature incorporated two companies 
for lock navigation purposes, one called the " Northern Inland Lock 
Navigation Company," to connect the waters of Hudson River with 
Lake Champlain; the other the "Western Inland Lock Navigation 
Company," to connect the waters of the Hudson with Lake Ontario 
and Seneca Lake ; the latter company to improve Mohawk River, 
Wood Creek, and cut canals where needed along that route. August 
14, 1792, the directors of the company appointed a committee consist- 
ing of General Schuyler, Elkanah Watson and Goldsboro Banyar, to 
examine the state of the Mohawk River to Fort Stanwix and across 
the portage to Wood Creek. That committee commenced its labors 
Monday, August 20, accompanied by Moses De Witt, a surveyor, and 
proceeded in a bateau up the river. In the report made by them in 
September thereafter to the directors, a minute account is given of the 
rapids, rifts, impediments and obstructions in the river from Schenec- 
tady to Little Falls, a distance of fifty- three miles. At this point, a 
canal must be cut mostly through solid rock, of three-quarters of a mile ; 
the height of the falls here is reported at thirty- nine feet two inches. 



CANALS AND RAILROADS. 217 

The distance from thence to Fort Stanwix is placed at forty-five miles 
with no serious impediment to navigation, except at Orendorf's and 
Wolf's Rifts, east of Herkimer, and these not hard to overcome. Across 
the portage at Fort Stanwix to Wood Creek a canal must be cut through 
swamp and level ground. The water in the Mohawk about two feet 
higher than the water in Wood Creek. The length of the canal at this 
portage is placed at 5,352 feet. The estimate of the cost of this canal 
was 3,000 pounds. The estimate of the work at Little Falls, including 
five locks, was 10,500 pounds; and the whole expense from Schenec- 
tady, to Wood Creek was estimated at 39,500 pounds. It was estimated 
that the expense of removing the timber obstructing Wood Creek from 
Fort Newport (late U. S. Arsenal) to Oneida Lake, would be about 
1,000 pounds. The committee reported that the water in Wood Creek 
was very low at that time, and that General Schuyler descended that 
stream in a bateau and found the obstructions down to Fort Bull quite 
trifling ; but that the creek was so shallow the bateau could not have 
passed without the aid of the water collected in Dominick Lynch's dam 
on the creek (near where Edward Evans's brewery now stands). From 
Fort Bull to Canada Creek the rapids were reported as many and sharp, 
with little water, and the obstructions from timber trifling. From Can- 
ada Creek was water sufficient for half a mile, but after that navigation 
was greatly impeded to Oneida Lake by timber in the creek, as well as 
by many short turns. Wood Creek was a very crooked stream and 
many isthmuses had to be cut to make navigation easy or practicable. 
Work was commenced at Little Falls in 1793, upon the following 
plan: A canal at that place 4,752 feet long, of which 2,550 feet 
was through solid rock ; upon it were five locks with a total rise of 
forty- four and one-half feet. Another canal of one and a quarter miles 
long with a lock at Wolf Rift, German Flats. A canal one and three- 
quarter miles long at Fort Stanwix ; and four locks on Wood Creek 
with a total depth of twenty five feet. The work had to be stopped in 
1794 for want of funds. .It was reported to the Legislature (and so 
recited in the act of March 31, 1795) that only 743 shares of the stock 
of the Western Company had been taken, and that 240 shares had been 
forfeited. That act authorized the State treasurer to subscribe for 200 
shares of the stock in behalf of the State, and those shares were so sub- 



218 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

scribed for. The work was then resumed and pushed ahead, so that 
boats first passed the canal and locks at Little Falls November 17, 1795, 
and on that day and the next eight large and 200 small boats were 
passed, at a total toll of 80 pounds, 10 shillings, exclusive of nine that 
passed free the first day. The chambers of the locks were 74 by 12 
feet and allowed boats of thirty two tons to pass ; but other impedi- 
ments limited boats to a burden of ten or eleven tons. Light boats 
could go from Schenectady to Fort Stanwix and back in nine days, but 
the larger boats required fourteen days to make the round trip. In 
1795 Wood Creek was cleared of obstructions and thirteen isthmuses 
were cut across, shortening the channel seven miles. April 11, 1796, 
an act was passed reciting that, as the waters of the Mohawk and Wood 
Creek were about to be connected by means of a canal and locks at 
Fort Stanwix, the State advanced to the Western Company, for naviga- 
tion purposes, 15,000 pounds, to be paid in January, 1803, and to be 
secured by bond and mortgage of the real estate of that company at 
Little Falls ; and also loaned the company a quantity of powder (one 
and one-half tons). In 1796 boats passed through to Oneida Lake and 
the work in 1797 had cost $400,000, of which the State had paid $72,- 
OOO. The great cost required high tolls, and in 18 12 only 300 boats 
passed, with 1,500 tons, at Little Falls. In 1808 the company gave up 
its rights, west of Oneida Lake, and in 1820 sold out to the State, when 
the work on the Erie Canal was in progress, for $152,718.52. The 
foregoing facts as to the cost and progress of this work are taken from 
the report of William Weston, who came from England to superintend, 
as engineer, the construction of these inland canals. 

The canal through Rome, which connected the Mohawk with Wood 
Creek, commenced at that river, about a mile east of the business por- 
tion of the city of Rome, on the northerly side of the highway leading 
to Stanwix Village (formerly Newville), and across that road from and 
opposite places known 100 years ago as the William Colbraith (first 
sheriff of Oneida county) place ; later the Dr. Stephen White place ; 
later the House place, and still later the Phineas Abbe and Robert Mc- 
Cutcheon place. At that point of starting is yet standing a frame dwell- 
ing, one and a half stories high, said to have been erected before 1800 
by one George House, and occupied by him as the lock tender, and 



CANALS AND RAILROADS. 219 

later by William Riley. The canal crossed that highway as shown by 
the indentation in the ground, to where the present Erie Canal is, and 
followed the present route of the last named canal until George street 
is reached. There it diverged from the present course of the Erie 
Canal and ran parallel with but nearer Dominick street than the Erie. 
An indentation in the ground and in the rear of the tier of the lots 
which front on Dominick street westerly of George street, indicates 
where the inland canal ran ioo years ago. It connected with Wood 
Creek near where the U. S. Arsenal was erected in 1815. There was 
a lock or gate at each end of this canal, viz.: one at the Mohawk and 
one at Wood Creek. About midway of the length of this canal was 
a feeder to aid in supplying it with water. From the Mohawk nearly 
opposite Old Fort Stanwix, a ditch was cut (starting near River street) 
and followed a route nearly parallel with, but easterly of, the present 
Black River Canal, and so on near the site of the present brass and 
copper mill, and on southerly to the inland canal. Old residents dis- 
agree as to the exact route of this feeder. Some locate it as above, 
while others say, that while it started as above, it went towards Fort 
Stanwix until it struck the channel of " Spring Brook " (now the route of 
the Black River Canal) and followed that course until its waters were 
discharged into the inland canal, and that near " Lock No. 1 " of 
Black River Canal was a bridge over that feeder (a little southerly of 
the present Dominick street), and under that bridge was agate to regu- 
late the flow of water in the feeder. 

The boats up the Mohawk and over this water route to Oneida 
Lake were at first from thirty-five to forty and fifty feet in length, and 
were pushed forward by long poles, set against the banks or bottom of 
the water ways, and the other end against the shoulders of the boatmen. 
Four men on each side of a boat were able to make from eighteen to 
twenty miles a day upstream, and much more down the current. These 
were flat bottomed boats with a plank around them for boatmen to walk 
on ; the usual weight was four and a half tons. Later these boats were 
worked by oars and a mast and sail, and could make six miles an hour 
against the current. The journey from New York to Albany as late 
as 1807, took two to five days, at a cost of $6 to $10 for each passen- 
ger, including board. For bulky freight the charge was forty cents a 



220 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

hundred pounds. Up the Mohawk freight was conveyed from Schenec- 
tady to Utica for seventy-five cents per hundred. From Utica to 
Oswego the distance was 113 miles and took nine days. This water 
route turned out to be expensive and large tolls had to be imposed. 
The result was that land transportation was a formidable rival. In' No- 
vember, 1804, the Albany Gazette says: 

A wagon load of wheat was brought by four yokes of oxen from Ontario county 
to Albany, a distance of 230 miles. The wheat was bought for 62| cents a bushel, 
and sold for $2.15£. It took 20 days to go and return. 

Erie Canal. — It is uncertain who first originated the idea of construct- 
ing a waterway through Central New York which subsequently cul- 
minated in the Erie Canal. The early efforts were directed via 
Mohawk River, Wood Creek, Oneida Lake, and by the rivers to Lake 
Ontario. About 1800 Gouverneur Morris suggested ideas regarding a 
plan of connecting Hudson River with Lake Erie, and in 1803 he sub- 
mitted the outlines of such a project to Simeon De Witt, then surveyor- 
general of the State, but the latter looked upon it as visionary. Mr. 
De Witt told James Geddes, a learned surveyor of Onondaga county, 
of the chimerical plans of Mr. Morris. Mr. Geddes did not so consider 
it, and the latter conferred with Jesse Hawley on the subject; the result 
was that Mr. Hawley, between October, 1807, and April, 1808, wrote a 
series of articles for publication in an Ontario county newspaper, in 
favor of Mr. Morris's scheme. This and other early ideas were crude 
and not well digested, and seemed to favor an inclined plane from Lake 
Erie eastward, by which the water was to be sent to the Hudson. As 
the geography and topography of the western part of the State became 
better known, more enlarged and practical views were developed. 
Judge Jonas Pratt, State senator from Oneida county from 18 10 to 
1 8 14, says : 

As to the merit of the first design of a canal from Lake Erie to the Hudson, it be- 
longs in my opinion exclusively to no person. It was gradually developed to the minds 
of many who were early acquainted with the geography and topograph}^ of the west- 
ern part of the State. 

Some twenty-five years ago Benjamin H. Wright, a Roman, a son of 
the noted engineer, wrote a series of articles for the New York Observer 
as to the "origin of the Erie Canal," in which much valuable informa- 
tion is given and in which the son justly claims that his father should 



CANALS AND RAILROADS. 221 

be placed, if not in advance, in the foremost rank of those to whom the 
gratitude of the country is due. Judge Benjamin Wright, the noted 
engineer, was an assemblyman in 1807-08 (as he had been a number of 
years before) from Oneida county. He was a room mate at Albany 
that year with Joshua Forman, a leading member from Onondaga 
county. Judge Wright was a subscriber to Rees's Cyclopedia, then 
being published ; one number was just issued, which had the subject 
" Canals," and Judge Wright and Mr. Forman one morning discussed 
that subject, resulting in an agreement between them, that on the mor- 
row Mr. Forman should introduce a resolution in the Assembly, for the 
survey of a canal route from Lake Erie to the Hudson, the resolution to 
be seconded by Judge Wright. The latter had had great experience in 
land surveying all through this and the northern parts of the State, and 
he had also surveyed before 1800 more than one hundred miles of the 
Erie Canal route. Under his supervision the locks on Wood Creek had 
been constructed, when the Western Inland Canal was built in 1794-5. 
The resolution for a survey was passed in February, 1808, and $600 
appropriated, to be under the supervision of Simeon De Witt. Mr. 
Wright and Mr. Geddes in fact made the surveys and the favorable re- 
port made by them attracted universal attention. That resolution for a 
survey was the first legislative action taken in favor of the Erie Canal. 
In 1 8 10, on motion in the Senate of Senator Jonas Pratt, of Oneida, 
commissioners were appointed to explore the whole route for a canal. 
In 181 1 an act was passed to provide for internal navigation of the State. 
June 19, 1812, the commissioners were authorized to borrow $5,000,- 
000 with a view to build a canal through the State. The war of 18 12 
suspended further operations. On the return of peace the canal project 
was revived with great earnestness and yet met from the beginning with 
bitter opposition. It was characterized by its opponents as " Clinton's 
great folly," or " Clinton's big ditch." In 18 15 a large public meeting 
was held in New York city in favor of the canal, which was addressed 
by Governor Clinton, Jonas Piatt and others. In 18 16 a board of canal 
commissioners was created by the Legislature, and in the spring of 18 17 
the law was passed authorizing the canal to be constructed. The act 
passed the Senate by a vote of eighteen to nine, and the Assembly by 
a vote of sixty-four to thirty-six. It passed the Assembly April 15, 



222 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1817 (the last day of the session), and the contract for the middle sec- 
tion, from Seneca River to Utica was let in June, 1817, to John Rich- 
ardson, of Cayuga county, and work commenced at Rome, July 4, as 
elsewhere stated. October 22, 18 19, the first boat passed from Utica 
to Rome, and what is chronologically narrated in another chapter need 
not here be repeated. Most of the canal through Oneida county ran 
through a boggy morass. The length, width and almost impassability 
of the " Rome swamp" have been described in another chapter. 

Dr. O. P. Hubbard, now of New York city, was a resident of Rome 
from 1 8 10 to 1828. He is now in the neighborhood of ninety years of 
age, yet he has a retentive memory and a mind as clear as spring water. 
He writes to the author as follows : 

The swamp from east of Rome to Syracuse was so full of water the grubbing could 
only be done when the ground was frozen. In the winter of 1817-18 this was done 
from the House farm, near Stanwix (formerly Newville) to Wood creek, and the first 
spadeful was taken ont at the crossing of Wood creek July 4, 1817, and which I saw, 
and I have the recollection that Joshua Hathaway did it. Am I right? What is the 
record in the newspapers of that date? Wild Irish bog trotters from West Ireland, 
cutting out the trees the width of the canal track, were set to work knee deep in the 
wet muck; they could wear no clothing but a flannel shirt and slouch cap, and there 
were no tools that could be used. Shovels and spades were out of the question and a 
rectangular side-board wheelbarrow equally useless. Jeremiah Bramard, a Roman 
and a contractor, invented a wheel barrow made of ash, a smooth, elliptical right and 
left basin, from which the muck slid out instantly. Some one (his name ought to go 
into history) invented a spade blade at 4^x14 inches, sharp to cut roots, long, straight 
cross handle, that removed a layer £ to an inch in thickness with, great dispatch. It 
was a weird sight to see on a long line, both sides of the canal, hundreds of these 
wild Irishmen at work. Saturday nights in their board shanties, "fighting drunk," and 
contractors had to go in and club them right and left to quiet them. Whisky and 
ague and fever did their legitimate work on great numbers. I have seen teacher 
Mathews, of the old school house on West Park, without a hat, long hair flying, scream- 
ing " Murder!" and running up James street from the old canal bridge to get out of 
the way of a half dozen of those fellows, each with a paving stone or shillelah in 
hand. 

The Erie Canal was finished in the fall of 1825, having taken over 
eight years in its construction Its completion was duly celebrated. A 
flotilla of boats left Buffalo in the canal October 26, 1825, on board of 
which was Governor Clinton and other noted passengers. Water was 
let in and tidings of the start was proclaimed by the firing of cannon 
placed at distances along the route, and thus the news was sent onward 



CANALS AND RAILROADS. 223 

to New York city. It took an hour and twenty minutes to make the 
communication from Buffalo to New York by sound. All along the 
route the boats were greeted b)r ringing of bells, firing of guns, and the 
acclaim of enthusiastic people. 

The Erie Canal is a State institution, but inasmuch as Oneida county 
has figured conspicuously in its history it did not seem as if anything 
less could be said of it than has been incorporated in these pages. In 
this county Jonas Piatt and Benjamin Wright lived, Loth active workers 
for the canal. Here also lived John B. Jervis, who commenced his 
career as an axe man on this canal and a pupil of Mr. Wright, was en- 
trusted by Henry Seymour, canal commissioner, with important duties 
in the progress of the work, and became a noted engineer. The con- 
tract which embraced the larger part of the route through Oneida 
county, was the first contract let. In Oneida county the first work was 
done and the opening ceremonies observed. The first section of the 
canal put in operation was .in Oneida county, and here the first boats 
were run. The first canal collector, George Huntington, was in this 
county, and the first canal tolls paid were in this county by Capt. John 
Westcott, on a raft of timber. 

Chenango Canal. — The project of connecting the Erie Canal at Utica 
with the Susquehanna River at Binghamton was authorized February 
23, 1833, at a time when the older canal was proving itself to be of the 
greatest utility, and when canals were projected on scores of routes 
through this State. Work on the Chenango Canal, as it was named, 
began in July, 1834, and was finished in October, 1836, at a cost of 
$2,782,124. About twenty miles of the ninety- seven are in Oneida 
county, passing from Utica through New Hartford, Kirkland, Marshall 
and a corner of Augusta. This canal was for some years of consider- 
able importance to this county, especially to the city of Utica for the 
transportation thither of coal from Pennsylvania ; but the oncoming 
railroads eventually rendered it almost useless and it was abandoned. 

Black River Canal. — This was another of the numerous canal proj- 
ects of New York State, only a few of which went farther than discus- 
sion. The first legislation upon the subject was the passage of an act 
April 22, 1834, authorizing a survey from Rome to the foot of High 
Falls in Lewis county. On April 19, 1836, an act was passed providing 



224 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

for the construction of the canal on this route, with a feeder from the 
Black River at Forestport. Work was soon afterward begun and after 
many delays the canal was opened to Port Leyden in 1851. A dam 
was later constructed at the head of the Long Falls, at Carthage, on 
Black River, by which navigation on that stream was made practicable 
forty two miles to the High Falls where the canal connects. The 
whole distance of navigation is ninety miles. The length of navigation 
on the canal and the river is seventy-eight miles. While this canal was 
for some years a source of benefit to Oneida county, in the expansion of 
its markets, its utility largely disappeared with the construction of the 
northward railroads. 

RAILROADS. — The first railroad in the State of New York extended 
from Albany to Schenectady and was opened for business in October, 
i83i,undera charter to the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad Com- 
pany. This was the first railroad in the United States authorized to 
carry on a general transportation business in freight and passengers. In 
1833 a charter was granted to the Utica and Schenectady Railroad 
Company, and work was begun on the road in the fall of 1834; it was 
completed in the summer of 1836, at a cost of $20,000 a mile. In 1834 
the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad Company was organized. During 
these and the succeeding five years the Legislature was besieged for 
railroad charters in all parts of the State; the politics of the State 
turned largely upon the railroad question. 

A spirited and prolonged contest arose over the route of the Utica 
and Syracuse Railroad. At that time (1836) the whole line between 
Utica and Syracuse, excepting about fifteen miles, was a swamp and 
much of it an unbroken wilderness. The site of Oneida village was a 
wilderness, boasting only a saw mill and one or two dwellings. The 
village of Canastota was only a small hamlet. Of the twenty- five rail- 
road commissioners, Oneida county had seven, Madison county four, 
Onondaga county seven, and seven were from the State at large. The 
two routes in contemplation were the one finally adopted, passing to 
the northward through Rome, and the other was far to the southward, 
following nearly a direct line between the two termini. The commis- 
sioners were divided, naturally enough, as the interests of their localities 
ditcated. The contest was finally ended by the adoption of the Rome 



CANALS AND RAILROADS. 225 

route. The capital stock of the company was $800,000 and the commis- 
sioners organized by the election of Henry A. Foster, president, and 
I. S. Spencer (brother of Joshua A.) secretary. Subscription books 
were opened in Syracuse, Canastota, Utica and Albany, on July 19, 
20 and 21, 1836, and nearly two and a half millions were subscribed 
outside of New York city. The first election of directors was held in 
Syracuse September 22, 1836, and the following were elected : Henry 
Seymour, David Wager, Henry A. Foster, David Moulton, Samuel 
French, John Wilkinson, Oliver Teall, James Beardslee, James Hooker, 
Isaiah Townsend, Miles W. Bennett, and Charles Stebbins. Henry 
Seymour was elected president, and Henry A. Foster, vice president ; 
Vivus W. Smith, secretary ; M. S. Marsh, treasurer ; Aaron Burt, sec- 
retary. Surveys were at once commenced and in December, 1837, the 
company began advertising for proposals for various parts of the work 
and materials. Within fourteen months after the work was placed 
under contract the road was finished ; it was built most of the way on 
piles, which system was the invention of E. P. Williams, of Utica. He 
was engaged in the construction of the first railroad in the State and 
subsequently went South and there perfected his system. The piles 
were soaked in salt for their better preservation, and provision was made 
for resalting them when necessary. This railroad was fully completed 
the last of June, 1839, and cost $700,000. On June 27 the first train 
of cars reached Rome from Utica, and was the cause of great rejoicing. 
On July 3d the company began taking pay for passage and freight and 
the receipts for many successive days were over $600 each day. On 
the 14th of July a grand excursion was given. The Sentinel of July 9 
boasted that its editor, in company with others, left Rome at 4 P. M., 
arrived at Syracuse, and after staying there an hour and a half, returned 
and reached Rome at 1 1 r. M., and that among the number was Judge 
Foster, who went west on the first canal boat. On July 10 the com- 
pletion of the road was duly celebrated, a train load of passengers going 
over the road from Albany to Syracuse, which was met at various 
points by large crowds of spectators. In the same week of the com- 
pletion of the road its stock sold for 10 per cent, advance. 

The New York Central Railroad Company was chartered April 2, 
1853, and was formed by the consolidation of the Albany and Schenec- 
29 



226 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tady, the Schenectady and Troy, Utica and Schenectady, Mohawk 
Valley, Syracuse and Utica, Rochester and Syracuse, Rochester, Lock- 
port and Niagara Falls, Rochester and Buffalo, and Buffalo and Lock- 
part companies ; of these the Mohawk Valley and the Syracuse and 
Utica direct roads were not built. The New York Central road was 
merged into the New York Central and Hudson River Company in 
1869. 

The Utica and Black River Railroad Company was formed January 
29, 1853, under the name of the Black River and Utica Railroad Com- 
pany. The road was opened to Boonville December 13, 1854, and to 
Trenton January 1, 1855. On May 9, 1861, a reorganization was ef 
fected, the bondholders exchanging their bonds for a new issue, and the 
following board of directors was elected : John Thorn, president ; 
James Sayre, A. J. Williams, Martin Hart, Charles Millar, Edmund A. 
Graham, John Butterfield, Isaac Maynard, Thomas Foster, Dan P. 
Cadwell, Russell Wheeler. Plans for extensions were adopted and 
promptly carried out under the energetic efforts of the president and 
his co-workers. In 1867 the road was extended to Lyons Falls ; in 
1868-9 to Lowville; in 1869-70 to Carthage, and from there to Phil- 
adelphia in 1 87 1 -2, where it absorbed the Black River and Morris- 
town road. In 1872 the Carthage and Watertown road was leased by 
the company ; two years later an extension was made to Sackett's 
Harbor; in 1874 connection was made at Theresa Junction with the 
Clayton and Theresa road, which was taken under lease; in 1878 the 
line was extended to Ogdensburg. On the 14th of April, 1886, all of 
the roads of this company were leased to the Rome, Watertown and 
Ogdensburg company for seven per cent, on its capital stock. On the 
14th of March, 1891, all the lines of the latter company passed under 
control of the New York Central. 

The Rome Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad was originally char- 
tered under the name of the Watertown and Rome Railroad in April, 
1832 ; it was revived May 10, 1836 and May 6 1837 ! extended May 
17, 1845, and again April 28, 1847. Work on the road was begun in 
Rome in November, 1848, and it was opened to Pierrepont Manor May 
28, 1 85 1 ; to Watertown September 24, 1851 ; to Chaumont Novem- 
ber 20, 1851, and to Cape Vincent in April, 1852. The name was 




<-^<m^- S^Z^L 




CANALS AND RAILROADS. 227 

changed in 1861. The shops of the company were long located at 
Rome, but finally removed to Oswego. The final disposition of the 
road has been noted above. 

Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Railroad. — Agitation pre- 
ceding the formation of this company continued through two or three 
years, two plans being under consideration for reaching Sherburne ; one 
by way of Clinton and Hamilton, and the other following the Sauquoit 
to its source and thence down the Chenango to Waterville and thence 
to the destination. Measures were finally adopted to open up both of 
these lines; a road was built from New Hartford to Clinton and con- 
nected by horse car with Utica, after which the company waited 
developments. Meanwhile the other proposition was forwarded. In 
November, 1865, a committee on survey reported in favor of a road 
along the Sauquoit to a point beyond Clayville whence a branch should 
extend to Waterville, thence passing near Hamilton and on to Sher- 
burne ; while another going through Bridgewater, Winfield and Rich- 
field, should reach Colliersville on the line of the Susquehanna. Each 
branch was to be subsequently extended. At this time, in January, 
1866, the company was formed with the above title, and subscriptions 
were made and town bonds issued sufficient to insure commencement of 
work on the road, which was done in July of that year. The road was 
finished in 1870 and in that year was leased to the Delaware, Lacka- 
wanna and Western corporation. 

Utica, Clinton and Binghamton Railroad. — This company was 
formed in August, 1862, to construct a horse or steam road " from the 
village of Clinton through the town of New Hartford and city of Utica 
into the town of Whitestown, to the village of Whitesboro, or New York 
Mills, or both." The capital stock was only $23,000. By the fall of 
1863 rails were in place and horse transportation was begun between 
Utica and New Hartford. By the summer of 1866 a horse road was 
open to Whitesboro and a road for steam power from New Hartford to 
Clinton was operated with a dummy. In December, 1867, being now 
opened to Deansville, the company was reorganized and the capital 
raised to $1,000,000 Work was energetically prosecuted and the track 
was laid to Oriskany Falls in 1868 and to Hamilton in 1870, whence a 
three mile extension connected it with the Midland road. The line to 



228 OtJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

New Hartford was still unfitted for steam, and a new road was constructed 
at a cost of nearly $400,000 (of which Utica furnished $200,000) and 
completed in 1871. The steam road was leased in the year after its 
completion to the New York and Oswego Midland, which company 
went into a receiver's hands in September, 1873. In 1875 the whole 
passed into control of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. 

New York and Oswego Midland Railroad. — Articles of association 
for this company were filed January II, 1866, and the road was opened 
for traffic in 1872. It has been of little importance in Oneida county, 
passing only through the towns of Vienna and Verona, and skirting 
Vernon, in the extreme western part. To those towns it gives an outlet 
and more accessible markets. 

The Rome and Clinton Railroad is a short line of twelve miles ex- 
tending from Rome to Clinton, where it connects with the former Utica, 
Clinton and Binghamton road. It was opened in the latter part of 
1 87 1, and was intended primarily as a coal road. It went with the 
other lines to the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company. 

The New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad. — This company 
was chartered June 14, 188 1, the original capital being $40,000,000. 
The road was opened from Weehawken to Syracuse October 1, 1883, 
and to Buffalo January 1, 1884. On October 2, 1885, judgment of fore- 
closure and sale was entered in the Supreme Court of this State, and 
the property was sold to three joint tenants who immediately leased it 
to the New York Central. Passing across Oneida county as it does 
nearly parallel to the Central, its influence has not been large in any 
direction. 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE BENCH AND BAR OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 

The time was when the Bench and Bar of Oneida county occupied a 
very conspicuous and honorable position among those of the various 
counties of the Empire State — more conspicuous, more honorable, per- 
haps, than it does at the present day. In Oneida county " there were(legal) 
giants in those days," the record of whose lives is a story of triumph 
over pioneer obstacles, brilliant achievements at the bar, and frequent 
culmination in high judicial or political station. Such records in all their 
fullness would fill a volume. Much of this is already in print from the 
valuable writings of Hon William J. Bacon, David E. Wager, Dr. M. M. 
Bagg, and others. For the purpose of this work we can only briefly 
note the careers of a few of the more noteworthy lawyers and judges 
who have passed away, leaving for the future historian and biographer 
the task of recording the story of the lives of those who in later years 
and at the present time have made and are making for themselves names 
to be remembered in this profession. The formation of the early courts 
of this county, the erection of the court buildings, and other kindred 
subjects have been adequately treated in earlier chapters of this work 
Following this page are complete lists of the judicial officers of the 
county from its organization in 1796, as far as it is possible to obtain 
them. 

Supreme Court of Judicature. — This court was established by act of 
the Legislature May 6, 1691, and was recognized by the first State 
Constitution ; the convention which adopted it reorganized the court 
May 3, 1777. Justices of the Supreme Court from Oneida county have 
been as follows : 

Chief Justices— Greene C. Bronson, March 5, 1845; Samuel Beardsley, Tune 29 
1847. 

Puisne or Junior Justices.— Jonas Piatt, February 13, 1814; Samuel Beardsley, 
February 20, 1844. 



230 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Circuit Courts — The Constitution of 1821 divided the State into 
eight circuits corresponding with the senatorial districts. Circuit judges 
also held a Court of Oyer and Terminer at the same time and place with 
the Circuit, or otherwise, as they chose. This court was abolished by 
the Constitution of 1846. The following were circuit judges from Oneida 
county: 

Nathan Williams, appointed April 21, 1823; Samuel Beardsley, April 12, 1834; 
Hiram Denio, May 7, 1834; Philo Gridley, July 17, 1838. 

Court of Appeals. — This court was established under the Constitution 
of 1846, to succeed the Court for the Trial of Impeachments and the 
Correction of Errors, as far as related to the correction of errors. The 
convention of 1867-8 reorganized this court and on account of accumu- 
lation of business before it, a Commission of Appeals was created in 
1870, which continued until 1875, to which was assigned a large amount 
of business and thus relieving the original court. In 1888 the Constitu- 
tion was amended so that when the Court of Appeals should certify to the 
governor that public interests were suffering from the accumulation of 
causes on the calendar of that court, then the governor might designate 
seven justices of the Supreme Court to act as associate judges for the 
time being of the Court of Appeals, thus forming a second division of 
the court. This amendment was submitted to the people at the general 
election of that year and was ratified. The following persons from 
Oneida county have been connected with this court: 

Judges — Hiram Denio, appointed November 7, 1857 ; Ward Hunt, appointed No- 
vember 7, 1865. Associate Judges — Alexander Johnson, appointed December 29, 
1873. 

Commissioners of Appeals — Ward Hunt, July 5, 1870; Alexander S. Johnson, Jan- 
uary 7, 1873. 

Supreme Court. — The old Supreme Court was abolished by the Con- 
stitution of 1846, and a new one established having general jurisdiction 
in law and equity. The State was divided into eight judicial districts 
of which the Fifth is composed of the counties of Oneida, Herkimer, 
Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, and Oswego. By a legislative act passed 
April 20, 1870, the general terms of the Supreme Court then existing 
were abolished and the State was divided into four departments, with a 
presiding justice and two associates in each department, appointed by 




ALFRED C. COXE. 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 231 

the governor. The following have been Supreme Court justices from 

Oneida county : 

Philo Gridley, six years, appointed June 7, 1847; William J. Bacon, November 8, 
1853, reappointed November 5, 1861 ; Charles H. Doolittle, November 2, 1869 ; Milton 
H. Merwin, appointed in place of Doolittle, deceased, and elected November 8, 1874, 
and re-elected. 

Court of Common Pleas. — This court was in existence through the 
colonial period and down to 1846, and consisted of judges and assistant 
judges, the number varying in different counties. The judges were ap- 
pointed by the governor and Senate for five years. Following is the 
list for Oneida county : 

1798, March 22, Jedediah Sanger, of Whitestown, first judge; Hugh White and 
David Ostrom, of Whitestown, James Dean, of Westmoreland, and George Hunting- 
ton, of Rome, judges. 1801, January 28, Silas Stone, of Lowville, judge; August 21, 
Messrs. Sanger, White, Dean, Ostrom, and Huntington, reappointed, with Thomas 
Hart additional. 1802, March 13, Nathan Sage and Henry Coffeen, of Red- 
field. 1803, March 31, Needham Maynard. 1804, April 3, Chauncey Gridley; 
July 3, Messrs. Sanger, Dean, Ostrom, Huntington, Sage, Coffeen, Maynard, 
and Gridley, reappointed. 1805, February 15, Messrs. Sanger, Dean, Sage, May- 
nard, Ostrom, Coffeen, and Gridley, reappointed; and, March 25, Samuel Dill, 
and, April 8, Apollos Cooper, additional. 1808, March 22, Messrs. Sanger, Dean, 
Gridley, Sage, Dill, Cooper, reappointed, and Joseph Jennings and Jarvis Pike, ad- 
ditional. 1810, March 5, Morris S. Miller, first judge; Jedediah Sanger, Henry Mc- 
McNeil, of Paris; Abram Camp, of Whitestown, and Timothy Wood. 1813, Febru- 
ary 23, Morris S. Miller, James Dean, David Ostrom, Henry McNeil, George Bray- 
ton, Richard Sanger, Jesse Curtiss, Gerrit G. Lansing, Benjamin Wright, John 
Storrs, Peter Pratt. 1814, April 5, Messrs, Miller, Dean, Ostrom, McNeil, Curtiss, 
Lansing, Wright, Storrs, and Pratt, reappointed ; Levi Carpenter, jr. , and Frederick 
Stanley, additional. 1815, April 15, M. S. Miller, Joseph Jennings, Solomon Wolcot, 
Prosper Rudd, Daniel Ashley, Peter Pratt, James S. Kip, Sherman Barnes, Thomas 
Hamilton, Asahel Curtiss, Charles Wylie, Joseph Grant. 1818, April 24, Messrs. 
Miller, Wylie, Grant, and Hamilton, with Ezekiel Bacon, additional. 1821, March 
21, Messrs. Miller, Grant, and Hamilton, with Truman Enos and Joshua Hathaway, 
additional. 1823, February 3, Messrs. Miller, Enos, Hathaway, and Grant ; Samuel 
Jones, additional. 1824, November 22, Samuel Beardsley, first judge, in place of M. 
S. Miller, deceased. 1825, March 9, Henry R. Storrs. 1826, April 5. James Dean, 
in place of Truman Enos, elected to State Senate. 1828, February 5, Messrs. Hath- 
away, Grant, and Jones, reappointed. 1830, January 15, Chester Hayden, first 
judge; Israel Stoddard. 1831, April 8, Reuben Tower, of Sangerfield, in place of 
James Dean, term expired. 1832, February 10, Nathan Kimball, of Augusta, vice 
R. Tower, resigned. 1833, February 6, John P. Sherwood, of Vernon, and Arnon 
Comstock, of estern 'vice Jones and Hathaway, terms expired. 1835, January 23, 
Chester Hayden, of Utica, first judge, and Israel Stoddard, reappointed. 1837, Feb- 



232 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ruary 21, Nathan Kimball, reappointed. 1838, February 2, Pomroy Jones, of West- 
moreland, vice]. P. Sherwood, resigned; March 9, Arnon Comstock, reappointed. 
1840, February 2, Fortune C. White, of Whitestown, first judge, vice Hayden ; April 
14, Seth B. Roberts, of Rome, vice Stoddard. 1843, February 10, Chester Hayden 
and Amos Woodworth, of Florence, vice Messrs. Kimball and Comstock ; and Pom- 
roy Jones, reappointed. 1845, February 21, P. Sheldon Root, of Utica, first judge, 
vice White; April 14, Ebenezer Robbins, of Lee, vice Roberts. 1846, May 12, 
Othniel S. Williams, of Kirkland, vice Hayden. 

County Courts. — These courts were created by the Constitution of 1846. 

Associated with the judge are two justices of the peace from among the 

justices of the county who hold Courts of Sessions. 

P. Sheldon Root, elected June, 1847. George W. Smith, elected November, 1859. 
Joel Willard, elected November, 1867. Alexander H. Bailey, elected November, 
1871. William B. Bliss, elected November, 1874. William B. Sutton, November, 
1880. Isaac J. Evans, November, 1886. Watson T. Dunmore, November, 1892. 

Special Judges. — The Constitution authorizes the Legislature to 
provide for the election of a county officer to perform the duties of 
county judge in case of inability or vacancy, and to exercise such other 
powers as may be provided by law. The following have acted in 
Oneida county: 

David E. Wager, elected November, 1852. George Harrison, elected November, 
1855. Kiron Carroll, elected November, 1861. George H. Lynch, elected November, 
1867. William B. Bliss, elected November, 1870. Robert O. Jones, appointed to fill 
vacancy, 1874. Robert O. Jones, elected November, 1875. Wm. H. Bright, Novem- 
ber 1878. David E. Wager, November, 1880. Isaac J. Evans, November, 1883. 
Watson T. Dunmore, November, 1889. Rodolphus C. Briggs, November, 1892-6. 

Surrogates. — This office has met with less change since early times 
than other in the judiciary. In all counties having population of less 
than 40.000 the office is combined with that of county judge. The 
surrogates of Oneida county have been : 

Arthur Breese, March 19, 1798 ; Joshua Hathaway, March 23, 1808 ; Erastus Clark, 
February 23, 1813; Joshua Hathaway, March 16, 1815; Greene C. Bronson, April 13, 
1819; Joshua Hathaway, February 19, 1821; Henry A. Foster, March 31, 1827; 
Alanson Bennett, January 12, 1831 ; Henry A. Foster, January 27, 1835 ; John Stryker, 
August 22, 1839 ; (down to this time surrogates were appointed ; the constitution of 
1846 made the office elective.) Othniel S. Williams, June, 1847; Henry M. Burchard, 
November, 1855; Josephs. Avery, November, 1863, and re-elected to 1877; Stephen 
H. Van Dresar, November, 1877; William B. Bliss, November, 1883; William H. 
Bright, November, 1889; H. W. Bently, (appointed) June 11, 1894; Frederick M. 
Calder, elected November, 1894. 

The following have held the office of Special Surrogate: Ralph Mcintosh, elected 




" 







:■>*■:.■- .■.:.:■■■.!'■,'.■ 




THE BENCH AND BAR. 233 

November, 1852; Nelson B. Stevens, November, 1855; Ralph Mcintosh, November, 
1858 ; David T. Jenkins, November, 1861 ; Eugene Stearns, November, 1867 ; Theo- 
dore Avery, November, 1870; Henry J. Cookinham, (elected) November, 1873; 
Marcus D. Raymond, March, 1874; Elliott S. Williams, November, 1875; Emmett J. 
Ball, November, 1878; John D. F. Stone, November, 1884;. Herbert C. Sholes, No- 
vember, 1887 ; Elliott O. Worden, November, 1893-96. 

District Attorneys — The original title of this office was assistant 
attorney general, and there were seven districts in the State, the office 
being filled by the Governor and Council during their pleasure. The 
office of district attorney was created April 4, 1801. In 1818 each 
county was made a district. From 1796 to 1801 Oneida county 
formed part of the Ninth district, with Herkimer and Otsego counties. 
From 1 801 to 18 18 it was in the Sixth district with Chenango, Herki- 
mer, Lewis, Otsego, Madison (from 1808) and Jefferson (from 1805 to 
1808). 

The district attorneys for Oneida county since 1818 have been as 
follows : 

Nathan Williams, 1818 ; Samuel Beardsley, 1821 ; Hiram Denio, 1825 ; Ichabod C. 
Baker, 1834; Timothy Jenkins, 1840; Calvert Comstock, 1845; Roscoe Conkling, 
1850, appointed vice Comstock resigned; Samuel B. Garvin, 1850; J. Thomas 
Spriggs, 1853, appointed vice Garvin resigned; Henry T. Utley, 1853; J aims H 
Munger, 1856; Hiram T. Jenkins, 1859; Daniel Ball, 1868; Daniel C. Stoddard, 1871 
Milton D. Barnett, 1877; William A. Matteson, 1883; Thomas S. Jones, 1886 
George S. Klock, 1892. 

Sheriffs. — Under the first constitution this office was filled by the 
Council of Appointment annually, but no person could hold the office 
for more than four successive years. Under the Constitution of 1821 
they were elected for three years. 

William Colbrath, 1 March 19, 1798; Elizur Moseley, December 31, 1798; Charles C. 
Broadhead, November 5, 1800; James S. Kipp, November 10, 1804; Benajah Merrill, 
February 21, 1807; James S. Kipp, February 8, 1808; Benajah Merrill, February 26, 
1810 ; James S. Kipp, February 5, 1811 ; Apollos Cooper, March 16, 1815 ; John B. 
Pease, February 9, 1819; John E. Hinman, February 13, 1821; John E. Hinman, No- 
vember, 1822; David Pierson, November, 1825; John E. Hinman, November, 1828; 
Samuel M. Mott, November, 1831; Erastus Willard, November, 1834; Lyman Curtis, 
November, 1837; David Moulton, November, 1840; Theodore S. Faxton, Decem- 

1 Or Colbraith. 



234 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ber 19, 1842; Israel S. Parker, January 11, 1843; Palmer V. Kellogg, November, 1844; 
Lester Barker, November, 1847; John R. Jones, November, 1850; Hugh Crocker, 
November, 1852; Calvin Hall, November, 1855; William J. McKown, November, 
1858; Hugh Crocker, November, 1861; David B. Danforth, November, 1864; George 
F. Weaver, November, 1867; Lewis Gaylord, November, 1870; George Benedict, 
November, 1873; Frederick G. Weaver, November, 1876; Francis X. Meyers, No- 
vember, 1879; Thomas D. Penfield, November, 1882; John Batchelor, November, 
1885; Thomas Wheeler, November, 1888; John C. Schneider, 1892; Van R. Weaver 
1894. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Jonas Piatt settled in Oneida county in 1791, the first attorney in the 
county, locating at Whitesboro, and his name first appears in the public 
records of 1798. He undoubtedly rose rapidly, both in his profession 
and in the estimation of the people, for he was elected to the State 
Senate in 1809 by the Federalists, and in 1810 was a candidate for gov- 
ernor. In 1814 he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the 
State, which office he filled until the new Constitution of 1821 threw 
him out. After his retirement from the bench he resumed his law 
practice with success, at first in this county, later in New York city, and 
finally in Plattsburg. Judge Piatt has been memorialized as a " finished 
gentleman, who dispensed for many years a graceful hospitality" at his 
home in Whitesboro, and a man of integrity and fair ability. 

Thomas R. Gold was an able and very early lawyer to settle in 
this county, establishing himself in Whitesboro in 1792. Judge Bacon 
wrote of him as follows : 

His habits of industry were incessant and untiring and continued to the very close 
of his life ; and this he illustrated as well in his public as in his private life, for there 
was no more diligent Member of Congress or of the State Senate, no one more 
capable of mastering a subject or defending a measure on which he had set his heart. 
His reputation at the bar was high. . . He argued more causes in the old Su- 
preme Court than any lawyer in central New York. 

Mr. Gold was elected to the Senate in 1796 and re-elected ; to 
the Council of Appointment in 1801 ; to the Assembly in 1808, and 
to Congress in 1812, serving two terms. 

One of the earliest lawyers of prominence to settle in Oneida county 
was Nathan Williams. He was born in Williamstown, Mass., Decem- 
ber 19, 1773, and came to this county as early probably as 1797. In 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 235 

the following year he was admitted to practice in the Court of Common 
Pleas, and soon advanced to the front rank of the profession. Locating 
in Utica, he was conspicuous in the organization of Trinity church, was 
president of the village and of the Manhattan Bank. He was district 
attorney of the Sixth district in 1801-03 and of Oneida county in 181 8- 
21; was representative in Congress in 1805-07; and member of as- 
sembly in 1816, 1818, and 18 19 He was also a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1 82 1. He was appointed in April, 1823, to 
the responsible office of circuit judge and held the position for many 
years. "As a judge," says his biographer, "his addresses were fer- 
vently, moral. Few men could attend his court in any capacity and not 
obtain instruction in the duties of life and encouragement for their culti- 
vation." Every part of his life was filled up with something to render 
his memory dear to his kindred and honored by his country. At the 
age of sixty years he resigned his office of circuit judge and a few 
months before his death he removed to Geneva upon receiving the 
appointment of clerk of the Supreme Court. His death occurred Sep- 
tember 25, 1835. 

Erastus Clark was born in Lebanon, Conn., May 11, 1763, and 
located in Utica in 1797, having begun practice in Clinton in 1 791, 
Great industry, unflinching integrity and good ability soon gave him a 
prominent position. He was many years a village trustee and presi- 
dent ; was twice elected to the Assembly, and a trustee under the 
original charter of Hamilton College. He was especially active in 
promoting charities, and died November 7, 1825, leaving a record of a 
useful life. 

Samuel Beardsley was a native of Hoosick, Rensselaer county, N. Y., 
and was born February 6, 1790; his parents removed to Otsego county 
while he was an infant. After attending the district school, where he 
was a hard student, he taught for a time, and then began studying 
medicine in Cherry Valley. After witnessing several court trials in 
Cooperstown, he became fascinated with the law, and having there 
made the acquaintance of Judge Hathaway, of Rome, was invited to 
study in the judge's office. No better preceptor could have fallen to his 
lot. He was admitted to practice in due time (18 15) and began in 
Watertown, but one year later he settled in Rome, where he had as a 



236 OUR COtJNTT AND ITS PEOPLE. 

partner James Lynch, and afterwards was alone. In February, 1821, he 
was appointed district attorney of this county, which office he held one 
year. In 1822 he was elected to the State Senate, but in the arrange- 
ment of the classes by lot, he served only one year and in 1823 located 
in Utica as partner of Thomas S. Williams. In March, 1823, he was 
appointed U. S. attorney for the Northern district of New York, and 
held the office until 1830, when he was elected to Congress by the 
Democrats ; to this high office he was given three subsequent elections — 
1832, 1834, and 1842. In 1835 upon the resignation of Nathan Will- 
iams as judge of the Fifth circuit, Governor Marcy nominated Mr. 
Beardsley to the position, and his nomination was confirmed. But 
when he signified his intention of resigning his seat in congress, Presi- 
dent Jackson personally urged him to remain ; he finally consented. In 
1836 he was appointed attorney-general of the State, and when his term 
term expired in 1838 he resumed practice. Having been again elected 
to Congress, he withdrew in 1844 to accept the appointment of justice 
of the Supreme Court. On the retirement of Chief Justice Greene C. 
Bronson, in June, 1847, Judge Beardsley succeeded him in that high 
station. After retiring from the bench he practiced in the higher courts 
a year or two in New York, though he kept his residence in Utica. He 
died May 6, 18RO. 

"I think it could be safely said," remarks Judge Bacon, " there was not at the 
close of his life a more thoroughly read and firmly grounded lawyer in this State, nor 
one whose opinion carried greater weight with the courts." " I think," says Governor 
Seymour, "that he evinced his highest qualities in statesmanship. In public life he 
was bold, invasive, and self-reliant, and showed that he had resources and inventive 
genius to meet the varying exigencies of passing events. Here he sought no 
authorities, nor did he lean upon the assertions or opinions of others. I have known 
many of the prominent men of our land, and none of them excelled him in powers of 
acting upon the public mind or in the high qualities demanded for leadership'. His 
correct views of life, business and public morals kept him from falling into question- 
able positions. His bearing, person, and mind fitted him to command and he always 
had a strong power over those with whom he acted ; those who may have differed 
from him felt the force and strength of his antagonism." As a private citizen he was 
exemplary in all the charities and amenities of society, both civil and religious. 
"I know of no one," remarked Governor Seymour, "who contributed more, by 
speech and example, to form and enforce the unwritten laws of just moral recti- 
tude. No one did more to elevate the tone of morals in this city or to keep up the 
standard of good conduct and just dealings." 




HIRAM DENIO. 



THE BENCH AND BAR 237 

A man who rose to prominence at the bar, and especially as a judge, 
was Greene Carrier Bronson, who was born in Simsbury, Conn., in 
November, 1789. His educational opportunities were limited, but he 
richly endowed himself by reading and study in after life. He re- 
moved with the family to Peterboro. N. Y., and studied law in Vernon 
with John P. Sherwood. He was admitted to practice in due time and 
soon became a worthy associate of the great lawyers of his time in this 
county. In April, 18 19, he was appointed surrogate of Oneida county 
and filled the office two years. Elected to the Assembly soon after- 
ward, he there proved himself gifted in debate. At first a Clintonian in 
politics, he later turned to the Bucktails, and from that time was identi- 
fied with the " Hard" section of the Democratic party. In 1824 he 
settled in Utica and soon became partner with Samuel Beardsley, with 
whom he remained during his residence in that place. In February, 
1829, Mr. Bronson was elected attorney-general of this State and filled 
the office by re-election until 1836, residing meanwhile in Albany. In 
January, 1836, he was elevated to the Supreme Court bench, and in 
March, 1845, became presiding judge of that court. Two years later 
he was made one of the judges of the Court of Appeals, and continued 
such until his resignation in 185 1. "In the department of judicial duty 
he was justly pre-eminent and his opinions are models of excellence. 
In conciseness and perspicuity of expression, in terseness and directness 
of style, in compactness and force of logic, in sturdy vigor of intellect, 
and in the stern sense of justice," Judge Bronson has been by com- 
petent judges declared unsurpassed. Removing to New York after re- 
tiring from the bench, he was appointed collector of the port in 1853, 
and in 1851-59 was elected counsel for the city, which position he held 
until 1863. Stricken with paralysis, he died September 3, 1863. 

Hiram Denio was born at Rome May 21, 1799. He received an 
academical education and began the study of law in the office of Joshua 
Hathaway. In 18 16 he settled in Whitesboro, studying in the office of 
Storrs & White, where he remained until 1821. In that year he be- 
came a partner of Wheeler Barnes in Rome, and in October, 1825, was 
appointed district attorney to succeed Samuel Beardsley. He held that 
office nine years and performed its duties with credit. Meanwhile in 
July, 1826, he removed to Utica and joined with E. A. Wetmore to 



238 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

form the firm of Wetmore & Denio. In May, 1834, Mr. Denio was 
appointed a second judge for the Fifth circuit, thus beginning a long 
and honorable judicial career. About 1836 he became a member of 
the firm of Denio & Hunt (Ward Hunt) which occupied the front rank. 
In 1833 he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the bench of the Court 
of Appeals and twice afterward was elected to the same position, closing 
his career in 1866. His death took place October 19, .1868. It has 
been written of Judge Denio as follows : 

With the cast of mind eminently judicial, with studious habits that never wearied, 
with conversance with the principles as well as the letter of the law seldom surpassed, 
and with integrity never questioned, he deserves to rank with the magnates of the 
bar of the county and the State ; as a judge of the Court of Appeals his decisions are 
accepted as standards and as models. He was not a man to startle observers by 
brilliance and eccentricity. His prudence, his common sense, his thorough consci- 
entiousness were his marked characteristics. In every sense he was a good judge 
and in some respects his associates have pronounced him among the best and fore- 
most that ever sat upon the bench of our highest tribunal. 

One of the foremost lawyers of Oneida county (though not a native) 
was Henry A. Foster, who settled in Rome in 1S19, coming from Os- 
wego where he had already begun his studies. He had also studied in 
Cazenovia, N. Y., and at Onondaga Hill. In Rome Mr. Foster made 
himself conspicuous in many cases while he was yet a student. In 1822 
he was admitted to the bar and within three hours after his admission 
was assigned to defend a person indicted lor petit larceny, second of- 
fense. That trial was before Judges Joshua Hathaway, Truman Enos 
and Samuel Jones. Samuel Beardsley was district attorney. By a 
new line of argument on the question of the relative punishment for first 
and second offenses, Mr. Foster secured the acquittal of the prisoner. 
This case gave him extended reputation. He early became active in 
politics and in 1826 was nominated for the Assembly, but was defeated 
with the others of the ticket. In 1827 he was appointed surrogate and 
held the office until 1831. In 1830 he was elected State senator. He 
was trustee of Rome village several years and supervisor four years. 
In January, 1835, he was again appointed surrogate, resigning in 1837 
to begin his congressional career in Washington, to which body he was 
elected in 1836. In 1840 he was elected to the State Senate and re- 
signed near the close of the term to accept appointment as U. S. sen- 
ator to fill a vacancy. In April, 1853, he was appointed U. S. district 




HENRY A. FOSTER. 



F ^~ ~- . r '" ■ -J&.gi 




JOSHUA A. SPENCER. 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 239 

attorney for the Northern district of New York. In 1863 he was elected 
judge of the Supreme Court for a term of eight years. In all of these 
highly honorable stations Judge Foster sustained his reputation as leg- 
islator, judge, and attorney. He was strong in every branch of his pro 
fession and as a judge was recognized as able and impartial. 

William Johnson Bacon was born in Williamstown, Mass , February 
18, 1803, received excellent early educational advantages, and came to 
Utica with the family in 1815. Entering Hamilton College he gradu- 
ated in 1822. He immediately began the study of law in the office of 
Gen. Joseph Kirkland, and after three years with him, studied one year 
in Judge Gould's law school in Litchfield, Conn. He was admitted to 
practice in 1824, but soon joined with Samuel D. Dakin as owners and 
editors of the Sentinel and Gazette. Two years later he returned to 
his practice and soon acquired a good business. In the fall of 1853 he 
was elected judge of the Supreme Court of the Fifth district, and by re- 
election he continued on the bench sixteen years. After that he did 
not practice in the courts. Judge Bacon is remembered as a careful 
and painstaking lawyer, and especially strong in cases requiring ac- 
curacy, learning and sound judgment. On the bench in decisions 
abounding in strong thought and deep learning, and in language and 
forms of expression the most forcible and elegant, he attained high 
repute. His integrity was unquestioned and his fairness and impar- 
tiality unswerving. Judge Bacon was elected to the Assembly in 1850, 
and in 1876 was sent to Congress. He also filled very many stations 
of trust in corporations and on the boards of various institutions, in all 
of which he was unfailing in his duty. He died July 3, 1889. 

Among the foremost of the men who have shed lustre upon the bar 
of this State was Joshua Austin Spencer. He was born at Great Bar- 
rington, Mass., May 13, 1790, removed to Lenox, Madison county, 
when eighteen years old, and to Utica at the age of thirty-nine years. 
He soon rose to a leading position in the bar of Oneida county, when 
that bar was celebrated for its ability. Although his early educational 
opportunities were extremely limited, his indomitable energy and the 
strength of his intellect carried him to a commanding position. After 
serving a period as clerk in a store, and another term as a carpenter's 
apprentice, he took up the study of law with his elder brother. Soon 



240 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

afterward he enlisted in the army for the war of 1812 and was ap- 
pointed orderly sergeant of Horse Artillery and served his term at 
Sackett's Harbor. In 1814 he married Clarissa Phelps of Lenox, who 
died leaving two young children. He married, second, Electa Dean. 
After his admission to the bar he practiced for a time with his brother 
and in 1829 formed a partnership with William H. Maynard and settled 
in Utica. Mr. Maynard died in about three years and the burden of a 
large business fell upon Mr. Spencer ; he was fully able to carry it. 
He rapidly gained distinction as a jury lawyer and as such met with 
uniform success. In 1841 he was appointed United States attorney for 
the Northern district of New York, which office he held until 1845. In 
that year he was elected to the State Senate, two years of his term 
being taken off by the Constitution of 1846 His labor on the Judi- 
ciary Committee was arduous and beneficial. In 1848 he was elected 
mayor of Utica. For the duties of these political stations he took no 
respite from his profession and was identified with scores of cases which 
had a State or National reputation. Outside of his profession he rep- 
resented sterling manhood and exalted citizenship in the broadest 
sense. He was a profound believer in Christian religion and active 
and generous supporter of the cause of education. His death took 
place April 25, 1857. 

Joshua Hathaway, the first lawyer to settle in Rome, was one of seven 
sons, who, with their father, took part in the battle of Bennington and other- 
wise shared in the Revolution. He had reached his sixteenth birthday 
only three days before the battle. Ten years later he graduated from 
Yale College, studied law, was duly admitted to practice and in 1795 
settled at Fort Stanwix. After the organization of Oneida county and 
at the first term of the Common Pleas he was admitted at that court. 
In 1798 he was commissioned one of the justices of the peace for the 
new county and was also appointed the first county treasurer, which 
office he held until 1802. About 18 10 he was appointed by President 
Madison as the second postmaster of Rome, which office he held twenty- 
six years and until his death. In 1808 he was appointed surrogate of 
the county, the first Rome citizen to hold that office, and the second 
incumbent. He held the place until 1813 when he was displaced by 
political changes. He was again appointed in 1815, continuing in the 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 241 

office four years, and in 1821 was appointed for the third time and held 
the office to 1827 ; at the same time he was appointed one of the side 
judges of the Court of Common Pleas, was reappointed in 1823 and 
again in 1828. It is recorded that he filled all of these positions with 
dignity, integrity aed fair ability. Judge Hathaway died in December, 
1836. 

William H. Maynard was a prominent early attorney of Oneida county 
and a native of Conway, Mass. Soon after his graduation he located at 
New Hartford to study law in the office of Gen. Joseph Kirkland. In 
1811 he purchased of John H. Lathrop his interest in the Utica Patriot 
and at once assumed its editorship. This connection he continued until 
1824. In January, 1825, he was made village attorney and was also for 
a time law officer of the Utica Insurance Company. In 1 8 1 8 he was ad- 
mitted to practice in the Supreme Court. His first partner was Samuel 
A. Talcott. He rose rapidly in his profession and was soon empioyed 
in most of the heavy litigation in the courts of the county. In 18 19 
when Clinton was nominated for governor, Mr. Maynard left the Fed- 
eral party and joined others in support of Tompkins. With the change 
in tone in the Patriot it lost subscribers and alarmed its owners and led 
to the establishment of the Sentinel. When the Anti- Masonic party 
came into existence, Mr. Maynard joined its ranks and in 1828 was 
elected by it to the State Senate, where he served from 1829 to 1832 
inclusive. He was an able legislator and largely instrumental in secur- 
ing the construction of the Chenango Canal. During his term in the 
Senate he continued active in his professional labor. He was a promi- 
nent factor in the politics of his time and a lawyer of exceptional ability. 

Samuel Austin Talcott was born in Hartford, Conn., December 31, 
1789, and graduated from Williams College in 1809. At about the 
same time he married and locating in Whitesboro, he began law study 
with Thomos R Gold. He began pjjactice in Lowville, but removed to 
Utica in 18 16 and formed a partnership with William H. Maynard. 
When Gen. Joseph Kirkland soon afterward removed from New Hart- 
ford, leaving a vacancy, Mr. Talcott settled there. In February, 1821, 
he was appointed attorney-general of the State, when only thirty two 
years of age. He took up his residence in Albany during his term of 
office and thence removed to New York where he practiced until his 

31 



242 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

death, March 19, 1836, having scarcely reached middle life. By his 
contemporaries and other later writers, Mr. Talcott is recorded of one 
of the most eminent lawyers that ever practiced in this State. 

Acute of intellect, with a wonderful memory, with all the attributes that constitute 
the great orator, he sprang into prominence like a meteor — and, alas, vanished in a 
similar manner. He was engaged in nearly every important case tried at the Circuit 
and later appeared frequently before the Supreme Court. With all his great gifts he 
had a foolish vanity under which he sought to make it appear that his talent was 
merely inspiration and that his greatest efforts were spontaneous for the occasion. 
While this weakened respect for him, it did not in the least lower the character of 
his triumphs at the bar. The later years of his life were marred by excessive indul- 
gence in stimulants which undoubtedly shortened his career. 

Roscoe Conkling, the distinguished lawyer, politician and orator, was 
born in Albany October 3, 1829, and after receiving an academic edu- 
cation began law study at the age of seventeen in the office of Spencer 
& Kernan, Utica. He early manifested evidence of his great natural 
ability as a speaker and his fitness in other respects for a political leader. 
About the time of his admission to the bar when about twenty-one 
years old, he was appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy in the 
office of district attorney of Oneida county. Here he showed excep- 
tional ability and received the Whig nomination for the office for the 
succeeding term ; he was defeated. Plunging with ardor into law prac- 
tice, he rose rapidly in his brilliant legal career. In the examination of 
witnesses and in argument before juries he exhibited great power and 
genius, while his tenacious memory enabled him to store his mind with 
a wealth of legal lore. In 1858 he was elected mayor of Utica ; in 1859 
he was elected to Congress, and from that date onward to 1881 he was 
chiefly occupied with public affairs. In 1867, while still a member of 
the lower House he" was chosen Senator from New York, and was re- 
elected in 1873 and 1879. He was a trusted adviser of Grant and an 
earnest supporter of Lincoln's war policy. In the important legislation 
of all that period he was conspicuous and influential. The last few 
years of his life were spent in practice in New York. In 1873 he was 
offered by Grant the chief justiceship of the U. S. Supreme Court, and 
the mission to the Court of St. James, both of which he declined. He 
died in New York April 18, 1888. The following estimate is from one 
who knew Mr. Conkling well : 




ROSCOE CONKLING. 





h* *"* 






mk 

£££> — — ■ 


^ 






1 eB&* \ *?}%h. 

»1 




-rB| . i /^"^ 


™ 4 * 



FRANCIS KERNAN. 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 243 

His were not the methods that seek a following through familiarity or a sacrifice 
of dignity. His recognized genius commanded confidence and admiration without 
resort to the acts of smaller-minded politicians, and he disdained victories that could 
be won only at the sacrifice of dignity and relf-respect. There was an imperialism 
about his nature which forbade him to parley. He compelled obedience and swept 
to his purpose with an impetuosity that brooked no restraint. A man was either 
for him or against him, and it apparently made little difference which ; but there 
was no middle ground. To his friends he was ever generous and loyal; to his en- 
emy he was either indifferent or implacable. More than any other man he possessed 
the quality of leadership. 

Wheeler Barnes was a native of Massachusetts, but when he settled 
in Rome came from Vermont, which was about the year 1806; he was 
at that time admitted to practice. In 1815 he was elected supervisor 
of the town, and re-elected in 18 16 ; in the latter year he was elected to 
the Assembly on the Federal ticket. In 1822 he ran again for Assem- 
bly, but that was the first year after the new Constitution had gone into 
effect, which was instrumental in defeating the Federal party. Mr. 
Barnes had a considerable law practice for those days, and was partner 
for a time with William Curtis Noyes. He was trustee of Rome village 
from 1822 to 1825 inclusive, and was active in party politics many years. 
During the last' thirty years of his life he was lame from a fall from a 
horse. He died in Rome in July, 1858. 

Francis Kernan, son of Gen. William Kernan, a native of Ireland, was 
born in Schuyler county, N Y., January 14, 18 16. After receiving a 
partial college education he studied law in Watkins, N. Y., and in 1839 
settled in Utica and finished his studies with Joshua Spencer and was 
admitted to practice in 1840. These two became partners and from 
that time until 1857 Mr. Kernan enjoyed a large and successful practice. 
In 1854 he was appointed reporter of the Court of Appeals, which office 
he held for three years. A Democrat in politics, he early entered the 
field and soon became a leader. In i860 he was elected to the Assem- 
bly in a strong Republican district, and in 1862 was elected to Congress, 
in the mean time supporting the government in its war measures to the 
utmost of his ability. Renominated in 1864, he was defeated by Roscoe 
Conkling and thereupon returned to the active pursuit of his profession. 
In 1867 he was chosen a delegate-at-large to the Constitutional Con- 
vention. In 1872 he was honored with the nomination for governor 
of this State. In 1875 he was elected State senator. In all of these 



244 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

offices Mr. Kernan showed high qualities as a legislator, while in his 
professional career he attained distinction as an excellent lawyer in all 
branches of the practice. 

Daniel Elbridge Wager was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., on the 
8th day of November, 1823, and was therefore in his seventy-third year. 
He received his early education in the common schools and was gradu- 
ated from the Jefferson County Institute at Watertown, then under con- 
trol and in charge of Rev. James R. Boyd as principal. Later on he 
read law in the office of Joshua Moore, district attorney of Jefferson 
county. In the spring of 1848 he went to Utica and entered the law 
office of William and Charles Tracey. In September of the same year, 
on invitation of the late Hon. Calvert Comstock, then district attorney 
of Oneida county, Mr. Wager became law clerk and student in the 
office of Comstock & Beach in Rome. He remained with this noted 
firm of lawyers till 1850, when he was admitted to the bar. Soon after- 
wards he became a partner of Lawyer H. T. Utley, then of Rome, now 
of Waterville, who was subsequently elected district attorney of this 
county. In 1852 Mr. Wager was elected special county judge on the 
Democratic ticket. In 1854 he was employed by Calvert and Elon 
Comstock to assist in editing the Rome Sentinel. In 1855 he became 
one of the proprietors of the Sentinel, the late De Witt C. Rowley be- 
ing his partner, the style of the firm being Wager & Rowley. In 1857 
Mr. Wager was appointed by President James Buchanan to be post- 
master of Rome, and he held the office four years. In i860 Wood & 
Larwell purchased the Sentinel and Mr. Wager resumed the practice of 
law. 

During the civil war Congress, as one method of raising revenue, im- 
posed a tax on the property of deceased persons. An office was estab- 
lished here. To manage this required a person well acquainted with 
the intestate law of the State. Mr. Wager being excellently qualified 
in this respect, received the appointment. The government realized a 
large revenue from this branch of the service. 

In 1872 the late Alexander H. Bailey of Rome was elected Oneida 
county judge, and Mr. Wager entered the office of Beach & Bailey and 
became a partner in the business. After the death of Judge Bailey, Mr. 
Wager formed a copartnership with the late Hon. B. J. Beach, which 
continued till Mr. Beach's death. In 1880 Mr. Wager was elected 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 245 

special county judge for the second time. He was for some time a 
trustee of the Rome Savings Bank. 

He was a well equipped lawyer, a man of many excellent qualities 
and a keen and critical observer of men and events. He was strong in 
his likes and dislikes and was, when occasion required, blunt and out- 
spoken in his speech, quite as free to criticise a man in his presence as 
in his absence. He had a never-ending fund of good nature and always 
enjoyed a good joke or a story well told. He had a rare appreciation 
of the humorous side of things and could be keenly sarcastic when oc- 
casio.. seemed to him to require it. This strong trait in his character 
he retained to the end, and during his last sickness often amused those 
about him with his remarks Although sometimes caustic in his obser- 
vations the arrows that he launched were not tipped with venom ; he 
was ever ready to do a kind turn for those who approached him. He 
was very affable and courteous in his bearing — a gentleman of the old 
school — and the younger members of the bar will bear witness that 
there were no kinder or more considerate lawyer or one who. was more 
ready to assist them than Daniel E. Wager. He rarely appeared be- 
fore a jury, but there was in this city no more able office lawyer than he, 
none who prepared a case more carefully or more methodically. He 
was particularly successful in matters pertaining to titles of real estate 
and to the settlement of estates. 

Aside from his ability as a lawyer, Mr. Wager won a wide and an 
enviable reputation as a local historian. No man was better acquainted 
with the history of Rome and Oneida county than he. He had a love 
for delving into history and wonderful patience in ferreting out histor- 
ical points and separating facts from fiction. At the time of his death 
he had nearly completed his work on this publication. 

Mr. Wager was one of the officers of the Oneida Historical Society 
and frequently attended the meetings of the organization. By request 
of the society he at various times prepared and read papers before the 
members. 

Although he did not seek to make himself prominent in municipal 
affairs, Mr. Wager took a lively interest in all that pertained to the wel- 
fare of the city and was always found on the side of progress and im- 
provement. He was a good citizen. His death took place in April 
1896. 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



In 1854 Mr. Wager married Miss Helen M. Abell, a daughter of the 
late Lynden Abell of Rome. Mrs. Wager and one son, Fred L., of 
Rome, survive. 

Following is a list of the present bar of Oneida county : 



Boo?iville. 

Ballou, Walter. 
Bentley, H. W. 
Blasier, R. O. 
Capron, B. A. 
Fiske, L. W. 
Hadley, H. R. 
Hayes, A. L. 
Pease, Jay A. 
Sippell, William D. 
Sperry, C. R. 

Camden. 

Davis, John C. 
Fitzgerald, P. H. 
Johnson, Russel S. 
Morss, George F. 
Skinner, George J. 
Woodruff, Arthur C. 
Woodruff, E. C. 

Clinton. 

Carruth, Charles R. 
Cummings, J. W. 
Martin, Louis M. 
Mills Andrew W. 
Reynolds, Fred L. 
Shields, W. J. 
Williams, EUiott S. 

Holland Patent. 

Dunlop, H. W. 
Williams, William J. B. 

Remsen. 

Pritchard, G. E. 



Rome. 

Baker, John S. 
Backus, Oswald P. 
Backus, Lincoln J. 
Bedell, Harvey S. 
Bliss, William B. 
Briggs, R. C. 
Carmichael, Charles 
Cornish, George R. 
Curtin, Timothy, Jr. 
Dunning, Charles H. 
Davis, Geo. T. 
Evans, I. J. 
Fowler, Homer T. 
Griffith, R. M. 
Gubbins, James P. 
Hager, Albert R. 
Klock, George S. 
Kneeland, A. Delos 
McMahon, John D. 
Olney, James P. 
Pavey, E. Marshall 
Prescott, Cyrus D. 
Porter, Joseph 
Powers, M. H. 
Rowland, Eugene A. 
Sayles, A. F. 
Soyles, Joseph I. 
Scripture, William E. 
Sehwarz, John S. 
Searle, D. F. 
Stevens, Edward L. 
Stevens, Stoddard M. 
Spinning, S. E. 
Titus, Chas. T. Jr. 
Wager, Daniel E. 
Wager, Fred L. 
Weaver, G. H. 
Wilson, John F. 
Wilson, H. S. 



White, Charles W. 
Wheeler, Wm. H. 
Worden, E. O. 
Wiggins, Howard C. 
Wilson, Merritt N. 

Taberg. 

Snyder, Silas L. 

Utica. 

Adams, Charles D. 
Adams, Seth C. 
Adams. George- W. 
Avery, Theodore 
Aylesworth, H. M. 
Bagg, Grove W. 
Bagg, Chas. M. 
Baker, R. C. 
Ball, Emmett J. 
Ball, W. D. 
Barrows, Samuel J. 
Beardsley, Arthur M. 
Beardsley, Samuel A. 
Benedict, Joseph 
Bevines, Daniel E. 
Bielby, Isaac P. 
Biddlecome, W. D. 
Boyle, John W. 
Bulger, Patrick F. 
Brayton, M. Jesse 
Brandigee, John E. 
Collins, John D. 
Collins, Henry C. 
Cookinham, Henry J. 
Coxe, Alfred C. 
Carter, George C. 
Comstock, William H. 
Coupe, Henry F. 
Coupe, James 



THE BENCH AND BAR. 



247 



Cross, Theodore L. 
Calder, F. M. 
Darling, Richard W. 
Doolittle, Charles A. 
Doolittle, WilliamS. 
Doolittle, Henry A. 
Dooiittle, Julius T. A. 
Dunmore, Watson T. 
Davis, Henry A. 
DeAngelis, P. C. J. 
Dennison, Charles M. 
Dennison, George E. 
Duross, James E. 
Fincke, Fred. G. 
Ferris, T. H. 
French, James G. 
Gaffney, John F. 
Gates, H. L. 
Goodwin, Alex T. 
Griffith, John D. 
Giblin, F. T. 
Gibson, John G. 
Goodier, Lewis E. 
Grant, J. H. 
Goodier, Wadsworth L. 
Humphrey, G. H. 
Harter, William E. 
Hastings, E. B. 
Harvey, W. K. 
Hazard, Frederick H. 
Howell, Herbert A. 
Hurlburt, Edward 
Irish, C. G. 
Jones, Thos. O. 
Jones, Robert O. 
Jones, C. Lansing 
Kernan, Nicholas E. 
Kernan, William 
Kernan, John D. 
Kernan, W. J. 
Kernan, Walter N. 
Kernan, Leslie W. 
Kinney, Thomas E. 
Kinney, W. J. 
Lewis, William E. 



Lewis, Edward 
Lindsley, Smith M. 
Lynch, J. DeP. 
Love, Henry M, 
Lovelace, F. L. 
Lee, E. D. 

Mathews, Edward D. 
Mathews, E. W. 
Matteson, William A. 
Martin, R, R. 
Mann, James F. 
Mclncrow, Richard W. 
Mcintosh, Andrew J. 
Mcintosh, Ichabod C. 
McGraw, M. V. B. 
Miller, Chas. A. 
Morehouse, George C. 
Morehouse, Richard H 
O'Connor, Jas. K. 
O'Connor, Edward S. 
Patten, Harry S. 
Perry, Josiah 
Philo, Geo. E. 
Pitcher, Herbert D. 
Ouin, William P. 
Reilly, James P. 
Risley, Edwin H. 
Robinson, Milton E. 
Root, Lynott B. 
Rayhill, James W. 
Rogers, J. Frank 
Rogers, John F. 
Rudd, Joseph 
Shumway, Charles 
Swan, Joseph R. 
Snyder, Charles C. 
Seavey, William E. 
Stoddard, David C. 
Searle, Charles H. 
Sherman, James S. 
Seward, Alexander 
Spriggs, Fred. B. 
Stearns, Eugene 
Stone, John D. F. 



Sexton, Michael H. 
Sholes, H. C. 
Shumway, Charles 
Southworth, L. N. 
Steber, Benjamin 
Talcott, Charles A. 
Thomas, Rees E. 
Townsend, William 
Townsend, P. B. 
Tripp, Isaac 
Van Auken, Myron W. 
Watts, James W. 
Wager, E. J. 
Watkins, Thomas D. 
Waterman, Daniel 
Weaver, George M. 
White, W. Pierrepont. 
White, H. Lawrence 
White, N. Curtis 
Wells, Edward H. 
Wilkinson, Albert T. 

Ver?wn. 

Judson, S. S. 

Verona. 

Davis, E. W. 

Waterville 

Coggeshall, Henry J. 
Edwards, L. D. 
Fuess, Louis P. 
Monroe, C. W. 
Utley, Henry T. 
Wickwire, Charles M. 
Weller, W. H. 

New York Mills. 

Mackie, William S. 
Douglass, William A. 



248 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND PROFESSION OF ONEIDA COUNTY. 

The organization of the first medical society in Oneida county fol- 
lowed closely upon the passage of the law of February, 1806, author- 
izing the formation of such bodies throughout the State. A meeting 
of the physicians of Oneida county was called at Rome July 1, 1806, 
to which twenty nine responded, and then and there the Oneida 
County Medical Society was organized, with the following officers : 
Amos G. Hull, president; Sewal Hopkins, vice president; David Has- 
brouck, secretary ; Seth Hastings, treasurer ; Caleb Sampson, delegate 
to the State Society ; Francis Guiteau, Matthew Brown, Welcome 
Sayles, Elnathan Judd, and Sherman Bartholomew, censors. The an- 
niversary was fixed for the first Tuesday in July, and Seth Hastings, 
Sewal Hopkins, and Caleb Sampson were appointed to prepare by-laws 
for the society. 

The first meeting was held in Rome July 1, and adjourned to meet 
at Whitesboro the 2d of September, 1806. The committee on by-laws 
were not ready to report and were continued to the annual meeting in 
July, 1807. On that occasion the by-laws were adopted and a com- 
mittee appointed to prepare a fee bill consisting of the following: Drs. 
Hopkins, Sampson, Wolcott, Sayles, Capron, Francis and Luther Gui- 
teau. Their fee bill was adopted at a meeting held in Utica January 
12, 1808, The meeting held July 30, 18 10, closed the first period of 
the society's existence. Seven meetings had thus far been held and ten 
new members admitted. 

At a meeting called July 6, 18 13, the profession was well repre- 
sented and the society was reorganized. From this date onward meet- 
ings were held with commendable regularity, and measures for the ele- 
vation and improvement of members and the greater efficiency of the 
society as a whole were gradually adopted. These included the imposi- 
tion of fines for non-attendance (first collected in 1814), and for failure 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 249 

to read dissertations when appointed, introduced in 1819; revision of 
the by-laws in 1822, and again in 1828 ; introduction of resolutions by 
Dr. C. B. Coventry in 1834 asking the Legislature for a special act for 
building an asylum for the insane poor of the State, which led to the 
founding of what is now the Utica State Hospital. In 1846 an affort 
was made to increase the usefulness of the society by dividing it into 
sections so as to provide two dissertations at each meeting. In the fol- 
lowing year a new measure was proposed for the holding of quarterly 
meetings, but the plan failed for a time. From this time down to 
1853-4 the society began to decline and at one period seemed doomed 
to extinction ; but the State law of 1853 giving the society the same 
number of delegates to the State society as there were of members of 
the Legislature in the territory represented, and a new and more effi- 
cient method of collecting dues and fines gave the organization new life 
and prosperity. 

On the 8th of July, 1856, the semi centennial of the society was ap- 
propriately celebrated in Utica. At that time only two of the founders 
were left. Continued prosperity now attended the society, and in 1864 
the fees for medical services were increased 100 per cent. At the 
annual meeting of 1868 the subject of holding quarterly meetings was 
again brought up and a resolution offered to hold them on the second 
Tuesdays of January, April, July and October. In the following year 
this resolution became a law of the society. At the annual meeting 
of July 13, 1869, a committee reported that thereafter "applicants be 
required to file in the county clerk's office their diplomas before pre- 
senting themselves for membership." At the quarterly meeting of Oc- 
tober, 1 87 1, the society took up the subject recommended by the 
American Medical Association and resolved to use its influence to have 
half free scholarships in the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons. 
At the semi annual meeting of 1872 delegates to the American Med- 
ical Association were instructed to vote for the admission of women 
properly qualified in the profession, to membership. Resolutions were 
offered and discussed at the semi-annual meeting in January, 1873, ask- 
ing for an amendment to the code of medical ethics, so as to allow 
medical men to meet all practitioners who had been educated in schools 

32 



250 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

recognized by the laws of the State. The resolution was laid on the 
table, and again met the same fate in April of that year. 

During the last quarter of a century or more this society has enjoyed 
a vigorous existence and encouraging growth and has been of incalcu- 
lable benefit to both the profession and the community. A great num- 
ber of papers have been read before its members upon a broad range of 
medical topics having a direct and important bearing upon the well- 
being of the public ; measures have been introduced and promoted 
tending to the better sanitary condition of the people and their surround- 
ings, and the high character of the membership of the society has been 
maintained at all times." Fitting eulogies have been prepared of most of 
the deceased members, many of which have been published in various 
places. 

Following are the names of the physicians who attended the first 
meeting July I, 1806: 

Amos G. Hull, Sewal Hopkins, David Hasbrouck, Seth Hastings, jr., Caleb Samp- 
son, Francis Guiteau, Matthew Brown, jr., Welcome Sayles, Elnathan Judd, Sher- 
man Bartholomew, Marcus Hitchcock, Isaac Weston. Thomas Hartwell, Laurens 
Hull, Zenas Hutchinson, Alexander Whaley, Morris Shannon, Paul Hutchinson, jr., 
Eliphaz Bissell, Seth Capron, Daniel Avery, John Fitch, Enoch Alden, Stephen 
Preston, Arba Blair, Thomas G. Hooker, Nathan Porter, Seth Hastings, Samuel 
Frisbee. 

Following is a list of the presidents and secretaries of the society 
from its organization to the present time : 

1806, Matthew Brown, David Hasbrouck ; 1807, Amos G. Hull, David Hasbrouck ; 
1808-9, Francis Guiteau, David Hasbrouck ; 1810-14, Sewal Hopkins, Seth Hastings, 
jr. ; 1815-16, Elnathan Judd, Charles Babcock ; 1817, Amos G. Hull, Charles Babcock ; 
1818, Amos G. Hull, Thomas Goodsell, jr.; 1819, Thomas Goodsell, Ezra Williams ; 
1820-21, Amos G. Hull, Seth S. Peck; 1822-24, Alexander Coventry, Seth S. Peck; 
1825-26, Luther Guiteau, Seth S. Peck ; 1827, Alexander Coventry, Seth S. Peck ; 
1828-29, Seth Hastings, jr., Seth S. Peck; 1830, John McCall, Seth S. Peck; 1831, 
Laurens Hull, John Gridley ; 1832, Laurens Hull, J. P. Batchelder; 1833, Laurens 
Hull, Thomas M. Foote; 1834, Charles Babcock, Thomas M. Foote; 1835, J. P. 
Batchelder, Thomas M. Foote; 1836, A. Blair, Daniel Thomas; 1837, T. Pomroy, 
Daniel Thomas; 1838, U. H. Kellogg, Daniel Thomas; 1839, J. F. Trowbridge, 
Daniel Thomas; 1840, P. B. Peckham, Daniel Thomas; 1841^2, C. B. Coventry, 
Daniel Thomas ; 1843, Luther Guiteau, Daniel Thomas ; 1844, Medina Preston, John 
McCall; 1845, F. M. Barrows, John McCall; 1846, G. H. Pope, D. G. Thomas; 1847, 
J. Knight, D. G. Thomas; 1848, P. M. Hastings, D. G. Thomas; 1849, M. M. Bagg, 
D. G. Thomas; 1850, D. G. Thomas, John McCall, C. S. ; 1851, F. M. Barrows, M. 




M. M. BAGG. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 251 

M. Bagg; 1852, D. P. Bissell, M. M. Bagg; 1853, J. H. Champion, M. M. Bagg; 
1854, S. G. Wolcott. M. M. Bagg; 1855, J. V. Cobb, J. E. West; 1856, N. H. Dering, 
J. E. West; 1857, J. S. Whaley, J. E. West; 1858, J. M. Sturdevant, W. B. Coventry, 

C. S. ; 1859, A. Blair, J. E. West; 1860, W. Smith, J. E. West; 1861, D. Larrabee, 
William Russell ; 1862, C. L. Hogeboom, William Russell ; 1863, L. Guiteau, William 
Russell; 186*. C. B. Coventry, William Russell; 1865, W. Booth, William Russell ; 
1866, D. G. Thomas, William Russell; 1867, L. Guiteau, William Russell; 1868, A. 
Churchill, William Russell ; 1869, Thomas M. Flandrau, Edwin Hutchinson ; 1870, 
H. N. Porter, Edwin Hutchinson ; 1871, William Russell, Edwin Hutchinson ; 1872, 
Robert Frazier, Walter Kempster; 1873, Walter Griswold, P. H. Thomas; 1874, 
John P. Gray, P. H. Thomas; 1875, H. G. Dubois, P. H. Thomas; 1876, L. A. Tour- 
tellot, P. H. Thomas; 1877, Norton Wolcott, Charles P. Russell, 1878, Edwin Hutch- 
inson, J. Hunt; 1879, G. W. Cleveland, S. Baker; 1880, J. E. West, George Sey- 
mour; 1881, Edwin Evans, George Seymour; 1882, Jacob Hunt, T. Flandrau; 1883, 
A. R. Simmons, George Seymour; 1884, J. K. Chamberlayne, George Seymour; 1885, 
Smith Baker, George Seymour ; 1886, W. E. Ford, H. Palmer; 1887, L. Swarthout, 
A. R. Simmons; 1888, Claude Wilson, J. H. Glass; 1889, J. H. Glass, J. G. Kil- 
bourne; 1890, G. Alder Blumer, J. G. Kilbourne; 1891, A. W. Marsh, J. G. Kilbourne; 
1892, William M. Gibson, J. G. Kilbourne ; 1893, George Seymour, J. G. Kilbourne ; 
1894, Hamilton S. Quin, David Eynon; 1895, Charles E. Smith, David Eynon; 1896, 

D. C. Dye, David Eynon. 

Space can be spared here for the brief biographic sketches of only a 
very few of the earlier phyaicians of the old school in this county, whose 
arduous and unselfish labors in pioneer medical work should be appre- 
ciated and remembered with gratitude. To these are added in the sub- 
sequent histories of the towns such mention as has been found accessi- 
ble relating to other early physicians in the several localities : 

Dr. Alexander Coventry was born in Scotland August 27, 1766, and 
attended mndical lectures in Glasgow and Edinburgh. In July, 1785, 
he sailed for America and first settled in Hudson, N.Y. Thence he re- 
moved to Romulus, N. Y., and in 1796 located at Old Fort Schuyler. 
For a short time he was a merchant tailor with John Post, but soon 
opened a physician's office. About 1804 Dr. David Hasbrouck was his 
partner, but Dr. Coventry purchased a farm in Deerfield and there pur- 
sued farming and fruit growing with ardor. From that time forward 
this occupation divided his time with professional duties. In 1817 he 
became a partner with Dr. John McCall. The latter removed to 
Utica from Deerfield the next year and had immediate charge of their 
office. As a family physician and obstetrician Dr. Coventry was dis- 
tinguished throughout a large section. He was several times elected 



252 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

president of the County Medical Society, and twice president of the 
State society. He died December 9, 1831. 

Dr. Francis Guiteau, descended from a French Huguenot, settled in 
Deerfield and began practice in 1792, occupying a farm east of the Cor- 
ners. In July, 1803, he formed a partnership with Dr. Samuel Wol- 
cott, and each built a house on Whitesboro street, Utica. The partner- 
ship continued to 1807, after which Dr. Guiteau practiced alone. He 
was skillful and highly esteemed. He died about the year 1823. Dr. 
Luther Guiteau, of Trenton, was brother of Francis. 

Dr. David Hasbrouck was a native of Ulster county, N. Y., and at- 
tended medical lectures in New York. He settled in Utica in 1804, 
and formed a partnership with Dr. Coventry, combining the sale of 
drugs with his practice, which was confined mainly to a few of the lead- 
ing families. He was the first secretary of the County Medical Society, 
and about 18 15 removed to Kingston; but he died in Schenectady in 
October, 1813. 

One of the earliest and best remembered surgeons of this county was 
Dr. Amos G. Hull. He was practicing in New Hartford as early as 
1798, and in 18 10 made the announcement that he had opened a place 
for the sale of mineral waters in Utica next to the Coffee House. He 
also manufactured and sold hernial trusses in large numbers after 1817. 
He was the first president of the Medical Society, was an influential 
Methodist and a good citizen. He removed to New York not long 
after 1821. 

Dr. Thomas Goodsell settled in Whitesboro in 18 10 and began prac- 
tice with Dr. Seth Capron, who was already established there. Dr. 
Goodsell was a native of Connecticut, born in J'une, 1775, studied near 
his birthplace, practiced some years in Woodbridge, Conn., and from 
there went to Philadelphia where he attended lectures at the University 
of Pennsylvania and was licensed in 1809. Not long after his settle- 
ment in Whitesboro he removed to Utica and soon acquired a large 
business. He was thoroughly educated in his profession and received 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Yale and was a permanent mem- 
ber of the State Medical Society. He lived until his eighty-ninth year 
and died January n, 1864 

A long resident and a very successful physician of Utica was Dr. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 253 

John McCall, who was born in Hebron, N.Y., December 25, 1787 He 
was thoroughly educated in Columbia College and with private medical 
instructors, one of whom was the noted Dr. Valentine Mott, upon whose 
recommendation Dr. McCall secured a position in the army in 18 12, 
being assigned to the 13th Regiment. He was at the battle of Queens- 
ton and later, after receiving the rank of surgeon, was at the capture of 
Fort George. In the summer of 1815 he left the army and took up 
practice at Deerfield. After 18 18 he was a partner with Dr. Alexander 
Coventry and with Dr. Charles B. Coventry, son of Alexander. In 
later years he practiced alone until his death Octobers, 1867. Very 
conservative in practice Dr. McCall relied much upon careful nursing of 
patients and the recuperative efforts of nature. He had a very large 
business and was honored with various professional stations in societies 
and otherwise. 

From 1826 to 1853, when he removed elsewhere, Dr. Peleg B. Peck- 
ham was a successful and respected physician in Utica. He gave most 
of his attention to family practice, was little employed as a surgeon, and 
attended strictly to his professional duties. He was one of the foremost 
in the organization of Grace church. 

Dr. Charles B. Coventry has already been mentioned. He practiced 
successfully in Utica for nearly fifty years, graduating at Fairfield in 
1825. He held a lectureship in Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, 
three years from 1828, and in 1832 was sent by the Utica Common 
Council through the eastern cities to study the nature of cholera in an- 
ticipation of its appearance here. He was lecturer in the Geneva Col- 
lege after 1839, which institution he aided in founding, and in 1846 be- 
came similarly connected with the Buffalo Medical College. He was 
one of the first board of managers of the local insane asylum ; president 
of St. Luke's Hospital and Home, a warden in Grace church, and was 
otherwise honored by the profession and his fellow citizens. He died 
February 23, 1875. 

Dr. William Morris, born in Columbia county in 1806. graduated 
with honor at the Medical College in Massachusetts, and settled in Utica 
in 1832. He soon made a large circle of friends and gained a large 
practice. He had. two sons, one of whom succeeded him in business. 

Dr. Daniel P. Bissell was born in Randolph, N. Y., May 27, 1802 



254 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and graduated from Yale Medical College in 1826. He began practice 
in Livingston county, N. Y., and held the office of canal commissioner 
from 1842 to 1848. In the mean time he settled in Utica where he 
practiced with Dr. Goodsell and afterwards alone. He was delegate to 
the Democratic National Convention in 1860, and for a time manager 
of the State Hospital for Insane He was an active and public spirited 
citizen. 

Dr. Nicoll H. Dering, who had long been in successful practice in 
New York city, removed to Rome in 1842, where he acquired a large 
practice. In 1847 ^ e settled in Utica, and by his wide experience, cour- 
teous manner, and upright character, gained the confidence of the com- 
munity and a large business 

Dr. Daniel G. Thomas, a native of Dutchess county, gained his med- 
ical knowledge by study, and by attending lectures at Fairfield and in 
Philadelphia, practiced in Norwich, N. Y., for a time and went thence to 
New Hartford and from there to Whitesboro, where he attained promi- 
nence. In 1848 he settled in Utica as partner with Dr. C. B. Coventry ; 
this continued until i860, when he became associated with his own son. 
He was a prominent member of the County Medical Society and held 
the various offices therein. He was a skillful physician and much re- 
spected. His death took place March 26, 1880. ' 

Dr. John P. Gray was a physician belonging in a certain sense to this 
county, whose reputation in connection with treatment of the insane 
was unlimited. He was born August 6, 1825, in Center county, Pa., 
and received his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 
1848. Two years later he was chosen junior assistant in the Utica In- 
sane Asylum, where he passed the remainder of his life. He passed 
through the higher grades and in July, 1854, was elected superintend- 
ent of the asylum. Under his able management the institution became 
a model one in every respect. He introduced many reforms, some of 
which were radical and attracted widespread attention. He achieved 
great celebrity as an expert on insanity and was called long distances 
to give evidence in court. As a writer and lecturer on insanity he was 
also widely known. His death occurred November 29, 1886. 

Dr. William Russell was born in Glasgow, Scotland, June 25, 1821, 
and settled in Oneida county with his family in 1832. He graduated 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 255 

from the Berkshire Medical College in 1848, and soon afterward began 
pract.ce in Utica where he soon reached the front rank of the profes- 
sion. He served as president of the County Medical Society, was a per- 
manent member of the State society and a member of the American 
Medical Assoc.at.on ; he was also on the staff of both the Faxton and 
St Lucys Hospitals. He had a very large practice, especially in ob- 
stetrics. He died June 27. 1890. 

Dr. Isaac H. Douglass, a successful physician in New Hartford and 
Utica many years, was born in New York city November 26 ,808 
studied medicine with Dr. Pomeroy in Utica and at Fairfield and prac' 
t.ced some years in Bucyrus, Ohio, settling in Utica in i8 S7 . He was 
admirably equipped by nature for the duties of the sick room while his 
med.cal knowledge was broad and clear. He gained a large practice 
He died March 13, 1884. 

Dr Jacob Hunt was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., in i8ro, and in 1814 
was brought to Westmoreland by his parents. He graduated at Fair- 
field ln ,836 practiced in Lowell, N. Y, until 1853, when he settled in 
Utica. He became remarkably successful in the treatment of fevers 
was a hfe-long member of the Methodist church and was in active sym- 
pathy with temperance and other reforms. 

Dr. Edwin Hutchinson was a surgeon of high repute, born in Utica 
in 1840. He was a Yale graduate and studied medicine with Dr. John 
McCall and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York He 
served as surgeon of the 137th Regiment in the war, receiving his de 
gree after his return. He enjoyed a large practice in surgery and eye 
and ear treatment until near his death, which took place October 10 
1887. y ' 

The Homeopathic PROFESSION.-The first physician who prac 
ticed in this school of medicine in Oneida county was Dr. Erastu* 
Humphrey, who opened an office in Utica in the winter of 1843-44" 
About a year later he was joined by his son, Frederick Humphrey' 
The elder Dr. Humphrey was a native of Canton, Conn., born in 1784 
and rece.ved his diploma from the State society there in 1808 Two 
years later he removed to Marcellus, Onondaga county, N Y where 
he met with success, but removed to Auburn in 1823. There' he be 
came known as a skillful and successful physician ; was several years 



256 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

president of the Cayuga County Society and some years surgeon in the 
State Prison. In 1840 Dr. Horatio Robinson came to Auburn, having 
gained some knowledge of homoeopathy and having with him a small 
quantity of remedies He sought to convert Dr. Humphrey, but with- 
out success, and was left in temporary charge of the business of the 
latter while he made a trip to New York, but with no idea that homoe- 
opathy would be tried on his patients. But immediately upon Dr. 
Humphrey's departure, Dr. Robinson "sent for more pills and another 
book (Dr. (J. Jeans's Practice of Homoeopathy) and opened fire on all 
comers with the little pills." And the sick were cured or helped. As 
a consequence Dr. Humphrey began the investigation and study which 
soon made him a radical homoeopathist, and ultimately one of the most 
successful practitioners. He removed to Syracuse in 1842, and in the 
following year to Utica. He practiced there until 1847, wnen he re- 
moved to New York, leaving his business with his son and Dr. Samuel 
Stewart. He died in 1848. 

Dr. Erastus A. Munger was born in Copenhagen, Lewis county, N. 
Y., February 12, 1813. He began studying medicine with Dr. S. G. 
Haven, in Waterville, and after attending lectures at Fairfield obtained 
in 1834 a license from the Oneida County Medical Society (allopathic). 
He began practice in Sauquoit and in the fall of the same year entered 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and graduated in March, 1835. 
He began practice immediately in Waterviile and there passed most of 
his life. He became an exponent of homoeopathy in 1843 and was emi- 
nently successful in its practice. He was the first president of the 
Oneida County Homoeopathic Medical Society and in 1844 was presi- 
dent of the New York State Homoeopathic Society. 

Leverett Bishop was born in Guilford, Conn., in 1791 and removed 
to Paris, Oneida county, in 1808. He received his diploma from the 
OneiJa County Medical Society in 181 5, and in the next year settled in 
Sauquoit, where he practiced most of his life. He joined the homoeo- 
pathic ranks in 1843-4 and was ever after a close adherent of that 
school. 

Samuel W. Stewart was born in North Argyle, Washington county, 
N. Y., in the year 1800 and graduated at Fairfield. He practiced in 
New Haven, Oswego county, and at Bridgewater several years, and in 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 257 

1833 removed to Clinton, N. Y. In 1845 ne became a convert to the 
homoeopathic school, and in 1847 removed to Utica where he remained 
until his death June 20, 1854. His standing as a physician in either of 
the two schools was high. He was a partner with Dr. J. C Raymond 
from about 1850. The latter was born in Troy in 1823 and studied 
with Dr. Munger and received his diploma from the county society in 
1849. Embracing homoeopathy he received a diploma from the Ho- 
moeopathic College of Pennsylvania in 185 1. He removed westward in 
1877. 

Dr. L. B. Wells, a native of Pompey, Onondaga county, where he 
was born October 8, 1810, graduated at Fairfield in 1831. He prac- 
ticed one year with Dr. Batchelder in Utica, from which time he was in 
Onondaga county until July, 1851. He was converted to homoeopathy 
in 1846, and formed a partnership with Dr. Raymond, Utica, in 1850. 
He held the positions of president in both the county and the State 
societies, and in 1848 was made a member of the American Institute of 
Homoeopathy. 

It will be correctly inferred that the new school of practice met with 
the same opposition in Oneida county that it encountered elsewhere ; 
it was bitter and long continued. But soon after the formation of the 
two partnerships above mentioned, and through the accession to its 
ranks of many theretofore leading physicians of the old school, a rapid 
change in public sentiment began in Utica and soon extended to sur- 
rounding villages. The physicians of whom brief notices have just been 
given were men of character and their example inspired the public with 
confidence and their brethren with respect. These conditions led to the 
formation of the old Central New York Homoeopathic Medical Society, 
the first meeting of which was held in Mechanics Hall, Utica, in June, 
1849. There were present Drs. Samuel Stewart, Leverett Bishop, J. L. 
Kellogg, E. A. Munger, N. Stebbins, and F. Humphrey. The society 
was formally organized and a committee on by laws appointed. The 
second meeting was held January 7, 1850, when the constitution was 
adopted. Subsequent meetings were held in Syracuse several years, 
until the society was reorganized ; it is still in existence. 

The Oneida County Homoeopathic Medical Society was organized 
October 20, 1857. The preliminary steps were taken at a meeting held 
33 



258 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in Dr. Wells's office in Utica on the 6th of that month. It was then de- 
cided to invite the homoeopathic physicians of Herkimer county to unite 
with those of Oneida county in organizing the society. This measure 
was carried out, and the first regular meeting of the society was held in 
the office of the mayor in Utica October 20, 1857. The following physi- 
cians were present: 

Drs. John A. Payne, L. B. Wells, J. C. Raymond, W. H. Watson, 'Thomas F. Pom- 
eroy, H. E. Dykeman, of Utica; E. A. Munger, of Waterville; H. M. Paine, of Clin- 
ton; and W. B. Stebbins, of Little Falls. On motion of Dr. Watson, a temporary 
organization was effected by the appointment of Dr. j. A. Paine as chairman. Dr. 
J. C. Raymond stated the object of the meeting to be the formation of a county 
homoeopathic medical society, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, passed 
April 13, 1857. Drs. Watson, Raymond, and Munger were appointed a committee 
to prepare a constitution and by-laws for the society. Dr. E. A. Munger was the 
first president, Dr. Stebbins the first vice-president, and Dr. Pomeroy the first secre- 
tary and treasurer. 

The following physicians signed the original constitution of the society, 

giving the dates of their admission : 

Oct. 20, 1857, E. A. Munger, Waterville; L. B. Wells, Utica; J. C. Raymond, Utica; 
Thomas F. Pomeroy, Utica; William H. Watson, Utica; H. E. Dykeman, Utica; 
J. A. Paine, Utica; H. M. Paine, Clinton; Wm. B. Stebbins, Little Falls. A. A. 
Mason, Knox Corners, June 22, 1858; D. D. Loomis, Bridgewater, Oct. 19, 1858; 
Leverett Bishop, Sauquoit, June 21, 1859; Silas Bailey, Utica, June 21, 1859; C. 
Judson Hill, Utica, June 21, 1859; Woodward Warren, Deerfield Corners, June 21, 
1859; S. O. Scudder, Rome, June 21, 1859; M. M. Gardner, Holland Patent, Oct. 18, 
1859; Nathan Spencer, Winfield, Jan. 19, 1800; Hiram Hadley, Boonville, Oct. 16, 
1860; J. W. Moyer, West Schuyler, June 19, 1861 ; Harrison Willis, Clinton, June 19, 
1865; Gaius J. Jones, Holland Patent, Oct. 16, 1866. 

The following roll embraces the names of members subscribed to the 
constitution and by-laws adopted Oct 15, 1861: 

Nathan Spencer, G. A. Gifford, W. B. Stebbins, J. C. Raymond, Leverett Bishop, 
Silas Bailey, L. B. Wells, J. W. Mower, Abram Guiwits, J. Younglove, Wm. Landt, 
H. M. Paine, Wm. H. Watson, S. O. Scudder, G. W. Bailey, M. M. Gardner, John 
A. Paine, E. A. Munger, Woodward Warren, George B. Palmer, L. B. Waldo, D. D. 
Joslin, C. Judson Hill, G. J. Jones, A. B. Southwick, Aug. E. Zeitler, C. H. Thomp- 
son, David W. Vander Burgh, Selden H. Talcott, Arthur M. Woodruff, M. O. Terry, 
C. E. Chase, L. L. Brainard, H. J. Spencer, C. A. Osborne, Arthur Beach, Randall 
Lamont Spencer, W. Estus Deuel, Hiram Hadley. 

Following is a list of those who have held the offices of president and 
secretary- treasurer of the society from its organization to the present 
time : 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 259 

1858, E. A. Munger, Thomas F. Pomeroy; 1859, J. A. Paine, H. M. Paine- 1860 
Leverett Bishop, H. M. Paine; 1861, Wm. H. Watson, H. M. Paine- 1862 Wm b' 
Stebbins, H. M. Paine; 1863, J. C. Raymond, H. M. Paine; 1864, L B. Wells H 
M. Paine; 1865, Hiram Hadley, M. M. Gardner; 1866, S. O. Scudder M M Gard- 
ner; 1867, C. J. Hill, G. J. Jones; 1868, L. B. Wells, H. Willis; 1869 E. A Munger 
H. Willis; 1870, M. M. Gardner, G. A. Gifford; 1871, N. Spencer G A Gifford- 
1872, L. B. Wells, D. W. Vander Burgh; 1873, E. A. Munger, D. W. Vander Burgh - 
1874, J. C. Raymond, M. O. Terry; 1875, Selden H. Talcott, M. O. Terry 1876 ' 
Woodward Warren, C. E. Chase; 1877, E. A. Munger, C. E. Chase- 1878' Silas 
Bailey, C. E. Chase; 1879, M. O. Terry, C. E. Chase; 1880, A. B. Southwick' C E 
Chase; 1881, L. L. Brainard, C. E. Chase; 1882, F. F. Laird, C. E. Chase- 1883 W G 
Allen C. E. Chase; 1884, R. L. Spencer, C. E. Chase; 1885, J. Devillo Moore' C e' 
Chase; 1886, F. Leggenhager, C. E. Chase; 1887, W. W. Dewing, C E Chase- 1888 
N. C. Scudder C. E. Chase; 1889, S. A. White, C. E. Chase; 1890 C E Chase' 
Clara Barrus; 1891 , R. F. Tousley, Clara Barrus; 1892, M. McMaster, C G Capron'- 
1893, C. G. Capron, E. B. Guile; 1894, C. G. Capron, E. B. Guile; 1895, C. G Cap- 
ron, N. C. Scudder; 1896, C. G. Capron, N. C. Scudder. 

It is proper that a few other early and prominent homoeopathic phy- 
sicians of the county shall be briefly noticed here. 

Dr. S. Z. Haven was born in Chesterfield, N. H., September 6, 1794, 
was licensed in 1821, and practiced in Waterville in 1835. Three years 
later he settled in Utica. practiced in the old school eight years, when 
in 1846 he changed to the new. In 1849 he removed to Buffalo. 

Dr. John A. Paine was born in Whitestown July 10, 1795, studied 
medicine in Clinton, and graduated from Yale in 1825. His'practice 
was in Oswego county, in Paris, Oneida county, Newark, N. ]., Albany, 
and Utica. In 1865 he returned to Newark and in 187 1 removed to 
Illinois. He was made a convert to homoeopathy in 1843, was a 
successful practitioner and was elected to various honorary positions in 
the county and State societies. He died in 1871. Dr. H. M. Paine 
was his son and studied with his father and graduated from the Uni- 
versity of New York. He practiced ten years in Clinton, aside from 
which his work was confined to Albany. 

Dr. Hiram Hadley was born in Weare, N. H., May 26, 1800, and 
studied at Fairfield, graduating after a four years' course. He prac- 
ticed in New Hampshire and in Herkimer county until 1851, when he 
settled in Boonville, where he entered upon the practice of homoe- 
opathy. He died March 13, 1876. 

Dr. John L. Kellogg was a native of Manlius, Onondaga county, 
where he was born in 18 11. He graduated from Middlebury College! 



26 OtTR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Vt, in 1837, practiced in Chenango county until 1840, when he settled 
in Bridgewater. He continued there until 1857, when he removed to 
Chicago. He was converted to homoeopathy about 1847. 

Dr. Thomas F. Pomeroy was born in Cooperstown, N. Y., May n, 
1816, graduated from Union College in 1835, and from the Cleveland, 
Homoeopathic College in 1853. He practiced six years in Utica, 
whence he removed to Detroit. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The Regents of the University of this State were incorporated in 
1787, and in their report for 1793 they called attention to the benefits 
likely to accrue from the establishment of schools in various parts of the 
State. "The mode of accomplishing this desirable object," said the 
report, " we respectfully submit to the wisdom of the Legislature." 

At the opening of the session of 1795, Governor Clinton thus alluded 

to the subject in his message : 

While it is evident that the general establishment and liberal endowment of acad- 
emies are highly to be commended, and are attended with the most beneficial conse- 
quences, yet it cannot be denied that they are principally confined to the children of 
tht opulent, and that a great portion of the community is excluded from their im- 
mediate advantages. The establishment of common schools throughout the State, is 
happily calculated to remedy this inconvenience, and will therefore engage your 
early and decided consideration. 

These were the first steps taken towards the establishment of the 
common school system of the State. On the nth of January, 1795, 
the Assembly appointed a committee of six to consider the school sub- 
ject, and on February 19 they reported "An act for the encouragement 
of schools," which became a law on the 9th of April. This act appro- 
priated $50,000 annually for five years, for the general support of com- 
mon schools, which sum was at first apportioned to the several counties 
according to their representation in the Legislature; later it was appor- 
tioned according to the number of electors for member of assembly, and 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 



261 



to the several towns according to the number of taxable inhabitants 
The act provided for the election of not less than three nor more than 
sev -n commissioners in each town, who should have supervision of the 
schools in each town. The inhabitants in different sections of the towns 
were authorized to meet for the purpose of procuring "good and sum 
dent schoolmasters, and for erecting and maintaining schools in such 
and so many parts of the town where they may reside, as shall be most 
convenient, " and to appoint two or more trustees, whose duties were 
-ined by the act. The public money paid to each district was to be 
apportioned by the commissioners according to the number of days of 
instruction given in each of the schools. Provision was made also for 
annual returns from all districts, towns and counties. 

Lotteries were early instituted by the State for the support of schools 
first in 1799, when $100,000 was to be raised, $12,500 of which was to 
go to academies and the remainder to common schools. Again in 
1801 an equal amount was raised, one-half of which went to common 
schools. 

On the 2d of April, 1805, an act was passed providing that the net 
proceeds of the sale of 500,000 acres of unappropriated State lands 
should be made a permanent fund for the support of schools, the avails 
to be invested until the interest amounted to $50,000, when an annual 
distribution of that amount should be made Bv February, 1807 re- 
ceipts for the school fund in the treasury had reached $151,115.69.' 

In 181 1 a law was enacted authorizing the governor to appoint five 
commissioners to report a system for the organization of the common 
schools. .The commission consisted of Jedediah Peck, John Murray jr 
Samuel Russell, Roger Skinner, and Samuel Macomb. Their report' 
made February 14, 18 12, was accompanied by the draft of a bill em- 
bodying the main features of the common school system as it existed 
until 1838. One feature of the bill was, that each county should raise 
by tax an amount equal to that apportioned by the State, Following 
is a brief outline of the system : 

That the several towns in the State be divided into school districts, by three com- 
missioners elected by the citizens qualified to vote for town officers, that three trus- 
tees be elected m each district, to whom shall be confided the care and superintend- 
ence of the school to be established therein ; that the interest of the school fund be 
dmded among the different counties and towns, according to their respective popu- 



262 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

lation, as ascertained by the successive censusesof the United States; that the propor- 
tions received by the respective towns be subdivided among the districts into which 
said towns shall be divided, according to the number of children in each, between 
the ages of five and fifteen years ; that each town raise by tax annually, as much 
money as it shall have received from the school fund; that the gross amount of 
moneys received from the State and raised by the towns, be appropriated exclusively 
to the payment of wages of teachers; and that the whole system be placed under the 
superintendence of an officer appointed by the Council of Appointment. 

Gideon Havvley was made the first superintendent of common schools 
and held the office from 1 8 13 to 1 821. In his first report ( 1 8 1 4) he 
called attention to the fifth section of the law under which it was a 
possibility that a single town in a county might receive the whole of the 
public money for that county; and to other provisions giving each town 
the choice of complying with the law and receiving its benefits and 
bearing its burdens, or of refusing such compliance. Under these pro- 
visions many towns had refused compliance with the act, to the 
great detriment of the system. The superintendent suggested that it 
be made obligatory upon the towns to comply with the act, and also 
on the Boards of Supervisors to levy on the respective towns a sum 
equal to the sum " which shall be apportioned to such towns out of the 
public money to be distributed." These suggestions were promptly 
carried out by amendments to the act. 

The founding of this school system was an educational movement of 
the greatest importance and its benefits became at once apparent. In 
his second report ( 1 8 1 5) Mr. Hawley said: 

But the great benefit of the act does not lie in any pecuniary aid which it may 
afford. . . It consists in securing the establishment of common schools wherever 
they are necessary ; in organizing them on a suitable and permanent foundation ; 
and in guarding them against the admission of unqualified teachers. 

In his sixth annual report the superintendent renewed his recom- 
mendation before made, for a revision and consolidation of the existing 
school laws. On the 19th of April, 18 19, accordingly, the Legislature 
re-enacted the "act for the support of Common Schools," making the 
various amendments suggested by Mr. Hawley. To him is given the 
honor and credit of having done more than any one person in the 
founding of the common school system in this State. John Van Ness 
Yates was secretary of state and superintendent ex officio of common 
schools from 1821 to 1826, the separate office of superintendent of 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 263 

schools having been abolished by the Constitution of 1821. The Con- 
stitution, provided, also, " the proceeds of all lands thereafter to be sold, 
belonging to the State, with the exception of such as might be reserved 
for public use or ceded to the United States, together with the existing 
school fund, were declared to constitute a perpetual fund, the interest of 
which should be inviolably appropriated and applied to the support of 
the common schools." 

Azariah C. Flagg held the office of secretary of state and superin- 
tendent of schools from 1826 to 1833, and was succeeded by John A. 
Dix (1833-39), during which period great improvements were made in 
the details of the school system. In 1827 the sum annually distributed 
to the various districts was increased to $100,000; in 1837 't was 
$110,000. On the 13th of April, 1835, an act was passed which laid 
the foundation of district school libraries; it authorized the taxable in- 
habitants of each district to impose a tax of not more than $20 the first 
year, and $10 each succeeding year for the purchase of a district 
library. Under this act libraries were established in very many dis- 
tricts of the State and the resultant benefit is beyond estimate. 

In 1838 $160,000 were added from the annual revenue of the United 
States deposit fund to the amount to be apportioned among the various 
school districts. In the following year the number of districts in the 
State was 10,583. The increase in the number of districts from time to 
time is shown as follows: 1798, 1,352 districts; 1 8 16, about 5,000 ; 
1820,5,763; 1825,7,642; 1830,8,872; 1835,9,865/ 

On the 4th of February, 1839, John C. Spencer was appointed sec- 
retary of state and superintendent of common schools, and he con- 
tinued in the office until 1842. He advocated several changes in the 
system, the most important being, perhaps, the county supervision of 
schools by regular visitors. These visitors reported to the superin- 
tendent, and one of the results of their early reports was the plan of 
appointing county superintendents, which went into effect in April, 
1843, anc ' resulted in a great improvement in the general character of 
the schools. The office was abolished March 13, 1847, during which 
period the following held the office in Oneida county : Elon Comstock, 
Julius C. Thorn, Hosea Clark, Stephen Moulton, William S. Wetmore. 

In his annual message of 1844 Governor Bouck treated largely the 
school question, stating among other things the following: 



264 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The substitution of a single officer, charged with the supervision of the schools of 
each town, for the board of commissioners and inspectors formerly existing, in con- 
nection with the supervisory and appellate powers of the several county superintend- 
ents, as defined by the law of the last session, seems to have met with the general 
approbation and concurrence of the people. 

Samuel S Young was secretary of state and superintendent of schools 
from February, 1842, to February, 1845, when he was succeeded by 
Nathaniel S. Benton, who continued until 1847, when the new Consti- 
tution was in effect. 

The subject of Teachers's Institutes was first brought forward in the 
Tompkins County Teachers' Association in the fall of 1842, and the 
first institute was held in Ithaca April 4, 1843 > they soon became a 
powerful auxiliary in elevating the teacher's profession. 

A persistent and nearly successful attempt was made tG engraft upon 
the new Constitution of 1846 a free school system for the State. The 
section under which it was to be accomplished was the following: 

The Legislature shall provide for the free education and instruction of every child 
of the State in the common schools, now established , or which shall hereafter be 
established therein. 

This section was adopted by a vote of 57 to 53, and a provision was 
then added directing the Legislature to provide for raising the necessary 
taxes in the districts to carry out the plan. The convention then ad- 
journed for dinner. After reassembling the school article was referred, 
on resolution, to a committee of one with instructions to strike out the 
the last two sections relating to free schools. This was done and the 
provision for the establishment of free schools was defeated. 

On the 13th of November, 1847, the Legislature passed an act abol- 
ishing the office of county superintendent of common schools, direct- 
ing appeals authorized to be made by law to be made to the state 
superintendent, and the annual reports of the town superintendents to 
be made to the county clerk. This measure was adopted largely in 
response to populor clamor, and was in many respects temporarily 
disastrous to the welfare of the schools. Reports of town superintend- 
ents were often superficial and incomplete, while they were " wholly in- 
capable of supplying the place in the system which had been assigned 
to the higher class of officers." 

On the 15th of December, 1847, the various statutes relating to com- 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 265 

mon schools were consolidated into one act, with such amendments as 
seemed expedient; town superintendents were to hold their office two 
years ; the library law was modified so that library money in any dis- 
trict might be used for teachers' wages, with the consent of the state 
superintendent, provided the number of volumes in the library had 
reached a certain proportion to the number of children, etc. 

Christopher Morgan was state superintendent of schools and secretary 
of state from 1847 to 185 1, when he was succeeded by Henry S. 
Randall, who held the office until 1853. In the message to the Legis 
lature of 1849 Governor Fish expressed his belief " that the restoration 
of the office of county superintendent would be productive of good to 
the school system." He recommended two measures, either of which 
would improve the situation : 

First. The repeal of chap. 358, laws of 1847, restoring the office of county superin- 
tendent, and making it elective by the people. 

Second. The election of a superintendent in every Assembly district, except in the 
city of New York, and the cities which now have, or shall hereafter have, a city 
superintendent, or board of education, to manage their school affairs. 

The superintendent then reviewed the situation as to the problem of 
free schools which was before the people. ' On the 26th of March, 1849, 
the Legislature passed the " Act establishing Free Schools throughout 
the State." For its provisions in detail the reader must be referred to 
the statutes. Oneida county gave a majority in favor of the act of 4,595, 
with 2,91 1 against it. The practical application of this system met with 
wide spread and intense opposition from the first, and it soon became 
apparent that a demand for its repeal would have to be met. At the 
annual election in the fall of 1850, therefore, the people voted upon the 
question of its repeal, and the majority in favor of repeal was 46,874, 
in forty-two of the fifty-nine counties of the State ; in the remaining 
seventeen counties the majority against repeal was 71,912, leaving 
a majority of 25,088 against repeal. Thus the beneficent free school 
system was permanently established. The majority in favor of repeal 
in Oneida county was 897. 

The number of districts in the State reported in 1850 was 11,397, 
and the number of children taught was 735,188. The number of dis- 
tricts in 1895 was 11. 1 2 1. 



266 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In i860 there were in Oneida county 412 districts. There are now 
(1895-6) 371 districts. 

In 1856 the provision of the law of 185 1 appropriating annually 
$800,000 was repealed and a tax of three quarters of a mill on the 
dollar of real and personal property substituted for payment of teachers' 
wages, and the rate bill was continued ; the school commissioners to be 
elected by the Boards of Supervisors. 

A law was passed in 1853 providing for union free schools, authoriz- 
ing the inhabitants of two or more districts to elect trustees and levy a 
tax on the property in the united districts for the payment of teachers' 
wages and other expenses. 

The general school law was revised in 1864, and in 1867 the rate bill 
was abolished and a tax of one and a quarter mills on the dollar of valua- 
tion substituted. 

The earliest attempt at establishing schools after the settlers began to 
locate was made in Whitestown, as early as 1785—86, on the east side of 
Sauquoit Creek, in the neighborhood occupied by the Wetmore and 
Leavenworth families. Schools were opened in Westmoreland about 
1793, and in Rome at least as early as 1800. They were also in ex- 
istence in Utica some time before the commencement of the present 
century, probably 1790. The earliest buildings were of logs, with an 
immense fireplace and stone chimney at one side or end, and the seats 
were made of slabs, into the rounded sides of which legs were inserted, 
two at one end and one at the other, in holes bored with a two-inch 
augur. Unfortunately the records of these primitive schools are almost 
totally lost, but such as are preserved are set forth in the several town 
histories herein. 

Hamilton Oneida Academy. — This was the earliest important educa- 
tional movement in Oneida county and one of the earliest in the State 
west of Albany. Samuel Kirkland was the founder, and it was the out- 
growth of his desire to educate the Indians under his missionary care. 
He conceived his educational plan as early as 1790 and in 1792 had 
matured it so far as to include in his project a system of primary schools 
for native children and an academy for English youth and a selected 
number of older Indian boys. Three of the primary schools were 
established and continued several years. It was his intention to place 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 267 

his academy near what was then the boundary between the white set- 
tlement and the Indian lands, and his plans received general approval. 
The charter for the academy was obtained in 1793, and having received 
valuable aid from Alexander Hamilton, the name " Hamilton Oneida 
Academy," was adopted for the institution. Following is the preamble 
to the charter: 

Whereas, Samuel Kirkland, Jonas Piatt, Eli Bristoll, Erastus Clark, Joel 
Bristoll, Sewall Hopkins, James Dean, and Michael Meyers, by an instrument in 
writing, under their hands and seals, bearing date the 12th day of November, in the 
year of our Lord 1792, after stating, among other things, that they are founders and 
benefactors of a certain Academy in Whitestown, contiguous to the Oneida Nation 
of Indians, in the county of Herkimer, in the State aforesaid, who have contributed 
more than one-half in thevalueof the real and personal property and estate collected 
and appointed for the use and benefit of said Academy, did make application to us, 
the said Regents, that the said Academy might be incorporated, and become subject 
to the visitation of us and our successors, and that we would signify our approbation 
that Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, Egbert Benson, Dan Bradley, Eli Bristoll, 
Erastus Clark, James Dean, Moses Foot, Thomas R. Gold, Sewall Hopkins, Michael 
Myers, Jonas Piatt, Jedediah Sanger, John Sargeant, Timothy Tuttle, and Samuel 
Wells, named in the said application, and their successors, might be a body 
corporate and politic, by the name and style of the Trustees of Hamilton Oneida 
Academy. 

In April, 1793, a subscription paper was put in circulation, headed 
by gifts from Mr. Kirkland of 300 acres of land on lease " the product 
to be applied towards the support of an able instructor," ten pounds in 
money and fifteen days' work. Other contributions, very liberal for the 
times, were made, the money amounting to nearly 170 pounds. The 
site chosen for the academy was about midway between the present 
" South College " on the campus and the chapel. The corner stone 
was laid by Baron Steuben in July, 1794, and the frame raised in due 
time. Failure to collect the necessary means caused a cessation of the 
work for nearly two years, and it was feared the project would have tq 
be abandoned. But the zealous missionary never lost faith, and by 
unremitting efforts and the aid of others in collecting funds, enough 
was secured to inclose the building. Early in 1798 a large room in the 
south end of the second story and two smaller rooms on the first floor 
were finished and the two chimneys in front were built. After further 
reverses and delays, the building was finally completed. It was three 
stories high and 90 by 38 feet in size. Mr. Kirkland had the privilege 



268 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of seeing the institution opened and work in progress, under able in- 
structors. 

In the year previous to the opening of the school Mr. Kirkland 
brought from Oneida several of the most promising Indian boys, clothed 
them like the white boys, committed part of them to the care of Eli 
Bristol and provided for the rest of them in his own family. They did 
not take readily to the restraints of civilized life and by the end of the 
year it was necessary to let them go back to their former haunts 

In 1797 Rev. John Niles, a graduate of Yale, took charge of the 
academy as the first principal. After three years ill health forced him 
to retire from the position. Rev. James Murdock, afterwards an emi- 
inent professor in several colleges, was associated with Mr. Niles one 
year. Rev. Robert Porter, also a Yale graduate, became principal of 
the academy in September, i8oi,and retained four years. Seth Nor- 
ton, brother of Rev., Dr. Norton, assumed the position in the fall of 
1805, and excepting one year, held the place until 1812, when the in- 
stitution was raised to the rank of college and he was appointed pro- 
fessor of languages. 



In order to obtain a charter for Hamilton College, as the successor of 
the academy just described, and to obtain a grant from the Legislature 
of $50,000 for its endowment, it was necessary to raise by subscription 
another $50,000. This task was undertaken by Rev. Caleb Alexander, 
and through his energetic labor a sum was raised which, with the value 
of the academy property, was equal to $52,844.64. The charter was 
granted May 22, 18 12. The trustees immediately completed the un 
finished portion of the academy and put the property in good condition. 
The first faculty chosen were as follows : 

Rev. Azel Backus, D. D., of Bethlehem, Conn., as president; Rev. 
Seth Norton, professor of languages ; Josiah Noyes, M. D., professor of 
chemistry ; and Theodore Strong, tutor. The doors of the college were 
opened for students October 24, 1812, and regular recitations commenced 
on the 1st of November following. Dr. Backus was inaugurated pres- 
ident December 3, 181 2, in the Congregational church at Clinton. He 
died after four years of service, December 28, 1816 His successor was 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 269 

Rev. Henry Davis, D. D., an alumnus of Yale College. He had been 
professor of languages in Union College, and at the time of his election 
here was president of Middlebury College, and had also been recently 
elected president of Yale, to succeed the eminent Timothy Dwight. He 
deliberately preferred Hamilton and was installed as president in the fall 
of 1 8 1 7 and continued in his office sixteen years. He died at Clinton 
March 7, 1852, at the age of eighty- two years. He was succeeded in 
the presidency of the college by Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, D. D., a son 
of Timothy Dwight, who, owing to ill health, resigned after two years' 
service. Rev. Joseph Penney, D. D., a graduate of Dublin University, 
was elected in the fall of 1835 and resigned in 1839, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Simeon North, D. D., then professor of languages in the 
college. During Dr. North's term of office of eighteen years, the affairs 
of the institution prospered greatly. At the time of his inauguration 
the treasury was almost empty, but it was soon replenished, the number 
of students increased, new buildings were erected and new professor- 
ships created. 

President North was succeeded in 1858 by the Rev. Samuel Ware 
Fisher, D. D., then of Cincinnati, and a graduate of Yale. He was 
distinguished as an eloquent preacher, and he continued in office to July, 
1866. He was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Gilman Brown, D. D., 
LL. D , a graduate and professor of Dartmouth. This urbane and 
scholarly man served the college until 188 1, when he retired to a res- 
idence in Utica, where he died in November, 1885. During his admin- 
istration were erected the president's house, and the new Library Hall. 
The Rev. Henry Darling, D. D., LL. D., became president in 1881 and 
died in office in April, 1 89 1 . Under his term the numbers of the classes 
largely increased. North College and the Cabinet were rebuilt and en- 
larged, and under the generosity of Horace B. Silliman, LL D., of 
Cohoes, the college received its beautiful and complete Y. M. C. A. 
building. 

" Old Middle " Was remodeled in 1891 into a noble modern gym- 
nasium. This work was liberally provided for by Messrs. Arthur W. 
Sdper, M. S., of New York, and Alexander C. Soper ('67) and James 
P. Soper, of Chicago, as a memorial of their father, the late Albert 
Soper, of Chicago. 



270 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The second story of the building, in one hall, is used for a track- 
room and for the practice cage of the baseball battery. The third story, 
which includes under its truss roof the former fourth story, is the Gym- 
nasium proper. The building is lighted with gas, well warmed, and 
thoroughly equipped. There is a physical director, who is also a phy- 
sician, and is competent to prescribe proper exercises for each student. 

As a memorial of the late John Newton Beach, jr., sometime a mem- 
ber of the Class of '94, a beautiful arbor was last year built by his 
father, John Newton Beach ('62) of Brooklyn. It is a most attractive 
structure, of native rough-hewn limestone, ceiled with Georgia pine in 
natural finish, and cedar shingled. The interior walls, window seats, 
and walls, are all of stone. The seats are of oak timber. The structure 
measures 20 by 18 feet and spans the walk, at the head of "Sophomore 
Hill," and about five rods above the site of the old arbor, commanding 
picturesque glimpses of valley and hill. 

At considerable expense the Hamilton College waterworks system 
has just been installed, providing in the main buildings suitable con- 
veniences and with the utmost sanitary care. The Gymnasium is now 
furnished with adequate bathing facilities. Help against fire is assured 
by an ample two and a half inch stream of eighty-five pounds pressure. 
Excellent fire apparatus has just been presented by John M. Butler, 
A. M. ('48) of Utica. 

The site of the college is exceptionally fine The air is pure and dry, 
and the prespect is one of great natural charm. 

The college stands upon a broad plateau, three hundred feet above 
the valley and nine hundred feet above the sea, the hills rising high in 
the background to still wider prospects. It faces the sunrise and over- 
looks the beautiful valleys of the Oriskany and the Mohawk, and the 
noble ranges of hills beyond. 

The harmonious landscape, the retired elevation, and the historic 
scene, furnish an environment of ideal fitness for the training of large 
thought and high purpose. 

The campus occupies a portion of the original government grant to 
Samuel Kirkland, which lay a little west of the Line of Property, fixed 
November 5, 1768, by treaty at Fort Stanwix between Sir William John- 
son and the Six Nations. The intersection of the highway (at the mid- 




\*aJL_ 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 



271 



die of " Freshmen Hill ") by this treaty line is marked by an enchiseled 

stone erected by the Class of '87. 

An examination of the catalogue of 1895 shows the names of seven 

teen professors in actual service. The departments are various and 

thoroughly equipped. 

The new Latin scientific course allows large expansion in the study 
of the laboratory sciences. The Library is steadily growing under an- 
nual appropriations and friendly gifts and already includes 34 000 vol 
umes and 13,000 pamphlets. The Litchfield Observatory so Ion? 
under the directorship of the late Dr. C. H. F. Peters, has won worldt 
wide celebrity for the college. Forty-eight asteroids were discovered 
here, and other original and still more important work has been done 

A consultation of the triennial catalogue will show the line of distin 
guished and able men who have been graduated at Hamilton or who 
have served in its faculty, and upon the Board of Trustees Its classi- 
cal graduates number 2,180. Of these 845 have entered the ministry 
S30 the law ; 350 teaching, 1 1 3 medicine, 75 journalism. The .rradu ' 
ates have always been in demand as keen, practical, and honorable 
men. 

The present freshman class ('99) numbers fifty-nine men 
The president is Melancthon Woolsey Stryker.i who was elected in 
August, 1892, succeeding Professor Edward North, who was appointed 
acting president April 20, 1891. after the death of President Darling 
Professor North, since his election in i8 43> has given instruction in the 
Greek language and literature to fifty-two successive classes He is 
widely known in the educational world and is a member of a lame 
number of prominent historical and scientific societies. 

Called to be ^^vr^^^uZZ^"^^™ '* ' ^ ^^ 
November, and inaugurated January, 18U3. He received the degrt ot D D ft"^ ^f^" '" 
and Lafayette in 1889, and LL. D. from Lafayette in lj Hefsfhe ed tor of t Hamilt ° n 

-duefly of Church Song 0890). He has puoiished two v l^T vj/e ^S Xwd 



272 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hamilton has never been wealthy and is not now, but it may well 
be questioned whether for the size of the investment — the " plant " — 
any other college has rivaled the quality of its product. Its roots 
strike deep into the history of Oneida county and the State of New 
York. The whole central region of the State is rightly proud of this 
venerable, persistent and thorough school. The roll of its statesmen, 
publicists, orators, financiers, editors, authors, pastors and professors is 
long and lengthening. 

Clinton Grammar School. — In 1813, one year after the Hamilton 
Oneida Academy had been made a college, the friends of education in 
Clinton made an effort to raise $3,000 with which to erect a new acad- 
emy. This effort failed, but in 181 5 a stock company was organized, 
the members of which were to own the proposed academy property and 
receive whatever dividends might accrue from the rent of buildings and 
orounds. When the necessary amount had been subscribed the build- 
ing was erected, 40 by 26 feet in size and two stories high, on a site 
given by David Comstock in exchange for four shares of stock. The 
building was of brick and in later years was considerably improved. 

In 1858 Prof. Benjamin W. Dwight opened Dwight's Rural High 
School, and which was conducted by him with great success until 1863, 
when he retired from its management to devote himself to literary work. 
Under his charge the Rural High school enjoyed a reputation second to 
none in the State. His father, Dr. Benjamin Woolsey Dwight, was 
treasurer of Hamilton College for nineteen years until his death, May 
18, 1850. 

After Hamilton Oneida Academy was closed, and before Hamilton 
College was opened, a classical school was taught by Rev. Comfort 
Williams, assisted by Moses Bristol, in the second story of the building 
since occupied by Judge Williams as a law office, and was moved the 
following year to a building on College street, and taught by William 
Groves. The next year it was reopened in its original place, and taught 
by George Bristol. Among the pupils of this year were Mark Hopkins 

Lattermath (1895); also Essay on the Dies Irce, with versions (1892); the Letter of James the Just 
(1895), Hamilton, Lincoln and other Addresses (1896), and numerous articles, and sermons. He 
married, September, 1876. Elizabeth, daughter of the late Rev. Simon S. Goss, of Auburn, N. V. 
The children of this marriage are Goss Livingston, Alida, Robert MeBnrney tborn and died 1883), 
Lloyd Paul, and Evelyn. 




BENJAMIN W. DWIGHT. 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 273 

(since president of Williams College), Charles Avery and Horace Bogue. 
In the fall of 1816 Rev. Joel Bradley assumed charge of the school, in 
the new brick building on the " Flats." He was succeeded in a year or 
two by Rev. William R. Weeks. 

The female department of this school was probably organized in 1817, 
with Mary Hayes as the first teacher. In the fall of 1820 Mr. Weeks 
resigned and was succeeded by Clark Avery, who in September, 1822, 
wis followed by Orlando Kirtland. In 1825 Isaac Wilmarth accepted 
the post and was succeeded about a year later by Joseph S. Bosworth, 
who continued two years. In 1828 the school was placed under the 
care of the Board of Regents. The principals succeeding Mr. Bosworth 
have been : 

Noah Cushman, Leicester A. Sawyer, Salmon Strong, John C. Underwood (late 
United States district judge for Eastern Virginia), Mr. Hickok, Joseph W. Hubbard, 
Henry Kendall (since a secretary of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian 
church), Erastus C. Williams, Edward S. Lacey, Edward North (now of Hamilton 
College), Edward P. Powell, Henry P. Bristol, Gilbert Wilcoxen, Ambrofce P. Kelsey, 
and Rev. Isaac O. Best. 

In 1866 the grammar school and the high school were incorporated 
together, the high school building having been burned. This school 
had formerly been known as the Rural High School, and later it be- 
came the Clinton Military Academy. 

On the 2d of September, 1875, the institution was opened as a 
boarding and day school for boys under the old charter name of Clin- 
ton Grammar School, and continued its prosperous existence. It 
was conducted from 1878 to 1890 by I. P. Best and then closed. The 
building is now occupied for business purposes. 

Whitestowu Seminary. — In 1827 an educational institution was 
founded at Whitestown which was at the first called the Oneida Acad- 
emy, and afterwards the Oneida Institute ; it was established under the 
auspices of the Oneida Presbytery. A farm was connected with it on 
which the students were required to do manual labor. Among the 
stockholders in this school, and the donors for its benefit, are found the 
names of many of the prominent early citizens of this vicinity. The 
first instructors were George W. Gale and Pelatiah Rawson. Twenty- 
seven students were instructed the first year, and forty acres of land 
were cultivated and good'crops produced. The institution prospered 

35 



274 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and in 1834 had about 140 students. At this time Rev. Beriah Green 
was called to the presidency of the institute and was an enthusiastic 
worker; but ere long during the anti-slavery agitation which prevailed 
here, he denounced the Oneida Presbytery as guilty of the crime of 
slave-holding and with three others withdrew from that body and 
formed the Whitesboro Association ; a new Congregational church was 
organized under a creed to suit Green, and a wide gulf of alienation 
opened between the Oneida Institute and its original patrons. A 
remedy for this state of affairs was at hand. In 1841 the Free Will 
Baptists opened a denominational school in Clinton, called the Clinton 
Seminary. It was a prosperous institution and when it finally needed 
more commodious quarters it removed to the buildings of the Oneida 
Institute and placed itself under the care of the Regents of the University. 
The change was made in 1844, and in 1845 a new charter was issued to 
the school under the name of the Whitestown Seminary. Prosperity 
followed, the attendance rising from 173 in 1844 to 317 in 1854, and 
during the second decade increased to 522. 

In addition to the amount paid at the original purchase, a subscrip- 
tion of $25,000 was raised in i860 and the subsequent years for mate- 
rial improvement, and it is estimated that the entire amount expended 
for such purchases, including the generous gift of William D. Walcott, 
esq., for the erection of Walcott Hall, is more than $50,000. 

Among the principals of the seminary appears the name of Rev. 
Daniel S. Heffron, A. M., who was in charge in 1845 an d 1846, and a 
member of the Faculty from 1841 to 1848. He was also a member of 
the Board of Trustees from 1843 to 1869; eight years the clerk and 
fifteen years the presiding officer of the board. He was for several 
years superintendent of public instruction in the city of Utica. 

Samuel Farnham, A. M., was principal from 1846 to 1853. Pro- 
fessor James S. Gardner was in 1848 a senior in college, and at the 
same time a teacher in Whitestown Seminary. His connection with 
the institution extended through a long term of years, and his name has 
become an honored one, both as a teacher and socially. 

This seminary continued prosperous until recent years, when the 
establishment of a higher class of union and graded schools caused its 
decline. 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 275 

Clinto?i Liberal Institute. — A careful history of this institution was 
prepared by Rev. S. P. Landers for Gridley's History of Clinton, from 
which the following is condensed : 

The ministers and delegates from the several associations comprising 
the Universalist Convention of the State of New York met at Clinton 
May ii, 1831. There a committee consisting of Rev. Stephen R. 
Smith, D. Skinner and A. B. Grosh, was appointed to fully consider 
and report on the subject of " establishing a literary institution in this 
State not only for the purposes of science and literature, but with a 
particular view of furnishing with an education young men designing 
to study for the ministry of universal reconciliation." 

On the 1st of June following the central association met at Cedar- 
ville, Herkimer county, when the subject was brought forward and 
resolutions adopted : 

1. Approving the recommendation of the State Convention respecting a literary 
institution. 

2. That it be located at Clinton. 

3. That a Board of Trust be appointed. 

4. Contains the number and names of said board. 

5. That Joseph Stebbins and John W. Hale, of Clinton, David Pixley, of Man- 
chester, Timothy Smith, of Augusta, and Ezra S. Barnum, of Utica, constitute an 
executive committe with usual powers. 

6. That Joseph Stebbins be treasurer. 

7. That sister associations be solicited to unite with us in promoting the objects 
herein contemplated. 

Numerous associations throughout the State responded to the acts 
of the State convention, pledging themselves to aid in every practicable 
way the project of establishing such a school at Clinton. One of the 
principal causes of this effort to found a school on liberal principles in 
theology was (what seemed to be) the sectarian character and the prose- 
lyting influences on students made in the various academies and col- 
leges of our country. 

The first report of the executive committee, dated Clinton, Aug. 20, 
1 83 1, in explaining to the public the object of the contemplated sem- 
inary, says, among other things, that " it is not to be sectarian. On 
the contrary, while it is deemed all important that the young mind 
should be strongly impressed with the pure morality of the gospel, we 
wish to leave the responsibility of indoctrination to the natural guard- 
ians of youth." 



276 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A preliminary school for males was opened November 7, 1831, on 
College street, which was taught by George R. Perkins, afterwards of 
Utica. The female department was commenced November 21, 183 1, 
in a house on the east side of the Green, and was taught by Miss Burr; 
in the following May it was opened in the new building erected for it 
by Miss Philena Dean. The stone structure for the male department 
was built in 1832. 

The honor of founding this institution is given largely to Rev. 
Stephen R. Smith, who was many years a preacher in Clinton. Joseph 
Stebbins made the largest of the first subscriptions and otherwise aided 
Mr. Smith. At the opening of the school in the stone building, De- 
cember 10, 1832, the faculty were Rev. C. B. Thummel, principal and 
professor of languages ; George R. Perkins, professor of mathematics ; 
E. W. Manley, assistant. In the first year 108 pupils attended. The 
institution was chartered in 1834 and in 1836 passed under care of the 
Regents of the University. Mr. Thummel was succeeded in 1838 by 
Rev. Timothy Clowes, LL.D., and Miss Meech, then preceptress, by 
Miss L. M. Barker. Rev. J. T. Sawyer was made principal of the female 
department in 1845, and held the position about fifteen years. The 
building erected for the female department was made possible largely 
by his efforts. 

Owing to the belief that the school could be more economically con- 
ducted, and other causes, the institute was removed to Fort Plain, N. 
Y., in 1879. The buildings were occupied several years by Rev. Mr. 
Owens, rector of the Episcopal church, and a school called " Richland 
Hall." Since then they have been given up to other purposes. 

Houghton Seminary (Clinton). — In the year 1854 Miss Louisa M. 
Barker (before mentioned as at the head of the female department of 
the Liberal Institute) established the Home Cottage Seminary, in a 
building standing on an eminence south of Clinton village. She effi- 
ciently conducted the institution until 1861, when she sold it to Dr. J. 
C. Gallup. He changed the name of the school to Houghton Seminary, 
in honor of his wife, Mrs. Marilla Houghton Gallup, the associate princi- 
pal. The grounds, originally comprising eight acres, were later en- 
larged to twenty and the school buildings and other facilities improved. 
In 1880 the seminary passed into the hands of A. G. Benedict, A. M., 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 277 

a man who is thoroughly equipped for his position. The school is pros- 
perous and worthy of support. 

Cottage Seminary (Clinton). — After retiring from the Home Cottage 
Seminary, Miss Barker opened. this institution as a family or boarding 
school in 1861 with accommodations for fourteen boarders. She died 
while conducting this school and it passed to Miss Annie Chipman, who 
had long been the associate of Miss Barker. This school has always 
maintained a standard of excellence that places it among the best of the 
kind in the State. It is beautifully situated, splendidly equipped, and 
conducted on a plan that renders it an ideal home, morally and relig- 
iously, for young girls seeking an education. Subjects for study have 
been so chosen and arranged that those whose school days are com- 
paratively limited, will secure most valuable helps for the demands of 
practical life without further study, while others, who are to go to the 
college or the university, will find here exactly what they need in prep- 
aration, the certificate of this seminary securing admission to Wellesley, 
Smith and other similar institutions without examinations. For the past 
ten years or more the seminary has been conducted by Rev. Chester 
W. Hawley, assisted by a competent corps of instructors in each de- 
partment. Its principal is himself a man of thorough education and 
experience and well qualified for his responsible position. 

Young Ladies' Domestic Seminary (Clinton). — In 1832 Rev. Hiram 
H. Kellogg founded an institution with this name, in which he proposed 
giving young ladies who desired it, certain kinds of labor to perform, 
by which the cost of their education might be reduced. He erected and 
furnished a building and opened his school in the spring of 1833. The 
school was full from the first and the building had to be materially en- 
larged in the first year to accommodate the demand upon it. The full 
amount charged for board and tuition never exceeded $120 a year, and 
the school was patronized by many wealthy families, as well as by those 
who gladly availed themselves of its economical features. In 1841, Mr. 
Kellogg having been elected president of Knox College, in Illinois, sold 
his seminary to an association of Free Will Baptists (see foregoing his- 
tory of Whitestown Seminary). The Baptists continued the school for 
three years on a different plan, after which it was conducted for a time 
by Pelatiah Rawson as a private school, and then closed. Mr. Kellogg 



278 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

returned to Clinton, when the property came back in his hands, and 
made some effort to revive the school, but in 1850 permanently aban- 
doned it. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE CITY OF UTICA. 

The site of the city of Utica is a part of Cosby's Manor which is fully 
described in Chapter X. The original settlement on the site took the 
name of Old Fort Schuyler from the military work which was con- 
structed there during the French and Indian war. It was designed to 
guard the fording place of the Mohawk and was situated on the south 
bank of the stream a short distance southeast of the present intersection 
of Second street and the Central railroad; it was an earth embankment 
surrounded with palisades. The topography of the region around the 
site of Utica ; the intersection there of the old Indian path from Oneida 
Castle with the path along the river side leading to the portage at 
Rome ; the fording place of the Mohawk, and its convenience of access 
from the outlying settlements in the region, all contributed to make the 
locality an attractive one to pioneers. Hence, in spite of the absence 
of water power, of valuable stone to quarry, of rich minerals, and with 
a wet marshy soil along the river, settlers early chose the vicinity of 
the old fort as a site for a village. They could not then foresee its later 
importance. Fort Stanwix (Rome), the head of navigation on the 
Mohawk, and also Whitesboro, for some years had brighter prospects 
than Utica, and carried on a larger business in river transportation ; and 
probably the settlers expected, at the most, to only make it a good 
landing place whence goods could be easily transported to other near- 
by points. 

In the year 1786 Cosby's Manor was surveyed by John R., son of 
Rutger Bleecker, and a map was made on which appear two houses 
near the ford, on what is now the east side of Genesee street, and one 
on the west side. Some improvement had been made a little farther 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 279 

westward and also near the present eastern limits of the city ; otherwise 
the region was covered with an unbroken forest. The occupants of the 
two houses on the east side of the road were John Cunningham and 
George Damuth, and on the west side lived Jacob Christian. To these 
was added, by 1788, Hendrich Salyea. The settler towards the west 
was named McNamee (of whom very little is known), and the clearings 
to the eastward were designated as those of McNamee and Abraham 
Boom. Damuth had leased from Rutger Bleecker 2731^. acres on lot 
94, for twenty-one years, at one shilling an acre' yearly, the first pay- 
ment to be made July 28, 1793. Damuth assigned his lease and prob- 
ably died before 1790, and Cunningham sold his lease and improve- 
ments to John Post before 1793. Abraham Boom in 1790 obtained 
from Gen. Philip Schuyler a life lease of the land on which he had set- 
tled, and after the death of his son William disposed of it to the Christ- 
mans. Hendrich Salyea, who had a lease from Bleecker on lot 93, of 
the same date as Damuth's, sold to John Post September 18, 1789, and 
improvements made by him on a strip adjacent to the other tract he 
sold to Peter Smith for five pounds on March 15, 1790. He then 
" squatted " on lot 90 in a log house on the north side of the present 
Broad street, and in the same year sold out to Matthew Hubbell. 

Settlers who arrived in 1788 were Maj. John Bellinger who came in 
March through four feet of snow. He and two others of his family 
were in the battle of Oriskany. He built a temporary hut at what is 
now the corner of Whitesboro and Washington streets and lived in it 
four months. This was succeeded by a small frame house, and later he 
built a large one nearly opposite in which he entertained travelers until 
his death in 1815. According to Jones's Annals there were at this time 
living there Philip Morey and his sons, Solomon, Richard and Sylvanus, 
as squatters on lot 97, and Francis Foster on lot 96. 

In 1788 Uriah Alverson settled at what is now West Utica, with his 
son William, then nineteen years old-; and probably in the same year 
came that remarkable man, Peter Smith, father of Gerrit Smith, He 
had been in mercantile trade below Little Falls and was still a minor 
when he settled at Old Fort Schuyler. There he built a log store 
which stood on or hear the site of Bagg's Hotel. He soon built another 
near the lower end of Main street, and later erected a two-story dwell- 



280 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ing, corner of Main and Third streets. His later residence was on 
Broad street, beyond the gulf, attached to which was a large farm, and 
there his son Gerrit was born. Peter Smith removed to Peterboro in 
1806. 

In the spring of 1790 John Post and his family came up the river by 
boat from Schenectady and made the purchases before mentioned. A 
traveler passing through in the previous summer noted that Post was 
then finishing his house. This was probably the first frame house built 
in Oneida county. It stood on the west side of what is now Genesee 
street, near Whitesboro street. When his house was finished he opened 
a store in it, entertaining travelers at the same time. In 1791 he built 
a separate store near his house. As his trade extended he abandoned 
tavern keeping and became a prominent merchant and shipper, running 
several of the flat boats so largely used on the river. He also ran three 
" stage boats," chiefly for passengers, having oil-cloth covers and seats. 
On July 13, 1792, he purchased 89^ acres which included what is now 
the heart of the city. 

In 1790 there came to the settlement Capt. Stephen Potter, a veteran 
officer of the Revolution, and his son-in law, Benjamin Plant. Matthew 
Hubbell also came in 1790 and bought out Salyea, as before stated, for 
which he paid at the rate of $2.50 an acre. Benjamin Ballou settled 
here in 1790, with his family of grown children ; he had a lease in 1797 
of 126 acres on lot 92. 

In July, 1 79 1, Thomas and Augustus Corey purchased 200 acres on 
lot 95 and resided early on the site of the brick house now standing on 
the northeast corner of Whitesboro and Hotel streets. In 1795 they 
sold out and left the place. Peter Bellinger purchased in that year 150 
acres on lot 89 in the gulf and there lived until his death. 

In 1792 Joseph Ballou, brother of Benjamin, from Exeter, R. I., 
came with his wife, two sons and a daughter, via the Sound and the 
Hudson and up the Mohawk. He settled on lot 94 (the George 
Damuth lot before mentioned). In the summer of that year (1792) 
steps were taken to build a build a bridge across the Mohawk, through 
a petition to the Legislature dated October 24, and signed by eighty- 
three persons. Of these twenty-one are known to have been residents 
of Old Fort Schuyler, or near by. The bridge was raised the sum- 




- ■ ' 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 281 

mer preceding on a Sunday, so the settlers would be at leisure to assist. 

In 1793 Gurdon Burchard, a harnessmaker, came with his wife from 
Norwich, Conn., and occupied a lot on Whitesboro street. In 18 10 he 
gave up his trade and opened a tavern nearly on the site of the Dudley 
House. 

The year 1794 saw considerable increase in the settlement. Prom- 
inent among the newcomers was James S. Kip, long a conspicuous 
member of society, who bought of the Bradstreet executors lot 96, 
of about 400 acres, embracing what is now a very valuable part of the 
the city. He settled, however, on a leased farm on lot 93, including the 
site of the fort, where he built a store near the eastern end of Main 
street, made a landing near the mouth of Ballou's Creek, built a pot- 
ashery, etc. 

Joseph Pierce, father of Joseph, jr., John and Parley, lived in 1794 
on a part of Mr, Kip's first purchase; he was a Revolutionary soldier 
and in 1810 built the covered bridge over the river which succeeded the 
two earlier ones. He afterward lived in Deerfield. Other settlers of 
that year were Thomas Norton, who had been a sea captain; Dr. Sam- 
uel Carrington, who carried on a drug business and was made postmas- 
ter in 1799 ; Stephen Ford, a merchant who failed and left the place ; 
Aaron Eggleston, a cooper ; John Hobby, a blacksmith, brother of 
Epenetus and Elkanah ; Thomas Jones, another blacksmith, and Simon 
Jones, still another. Moses Bagg, of Westfield, Mass., who obtained 
four acres of Joseph Ballou, and began blacksmithing on Main street a 
little east' of the corner of the square ; his house, or shanty, stood on 
the corner and small as it was, he opened it to entertain travelers. 
Soon afterward he erected a two-story frame building on the same site. 
John House came and opened a public house on the northeast corner 
of Genesee street and the public square. Jason Parker came in 1794 
and began his long career by serving as postrider from Whitestown to 
Canajoharie ; in the following year he began running a stage from 
Albany to Old Fort Schuyler. During the remainder of his long life 
Mr. Parker, alone or with others, carried on a very extensive trans- 
portation business, as recorded in another chapter. Apollos Cooper, 
who in 1794 built the rear part of the house on Whitesboro street 
where he passed his life, bought, April 11, 1795, 1 17 acres of great lot 



282 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

96. William Inman, an Englishman, obtained in 1793 of Rutger 
Bleecker two leases of lands on lot 104, in all 103 acres, and soon 
after made his home on the north side of Whitesboro road. He was 
foremost in founding Trinity church and was father of Henry Inman, 
the distinguished painter, and of William and John. 

Watts Sherman is recorded as a carpenter in 1795, but later he be- 
came a leading merchant. Dr. Alexander Coventry, .a Scotchman 
who came to America in 1785, settled first as a farmer and physi- 
cian at Hudson, N.Y., and later lived in Romulus, Seneca county, came 
to Old Fort Schuyler in 1796. He engaged with John Post in mer- 
cantile business, but soon gave it up for his profession, at the same 
time following farming and fruit-growing. He was a good physician 
and a prominent citizen ; he died December 9, 1831. Talcott Camp, 
a merchant, came in the fall of 1796, bringing goods; returned east, 
and in the next spring brought his family. At this time Fellows & 
Clark (William Fellows, Silas Clark) were extensive merchants for that 
time, on the north side of the Whitesboro road ; Nathan Williams 
and Erastus Clark, the earliest lawyers, were established in their busi- 
ness, and Francis A. Bloodgood delivered the 4th of July address in 
1797, and afterwards became distinguished. 

Col. Benjamin Walker, born in England in 1753, came to New York 
while young and warmly espoused the American cause in the Revolu- 
tion. He became an intimate friend and sort of secretary for Baron 
Steuben, and was prominent in the founding of Trinity church, and 
built for himself a mansion at the eastern end of Broad street. He 
died January 13, 18 18. 

Bryan Johnson, another Englishman, settled here in 1797, beginning 
as a merchant on the Whitesboro road. He soon commanded a large 
trade and later his son, A. B. Johnson, came over and joined him in 
business. The father retired in 1809, soon after his son attained his 
majority. 

Maj. Benjamin Hinman, a native of Connecticut, and a Revolutionary 
soldier and officer, settled at Old Fort Schuyler in 1797 or 1798, kept 
a public house a few years in Deerfield and finally resided on Main 
street. Rev. John Hammond was living here in 1797 on the square a 
little below Bagg's tavern. He preached at various places in the vicinity. 



THE CITY OF UTICA.. 283 

Samuel Hinman was a carpenter from Barre, Mass., and later from 
Albany, settled here with his son John, built a brick hotel on Whites- 
boro street for the Holland Land Company, which was finished in 1799, 
and made plans for and built Trinity church. Richard Kimball bought, 
January 2, 1797, seventy acres on lot 96, of Jedediah Sanger. It lay 
on the eastern side of Genesee hill and was occupied as a farm by Mr. 
Kimball until 1804. 

The time had now arrived when the settlement was to have a regular 
village organization and the name that it has since borne. It is a tradi- 
tion that the inhabitants gathered at Bagg's tavern where the subject of 
a name was discussed, and after a number had been proposed it was 
agreed to write several on slips of paper from which the first one drawn 
should be adopted. Thirteen were according written and the first slip 
drawn bore the name of Utica, which was the choice of Erastus Clark. 
The act of incorporation was passed April 3, 1798. The records of the 
corporation for the first seven years are lost, having been burned in the 
fire of December 7, 1848; a like fate also befel the early records of 
Whitestown. It is known that Francis A. Bloodgood was treasurer in 
1800 and 1 80 1, and Talcott Camp in 1802 ; also that the first free- 
holders' meeting under the charter of 1805, the trustees were present, 
but who they were cannot be told. There was a fire company in 1804, 
who were thanked by the trustees for their efforts at the fire in February 
which burned Post & Hamlin's store. 

The founding of the first newspaper in the village took place in 1798, 
when the Whitestown Gazette, established four years earlier at New 
Hartford by William McLean, was removed by him and the name 
changed to the Whitestown Gazette and Cato's Patrol. In 1803 he sold 
out to two of his apprentices, Messrs. Seward and Williams and went 
back to New Hartford. In this paper John C. Hoyt announced in 
November, 1798, that he had begun business as a " taylor, opposite 
Bagg's Inn, Utica." In 1798, also, Thomas Skinner and Nathan Will- 
iams were in the village and soon afterward were partners as attorneys. 

In relation to the holding of large tracts of land on the site of the 
village by non-residents, who would lease but would not sell, and the 
obstacle to rapid settlement thus presented, Dr. Bagg in his history of 
Utica, quotes an early resident as follows : 



284 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The inhabitants always entertained a very hopeful opinion of their village, and 
real estate was in more request and at higher prices than in the surrounding villages. 
This was much induced by the withholding from sale of the Bleecker estate, which 
covered a large part of Utica. 

On November 2, 1795, Thomas and Augustus Corey sold to the 
Holland Land Company 200 acres on lot 95, a part of which was after- 
wards commonly known as the hotel lot. Within the next two or three 
years the company built thereon a large brick hotel, to which allusion 
has been made. It was not only the first brick house in the village, 
but the first of its size in the county and probably in the State west of 
Albany. Its site was on Whitesboro street, in a swampy place. The 
building was a square three- story structure, with a four-sided roof, and 
is still standing. It was opened December 2, 1799, by Philip J. 
Schwartze. Soon afterward Hotel street was opened southward from 
the hotel. 

By this time the rapid settlement of the " Genesee country" and the 
Military Tract was attracting westward throngs of pioneers, most of 
whom passed through Utica. In the Annals of Albany it is stated : 

In the winter of 1795 1,200 sleighs loaded with furniture and with men, women, 
and children passed through Albany in three days, and 500 were counted between 
sunrise and sunset of February 28th of that year. All of them were moving west- 
ward. 

The taverns in the village were numerous in proportion to the num- 
ber of inhabitants, and they were well patronized. The settlement was 
still chiefly confined to a single street (Main), the western end of which 
was called the Whitesboro road. A few settlers were located on the 
lower end of Genesee street, with others scattered about the vicinity. 

Among the arrivals in the village in 1800 may be mentioned the 
following: Charles C. Brodhead, a prominent early surveyor, who was 
sheriff in 1800 and surveyed the eastern section of the canal, Albany to 
Rome, in 18 16. 

In July the firm of Kane & Van Rensselaer (Archibald Kane, Jere- 
miah Van Rensselaer) advertised that they had " opened a house in 
Utica, where may be had a general assortment of dry goods and gro- 
ceries on moderate terms." This firm already had a large establishment 
at Canajoharie, where Mr. Kane remained, his partner settling in Utica, 
where he became prominent in business, religious and social affairs. 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 285 

Jesse Newell began business in 1800 with George Macomber as 
painters and glaziers, in which they were followed by Mr. Newell's son, 
and in recent years by his grandson. 

In 1801 the names of Aylmer Johnson, brewer ; Martin Dakin, clerk; 
James Ure, brewer; Bela Hubbard, tanner ; Dr. Francis J. Guiteau, jr., 
Abraham Walton, Capt. James Hopper, Ebenezer B. Shearman, and 
Daniel Thomas, a merchant, appear for the first. Dr. Guiteau was 
descended from the Huguenots, was a son of a physician of Lanesboro, 
Mass., settled in Deerfield in 1792 and in 1803 formed a partnership 
with Dr. Solomon Wolcott, as druggists and practitioners. Each built 
a house on Whitesboro street. Calvin Guiteau, the early surveyor, and 
Dr. Luther Guiteau, both of whom lived in Oneida county, were brothers 
of Dr. Francis J. Dr. Wolcott came from Williamstown, Mass., where 
he had acquired some property and married. 

Capt. James Hopper had commanded vessels in the English merchant 
service, and when he settled in Utica he bought land on the southern 
borders of the village which ultimately made him wealthy. He was 
father of Thomas Hopper. 

Ebenezer B. Shearman early became interested in the manufacture of 
cotton goods and glass, for the sale of which his store was the agency. 
He aided in founding a cotton factory in New Hartford, the first one in 
the county, and with his brother, Willet H., were leading members of 
the Oneida Glass Factory Company at Vernon. 

A few persons of the Welsh race were settled in Utica in or before 
1801, and ere long they began to come in large numbers, ultimately 
forming a large and eminently respectable part of the community. The 
farmers among the early comers settled on the rich hillsides of Remsen, 
Trenton and Steuben, while mechanics stopped in the villages. Among 
them were several excellent builders. Of the early Welsh arrivals in 
Utica may be mentioned Elder Abraham Williams, Joseph Harris, 
Daniel Morris, David Reed and sons, the James family, Watkin Powell, 
Samuel George, and others. 

In 1802 John C. Devereux, a native of Ireland, settled in Utica and 
the family became one of the best known and most popular in the county. 
His first business advertisement under date of November 8, 1802, states 
that he had " opened an assortment of dry goods and groceries at the 



286 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

store lately occupied by John Smith." Associated with him as clerks 
or partners were his brothers, Luke, Nicholas and Thomas. In 1821 
John C. and Nicholas built the well known Devereux block where they 
had a large warehouse and store. 

In briefly noting the arrival of prominent persons in Utica from 1802 
to the introduction of the second charter in 1805 we find that John H. 
Lothrop, lawyer, farmer, editor, merchant, and banker/assumed the 
editorship of the Whitestown Gazette and Cato's Patrol (before men- 
tioned) in 1803, changed its name to the Utica Patriot and settled in the 
village to conduct the journal ; he also served as deputy in the office of 
the Supreme Court clerk. Having later sold his paper he removed to 
New Hartford in 181 1, where he practiced law five years, when he was 
appointed cashier of the Ontario Branch Bank in Utica. Ira Merrell, 
who learned the printer's trade with William McLean and published 
Lothrop's paper for a time in company with his fellow apprentice, Asa- 
hel Seward, became well known as a printer and publisher. Thomas 
Walker was another printer who came into Oneida county and with 
Ebenezer Eaton founded the Columbian Patriotic Gazette in Rome, 
August 17, 1799. In March, 1803, he removed it to Utica, called it 
the Columbian Gazette and supported Jefferson for president. The first 
Utica number was dated March 21. In 1825 he sold the Gazette to 
Samuel D. Dakin and William J. Bacon, by whom it was consolidated 
with the Sentinel under title of the Sentinel and Gazette. They had 
already bought the Patriot, thus uniting the first three newspapers pub- 
lished in the county. The Patriot, mentioned as having been published 
by John H. Lothrop, was purchased of McLean in 1803, by Asahel 
Seward and Ira Merrell, and conducted under the names of Patriot, 
Patriot and Patrol, and Utica Sentinel. Mr. Seward retained an interest 
in its publication until 1824, in connection at different times with Mer- 
rell, William Williams, and William H. Maynard, when it passed to 
Dakin and Bacon, as stated. In 1806 Mr. Seward established a book 
printing plant and bindery and later a bookstore. 

Within a year after his arrival Samuel Stocking erected a building on 
the east side of Genesee street which was known as Mechanics Hall, and 
there established his hat shop. In 18 16 he removed to the brick store 
on Broad street where he remained permanently. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 287 

Abraham Varick, jr., settled in Utica in 1804. He was a lawyer, but 
was better known as agent of the Holland Land Company, a manager of 
manufactories and a dealer in real estate. In September, 1804, he 
bought the Kimball farm at the head of Genesee street for $5,000, 
mapped it and sold it in lots. 

Other settlers of this period to whom only very brief reference can 
be made were David Ostrom. a Revolutionary soldier, who became 
county judge and also was landlord of the Coffee House, a well known 
hostelry on the site of the Devereux block. Dr. Marcus Hitchcock, 
who -studied medicine at New Hartford with Dr. Amos G. Hull and 
practiced in Utica, carrying on also a drug store with Dr. John Carring- 
ton. Hugh Cunningham, who, with a partner, opened a store in 1804 
and in 18 10 built a store for himself on the corner of Genesee street and 
the square. Isaac Coe, the first village treasurer under the charter of 
1805, and an enterprising citizen until 18 10. Abijah and Anson 
Thomas, who came in 1804 and were many years prominent in business 
affairs. Dr. David Hasbrouck, who came in the same year and prac- 
ticed to about 18 1 5. Enos Brown and Daniel Stafford, hardware 
dealers in 1804; William Tillman, a cabinetmaker; Ara Broad well, a 
mason and contractor ; Alfred and Solomon Wells, carpenters, and 
Elisha Rose, blacksmith. In August, 1804, Walton, Turner & Co. 
took a store below Bagg's and also began a large forwarding business. 

Up to 1 80 1 the only existing and continuous religious society was 
that which was organized at Whitesboro in 1793 under the title of the 
United Society of Whitestown and Old Fort Schuyler, over which Rev. 
Bethuel Dodd was settled August 21, 1794. The services were held 
about two-thirds of the time at Whitesboro and the other third at Fort 
Schuyler, but after a few months they were discontinued at the latter 
place, chiefly because there was no public place of worship. This difficulty 
was removed in 1797 by the enlargement of the school house on Main 
street. In 1804, and possibly a little earlier, Mr. Dodd preached in 
Utica half of the time, and when he was elsewhere sermons were usually 
read by Talcott Camp, Hiel Hollister, Solomon P. Goodrich, and others, 
As the years passed, other churches and schools were added, as de- 
scribed further on.. 

The early growth of the village is shown in the fact recorded by Judge 



288 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Jones in his Annals, that in 1794 there were about ten resident families 
in the place, while in 1796, according to Morse, the number of houses 
was thirty seven, which in 1798 had increased to fifty. Two years later 
Maude made the number sixty, and the population in 1801 is given by 
another as 200. In 1802 Rev. Mr. Taylor found here nearly ninety 
houses, and Dr. D wight gives the number as 120 in 1804. with many 




stores and other buildings. All these were situated on Genesee, Whites- 
boro, Hotel, and a portion of Seneca streets. In 1805 not more than 
two brick stores had been erected. The corduroy road which had ex- 
tended from between what are now Broadway and Washington streets, 
in a winding way to New Hartford, had ere this been abandoned for the 
more direct turnpike continuous with Genesee street. While the in- 
habitants were more or less transient, there was on the whole an unusual 
amount of intelligence and good morals. Many of the settlers were far 
above the average in this respect and some of them were college bred. 




^JLujoj^rt^u^xh^ot^- 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 289 

Whitesboro and New Hartford still surpassed Utica, and Rome at least 
equaled it. The courts were held in Whitesboro, drawing thither a 
coterie of lawyers and attracted business generally. The soil of much 
of the present thickly settled parts of the city was still being tilled by 
farmers ; what is now the Second ward was famous for large crops of 
wheat. Almost no manufactories existed ; William Smith was making 
wrought nails on the east bank of Nail Creek, and there was a small cut- 
nail shop on the south side of Main street a little east of the square, 
which was succeeded by another on Genesee street operated by Mr. 
Devlin. Ure's and Inman's breweries were in operation, and there were 
four tanneries. Abijah Thomas had his wagon shop and Samuel Stock- 
ing his hat factory. A few other small shops comprised all the manu- 
factures of that day. As a center for mercantile trade the village was 
active and was beginning to draw custom from a wide extent of terri- 
tory. The Welsh settlers had the only church edifice, but Trinity was in 
process of erection. The village had its burial place and in 1806 a deed 
of the premises was obtained from Stephen Potter. 

The improvements thus far made and the growth of the village in 
population finally prompted the citizens to procure a new charter, which 
was done under date of April 9, 1805. Under this the bounds of the 
village on the east were fixed as the limits of the city now exist, while 
those on the west were extended to the west line of lot 99. The charter 
made the freeholders a body corporate, with power to raise by tax not 
to exceed $1,000 in one year for public buildings, fire expenses and 
necessary improvements. Five trustees were to be elected annually in 
May, and they were given authority to fix the price of bread, assess 
taxes, appoint twenty- five firemen and make laws for the government 
of the corporation. A treasurer and a collector were to be appointed, 
who Were to receive pay for their services. At the first annual meeting 
the following trustees were chosen : Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, jr., Na- 
than Williams, Francis A. Bloodgood, Jerathmel Ballou, 1 and Erastus 
Clark. Isaac Coe was chosen treasurer, and Worden Hammond, col- 
lector. It was resolved to raise $300 by assessment for various public 

' Theodore P. Ballou, born March 18, 1808, was a son of Jerathmel Ballou, the pioneer. After 
some years of service as a clerk he engaged in the lumber business, owned large mills at Pros- 
pect, and erected the Ballou block on the site of his father's store. He died February 28, 1887. 
37 



290 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

expenses. Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, jr., was appointed president and 
D. W. Childs, clerk. A fire company was organized, of which Benja- 
min Paine, a fashionable tailor, was an early captain, and in which Moses 
Bagg was an early officer. The owner of every dwelling, store or work- 
shop was required to keep hung therein one or more leather fire buckets, 
to be used for no other purpose than the extinguishment of fires. In 
July it was determined to dig three public wells to supply the village 
with water ; the lower one of these on Genesee street gave excellent 
water and was kept open a number of years. The firemen held monthly 
meetings, and a night watch was established as indicated in the follow- 
ing document dated December 10, 1805 : 

We, the subscribers, esteeming a Night Watch in the village of Utica as necessary 
to guard us against the dangers of fire, do hereby associate ourselves for that pur- 
pose, and mutually pledge our honor to each other to act during the winter ensuing 
as good and faithful watchmen, under the direction and superintendence of the 
Trustees of said village. 

This paper was signed by ninety-eight persons, who were organized 
in squads of five or six and took turns in patrolling the village streets. 
This system continued until 18 10, when paid watchmen were provided. 

Of the village in 1807, a traveler named Christian Schultz, jr., wrote 

as follows : 

It contains at present about 160 houses, the greatest part of which are painted 
white, which gives it a neat and lively appearance. Foreign goods are nearly as 
cheap here as in New York, which, I presume, is owing to the merchants undersell- 
ing each other; for this, like all other country towns, is overstocked with shopkeep- 
ers. Most of the goods intended for the salt works are loaded here in wagons and 
sent on overland, a distance of fifty miles. The carriage over this portage is fifty 
cents a hundred weight. 

About this time Moses Bagg, jr., relinquished mercantile business and 
took charge of the tavern that had been conducted by his father. It 
was a two- story building on the corner of Genesee street and the square. 
In 18 12-15 h e built on the site of the old tavern the central part of the 
brick hotel which bears his name, and later added to it on each side. 
This he conducted with brief intermissions until 1836, when it was sold 
to a company. 

During the summer of 1808 Broad street was opened, and in the next 
year a lot for an engine house in the rear of Trinity church was donated 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 



291 



by the agent of the Bleecker family. In the same year the following were 
adopted as public streets: First and Second streets from Broad to the 
river; Third street from Main to Broad and thence to be continued to 
the intersection of the road to Slayton's Settlement ; and Water street 
from First across Genesee to Hotel street. 




Baggs Hotel in 1815. 



Progressive men now began to turn their attention to the establish 
ment of manufactures, and in February, 1809, the Oneida Glass Fac- 
tory Company was incorporated with a capital of $100,000, which 
continued in successful operation until 1836. The need of banking 
facilities soon began to be felt, and a branch of the Manhattan Bank of 
New York was established here in 1809, and the Utica Bank in 1812. 
The first was organized by Montgomery Hunt, with Henry B. Gibson, 
teller and bookkeeper. The directors for 1810 were William Floyd of 
Westernville ; James S. Kipp, Francis A. Bloodgood, Solomon Wolcott, 
John Bellinger, Thomas Walker, Apollos Cooper, Marcus Hitchcock, 
Henry Huntington, of Rome ; Nathan Smith, Ephraim Hart, then of 
Clinton, and Nathan Williams, who was president. With one exception 
these men left this bank in 1 8 1 2 to take an interest in the Utica Bank. 
The Manhattan existed until 18 18. The bank of Utica was incorpo- 



292 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

rated June I, 1812, and began business on the 8th of the following De- 
cember. The capital stock was placed at $1,000,000, but it did not in 
reality exceed $600,000. Its first president was James S. Kipp ; Mont- 
gomery Hunt, cashier ; Henry B. Gibson, teller. At the first annual 
election Abraham Van Santvoord succeeded President Kip as director 
and Henry Huntington as president. Thomas Walker succeeded Mr. 
Huntington in 1845, and he was followed in 1863 by Benjamin N. Hunt- 
ington. In 1876 Publius V. Rogers, then cashier, was chosen presi- 
dent and held the office until his death, when he was succeeded by 
Charles B. Rogers, then vice-president. 

In 1 8 10, a subscription was started to provide a watch for the year, 
and another for the purchase of a new fire engine. Several new streets 
were adopted, and a map made by Mr. Broadhead for the Bleecker 
heirs, shows all the streets parallel to Broad as far up as South as they 
now exist. The village was prospering, and the local paper of October 
9 said that " a small triangular lot on the corner of Genesee and 
Whitesboro streets has been sold at the rate of $300,000 an acre, which 
same land twenty-five years ago might have been purchased for $1 
an acre." The village now contained 1,650 inhabitants and 300 
houses. 

The freeholders' meetings were now, and had been for a few years, 
held in Mr. Dixon's school house. The only event of importance was 
the arrival of the new engine, and the appointment of a committee to 
select a site for an engine house near the store of Hugh Cunningham. 
The firemen were cautioned to test the new engine weekly and to 
keep the old one in repair. An English traveler, J. Mellish, passed 
through the village at this time and made notes of what he saw, from 
which we quote as follows : 

The village lots are from fifty to sixty feet front and one hundred to one hundred 
and thirty deep and sell for from 6200 to $1,000. The out-lots contain twelve acres 
and 8500 is asked for them. House rent for mechanics is about $60 to $100 ; wood 
$1.25 per cord, flour $8 per barrel, potatoes two shillings per bushel, turnips thirty- 
one cents, cabbages four cents each, beans sixty-two cents per bushel, onions 
seventy-five cents, beef, mutton, and veal five cents per pound, venison four cents, 
fowls nine cents each, ducks two shillings, geese four shillings, turkeys five shillings, 
butter one shilling, cheese seven cents, hog's lard six cents, beer 85 per barrel, 
whisky twenty-five cents per gallon, boarding 82.50 per week. 

In 1 8 12 it was voted to build a market house on the public square 



^sy 







SAMUEL FARWELL. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 293 

between Bagg's tavern and the store of John C. Devereux, at a cost 
of $300. This location did not please everybody and within a few 
weeks efforts were made to find a more satisfactory site. In July a 
meeting of the people was held to reconsider the action of the annual 
meeting on this subject ; the vote. to repeal such action was lost. The 
market was built and in November ordinances for its government 
were adopted. 

The war with England was now precipitated and no village in the 
interior of the State, perhaps, saw more of the activity resulting from 
it than Utica. Thousands of soldiers from all quarters passed through 
the place, many of them stopping for longer or shorter periods, as 
fully described in Chapter XV. The local company under command 
of Capt. William Williams, which had been the pride of the village, en- 
tered the service, and in the latter part of February, 18 13, about sixty 
volunteers were enrolled at Utica, forming a company which was at 
tached to the 134th Regiment. Among the prominent names of men 
who had some share in that war are those of Nathan Seward, Thurlow 
Weed, Nathan Williams, John E. Hinman, Nicholas Smith, Thomas 
Skinner, in the land service and Samuel Breese and William Inman, 
of Utica; John G. Young, of Whitesboro; Antill Lansing, of Oriskany ; 
and Edward and Benjamin Carpenter, of Whitesboro, in the navy. 

The first provision for sidewalks in the public proceedings is found in 
the records of 18 14, though possibly temporary walks had been laid 
before that. It was in 18 14 also that the village authorities issued cor- 
poration bills on account of the scarcity of currency. These bills were 
made payable at the Manhattan Branch Bank, which had agreed to ac- 
cept them, and were all in fractional currency. 

The first Utica directory was published in 18 17, containing a list of 
the inhabitants, occupying eighteen small pages, and a census. No 
other directory was issued until 1828. 

Utica now contained 420 dwellings and a population of 2,861. For 
various reasons a new and broader charter was demanded and it became 
a law on the 7th of April, 18 17 ; but before considering its features let 
us quote from Dr. Bagg's history a description of the Utica of 18 16, 
and note further some of the arrivals of leading citizens before that 
date. Dr. Bagg wrote as follows : 



294 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Standing on Deerfield Hill four or five miles away, the country below you seems 
like a level swamp covered with forest, the clearings being scarcely discernible. Be- 
yond the river you perceive the houses on the hill at Utica and an extensive opening 
in the vicinity. Directly south and west nearly one-third of the country is denuded 
of wood. To the southeast there are only small patches of clearing. Coming down 
toward the plain you discern the more conspicuous features of the village. Two 
church steeples enliven the scene, the Presbyterian and the Episcopal, which stand 
like sentinels guarding the approaches on the west and the east, the latter rejoicing 
in a pointed spire, the former equally happy in its rounded cupola.. As you cross 
the dyke you see plainly before you and towering above their fellows the imposing- 
York House on the right and its closely contesting rival. Bagg's Hotel, directly in 
front. Having passed over the bridge you are at once within the heart of the settle- 
ment, the very focus of the town. For the limits of Utica at the time I treat of were 
mostly confined between the river and the Liberty street road to Whitesboro; from 
ths square as a center they spread westward along Whitesboro street to Potter's 
bridge and eastward along Main and Broad to Third street. The course of Genesee 
street was pretty thickly lined with stores— a few residences only being here and 
there interspersed — as far upward as Catherine street, beyond which private houses 
predominated over business places, and these were scattered in a straggling way 
even to Cottage street. The roadway was guiltless of pavement and the mud at 
times profound. The sidewalks were paved, if such it might be called, but the pave- 
ment — of flagging, of cobble, of gravel, or of tan bark, as suited the convenience or 
the taste of the householder — bore little resemblance to the modern conventional 
sandstone. ' ' Stately but graceless poplars stood in unbroken row from Bleecker 
street to the hill-top." On the west Genesee had no outlet higher than Liberty street, 
and on the east none above Catharine, for through Bleecker was known by authority 
it was neither fenced nor housed and was only a path to pastures beyond. The 
buildings on its business part were mostly wooden and of moderate size and preten- 
sion. A few were of brick. On the hill were the spacious grounds and beautiful 
houses of Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Arthur Breese, and Alexander B. Johnson. In 
Whitesboro street were the Bank of Utica, the Manhattan Branch Bank, and the 
York House as well as the inns of Burchard and Bellinger. This was the Wall street 
of the village; it harbored several stores and was more populous than any other 
except Main, containing probably nearly as many inhabitants as it now does. Hotel, 
in proportion to its length, was quite as thickly peopled. Seneca, Washington, and 
Broadway reached only to the Liberty street road, Broadway bringing up at the 
elegant stone mansion of James S. Kip, while Washington conducted passengers no 
farther than the Presbyterian meeting-house. 

The public square contained the town pump and the market-house. Main street 
was lined with the comely residences of prosperous citizens, and was terminated by 
the Methodist chapel and the pleasant home and grounds of Judge Miller. Broad 
street was occupied as far as the line of Third street, but contained only a small 
fraction of its present number of buildings. Between it Whitesboro and upper Gen- 
esee the best dwelling-houses of the village were unequally distributed. John street 
had here and there a residence, which in all reached a little higher than Jay, while 
beyond were the rising walls of the academy and in the rear of this two tenements 
on Chancellor Square. The faint attempts of Catharine to rival its fellow below 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 295 

were effectually crushed when stakes were planted along side of it to mark the course 
of the future canal. This settled its fate and consigned it the rank it has held ever 
since. Water street, now robbed of its importance, was nearest of all to the then 
channel of commerce, and besides its houses for storage aad forwarding was also the 
home of a few well-to-do folks. 

Thus, as it appears from the directory, while the buildings of Genesee were in num- 
ber 157, of Whitesboro 84, of Main 67, -of Broad 59, of Hotel 34, of Catharine 20, and 
Water as many, Seneca had 15, no other street more than 10, and the rest but half 
or less than half of that number. Of those running eastward not one is named above 
Catharine. " Cornhill was a forest from South street to the New Hartford line. 
Another forest skirted the gardens on the west side of Genesee, came down the slope 
to the present Fayette, and extended west to the Asylum Hill." When the commis- 
sioners in the following year ran the line between Whitesboro and Utica, from 
Jewett's farm to the county line on the east, and to the river on the north they were 
obliged to fell trees so as to see their flag. 

Going back to 1805 to continue personal notes of early citizens, we 
find that Rudolph Snyder, a prosperous cabinetmaker was established 
in the village ; and others of that date were James A. and Lynott Blood- 
good, ironmongers; Seth Dwight, merchant and hotel keeper; John 
Barton, watchmaker; Benjamin Payne, tailor ; William Hayes, earthen- 
ware maker ; William Baxter, gardener and baker, and progenitor of 
numerous later Uticans ; Samuel Hickox, builder of the Cayuga bridge, 
and B. B. Rathbun, who achieved an unenviable notoriety in Buffalo 

In 1798 John Post had received into his household his nephew, 
Abraham Van Santvoort, who eventually became his successor in the 
Mohawk River transportation business. He announced in 1806 that he 
had commenced the storage and forwarding business to and from 
Schenectady, Albany and New York and any part of the western 
country. He was associated with Eri Lusher between Utica and 
Schenectady and with David Boyd from there to Albany. Other resi- 
dents of 1806 were Jonathan Child, teacher, and afterwards first mayor 
of Rochester ; Bennett Bicknell, cabinetmaker and later a prominent 
politician of Madison county ; Henry Kip, brother of James, ropemaker ; 
two brothers Oudenarde ; John Culver, carpenter ; Thomas James, 
wagonmaker, and John Queal, shoemaker. 

Several men of considerable prominence came in 1807. Peter Bours, 
at first a hardware merchant, was active in organizing the Utica glass 
factory, started at Glassville (so-called) in the present town of Marcy. 
Stalham Williams, who had been a clerk and a merchant in the village, 



2'J6 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was appointed collector on the middle section of the new canal. He 
was employed by the Messrs. Devereux, and when they opened a sort 
of unchartered savings bank on Bleecker street, Mr. Williams had charge 
of it, and when the Savings Bank was organized he was appointed its 
secretary and treasurer. The establishment of Bagg & Camp started 
in 1807. John Camp, son of Talcott Camp, had been a clerk for 
Williams, and two years after the latter had associated himself with 
Moses Bagg, he bought the interest of Mr. Fellows and the new firm 
was formed. Later the firm was John Camp & Brothers. 

A public meeting was held in the hotel on the 3d of September, 1808, 
to take into consideration the policy of petitioning the president to sus- 
pend the operation of the embargo. The petition was proposed by 
Jonas Piatt and was forwarded, but the reply, received six weeks later, 
was not encouraging. 

Arthur Breese, who had settled at Whitesboro in 1794 and was 
partner of Jonas Piatt in law business, removed to Utica in 1808 to take 
the position of Supreme Court clerk. On the death of the first presi- 
dent of the Ontario Branch Bank he held that office for a time ; he left 
numerous descendants. 

Others who became residents in the period we are considering, and 
who can only be mentioned, were Eliasaph Dorchester, teacher, bank 
clerk, assistant on the Columbian Gazette, founder of the Utica Observer, 
and again a teacher; Henry B. Gibson and Montgomery Hunt, already 
mentioned as prominent in banking affairs ; Seymour Tracy, attorney ; 
James Van Rensselaer, merchant, for whom was erected the brick row 
on the southerly side of Liberty street between Hotel and Seneca; 
Thaddeus Wakeman, capitalist ; Daniel Stafford, packet boat captain ; 
Joshua Ostram, who ran stages in competition with Jason Parker; 
William Whiteley, who made musical instruments down to 1850; 
Shubael Storrs, watchmaker; Robert McBride, mason and builder; 
William Penniman, tanner ; Thomas Thomas, mason ; Joseph Simon, 
furrier ; John Robinson, blacksmith ; Joseph S. Porter, a popular jeweler ; 
Alfred Hitchcock, druggist; Erastus Cross, a marble cutter; Riley 
Rogers, gunsmith; John Bradish, connected with the clerk's office of 
the Supreme Court; Ezra S. Cozier, a hatter of 1812, who was seven 
years village trustee and treasurer of the city, died of cholera in 1832 ; 



THE CITY OF UTICA. ' 297 

Barent Bleecker Lansing, second son of Col. Garret G. Lansing, who 
was cashier in the United States Bank and the Oneida Bank ; Thomas 
Rockwell, teacher and thirty- four years bookkeeper in the Ontario 
Branch Bank; Ezra S. Barnum, long connected with various local 
public offices; John E. Hinman, served honorably in the war of 1812, 
was deputy sheriff under James S. Kip, and afterwards sheriff, mayor of 
the city three years and otherwise prominent ; John Welles, keeper of 
the Coffee House at one period ; Amos Gay, landlord ; Comfort Butler, 
saddler and long in charge of the Utica Museum ; William Jones, long 
the official surveyor ; John H. Ostrom, village attorney, and further 
noticed in a later chapter ; Briggs W. Thomas, merchant and clerk in 
the Oneida Bank ; Ezekiel Bacon, a man of political and judicial prom- 
inence in Massachusetts, a member of the firm of Alexander Seymour 
& Co., associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas, nominee for Con- 
gress, etc.; William Clarke, lieutenant in the army in 1812, and long 
manager of lotteries in Utica while they were countenanced by the law ; 
Ephraim Hart, a successful merchant, manufacturer, and State senator; 
John H. Handy, merchant ; Robert Shearman and Edward Vernon, mer- 
chants ; Andrew Merrell, publisher of the Western Recorder and of 
various books; Zenas Wright William Geere, and Collings Locke, leather 
dealers ; Flavel Gaylord and his brother, Edwin, looking-glass makers ; 
William Blackwood, brass founder; Nathan Stevens, carpenter; Elisha 
Lovett, grocer. 

In the years 18 15-16 the sum of $1,000 was voted for village ex- 
penses, the limit then authorized by the charter. When the second 
charter went into effect in 1805, the annual expenses were about $200, 
which sum was gradually increased to $1,000. During these twelve 
years many improvements were made, particularly in streets and side- 
walks. One or two additional churches were established, the First Pres- 
byterian in 18 1 3, and the Methodist in 1815. School facilities were ex- 
tended in various directions, as described further on, and at the same 
time the material interests of the village made satisfactory progress. 

The third charter, adopted April 7, 18 17, erected Utica into a town, 
its boundaries remaining the same as before. The village was divided 
into three wards. 

The president of the village was to be appointed annually by the 

38 



298 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Governor and Council of the State, and received compensation in fees 
for permits to tavern keepers, butchers and others to the amount of 
$250, or a salary of that amount. Two trustees were chosen from each 
ward, a supervisor, three assessors, and two constables; other subordi- 
nate officers were appointed by the trustees. The trustees were em- 
powered to raise not exceeding $1,500 for annual expenses, and as 
commissioners of highways, had control of street and sewer improve- 
ments. The first president under the new charter was Nathan Will- 
iams. Among the ordinances and regulations put in force by the trus- 
tees were those for the regulation of groceries and victualing houses ; 
for the prevention of nuisances ; establishing the assize and inspection 
of bread ; in relation to preventing and extinguishing fires ; and in re- 
lation to a night watch. A fire warden and a fire engineer were to be 
appointed for each ward, and the wardens were to examine buildings at 
least once a month to learn if chimneys, fireplaces and stoves were in 
safe condition. From the two fire companies then in existence were 
detailed ten men to act as a hook and ladder company. Four watch- 
men were to be appointed by the trustees, two of whom were to patrol 
the streets in the thickly settled parts, while the other two remained in 
the watch house. 

While during the existence of the third village charter, a period of 
fifteen years, the growth of Utica in population was steady and health- 
ful, it was not at all remarkable ; from nearly 3,000 it increased to some- 
what less than 10,000, with a commensurate growth in its various in- 
dustries and institutions. In the fall of the year 1819 the Erie Canal, 
begun in July, 18 17, was so far advanced between Utica and Rome as 
to be navigable, and on the 22d of October the first boat made a pass- 
age between these two places ; it was'a packet boat called the " Chief 
Engineer." On the following day the boat returned to Rome having 
among her passengers the governor of the State, the canal commis- 
sioners, and about seventy men and women from Utica and its vicinity. 
The embarkation was celebrated with ringing of bells, firing of cannon 
and was witnessed by a large crowd. 

In 1820 steps were taken to open a new road above the canal and 
extending westward from Genesee street in continuation of Bleecker 
street. After overcoming much vexatious opposition the object was 
accomplished in 1823 in the opening of Liberty street. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 299 

In 1 82 1 the market, which had long been a source of contention and 
which had been banished to Water street, was sold to Daniel Thomas 
for $50. 

In 1822 the first paving was done on Genesee street from the canal 
to the south line of Whitesboro and Main streets, and in October Frank- 
lin street was opened. 

In 1823—4 many street improvements were made, among them the 
paving of parts of Liberty, Catharine, Broad and Genesee streets ; Pine 
street was opened and in the latter year John street was paved. Water 
street was extended, and a sewer was built on the east side of Genesee 
street from opposite the clerk's office to Hotel street, from John street 
to a connection at Main street with the one before opened down Gene- 
see street, on Burnet street, on Charlotte from Elizabeth to Bleecker 
and on Bleecker from Burnet to Genesee. In 1824 a new engine house 
was leased from the president (William Clarke), and the lot in rear of 
Trinity church, which had been in use for the purpose, was sold to the 
church. A committee was appointed to confer with Apollos Cooper 
for six acres of land for a burial ground. Eight watchmen were now 
needed to guard the village nights and Ara Broadwell was armed with 
full power as a fire inspector. The tax for general expenses was fixed 
at $1,137.25. 

General La Fayette made a tour of the State, in 1825 and visited 
Utica, and was accorded a grand reception. At Shepard's Hotel the 
general was received by President Clarke, who made a speech to which 
La Fayette responded. A military review followed, with a reception to 
citizens and ladies. 

The building and opening of the Erie Canal has been described in 
an earlier chapter. It was opened to admit water at Black Rock on 
the 26th of October, 1825, which was Wednesday. Early on the fol- 
lowing Monday the distinguished officials and citizens who arrived on 
the boats were received at the court house, where an address was de- 
livered by Judge Ezekiel Bacon. Governer Clinton made a happy re- 
sponse. But the canal had been navigable through a section including 
Oneida county four or five years earlier, and exerted a wholesome in- 
fluence before the entire waterway was opened. As an evidence of the 
rapidity with which the canal was brought into use and of the great 



:S0O OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

change made by it in the mode of transportation from those before 
employed, it may be stated that the number of canal boats arriving in 
Albany during the season of 1823 (before the whole canal was open) 
was 1,329; in 1824 it was 2,687; m I ^ 2 S> 3.33^; and up to Septem- 
ber 6th of 1826, it was 4,380, which number it was estimated would be 
increased to 7,000 before the close of navigation. 

The history of Utica during several years succeeding the opening of 
the canal shows that a spirit of enterprise and hopefulness had grown 
strong in the community, and progress and improvement were rapid 
until the panic of 1837. ^ seems to have been more difficult, however, 
to preserve order than it is now, according to the size of the place. 
From six to eighteen watchmen were employed a number of years. 
Early in 1826 it was resolved by the board that the watch should be 
continued " provided they would receive orders on the treasurer pay- 
able when there were funds." It is little wonder that they objected, 
and they were discharged, at least temporarily, at the next meeting. 
In this year the clerk for the first time was voted a salary of $50. Pav- 
ing was considerably extended. Chancellor Square was improved, and 
a hook and ladder company and eighteen fire wardens were appointed. 

In 1827 a village attorney was for the first time appointed in the per- 
son of Robert Van Rensselaer. In April action was taken which re- 
sulted in the division of the village into four wards, the regulation of 
elections, and empowering the trustees to raise $3,000 and $1,000 in 
each of the succeeding five years for a market. This action followed 
upon the circulation of a petition which was signed by about two- thirds 
of the freeholders. A committee was appointed who selected a lot on 
the corner of Bleecker and Back streets and purchased it for $1,000. 
In January of the next year the market committee were instructed to 
receive proposals for the erection of a market building. At a special 
meeting in February it was resolved to accept the plans of Mr. Colling 
and the committee was authorized to build at a cost of $40,000. A 
public meeting was held in February at which a committee of five was 
appointed to co-operate with the authorities in raising $2,000 for the 
purchase of a fire engine and hose. This action was prompted in part 
by the occurrence of two destructive fires. Ordinances were adopted 
defining the fire limits of the village and making more stringent regu- 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 301 

lations for caring for streets, the suppression of gambling, and keeping 
cattle out of the streets. Steuben Square was laid out and improved, 
Rutger street was opened to First street, South street was extended 
from West to Steuben, and many ether streets were improved. 

In 1828 the market had been completed and in June a committee 
was appointed to establish a code of regulations for its government. 
Annual rent of stalls was fixed at $45 for eight feet stalls, $40 for seven- 
feet stalls, and $35 for six-feet stalls. No meat was to be sold else- 
where in the village. The basement was devoted to a vegetable market, 
meats on the first floor, while in the second story was the council room 
of the trustees. The market continued in existence until about 1845. 
The fire department was reorganized and William Williams appointed 
chief engineer ; E. Z. Cozier, first assistant ; Abraham Culver, second 
assistant; Moses Bagg, T. S. Faxton, B. B. Lansing, John E. Hinman, 
James Piatt, Spencer Kellogg, R. R. Lansing, and Kellogg Hurlburt, 
five wardens. 

The gulf of Ballou's Creek in the eastern part of the village was con- 
verted into a canal basin in 1828—29. This was called by its builders, 
the Public Basin. In 1829, on the 22d of July, a resolution was adopted 
that a sum adequate to the expense be "appropriated for the construc- 
tion of two engine houses and one hook and ladder house, the same to be 
constructed so as to be capable of being removed from one extremity of 
the village to the other without injury to the buildings." It is probable 
that this measure was not carried out, as in November of 1 S3 t a com- 
mittee was authorized to buy the lot on the corner of John and Cath- 
erine streets for $1,500 and procure plans for an engine house and a 
school house and contract for their erection by June 1, 1832. Street 
improvements were extensive between 1829 and the adoption of the 
city charter in 1832. An act of Legislature dated February 3, 1831, 
reorganized the fire department, making it consist of a chief, two assist- 
ants, eight fire wardens, and four companies numbered consecutively 
from one, and a hook and ladder and a hose company. 

Already there was discussion of the project of incorporation as a 
city. On November 1 1 a resolution was adopted by the board that a 
public meeting be called on the following Monday evening at the court 
house, to consider this and other matters of importance. 



302 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Utica was not yet a very large community, but the inhabitants were 
progressive and had abundant faith in the future of the place. The 
population was nearly 10,000 (it was 10,183 in 1835); ten churches had 
been organized and most of them were in existence ; the schools were 
far advanced; measures were about to be adopted for beginning the 
construction of the Chenango Canal ; the first railroad was about to be 
incorporated, and leading citizens felt that they were justified in seeking 
the benefits of a city government. But before taking up this important 
change it is incumbent to notice further some of the more prominent 
additions to the population under the last village charter. 

In 1 81 7 James and Walter L. Cochrane, sons of John Cochrane, who 
was director-general of hospitals in the Revolutionary army, came to 
Utica and were prominent in social affairs. Charles Hastings and An- 
drew Merrill opened a new bookstore at 40 Genesee street in 18 17, 
added a circulating library and from 1824 published the Western Re- 
corder. Jared E. Warner began in the drug business in 181 2 and 
his store was long and honorably known. Theodore Sedgwick Gold 
was a merchant of this period and a literary character of ability. He 
edited the Oneida Whig a few years and in 1837 was mayor of the city. 

Henry Seymour, a native of Onondaga county, where he was a suc- 
cessful merchant, came to Utica soon after his appointment as canal 
commissioner in March, 1819, and lived there the remainder of his life. 
From 18 1 6 to 18 19 he was State senator; in 1820 was elected to the 
Assembly and in 1822 was again sent to the Senate. In 1833 he was 
appointed mayor of Utica. He died August 26, 1837. 

James Sayer was many years a successful hardware merchant, served 
as director in the United States Branch Bank, the Ontario Branch 
Bank and the Oneida National Bank, and was president of the latter at 
his death. Others of 1821 were Levi Cozzens, inn keeper and lumber 
dealer ; the four Thurber brothers, for the most part bakers, of whom 
Philip was also a hardware dealer; Jabez Miller, baker ; Edward Bright, 
brewer ; Elisha Wells, shoe dealer ; Robert Jones, grocer ; Otis Whip- 
ple, Cyrus Grannis, and Elisha Backus. 

At a little later date Alfred Munson became a resident and was long 
a foremost citizen, largely connected with public works and later in 
developing manufactures in the village, promoter of the Mechanics' As- 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 303 

sociation and the water works, and the largest benefactor of Grace 
church. 

Among the early employees of Jason Parker & Co., the great stage 
proprietors, was John Butterfield. Later he engaged in transportation 
business by himself and long kept the leading livery in the city. He 
was connected with boating on the canal and Lake Ontario, was prom- 
inent in establishing plank roads and took a large interest in the early 
express business. He was one of the first to foresee the future useful • 
ness of the telegraph and with others organized the first company to 
construct lines across this State. He built the Butterfield House and 
the Gardner block and in 1865 was mayor of the city. He died No- 
vember 14, 1869. 

Holmes Hutchinson was village surveyor in 1824, in which capacity 
he served until 1835, when he was made chief engineer on the Erie 
Canal, performing the duties of the office until 1841 and during the en- 
largement. 

Michael McQuade 1 was conspicuous in local politics, held many offices 
from collector to mayor and was alderman of the First ward, where he 
was practically supreme. Others of this period were Horace Butler, 
merchant and forwarder ; Jonathan R. Warner, hatter ; Chester Gris - 
wold, canal weighmaster, and Henry White, grandson of the founder 
of Whitestown. Milton Boynton and Truman Parmalee were partners 
at this time in dry goods trade, and Mr. Parmalee became a leader 
in the promotion of Sunday school work. About 1829 Alrick Hub- 
bell was deputy sheriff under John E Hinman. He acted several 
years as the efficient chief engineer of the fire department, was alder- 
man in 1 841 and mayor in 1856-7; in 1858-9 he was State senator 
and was director of the Utica and Black River Railroad. Others 
who should be mentioned of about 1824 were Israel Tiffany, clerk 

1 The name of Michael McQuade has been often met with in the History of Utica. His eldest 
son was James McQuade, born April 2?', 1829. He was a clerk and afterwards an officer in the 
Bank of Utica and in 1851 was made assistant clerk of the Assembly. He was in the Board of 
Supervisors in 1855 and 185(3 and was conspicuous in the Fire Department. In 1866 and again in 
1870 he was elected mayor of the city. In 1859 he was elected to the Assembly, and on the day 
following the firing on Fort Sumter offered himself and the Citizens' Corps, of which he was then 
captain, to the government for two years. They were assigned to the 14th Regiment, of which he 
"was elected colonel. Serving honorably in the field he rose to the rank of brevet brigadier-gen- 
eral. He was presidential elector in 1856 and was prominent in 1882 as a candidate for lieutenant- 
governor. He died March 25, 1885. 



304 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

for H. & E. Phinney in Cooperstown, who came to Utica to super- 
intend their establishment opened here. As bookseller he remained to 
1868. Harvey Barnard, dealer in wall paper, succeeded by his sons. 1 
Abraham Shepard, landlord of Bagg's, the United States and the 
Coffee House; Richard Sanger, landlord of the Clinton, National, 
Franklin and the Coffee House; Thomas Midlam, landlord and grocer ; 
George S.Wilson, prominent in Sunday school work; Henry Ivison, 
who came to Utica with his father and learned bookbinding, with 
Seward & Williams, and became later a large publisher in New York ; 
Thomas Davis, watchmaker ; Stafford Palmer, Charles Churchill, An- 
drew O. and Norman Downer, all connected with the lumber trade or 
its manufacture; John F. Vedder, dealer in leather; Elisha Cadwell 
and Samuel L. Perkins, grocers ; William G. Allyn and John S. Joslin, 
marble workers; Vistus Balch, copper-plate engraver, and the follow- 
ing printers who were apprenticed in Utica at about this time : Henry 
Day, brother-in-law of George Dutton ; William Swain, who founded 
the Philadelphia Ledger and the Baltimore Sun ; James O. Rockwell, a 
gifted poet and editor of the Providence Journal ; Francis M. Hill, an- 
other poet, who edited the Kingston (Ca.) Chronicle and was mayor of 
Kingston ; O. N. Worden, editor of the Louisberg Chronicle, Penn- 
sylvania ; Edward P. Wetmore, brother of Edmund A. Wetmore, a 
publisher of Cleveland and Cincinnati ; William Schram, for thirty- 
one years with the Poughkeepsie Eagle ; Edward Bright, editor of the 
Baptist Register ; and others. 

Spencer Kellogg, long a leading merchant, was a native of Williams^ 
town, Mass., and settled in Utica in 1824, first with S. H. Reynolds, 
then with his son, Palmer V., 2 and later with other persons. Andrew S. 

1 Charles E., Horace and Harvey Barnard were sons of Harvey and succeeded to his business., 
in the wall paper trade. The first named was alderman two terms and in 187(1 was mayor of the 
city. He was also prominent in the volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Citizens Corps 
and a trustee of the Cemetery Association. He died May 4, 1888. Harvey Barnard was an active 
member of several civic associations and evinced a keen interest in municipal affairs. The only 
public office he held was supervisor, declining many other proffers of public station. He was a 
member of the old Columbian Artillery and of the Citizens Corps. His death took place Novem- 
ber 2, 18T3. 

2 Palmer V. Kellogg was a son of Spencer Kellogg, the merchant of 1S25, and in 1832 became a 
partner of his father. Ten years later he was associated with James Rockwell and still later with 
his son Charles C About 1853 he began the extensive manufacture of clothing, which was mostly 
sold in Chicago, in which business he had as partners John H. Prentiss and James K. Hitchcock. 
Mr. Kellogg and Prentiss went to Chicago in 1869. While in Utica Mr. Kellogg was somewhat 
prominent in Whig politics and held the offices of supervisor, sheriff and United States marshal. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 305 

Pond at about this time became associated with Ephraim Hart in the 
foundry business and later with Robert Higham in the Vulcan Works 
at West Utica. Others first noticed in 1825 are A. & S. Lightbody, 
leather dealers; Hastings & Co., grocers ; Matthew Codd, brewer; S. A.' 
Sibley, tinsmith ; N. F. & J. Vedder, and Peter McDougal, leather 
dealers. 

Alfred Churchill was a new- coming hotel keeper of 1827. He was 
at first an assistant and soon a partner of Moses Bagg, where he re- 
mained to 1836, at which time the hotel passed to a stock company of 
which Mr. Churchill was a member, and he continued to conduct it until 
his death, January 10, 1865. 

Thorn & Curtis now bought out Charles Morris in the forwarding 
business on Jay street, which continued to recent years. Other names 
of 1827 are Simon V. Oley, shoemaker; Abram Williams and Robert 
Latimore, merchant tailors ; William B. Gray, saddler ; J. McElwaine, 
livery ; Ransom Curtis, general merchant. 

Gardner Tracy came to Utica from Lansingburg, where he had been 
prominent in politics and conducted a paper. Here he began printing and 
bookselling. He was a man of high character and widely respected ; he 
died May 25, 1849, and was succeeded by his son George. Elisha A. 
Maynard was a printer of 1828, who was a partner with Mr. Dauby in 
the Observer, and the merchants of these closing years of the village 
existence were Cooper & Ellis, Cornelius Swartout, William W. Backus, 
John R. Ludlow, F. K Boughton & Co , John Latimore, Alfred Hunt 
(Stocking & Hunt), Benedict & Roby, Chauncey Rowe, William J. 
Buck (Dana & Buck), E. S. Comstock, Jonas Fay ; while among 
mechanics who were new-comers were Philo Curtis, Joseph D. Daniels, 
Ebenezer Leach, H. S. Bradley, Benjamin F. Brooks ; Richard Hunt- 
ington, silversmith; Noah White, 1 potter ; S. H. Addington, stoneware 
manufacturer; C. O. Nye, carpenter; Sylvester Doolittle, boat builder; 
Walton & Hardaway, saddlers; Morgan James, lastmaker; J. D. Ed- 
wards, painter; Z. & P. Lyon, E. W. Blake, merchant tailors ; John 

' Noah White and family settled in Utica in 1838. He was a potter by trade and with his son, 
Nicholas A., formed a business connection with Samuel H. Addington, who owned a pottery 
where the present West Utica Pottery now stands. Mr. White and his son soon bought out Mr. 
Addington and for nearly fifty years N. A. White was prominently connected with the works. 
In 1851 he was a member of the Common Council, in 1858 of the Board of Supervisors, and in 1873 
was elected to the Assembly. He died August 9, 1886 
39 



306 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hale, Isaac Bond, masons ; John Mairs, tinner ; Mulford R. Bond, shoe- 
maker and afterward grocer and hosemaker ; Benjamin Arnott, shoe- 
maker; John B. Harrington. 

Elisha M. Gilbert began about this time as a dry goods dealer and in 
1832 took up the leather business, at first with John Williams. He was 
prosperous and acquired wealth ; was a director in the Bank of Utica, 
and donated the chapel to the Westminster church. He died March 16, 
1868. Another leather dealer who now embarked in long continued 
business was Edward Curran, who was successful until his death, June 
27, 1858. 

Chauncey Palmer, a carpenter, settled in Utica in 1825, and was en- 
gaged as a builder for fifty-five years. He erected a part of Bagg's 
Hotel, the Herald building, the Dudley Triangle, the Globe Mills, and 
many important structures. With Lewis Lawrence he operated the 
planing mill put in motion by Philo C. Curtis and for thirty-five years 
had a foundry in connection with his carpenter shop. He died June 10, 
1884. Another prominent and esteemed carpenter was John J. Francis, 
whose parents were children of early Welsh settlers in Utica. 

William D. Hamlin, who probably first came to Utica in 1822, was a 
successful wagonmaker, a director and second vice-president of the 
Second National Bank and president of the water company. Moses T. 
Meeker was another coachmaker who afterwards dealt largely in iron 
and coal and acquired wealth. He died September 19, 1874. 

Joseph Shearman, nephew of Ebenezer Shearman, came to live with 
his uncle when fourteen years old, and about 1830 engaged in dry 
goods trade ; later he was a partner with his uncle and they remained 
together till 1 840, when both sold out and engaged in cotton manufac- 
ture at New Hartford, which the nephew continued until 1865 retaining 
his Utica residence. 

As merchants should be mentioned Sylvester Aylsworth, Haynes, 
Lord, C. Holgate, Ezra Dean, Oliver Obear, Herring & Whiting, 
Thomas Perkins, John Baxter, Leonard & White, and perhaps a few 
others who were in business when the village became a city.' 

1 Daniel Crouse, long a leading Utica merchant, was born in Montgomery county April 29, 1805. 
With his brother John he was in business in Canastota until 1853 and afterwards alone until 18(10, 
when he established a wholesale grocery in Utica, of which his son, D. N. Crouse, for a time had 
the management; this became one of the foremost houses of the kind in the city. He was a pro- 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 307 

The reader who has learned in the foregoing pages something of the 
personal characteristics and material achievements of so many of the 
fathers of Utica, will find in the two preceding chapters devoted to the 
legal and medical professions (as well as in Parts II and III) still further 
biographical notes of men who were conspicuous in Utica prior to 1832. 
It has been considered important to give liberally of space to these per- 
sonal records of early settlers, who with their descendants have made 
the city what it is, for it will be impracticable to follow in detail the 
records of later generations, except as they will necessarily appear in 
the further history of the city at large and its various institutions and 
industries. 

The principal officers of the village under the last two charters have 
been as follows; those under the first charter (1 798-1 805) having been 
lost with the records: 

1805 — Trustees, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, jr. , Nathan Williams, Francis A. Blood- 
good, Jerathmel Ballou, and Erastus Clark. Isaac Coe was chosen treasurer and 
Worden Hammond collector. Of these Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, jr., was elected 
president, and D. W. Childs, clerk. Talcott Camp was the retiring clerk. 

1806 — The foregoing officers all re-elected. 

1807 — The same, excepting the substitution of John Hooker for Francis A. Blood- 
good. Erastus Clark, president. 

1808 — Morris S. Miller, Jerathmel Ballou, John Hooker, Nathaniel Butler, and John 
Bellinger. Morris S. Miller, president. 

1809 — Talcott Camp, president ; Solomon Wolcott, John Hooker, Jerathmel Ballou, 
John Bellinger. 

1810— Talcott Camp, president ; John C. Hoyt, John C. Devereux, Rudolph Snyder, 
and Abraham M. Walton. 

1811— Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Talcott Camp, Frederick White, John C. Dever- 

gressive citizen, active in municipal affairs and director in the Second National Bank. He died 
September 38, 1877. 

James Dutton, a native of Lebanon, Conn., established a dry goods store in 1832, one year 
after his arrival in Utica. He was long in trade and was successful. He lived many years in 
New Hartford, was a member of the Presbyterian church and a respected citizen. 

Edward T. Manning, a native of Ireland, came to Utica in 1850 and eventually became one of 
the largest dry goods dealers in the city. Hugh Glenn became his partner April 1, 1879, and 
about a year later Mr. Manning retired to engage in real estate and insurance with Henry Hop- 
son. He died February 23, 1883. 

Thomas Hosmer Wood settled in Utica prior to 1837 and in that year was followed by his 
brother, George W. Wood. They engaged in the hardware trade and later were together in the 
operation of the City Furnace. George W. Wood was especially active in the First Presbyterian 
church. Thomas H., after the death of his brother, became the head of the firm of Wood, Roberts 
& Co., but after some years of business prosperity he retired and gave his time to the indulgence 
of his taste in cultivating and adorning his grounds, the promotion of the Art Association, the 
study of architecture and kindred occupations. He died in Paris, France, January 14, 1874. 



308 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

eux, and E. B. Shearman ; as treasurer John C. Hoyt in place of Mr. Shearman, thus 
exalted to a trusteeship. 

1812 — At the charter election held on the 15th of May, 1812, there were but four 
trustees elected on the first ballot, viz. : Talcott Camp, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, E. 
B. Shearman, and Morris S. Miller. Frederick White, of the former board, had left 
the village and Mr. Devereux was dropped for reason which we may surmise. Mr. 
Miller was, however, excused from serving and, on a fresh ballot for two, Bryan 
Johnson and Thomas Skinner were elected. Mr. Johnson also asked to be excused, 
when Arthur Breese was elected to the vacant place. 

1813 — Trustees, Talcott Camp, president; Moses Bagg, Montgomery Hunt, Seth 
Dwight, and Ebenezer B. Shearman. John C. Hoyt was the treasurer. 

1814 — Trustees, Talcott Camp, president; Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Nathan Will- 
iams, Killian Winne, and Samuel Stocking. J. C. Hoyt was continued treasurer and 
John H. Ostrom, clerk. 

1815 — Trustees, Abraham Van Santvoort, Augustus Hickox, Gurdon Burchard, 
Jason Parker, and William Geere. Mr. Van Santvoort was subsequently chosen 
president. 

1816 — Trustees, Rudolph Snyder, president; Ezra S. Cozier, Augustus Hickox, 
Gurdon Burchard, and William Geere. 

1817- — Under new charter. The first president appointed under this charter was 
Nathan Williams, and at the first election held under it there were chosen as trustees 
Ezra S. Cozier and William Williams from the First ward, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer 
and Abraham Van Santvoort from the Second ward, and Erastus Clark and John C. 
Hoyt from the Third ward. The assessors elected were Moses Bagg, David P. 
Hoyt, and Thomas Walker. Benjamin Walker was chosen supervisor and Ezra S. 
Barnum and Joshua Ostrom constables ; John H. Ostrom, clerk ; E. S. Barnum and 
Benjamin Ballou, collectors; Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, overseer of the poor; Judah 
Williams, treasurer; Frederick W. Potter, poundmaster; Benjamin Hinman, Aaron 
F/ggleston, and Jason Parker fence viewers; James Hooker, gauger; Benjamin 
Ballou, superintendent of highways. 

1818 — Trustees, First ward, Ezra S. Cozier and John E. Hinman; Second, Abra- 
ham Van Santvoort and Enos Brown ; Third, Rudolph Snyder and Marcus Hitch- 
cock. 

1819 — Ezra S. Cozier, William Williams, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, jr., David P. 
Hoyt, Gurdon Burchard, Rudolph Snyder, Wm. Alverson. 

1820 — Trustees, E. S. Cozier, John E. Hinman, James Hooker, Abraham Culver, 
Ezekiel Bacon, and Thomas Walker. Rudolph Snyder was appointed president by 
the State council on the resignation of Judge Williams. 

1821 — Ezra S. Cozier, president; Benjamin Ballou, jr., John Baxter (1st ward), 
James Hooker, John Handy (2d ward), Thomas Walker, David P. Hoyt (3d ward). 

1822 — Trustees, Benjamin Ballou, John Baxter, Ezekiei Bacon, Richard R. Lan- 
sing, Thomas Walker, and David P. Hoyt. Ezra S. Cozier was the president. 

1823 — Benjamin Ballou, James Hooker, Ezekiel Bacon, Daniel Stafford, Thomas 
Walker, Jesse W. Doolittle. John H. Ostrom, clerk. 

1824 — William Clarke, president; Benjamin Ballou, James Hooker, Ezekiel Bacon, 
James Lynch, Thomas Walker, Nicholas Smith. 




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THE CITY OF UTICA. 



309 



1825— Trustees, Benjamin Ballou, Riley Rogers, William H. Maynard, Charles 
Morris, Nicholas Smith, and John R. Ludlow. Capt. William Clarke remained the. 
president. John H. Ostrom was still clerk. 

1826— President, Ezra S. Cozier; trustees, John E. Hinman, Riley Rogers Abra- 
ham Culver, Amos Gay, Nicholas Smith, John R. Ludlow: assessors, Benjamin 
Ballou, John Bradish, David P. Hoyt; treasurer, Thomas Walker. 

1827— E. S. Cozier, president; trustees, John H. Ostrom, Augustine G. Dauby 
Abraham Culver, Thomas Colling, Amos Gay, Chester Griswold, Augustus Hurl- 
burt, Nicholas Devereux. 

1828— President, William Clarke; trustees, John H. Ostrom, James Piatt, Abra- 
ham Culver, Thomas Colling, Chester Griswold, Augustus Hurlburt, Nicholas Dev- 
ereux, R. R. Lansing. 

1829— President, Capt. William Clarke ; trustees, John Williams, R. B. Miller 
Abraham Culver, Thomas Colling, Andrew S. Pond, Sylvester Doolittle Robert 
McBride, Asahel Seward. 

1830— President, Ezra S. Cozier; trustees, John Williams, Chester Griswold 
Thomas Colling, Rudolph Snyder, Sylvester Doolittle, A. S. Pond, Robert McBride' 
R. B. Miller. John G. Floyd was clerk and attorney. 

1831— The last election as a village were as follows: President, Ezra S. Cozier- 
trustees, John Williams, E. S. Comstock, Thomas Colling, T. S. Faxton, A. S. Pond' 
Sylvester Doolittle, Rober McBride, R. B. Miller; assessors, Benjamin Ballou Zenas 
Wright, Augustus Hulburt, Adam Bowman; treasurer, Thomas Walker; clerk and 
attorney, John G. Floyd ; surveyor, John Fish. 

The act to incorporate the city of Utica was passed by the Legisla- 
ture February 13, 1832. The first section prescribes the bounds of\vhat 
shall hereafter be known as the city of Utica. These bounds are as 
follows : 

Beginning at a point on the south side of the Mohawk River where the division 
line between lots number 90 and 100 in Cosby's Manor strikes the said river- thence 
running southerly in the said division line to a point fifty chains southerly of the 
great road leading to Fort Stanwix; thence south 53° east to the easterly line of the 
county of Oneida; thence northerly in the said county line to the Mohawk River- 
thence westerly up the middle of the said river to the place of beginning. 

Subsequent sections of the act incorporate this district as a city ; divide 
it into four wards corresponding to the heart of the first four of the pres- ■ 
ent time ;- declare that its officers shall be a mayor, twelve aldermen 
(three for each ward), four justices of the peace, a clerk, a supervisor, a 
treasurer, an attorney, one or more collectors, four assessors, three con- 
stables, and authorize the appointment by the council of certain other 
officers ; name the first Tuesday in March as the date of the annual 
election ; declare that the aldermen shall be elected by the people and 
prescribe the mode of election and the qualification of the electors, one 



310 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of which vvas the possession of a freehold estate of the value of $250 
over and above all incumbrances ; that the mayor and other officers 
were to be elected by a vote of the council, who were to fix their com- 
pensation, excepting only that of the mayor, which was to be $250. 
Other acts related to the levying of taxes for the expenses of the city, 
which were placed at $8,000, but if this sum was found insufficient it 
was subject to increase on the consent or petition in writing of a ma- 
jority of the taxpayers; to the powers and duties of the council and 
the various officers, etc. 

The new Common Council met March 12, 1832. The names of the 
aldermen were as follows: Ephraim Hart, Rudolph Snyder, John Will- 
iams, Charles A. Mann, Ezra S. Barnum, Augustus Hurlburt, Robert 
McBride, Harvey Barnard, Chauncey Rowe, John A. Russ, John H. 
Ostrom, and Rutger B. Miller. The oath of office was taken and John 
H. Ostrom appointed clerk pro tern. A mayor was then elected by bal- 
lot, Joseph Kirkland being chosen the first mayor of Utica. Aldermen 
Hurlburt and Rowe were appointed a committee to wait on the mayor, 
who came in and took the official oath. Other officers were then bal- 
loted for with the following result : Clerk, Thomas Colling ; treasurer, 
Ezra S. Cozier; attorney, David Wager; street commissioner, John 
McElwaine; police constables, Samuel Hall, Thomas Parmelee ; sur- 
veyors, John Fish and E. O. Baily. Aldermen Hart and Mann were 
appointed a committee to procure a seal. Aldermen Mann, Snyder, and 
Ostrom and the mayor were made a committee to report a code of by- 
laws, police regulations, and rules for the government of the council. 
This committee reported accordingly and the report was accepted ; the 
new ordinances were read before the board at intervals during the en- 
suing few weeks and were finally adopted in April. Five watchmen 
were appointed, and in March Levi Ballou was chosen as beadle and a 
scavenger was appointed for each ward. 

On the 9th of April a committee was appointed to sell the free school 
lot on Catherine street and buy another suitable for common school and 
fire purposes; the lot was sold to John R. Bleecker for $300. On the 
15th of May it was resolved that the street commissioner be authorized 
to expend not to exceed $300 on repairing roads- Aldermen Miller, 
Hart, and Hurlburt were made a committee on the expediency of buy- 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 311 

ing a town clock. June 1st it was ordered that " two bells be rung for 
the accommodation of citizens "—Presbyterian and Episcopal 

In the first year of the city's history a demon of disease, the Asiatic 
cholera, swept over the country, ravaging cities especially and gen- 
erally following lines of navigation. Utica suffered in common with 
other large communities, but not with the severity of many sea and 
lake ports. At a meeting of the council June 18, 1832, the follow- 
ing was adopted : 

Whereas, The council has received information that the Asiatic cholera has 
recently appeared in Canada, and there being just grounds to fear that in a short 
tame it may reach this city, and the common council deeming it incumb 1 on hem 
o adopt such measures as maybe best adapted to prevenf the introdu tion and 
spread of such disease, therefore Qn ana 

Resolved, ThatDr s.Goodsell,' McCall, Coventry, Peckham, and McCraith be and 
they are appointed (with the council) as a Board of Health. That said Board are 
hereby authorized to make such regulations as they may deem expedient I even 
the introduction and spread of disease and to preserve the healt/of the inhalants 

_ Dr. Goodsell was made president of the board and through its effi- 
cient and t.mely action the mortality was materially reduced and suf- 
fering was greatly relieved A temporary hospital was erected in 
August near the old weigh lock east of the city, fifty bushels of lime 
were purchased for the use of the poor, and early in July a day of 
fasting and prayer was appointed. The quarantine limits on the west 
were fixed at Johnson's Basin, and on the east at Miller's basin A 
nuisance committee of two in each ward was appointed and Joseph 
Kirkland and Dr. Coventry were made a committee to publish daily 
the condtt.on of the health of the city. About the , S th of August 
Samuel Hall John Dickey, Chauncey Phelps, John Y. Pierce, John 
Cooper, and William Fay were designated to aid the Board of Health 
then -duty being to care for the removal of the sick and the burial of 
the dead. The last record of the minutes of the Board of Health is 
under date of August 13, but their labors did not cease at that time 
On September , 4 Dr. F. B. Wales, physician in the hospital, resigned 
and received resolutions of thanks for his laLors. At one period during 
the height of the epidemic the academy was used as a temporary hos 
p.tal. Great alarm existed and large numbers fled from the city some 
3,000 persons leaving for various points in the country. The n'umber 



312 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of deaths from August 12 to August 28 was 51 ; cases, 172. By Sep- 
tember 10 the deaths numbered 75 ; cases, 206. On September 11 the 
Board of Health announced that no further danger existed and people 
could safely return to the city if reasonable precautions were taken. 
September 25 the local papers published that " the city was never 
more healthy and not a case of cholera had occurred since its last 
issue." 

The following resolutions are both self-explanatory and significant: 

Whereas, Certain individuals now in our city are disturbing the peace of the 
good citizens thereof, by circulating sentiments which we deem demoralizing in 
themselves and little short of treason toward the government of our country. 

Resolved, That we, the common council of the city of Utica, regard the agitation 
of the question of Negro Slavery as it exists in the Southern States of this Republic 
to be highly inexpedient at the present juncture of our National affairs; and that it 
can only tend to keep alive the dying embers of internal discord, which we fondly 
hope and believe will soon be entirely extinguished if not disturbed by the zeal of 
misguided philanthropists. 

This is the first public expression in opposition to the work of 
Abolitionists in the city which we find, and will be further alluded to a 
little later on. 

The Utica and Schenectady Railroad was now before the public and 
subscription books were opened in Utica on June 17, 18, and 19, 1834, 
and the citizens took about $4,300,000 of the stock. On the last named 
day a committee was appointed to designate the city terminus of the 
road. The report stated that " it shall terminate on the square (so- 
called)." 

General prosperity had reigned since the opening of the Erie Canal, 
but the first influences of the approaching financial crisis of 1836—7 were 
now beginning to be felt. There was a need of more extensive banking 
facilities in the city and as early as 1834 it was stated in a local journal 
that " money was never more scarce and local banks were discounting 
no paper." 

The Young Men's Association of the City of Utica was founded in 
February, 1834, its chief objects being the mutual improvement of its 
members by establishing a reading-room, library, a society for debating, 
and courses of lectures. James Watson Williams was the first presi- 
dent ; Milton D. Parker and Henry R. Hart, vice-presidents ; William 
Tracy, corresponding secretary ; James Knox, recording secretary ; 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 3]3 

Ward Hunt, treasurer. For several years it had a vigorous life but 
internal discord and partisanship destroyed it, a result that was perhaps 
hastened by the founding of the Utica Mechanics' Association. 

September i ith a committee reported that a different method of pay- 
ing for pavements should be adopted and recommended heavier assess- 
ments on real estate. About this time the practice of borrowing money 
to meet current expenses, a practice that sooner or later seems to over- 
take all cities, began in Utica, when $3,000 were borrowed for that 
purpose. November 27 it was resolved that the city will furnish a jail 
lot if the supervisors of the county will erect a building. 

In the year 1833 Rev. J. N. Danforth, agent of the American Coloni- 
zat.on Society came to Utica and invited the public to meet him in the 
Dutch Reformed church on Broad street on the evening of December 21 
Several meetings were held between this date and January 10, 1834, and 
speeches were made to the following resolution : 

Resolved That the meeting deeply deplores the unfortunate condition of the colored 
S™! TT 7 aDd COmmendsto the -alous support of the philanthropist 
and the Christian the American Colonization Society, as the instrument under Provi- 
dence wh 1C h is best calculated to alleviate the condition of the free negro and secure 
the ultimate emancipation of the slave. 

The burden of the discussion fell chiefly upon Mr. Danforth and Rev 
Benah Green, then president of the Oneida Institute at Whitesboro 
though several others participated. It continued two weeks most of 
the meetings being held in the First Presbyterian church, which was 
regularly crowded. Much of the speaking was radical in the extreme 
and intense feeling was generated in the community. It was a period 
when abolition was agitated by only comparatively few, but those few 
were per SI stent in advocating their cause and unlicensed in their de- 
nunciation of slavery. The excitement caused by the subject in other 
communities had led to the introduction in the Utica council of the res- 
olution before quoted. On September 3, 1835, a public meeting was 
held in the court room of "the citizens of Utica who are opposed to the 
proceedings of the abolitionists," at which resolutions denunciatory of 
the ag.tators were adopted. Soon afterward the Utica Anti-slavery 
Society issued a call for a State convention to be held in the city Octo- 
ber 21, for the purpose of forming a State society. This proceeding 



314 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was opposed at another public meeting held September 3. The Com • 
mon Council did, however, grant by a vote of seven to four the request 
of the society to hold the convention in the court room. This was done 
October 16, and on the next day this action was denounced in a large 
public meeting, which adjourned to the 21st. On the 20th another 
meeting was held in the court room in behalf of free speech and the 
right of the people to peacefully assemble, while disavowing all sym- 
pathy with the Abolitionists. This meeting was considerably disturbed 
by intruders and was prematurely adjourned. Prominent among the 
opponents of the Abolitionists were many leading citizens without party 
distinction ; they sought only peace in the city and the preservation of 
the laws, fearing the city would become the theatre of violence and law- 
lessness which had already been witnessed in other places. The meet 
ing of the 21st was held for the avowed purpose of preventing the 
assembling of the convention in a building " erected by the voluntary 
contributions of the citizens for better and different purposes," as the 
resolution expressed it. Resolutions were adopted to the effect that 
agitation of the slavery question was mischievous and wrong; that the 
delegates to the proposed convention would be regarded only as in- 
truders, after they had been requested to stay away, and that if disorder 
and violence followed their coming, " upon them would rest the whole 
blame and responsibility." A committee was appointed of twenty-five 
members to go before the convention, report the proceedings of this 
meeting and respectfully urge the dissolution and departure of the con- 
vention. This was done and the committee returned and reported that 
they had found the convention assembled in the Bleecker street church, 
had read the resolutions before it, and that after a short delay the con- 
vention had adjourned. Following is the dispassionate account of what 
followed, from Dr. Bagg's history : 

The appearance of the committee was an incentive to whatever rowdy element was 
present in the church, as well as on the outside, to create a disturbance ; there was 
much noise, some threats of violence, hymn books and other missiles were tossed 
about, and some personal assaults, in one of which Spencer Kellogg's coat was torn 
from his back. Meanwhile an immense crowd gathered in the streets. While the 
committee were still in the church a sudden disturbance occurred on the borders 
of this crowd, and there was a swaying of the multitude toward Genesee 
street. This was caused by a lot of roughs who broke through the crowd with 
the ladder of one of the hook and ladder companies. The ladder was raised against 



THE CITY OF TJTTCA. 315 

the church and two men sprang up it. Then some one started hurriedly into the 
church, crowding his way as best he could, and informed the assemblage of the im- 
pending danger, and soon Charles A. Mann, then agent of Charles E. Dudley, of Al- 
bany, the owner of the building, came upon the porch of the church and asked the 
crowd to disperse, telling them that the building was private property. He begged 
of them to respect it and protect it from violence. The men on the ladder then came 
down. The excitement was intense and it was remarkable that a destructive riot 
did not follow. Strangers were denied admittance to all the taverns on the street 
and to many of the stores, or were indiscriminately hustled out into the rain, which 
had begun to fall. A cannon was brought out and fired as a signal of triumph, 
the abolition convention having adjourned. In the assemblage within the church 
was Gerrit Smith as a spectator. When the necessity of breaking up the convention 
became apparent he invited the people to go home with him, where they would find 
a warm welcome. About 400 accepted the invitation and the work of the convention 
was finished at Peterboro, 

The foregoing is a cool and dispassionate account of that event and is based upon 
what was given in a lecture on the history of the Bleecker street church, by Thomas 
W. Seward, an eye-witness of the proceedings at the church. 

On the 24th of June, 1836, the fire department was asked to recom- 
mend a suitable person for chief, and R. B. Miller was appointed, July 1. 
In the same month the engine on Division street was removed to Hotel 
street. On the 23d of September a committee was appointed to report 
" upon the expediency of paving Genesee street with wooden blocks." 

Cars now began running on the new railroad and were liberally 
•patronized. In August the Clinton House was demolished to clear the 
site for the Mechanics' Hall, and a contract for the erection of the new 
building was let to James McGregor. 

It is a noticeable fact that an unusual number of new streets were opened 
in 1836, which was, doubtless, one of the features of the speculative and 
inflated condition that had for some time been gaining ground through- 
out the country. Landowners laid out their property into lots and sales 
were active. On the 13th of January, 1837, a committee of five was ap- 
pointed to confer with a Deerfield committee upon the expediency of 
annexing a part of that town to the city. The report was favorable and 
was considered in a public meeting held in February. The annexation 
of a part of New York Mills was also agitated, both measures indicating 
the prevailing desire for extension. The tide was rising ; banks multi- 
plied in various parts of the country and their managers, with large re- 
sources within their reach, engaged heavily in real estate and other 
speculations, indulged extravagantly in luxuries, thus aiding in turning 



316 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the heads of the more conservative. Prices of land and goods were 
greatly inflated, money was plenty, easily obtained and as readily spent. 
Usurious rates of interest prevailed, as high as three to five per cent, a 
month being frequently paid, the apparent anomaly being caused by 
the fact that many were led into borrowing at enormous rates of interest 
in the hope that the use of the money thus obtained would yield them 
great profits. In this manner almost the entire community was drawn 
into the whirlpool of speculation and an era of financial frenzy followed. 
Tracts of land which even at this late day are not considered very de- 
sirable residence or business property, were mapped and sold over and 
over at constantly advancing figures, until the crash came. The mort- 
gage record in the county clerk's office reveals a long list given by one 
man as securities for the purchase of " lots" which in fact lie within the 
bounds of New Hartford or beyond the limits of Utica on the east. 
Some persons saw the oncoming storm and protected their holdings or 
sold them in time; but many were wholly bereft of judgment and clung 
to the impossible theory that money could be actually created by such 
operations, and were overwhelmed. The general crash was finally pre- 
cipitated by President Jackson's " specie circular," requiring all pay- 
ments for public lands that had been easily absorbed in the West, to be 
made in specie, and the withdrawal of deposits from the United States 
Bank. In Utica the general demand for a greater volume of circulating 
medium and larger banking facilities began several years before the 
speculative era, as before intimated, and manifested itself in repeated 
efforts to organize the Oneida Bank. When the day of general disaster 
arrived a meeting was called in Utica at which a resolution was adopted 
that a public meeting should be called at once to consider the question 
of the suspension of specie payments by the local banks. The meeting 
was held on the 16th of May, 1837. A resolution was adopted ex- 
pressing confidence in the banks and the belief that their notes would be 
paid. The suspension followed, as it had generally throughout the State. 
There was much ruin and distress, and many, especially among the 
young business men, were financially stranded. Flour sold in Utica at 
one time for $10.50 a barrel, higher by one dollar than the New York 
quotation, and for a few days there was not a barrel of it in the city. 
The force of the panic finally passed and early in 1838 the banks be- 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 317 

gan resumption. A local paper said on the 8th of May : " The banks 
of the city have for some time paid specie on all demands, and they 
issue their own notes without reserve." In that year the general bank- 
ing law was passed which exerted a powerful influence in restoring 
public confidence. Utica did not recover from the effects of the panic 
as rapidly as many places, but the reaction in the country at large in- 
augurated an era of prosperity in which the city shared. Mercantile 
operations improved, building progressed, and some new manufactures 
were projected. 

On the 31st of March, 1837, the city suffered from the most destruc- 
tive fire it had yet experienced. It broke out at 2 o'clock A. M. over 
the jewelry store of C. V. Brooks, on the east side of Genesee street 
north of Broad street, destroyed the whole block on Genesee street 
down to the square, every building on Broad street as far east as John, 
and all the buildings on the west side of John to the square, excepting 
the brick store of Thomas E. Clark, corner of Main and John, John E. 
Hinman's store on John, and the fire proof building of E. B. Shearman 
& Co., in rear of their Genesee street store. On the west side of Gen- 
essee street, every building was burned from the store of Stocking & 
Hunt down to Whitesboro street. The flames were finally checked a 
short distance up Whitesboro street. 

On the 24th of May, 1839, a company was organized called the Utica 
Fire Bucket Company No. 1, with sixty members, each of whom was 
required to furnish himself with two buckets to be kept at his residence. 
On the 26th of June of this year the committee on fire department was 
authorized to sell engine No. 7 and on the 12th of July were authorized 
to buy a new engine at not to exceed $800. In the following year the 
records show that the following fire companies were in existence: Clin- 
ton, Hardenbrocke, Fulton, Lafayette, Neptune, Mechanics, Mohawk, 
Eagle, Osceola, a hook and ladder company, and the bucket company. 
Alrick Hubbell was chief. Osceola company was organized in 1840. 
and was No. 9. and No. 7 was removed to the engine house in West 
Utica. 

From the treasurer's report for 1841—42, published in the spring of 
the latter year, it would appear that the expenses of the city were 
$11,734.96. 



318 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The close of the first decade of the history of Utica as a city found 
the place with a population of about 13,000 (it had 12,782 in 1840) and 
with evidences of general prosperity visible in all directions. But it 
was in debt, as most cities are, whether large or small. In February, 
1842, the Gazette said : 

Our city affairs are now in peculiar condition. Deeply in debt, with a revenue en- 
tirely inadequate to allow of a hope that it can ever be met from ordinary means, 
we need all the ingenuity and financial knowledge that can be possessed by one 
Board of Aldermen to devise some means of relief. 

The creation of political capital was perhaps the object of this para- 
graph, at least partially, for the debt was then less than $5,000, outside 
of bonds. The following statement shows the city indebtedness for the 
ten years succeeding its incorporation : 

1833, $1,366.17; 1834,52,316.54; 1835,82,500; 1836,82,292.05; 1837,83,492.86, 1838, 
$3,500; 1839, 83,600; 1840, 83,590; 1841, $1,592.64; 1842, $3,246.87; 1843, 84,458.24. 

In February, 1843, the council resolved that application should be 
made to the Legislature for a charter amendment authorizing the coun- 
cil to raise the annual sum of $10,000 for city expenses, or else for a 
special act under which a tax could be laid with which to pay off the 
city debt. On the 23d a public meeting was held at which it was re- 
solved to submit the whole question to a citizens' committee, who would 
report at a subsequent meeting; the committee appointed were E. A. 
Wetmore, Spencer Kellogg, Hiram Denio, Robert T. Hallock, Thomas 
Colling, Martin Hart, and Horatio Seymour. The result of this action 
was the recommendation that application be made to the Legislature 
for authority to borrow on bonds for three years $3,500 for the payment 
of liabilities exclusively. The same committee also recommended that 
future work on streets, bridges and roads and the street lighting be let 
on contract to the lowest bidder ; that the city watch be reduced in 
numbers, and that in future no appropriation be made except as au- 
thorized by the charter. Steps were taken in November of that year 
for the division of the Third and Fourth wards, the establishment of a 
recorder's court, and the election of a supervisor from each ward. These 
changes were made in the following year. An era of retrenchment and 
economy began. 

The history of the city from this time to the breaking out of the last 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 319 

war may be briefly told. The population in 1850 was 17,565 ; in 1855 
it reached 22,169, a period of unexampled growth ; and in i860 it was 
22,529. Institutions and industries had multiplied and the city had the 
reputation of being not only one of the most beautiful of the interior 
cities of this State, but also one whose future was among the brightest. 
In 1845 the place contained the following manufactories: Two grist 
mills, five iron works, one oil cloth factory, three tanneries, two brew- 
eries, one ashery, two saw mills, and had a total manufactured output 
of $236,811 in value. The plank road era was now inaugurated, as 
described in Chapter XVIII and added another element of prosperity 
to the city. 

At a special meeting of the council held January 21, 1844, a com- 
munication was received from E. H. Broadhead asking permission to 
procure legislation incorporating a water supply company for the city. 
This was granted and on March 21 a resolution was adopted urging the 
passage of the water bill. On March 31, 1848, the Utica Water Works 
were incorporated, with capital stock of not less than $30,000 nor more 
than $100,000. James Watson Williams, Nicholas Devereux, Alfred 
Munson, Andrew S. Pond, Charles A. Mann, Horatio Seymour, Silas 
D. Childs, Willard Crafts, and Thomas Hopper were the trustees. A 
gas company was also incorporated in that year. 

A local paper of June 30, 1847, said: 

Our city is beginning to feel sensibly the influence of the newly awakened spirit of 
enterprise which has induced the investment of a portion of the capital of her citi- 
zens in manufactures, in her present prosperity, and the prospect which is opening 
for her future advancement in wealth and population. 

In 1849 tne project of erecting a city hall was before the public, but 
was postponed temporarily. An arrangement was finally agreed upon 
under which the city should pay $24,000 and the county $1 2,000 and 
the supervisors took action accordingly. A bill passed Congress pro- 
viding that the United States should pay $12,000 for a perpetual lease 
of one third of the building, the former action of the supervisors having 
been found to be illegal. The question of site was settled in 185 1, 417 
votes being cast in favor of the one on the corner of Pearl and Genesee 
streets, against 173 for "the Thorn and Maynard lot" on Genesee 
street. The court house and jail were also erected in 185 1. Complaint 



320 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

having been made of a lack of school accommodations, a vote was taken 
in the charter election for and against new school houses, resulting in a 
very large majority in favor of six new school houses, costing nearly 
$20,000. 

It was detetmined early in 1852 that $10,000, the sum at that time 
being raised annually for city expenses, was wholly inadequate, and it 
was resolved to procure a change in the charter raising the amount to 
$15,000. Nothing was accomplished, however, in this direction until 
1853, when the amount was raised to $12,000. Agitation began in 
1853 of the project of building what became the Utica and Black River 
Railroad. 1 The first organization of the company was effected at a 
meeting at Bagg's Hotel on the 25th of January. 

In March of this year there were two incendiary fires, and two men 
were arrested for the crime. Evidence developed the fact that there 
was in the city a regularly organized gang of conspirators who had 
habitually started fires in such places as they fancied would enable them 
to escape detection. They met in saloons and on street corners and 
coolly discussed where and when they should next burn a building. 
This remarkable state of affairs attracted attention throughout the State, 
and led to a more liberal equipment and rigid discipline of the fire de- 
partment which had then recently been placed on a paid basis. 

The year 1854 witnessed a special election on August 17 at which 
135 votes in favor and 100 against the project of erecting a city hospital 
and workhouse near the corner of Mohawk and South streets were cast, 
and the extension of the city limits on the west by the width of one 
great lot and on the south by upwards of a mile. The city was then to 
be divided into six wards with two aldermen from each. 

The city was now growing fast and also getting deeper in debt. On 
the 9th of November the mayor invited the taxpayers to meet him at 
the court house on the 13th to consider the condition of the city treas- 
ury and the propriety of disbanding the existing fire department. At 
the meeting the mayor stated the purpose of the meeting and said that 

1 James S. Lynch was born in New York April 3, 1833, and came to Utica in 1639. He resided 
here with the exception of about nine years until his death, April 3, 1889. Employed most of the 
time in the Ontario Bank as clerk, teller, and cashier. He was also made treasurer of the 
Black River Railroad. In 1850 and 1853 he was a member of the council and in 1856 a presidential 
elector. 




^k) /fcO/Jj 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 321 

" the seeming conclusion has been reached that the whole burden [of 
taxation] had been induced by the weakness or wickedness of your pub- 
lic servants." After presenting several items of expense that must be 
met and long discussion, a committee of five was appointed to take the 
whole subject in hand and report at a future meeting. The report, 
made January 16, 1856, showed the total indebtedness including the 
Black River Railroad bonds, to be $304,047.60, and it was estimated 
that $6,328 would be needed to take the city through the fiscal year. 
The report continued that if the suggestions of the committee were fol- 
lowed they believed that the ordinary annual expenses would not ex- 
ceed $16,000. The tax levy of 1855 was almost $50,000, the great 
increase of the few preceding years having been caused by the exten- 
sion of school facilities, and building the city hall and the hospital. 
After making various recommendations for charter amendments the 
committee and meeting adjourned to January 21, when a public meet- 
ing was held and the proposed amendments were voted upon, nearly 
all of them favorably. The principal changes were, the raising of $6,300 
and $1,000 for a hose depot at once ; the mayor to have the appoint- 
ment of the commissioner, surveyor, watch, and police constables; to 
abolish the office of marshal ; to have only one official paper ; making 
the treasurer's salary $600 ; appropriating $4,000 for the City Hospital ; 
granting more power in the opening of streets; and dividing the city 
into school districts of 100 scholars each. All of these changes and 
other minor ones were soon embodied in charter amendments. 

At the first meeting of the new council of 1857, when the resolution 
was offered to determine which bank should receive the treasurer's de- 
posits, under the charter amendment, the resolution was laid on the 
table. At the next meeting it was called up, but the announcement 
was made that this particular amendment was no longer in force, a bill 
repealing it and restoring the treasurer's former salary of $800 having 
been passed and signed that day. When these proceedings became 
known there was intense excitement. A citizens' meeting was called, 
but before the hour set for it, the cheap political device of filling the 
room with partisans was resorted to and the organization of the meet- 
ing was captured.. A gathering of the indignant citizens was then 
held at Mechanics Hall, where a police guard was established, At this 

41 



322 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

meeting the mayor presided, assisted by every living ex mayor as 
vice-presidents. Speeches were made by many prominent citizens, a 
resolution was adopted for the restoration of the repealed amendment, 
and a committee appointed to attend to it. The section was restored 
to the charter in 1858. 

In 1857 the memorable financial panic overwhelmed the country. 
Utica was then a thriving and prosperous city and her citizens shared 
in the general feeling of independence and over- confidence in the 
future which was universal. The surrounding country had reached 
an advanced condition ; the farmers had largely paid for their lands ; 
plank roads had been built in many directions to the doors of farm 
houses and over them were easily drawn the products that were ex- 
changed for cash in the city. The tide of prosperity brought its own 
destruction ; business of all kinds was excessively overdone ; railroads 
and other large undertakings were projected in all parts of the coun- 
try ; the banks in many of the States inflated the currency beyond 
necessity or prudence, and a crash followed. In the fall of this year 
specie payment was suspended in New York city, which was followed by 
similar action by local banks. Money had never before been so scarce, 
and no paper was so good as to secure discount. . The Ontario Bank 
and the Bank of Central New York failed, causing much ruin and 
distress. The hard times continued through 1858—9, and the Common 
Council appointed a committee to take action for the relief of the poor. 

The year i860 found the city again with a large current indebted- 
ness. In his inaugural of 1861 Mayor Grove expressed himself very 
forcibly upon the importance of keeping expenses within the amount 
authorized. The debt was $12,000, for which there were no resources, 
and something had to be done. To prevent a recurrence of such a 
state of affairs in future the following iron clad proviso was incorporated 
in the charter, and so remains to the present time : 

Sec. 3 of Chapter 24, Laws of 1861 In case any alderman of the said city shall 
vote for any appropriation or for the expenditure of any moneys not authorized by 
the charter of said city or by some law, or in violation of any of the provisions of 
law, every such alderman shall be liable to a penalty of §100, to be sued for and re- 
covered in any court with costs, by and in the name of any citizen of said city. And 
in case the common council of said city shall contract any debts after the first Tues- 
day of March in any year and before the first Tuesday of March thereafter, which 
shall remain unpaid for one month after the last mentioned day for want of sufficient 



THE CITY OF TJTICA. 323 

funds in the treasury to pay the same, or in case the common council shall authorize 
any expenditure for any purpose in such year, exceeding the amount which the said 
council are authorized by law to raise for such purpose, the aldermen voting for the 
contracting any such debt or to authorize any such expenditure shall be personally 
liable to each and every party entitled to payment ; the city of Utica shall not be 
liable to pay the same, nor shall the common council credit or pay any debt so con- 
tracted or expenditure so made. 

And now the cloud which was to envelop the country in civil war 
could be seen upon the horizon, " no bigger than a man's hand." The 
events which took place in Oneida county during the great struggle for 
the maintenance of the Union have been given in detail in their proper 
place in the chapters of county history earlier in this volume. As far 
as relates to the city, it responded ardently and promptly in every in- 
stance to the calls of the government for men and means for the 
prosecution of the war, and the streets were constant scenes of military 
activity. A meeting was called for February i, 1 86 1, of all " who be- 
lieve a real and substantial difficulty exists in the administration of the 
Federal government," The meeting was held with Ward Hunt in the 
chair, and speeches were made by John F. Seymour, C. H. Doolittle, 
Hiram Denio, Ward Hunt, Roscoe Conkling, E. H. Roberts and others, 
and a series of resolutions was adopted pledging support to the gov- 
ernment. President Lincoln passed through the city on the 18th of 
February, and made a brief address from the car platform, to which 
Mr. Hunt responded. 

During the war public improvement was largely abandoned. Every 
energy of the people was turned into military channels to promote the 
enlistments necessary to fill the quotas under the various calls for 
troops. Changes were made in the police force through charter amend- 
ments in 1 860-6 1, and provision made for wiping out the floating debt. 
In March, 1862, the salaries of the new police force were fixed at $40 
per month for the chief and his assistants, and $35 for the members. 

In 1862 the former State Armory was completed on the old market lot, 
which had previously been deeded to the State for the purpose. The 
corner stone of the present new armory was laid in 1893 and the build- 
ing was finished in December, 1895. The site cost $28,000, the build- 
ing $50,000, and the county expended about $10,000 more in furnish- 
ing, etc. In May, 1864, the first steam fire engine was introduced, and 



324 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the act creating the Utica Police Commission was passed April 17, 1866; 
the first police commissioners were Hawley E. Heath, Joseph Shearman, 
William N. Weaver, and William W. Long. In the same year the 
amount authorized to be raised annually for city expenses was raised to 
$25,000, and $15,000 was raised for the fire department, of which $7,250 
was for two new steamers, and $6,000 for 3,000 feet of hose At about 
the same time the city was bonded $500,000 in aid of the Utica, Che- 
nango and Susquehanna Valley Railroad. 

It was a period of great prosperity. The war was over, money was 
plenty, and public improvements and extensions, as we have seen, were 
prodigally inaugurated. A local paper gave the following sums that 
were expended in the several wards for buildings in 1867* First ward, 
$134,500; Second, $52,300; Third, $795,600; Fourth, $538,300; 
Fifth, $147,500; Sixth, $65,400; Seventh, $222,450. Building opera- 
tions continued several years with great activity and it was believed 
that the future of the city was brighter than ever before. In the Her- 
ald of January, 1869, was published a list of buildings just finished or in 
course of erection to the value of more than $750,000. The population 
was nearly 30,000. To improve the water supply, the company agreed 
to lay twelve miles of mains in 1868 and build a new reservoir of 50,- 
000,000 gallons capacity, and the city, agreed to pay $10,000 annually 
for its supply. 

The year 1870 was marked by various important amendments to the 
charter, changes in the fire department, and the creation of additional 
wards in the city. The Eighth ward was taken from the Fifth and the 
Seventh and the Sixth was divided, creating the Ninth. The proposed 
charter amendments were placed before a committee in January com- 
posed of one from each ward, consisting of Francis Kernan, A. S. John- 
son, P. V. Kellogg, De Witt C. Grove, E. H. Roberts, T. J. Spriggs, 
W. J. Bacon, and D. P. White. The amendments may thus be sum- 
marized : 

To give the recorder power to tr}' violations of the city ordinances ; providing that 
only a synopsis of the reports of city treasurers be published in the newspapers ; 
giving the council power to appoint the city attorney and the overseer of the poor, 
and making the term of the city clerk three years ; (only the last of these provisions 
was adopted;) organizing anew Board of Health with the mayor as president; rais- 
ing the amount of the city fund to $40,000; providing for more prompt payments of 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 325 

funds by the collectors to the treasurer ; giving the council power to appoint police- 
men, making the strength of the force twenty, and giving the mayor power to dis- 
miss members for cause; compelling the street railroad companies to do certain pav- 
ing along their lines ; giving the council power to open new streets without reference 
to the location of buildings on the line ; giving the council power to enforce the 
proper connection to be made with sewers and gas and water pipes ; divesting the 
council of power to order a pavement to which two-thirds of the poperty owners 
along its line object (which is still the law); ordering the council to raise annually 
not less than §15,000 nor more than $25,000 with which to redeem the bonds in aid 
of Utica and Black River Railroad Company; and a few other minor changes. 
These were, in many respects, radical alterations, and generally served a good pur- 
pose in the government of the city. 

There had been opposition to the police commission ever since its 
organization and efforts were made to abolish it. A resolution to this 
end was offered in the council this year which raised a storm in the 
board, and at the next meeting, March 23, "a special meeting," twenty 
policemen were appointed with John Baxter chief and John R. Healy, 
assistant. This proceeding'was decided illegal by the mayor and city 
attorney, requisite notice not having been given to the members of the 
board. The majority of the aldermen met in the Mansion House, while 
the mayor and the minority gathered at the regular place and sent first 
messages and then officers commanding the aldermen to attend the 
meeting. This was not heeded. The chief of police was then directed 
to place the room in the Mansion House in a state of siege. At eleven 
o'clock the landlord sent for the sheriff to protect his guests. The re- 
corder soon appeared and ordered the besiegers to disperse. By this 
time the mayor and others had reached the hotel and they refused 
to obey the recorder, who departed to obtain a warrant for their ar- 
rest. At 12:30 the sheriff arrested the chief of police and officers G. 
W. Miller, G. W. Keating, and Thomas Higginson and took them to 
the recorder's office. The ground was taken by the mayor and his ad- 
herents that, although they were in the minority, they could compel the 
majority to act ; the recorder shared in this opinion. The majority 
finally went to the council room where they promptly carried a motion 
to adjourn. The record of these proceedings was expunged at the 
next meeting, April 1, and the former action making police appoint- 
ments was reaffirmed and the number of the force raised to twenty- 
four. 



326 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A similar struggle was soon enacted over the fire department, grow- 
ing out of an effort on the part of Mayor McOuade and his friends to 
place the department on a paid basis. Early in May the department 
disbanded and made a farewell parade. On the 20th a commission was 
appointed to report on a new organization. Nothing was accomplished 
and during the entire summer various committees attempted to reor- 
ganize the department on an acceptable basis, but failed,' and in Octo- 
ber companies were formed substantially on the volunteer plan. 

In February, 1872, measures were adopted for a better water supply. 
Three propositions were submitted by the company, under one of which 
the city was to pay the company $100,000 as it might be needed by 
them, and the company would then build a new and ample reservoir 
and at the same time reduce the annual charge to the city to $5,000. 
This proposal was accepted, and Francis Kernan, Ward Hunt, and 
Ephraim Chamberlain were appointed to procure the necessary legisla- 
tion. 

In 1873 the site of the U. S. Government Building was selected on 
Broad street, where it was afterwards erected, and in the latter part of 
the year measures were adopted under which ihe new jail was built on 
Bleecker street. In February, 1874, Chief Engineer Wesley Dimbleby 
was removed from office, whereupon four of the five fire companies re- 
fused to serve longer. This resulted in March in the disbandment of 
Rescue, Tiger, Friendship, Neptune, Washington, Franklin, and Rough 
and Ready companies, which joined in another farewell parade. On 
March 28 their resignations were accepted by the council and a tem- 
porary new organization was made. May 7 the Board of Fire and 
Police Commissioners met and reappointed Mr. Dimbleby chief and on 
the 28th the department was placed on a paid basis and has so remained. 
In June the new police force was organized. 

An ineffectual attempt was made in January, 1875, to secure a repeal 
of the act establishing the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and 
soon afterwards a bill was drawn and submitted to popular vote placing 
the control of these departments in the council. The mayor and clerk 
failed to give proper notice of this meeting, and it was meagrely at- 
tended by a few leading citizens and non-tax payers, who voted to ap- 
prove the measure. In November charges were brought before the 




- 




U4^0 



THE CITY OP UTIOA. 327 

mayor against the Fire and Police Commissioners relating to misappro- 
priating of funds, selling city property and general unfitness for office. 
The result passed into history as " The Famous Investigation." In 
October, 1876, the mayor called attention to the condition of the station- 
house and recommended the building of a new one on land owned by 
the city, corner of Pearl and Washington streets. The building was 
erected in the following year. 

The last twenty years of the city's history needs only a summary in 
this place, as the details of its progress are largely embodied in subse- 
quent pages. Some of the more important charter amendments of this 
period were One of 1883, authorizing the Police Board to appoint 
twenty-five policemen ; in lieu of a Recorder's Court there was estab- 
lished in 1882 a City Court having civil and criminal jurisidiction, and 
the number of justices of the peace was reduced to two ; the term of the 
treasurer was made two years and he was required to have an office in 
the City Hall. In 1886 the fund for Police and Fire Departments was 
increased to not exceeding $60,000. In 1889 the paving fund, which 
at first was placed at $20,000 and afterwards increased to $35,000 was 
raised to $50,000. From this fund was to be paid one- third of the cost 
of paving, the remaining two-thirds to be paid by property owners on 
the streets improved. 

In 1890 a change in the charter made the mayor's term of office two 
years instead of one, required him to keep his office in the City Hall 
and provide a clerk, and largely increased his powers and responsibili- 
ties in various minor matters. A later act gave the aldermen $300 each, 
annually. Other important legislation of the period authorized the 
building of an engine house on Washington street for a chemical, the 
borrowing of $36,000 for constructing an iron viaduct over Ballou's 
Creek on Rutger street, and granting permission to the Baxter Tele- 
graph & Telephone Company to erect poles and wires in the city. This 
company was soon superseded by the Central New York Telephone 
Company Another charter amendment extended the northern bounds 
of the city by taking in a strip of land from Deerfield of nearly half a 
mile in width, reaching from opposite the western point of the original 
city line to a point some distance north of the northern point of Hub- 
bell's bend in the river. 



328 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The past decade has seen the development of an extended street 
railroad system. In 1886 the Utica Belt Line Railroad Company was 
organized and immediately began the construction of a new system 
extending to all important parts of the city. In December of the same 
year the company leased from the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton Rail- 
road Company its line to Hartford and the New Hartford and Whites- 
boro line to the latter village. This was followed by the extension of 
the latter line to New York Mills. In the same year the company ob- 
tained a franchise to lay the South street and Blandina and the West 
Belt lines. This system embraced twenty-three miles of track. In 
August, 1889, steps were taken resulting in the introduction of electric- 
ity as a motive power. 

In 1883 the Government Building was finished, which cost $484,000 
and about the same time the handsome and costly structure of the Young 
Men's Christian Association was erected. 

The observant reader of the foregoing pages will not fail to notice that 
the city of Utica is now passing through an era of advancement and 
progress in various directions never before experienced. Manufactur- 
ing operations, which supply much of the business life-blood of commu- 
nities, have been considerably extended ; large tracts of beautifully situ- 
ated land in the suburbs have been opened up and improved for resident 
districts of the better class; electric lighting throughout the city, the 
construction of ample sewers and the many other improvements, which 
contribute to the modern thriving community, have all received the active 
attention of the various administrations and of leading citizens gen- 
erally. 

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 

Churches — The existence of what was known as the " United Society 
of Whitestown and Old Fort Schuyler" down to the year 1 801 has al- 
ready been described. The next church to which attention must be 
given is Trinity, which dates from 1798. This parish was named " The 
Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, Utica," and for a 
time was under charge of Rev. Philander Chase, its founder. After a 
brief period and when the Presbyterian minister of Whitesboro had been 
engaged to hold regular church services, the meetings of the Episco- 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 329 

palians were discontinued and the society seemed to have slumbered 
until 1803, when a reorganization was effected as described further on. 
By this date the membership of the United Society, before mentioned, 
had increased to twenty, and the congregation was incorporated Novem- 
ber 15, 1805, with the following trustees: Jeremiah Van Renssaleer, 
Erastus Clark, Talcott Camp, Apollos Cooper, Benjamin Ballou, jr., 
Benjamin Plant, John C. Hoyt, Nathaniel Butler and Solomon P. Good- 
rich. On the 5th of January, 1805, Rev. James Carnahan was or- 
dained pastor of the United churches. His place of worship in Utica 
was at first in the school house on Main street and then in the new 
Trinity edifice until the society built its own church. On February 3, 
1 8 13, the United church was divided, fifty-seven of its members with 
two elders, being constituted a new church with the title of the First 
Utica Presbyterian Society. On the following day Rev. Henry Dwight, 
who had temporarily supplied the pulpits in both Utica and Whitesboro, 
was installed pastor of the Utica society. About six weeks later Rev. 
John Frost was installed over the Whitesboro church, thus establishing 
the independence of the two societies. The first church building was 
erected on a lot donated by John Bellinger, corner Washington and 
Liberty streets, and was finished in the summer of 1807. To accom- 
modate the growing membership the building was elongated in 1815. 
In 1 82 1 a session room was built on Hotel street, which was also used 
for the Sunday school ; a second story was added to this building four 
years later. Rev. Samuel C. Aiken who was installed pastor February 
4, 1 8 18, in 1824 was given an assistant in the person of Rev. S W. 
Brace. For a time he preached alternately with the regular pastor and 
then in the session room, where a new society was formed May 6, 1824, 
as described further on. A few months later it was determined by the 
mother church to erect a new edifice. For this purpose liberal subscrip- 
scriptions were obtained and in the summer of 1826 the foundations 
were laid twelve feet north of the old one for a brick building 72 by 106 
feet with a steeple 208 feet high ; session and Sunday school rooms were 
provided in the basement. This beautiful church stood until January 
13, 185 1, when it was burned in an incendiary fire. A new and a still 
more beautiful structure was promptly erected on the corner of Wash- 
ington and Columbia streets, and dedicated October 19, 1852. With 



330 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

extensions made to the chapel and the Sunday school room and addi- 
tions of a church parlor, kitchen and pastor's study, the edifice is still in 
use. Three of the Utica churches are offshoots from this one, and four 
others now extinct also sprang from it. The first Sunday school west of 
Albany was organized by five young ladies of this society. In Decem- 
ber, 1890, the session established a mission Sabbath school in the west- 
ern part of the city, known as the Highlands Mission, since organized 
into the Highlands Presbyterian church. 

The Second Presbyterian church, before mentioned, was organized 
with twenty-seven members on May 6, 1824. Near the close of that 
year Rev. Samuel W. Brace was established pastor. In the spring of 
1825 steps were taken for the erection of the building, the contract for 
which was given to Samuel Farwell. The building was completed in 
the summer of 1826, was dedicated August 24, and was first known as 
the Bleecker Street Presbyterian. After a number of years of financial 
struggle a memorable revival took place in 1838. The society was dis- 
solved as a Presbyterian organization in 1840. After the abandonment 
of the church edifice, it was used for a short time by a Congregational 
society. It became the property of Charles E. Dudley of Albany and 
was then vacant- until September, 1843, when it was hired by Rev. 
Joshua H. Mcllvane. He soon gathered about him a congregation, 
started a Sunday school, and within three months after its organization 
the church was self-sustaining. On July 23, 1844, sixty- one persons 
organized the Westminster society and Mr. Mcllvane was installed as 
pastor. Soon after this the church owned by the Universalist society on 
Devereux street was purchased and occupied. After being consider- 
ably improved it was a few years later destroyed by fire. In 1855 the 
present beautiful edifice at the head of Washington street was finished 
and occupied. Westminster is the parent of two other societies in Utica, 
Bethany and Olivet. The former is an outgrowth of the first Sunday 
school organized in East Utica, where a lot on the corner of Albany and 
Lansing streets was donated by Mrs. Harriet C. Wood ; there a frame 
church was built in 1869 by Mrs. Sarah A. Gilbert and her three daugh- 
ters. The Olivet Sunday school was established February 27, 1876, by 
workers in the Westminster society, and a chapel was built near the 
corner of Square and Miller streets, which was opened on June 11 of 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 331 

that year. On April 26, 1887, Rev. F. W. Townsend was installed 
pastor. In August of that year a lot was bought on Howard avenue 
and on September 15, 1889, the corner stone of the present stone 
structure was laid. The building was dedicated April 12, 1891. 

The Memorial Presbyterian church at West Utica was organized 
February 10, 1868, and was the Outgrowth of a Sabbath school which 
had been maintained there since 1848. A chapel was erected on Court 
street and dedicated December 15, 1867. Rev. J. W. Whitfield, who 
had acted as missionary of the school, was installed pastor. In 1883 a 
lot adjoining the chapel was purchased and there Theodore S. Sayre 
erected the present beautiful church as a memorial to his father. It 
was dedicated January 25, 1884. 

The Elizabeth Street Presbyterian mission (colored) was organized 
under the auspices of the First Presbyterian church. In 1869 a chape) 
was built at 23 Elizabeth street, which was called Hope chapel. Ser- 
vices were regularly held by the colored people and the general direction 
of the church affairs remains with the First church. 

The Bethesda Congregational church was organized on the 1st of 
January, 1 802, as a Congregational or independent church by the Welsh 
families of the vicinity. It has ever since had an uninterrupted exist- 
ence. The first minister was Rev. Daniel Morris, who came from Phil- 
adelphia early in 1803 In 1804 a small frame house was built on the 
corner of Washington and Whitesboro streets. In 1865 a portion of 
the congregation withdrew and established a church of their own, which 
was called the Second Congregational. They purchased the old Grace 
church on Columbia street, and called Rev. James Griffiths to the pas- 
torate. In 1 87 1 the two societies reunited and built a new brick edifice 
at 108 Washington street at the some time taking the name Bethesda. 

Plymouth Congregational church was organized September 18, 1883, 
as a result of the previous labors of Rev. Edward Taylor, D. D., of 
Binghamton. Services were temporarily held in the Council chamber 
and in Dobson's Hall, Oneida Square, until 1884, when the society pur- 
chased a residence property, on Plant street, near State, which included 
a frame cottage and a brick dwelling. On that lot a wood chapel was 
erected and first occupied in January, 1885. 

The Reformed Protestant (Dutch) church in Utica resulted from 



332 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

evangelical labors of John P. Spinner, of Fort Herkimer, in 1801, and 
of Rev. Mr. Labagh who visited the field about 1820. Services were 
held by these men in private rooms, in the Baptist church, in the old 
Methodist church and in Washington Hall until about 1828, when Rev. 
John F. Schermerhorn came to the field and in June, 1830, the Broad 
Street church was finished. On October 26, 1830, the Reformed Dutch 
Protestant church was organized. In 1863— 187 1, a new church was 
erected on the corner of Genesee and Cornelia streets. Rev. Isaac S. 
Hartlee, D. D., was pastor from November, i87i,to September, 1889, 
and during that time the church was burned and rebuilt. 

Trinity church (Episcopal), organized as already mentioned in 1798, 
was imperfectly maintained by lay reading for about five years, and it 
was not until 1803 that steps were taken toward building a church edi- 
fice. In that year John R. Bleecker, of Albany, in fulfillment of a 
promise to the religious society who should first undertake the erection 
of a church, gave the society a lot on the corner of Broad and First 
streets. When about $2,000 had been subscribed the building was 
commenced, but it was 1806 before it was so far completed as to be 
consecrated. It was finished in December, 18 10. The first officers of 
the church were Abraham Walton and Nathan Williams, wardens ; 
William Inman, Charles Walton, John Smith, Benjamin Walker, Samuel 
Hooker, Aylmer Johnson, James Hopper and Edward Smith, vestry- 
men. The first pastor was Rev. Jonathan Judd, who preached from 
1804 to 1806 alternately here and at Paris Hill. The first regular rec- 
tor was Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, 1806 to 18 18. Through the influence 
of Col. Benjamin Walker the Countess of Bath, England, in 1808 gave 
the church 265 acres of land in Eaton, Madison county. It was not of 
much benefit to the church and was sold for a small sum in 181 5 ; at 
about the same time Trinity Church,. N. Y., gave the society four lots 
in New York city, the income of which has been of great benefit. In 
1833 the edifice was lengthened twenty feet by extending the front and 
rebuilding the tower. 

Grace church (Episcopal), incorporated May 21, 1838, was originally 
a portion of Trinity parish. Rev. Albert C. Patterson was chosen rec- 
tor in April, 1839. A lot was leased on the corner of Broadway and 
Columbia streets for ten years and there a church was built, which was 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 333 

opened in August, 1839. Between 1850 and i860 the present church 
site was purchased and a new church erected ; the tower was not com- 
pleted until 1870 and the spire in 1875. The latter was erected by the 
late Mrs. James Watson Williams as a memorial to her father and her 
husband. The late Alfred Munson gave $10,000 toward the purchase 
of the lot and $5,000 toward building the church. The entire cost of 
the edifice was $120,000. Between 1884 and 1888 a vestry, choir and 
Bible class room and a study were erected adjoining the church, and 
in 1890 a new and beautiful chancel was substituted for the old one ; all 
these were gifts of the late Mrs. Williams. 

Calvary Episcopal church began its corporate existence December 
15, 1850, as a result of the services of Rev. Beardsley Northrup, in a 
small school house corner West and Eagle streets. The lot on which 
the old church now stands was secured and there the first church was 
erected and twice enlarged. At a later date the lot on South street op- 
posite the old church was purchased as a proposed site for a new 
church. This plan was abandoned and the property was sold in 1869 
and a site on the corner of Howard avenue and South street was pur- 
chased. There the new church was built and finished in the fall of 
1872. The church was consecrated January 18, 1884. 

St. George's church (Episcopal) was authorized by Bishop De 
Lancey and the diocese in 1862 to replace the former parish of St. 
Paul's, organized in 1849 an d allowed to die out. The corner stone 
of the church was laid May 5, 1862, on State street near Cottage. The 
church was consecrated June 7, 1864. 

St. Luke's Memorial church (Episcopal) began as a mission of Grace 
church in 1869 in a room of St. Luke's Home for Aged Women. In 
the following year a lot adjoining the Home was donated by Truman 
K. Butler and there a handsome stone church was erected and con- 
secrated October 18, 1876. The church rectory, 192 Columbia street, 
was purchased in 1886. 

In 1 871 the late Evan R. Goodwin and the late Philip Herbert in- 
augurated a movement for the establishment of Episcopal services in 
East Utica. Services were held in a private room, the worshipers 
taking the name of The Mission of the Good Shepherd, and later the 
Memorial Church of the Holy Cross. Rev. Edward Z. Lewis was the 



334 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

first pastor, continuing until his death in 1874. A frame building was 
erected on Mohawk street, which was afterwards moved to the lot pur- 
chased on Bleecker street and enlarged. On October 9, 1890, the 
corner stone of the new stone church on Bleecker street was laid by 
the Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington. 

Methodist services were held in the little village of Utica from the 
time the first sermon was preached by Freeborn Garrettson in 1792. 
At first the members of this faith were attached to a class which met 
in a small church on the road to New Hartford. In 1808 Solomon 
Bronson, a man of influence living near that church, was converted 
and began holding meetings in Utica in a building back of the line 
of Genesee street, which was used as a school house. About the 
same time, 1808, Rudolph Snyder built for the society a small one- 
story house of worship beside the shop of his brother Jacob, which 
stood on the corner of Elizabeth street. This was occupied about six 
years. In 1815 Utica was made a station in the recently formed 
Oneida district of the Genesee Conference. Rev. Benjamin G. Pad- 
dock was appointed preacher and a powerful revival followed. The 
society was now incorporated under the title of the First Methodist 
Episcopal church in Utica. A brick church was built on the north side 
of Main street, a little west of Ballou's Creek, which was dedicated 
August 16, 1816. In 1825 the chapel on Bleecker street was built and 
dedicated February 22, 1827. In 1832, a class having existed in West 
Utica for some time, a church was erected. The class was considered 
as a part of the Bleecker street society, and owing to embarrassments 
the property was eventually sold. In 1847 a new society was formed 
in West Utica under the name of the State Street Methodist Episcopal 
church. By the burning of the State Street church, February 3, 1867, 
a consolidation of the Bleecker Street and State Street societies was 
effected under the name of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Utica. The first pastor was William Reddy, under whose pastorate the 
present edifice on the corner of Court street and Broadway was built. 
The chapel was finished and dedicated February 28, 1869, and the 
church was dedicated February 2, 1871. 

In September, 1852, the South Street Methodist Episcopal church 
was organized and a church erected on South street, which was dedi- 



THE CITY OF TJTICA. 335 

cated in the spring of 1853. In 1869 a parsonage was built on a lot 
adjoining the church. The church itself has since been extensively 
improved. 

The First Free Methodist church was organized August 7, 1863, 
by Rev.. D. W. Thurston with forty-eight members from the South 
Street church. Services were held in Morgan Hall, corner South and 
West streets until 1865 and a wooden church was erected on the corner 
of South and Miller streets. When the growing congregation needed 
larger accommodations the present brick church was erected in 1880 81 
at 30, Chatham street. 

For some time previous to 1867 members from the First M. E. 
church conducted a Sunday school in West Utica. Immediately after 
the burning of the State Street church a chapel was built corner of 
Court and Stark streets and in May, 1886, the Dryer Memorial M. E. 
church was organized. In 1890 an addition was built on the west 
side of the church for Sunday school and evening services. 

In 1880 Rev. W. F. Hemenway organized a class on Kossuth ave- 
nue, and meetings were held in private rooms until 1882 when a hall 
was hired corner of South and Albany streets. In 1883 a frame 
church was erected on a lot donated by Francis Kenan, corner 
Nichols and Lansing streets. In 1884 the society became a regular 
charge and on March 31 was organized as the Centenary Methodist 
Episcopal church. A parsonage was built near the church in 1891. 

In February, 1830, a few Calvanistic Methodists took letters of dis- 
missal from a church in Remsen, and David Stephens was authorized 
to organize them into a Welsh Calvanistic church in Utica. This was 
done in March, 183 1, under the title of the " Moriah Welsh Calvan- 
istic Church." In 183 1 a church was built on Seneca street, which 
was replaced by a larger one in 1847. This property was sold in 
1882 and the present church was built on Park avenue corner of 
Dakin street. The church has a mission Sunday school and is liberally 
supported by Welsh citizens. 

The Coke Memorial (Welsh Methodist Episcopal) church was formed 
about July 1, 1849, with twenty-seven members. The old Cambrian 
Hall was used for services several months and on May 1, 1850, the so- 
ciety purchased a building on Washington street known as the Com- 



336 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

mercial Lyceum, and fitted it up for worship. This property was sold 
in May, 1885, and the lot purchased on the corner of Hopper and 
Union streets. There the corner stone of the new building was laid in 
August, 1 886, and the edifice was dedicated in the same month of 1 887. 

From 1849 to 1854 the First Church of the Evangelical Association 
(German Methodist) belonged to the Mohawk Circuit. In 185 I Rev. 
F. Herlan, then preaching in Deerfield, desired a transfer tq Utica, and 
in the same year an old school house on Garden street was bought and 
used for services down to 1858, when the present church edifice was 
erected. 

The Welsh Baptist church is one of the oldest in Central New York, 
and had its origin September 12, 1801, when twenty-two persons of 
Welsh descent met at the log house of John Williams on the road oppo- 
site State Hospital and formed a church. It is known as the First 
(Welsh) Baptist and is the parent of the Broad street (now Tabernacle) 
church. In 1806 the congregation built the church near where the 
canal now intersects Hotel street. This building was moved when the 
canal was opened to the site of the present church on Broadway. This 
society was long prosperous but in late years has decreased in numbers 
on account of the services being held in the Welsh language. 

In 18 19 seventeen members of the Welsh Baptist church were dis- 
missed at their own request to form an English church, calling it the 
Second Baptist. Rev. Elijah F. Willey was called and assumed the 
pastorate in November of that year. A frame church was soon erected 
on Broad street ; this was superseded by a brick edifice, which was 
dedicated September 28, 1848. In June, 1864, the society voted to 
vacate this house and remove to a more central location. In October, 
1864, a lot on the corner of Hopper and King streets was purchased 
and a fine stone edifice erected. It was dedicated in September, 1866. 
The name " Tabernacle Baptist church " was adopted October 1 1 , 1 864. 
A new chapel was built on the property adjoining the church and ded- 
icated October 4, 1889. 

In December, 1837, tne Tabernacle Baptist church appointed a com- 
mittee to conduct religious worship in West Utica until the following 
May. March 21, 1838, eleven persons met at the home of Edward 
Wright and organized the Bethel Baptist church of Utica. During the 



THE CITY OF TJTICA. 337 

first year of their existence they built a church on State street, which 
was dedicated August 7, 1839. On January 1, 1845, it was determined 
to rent the Bleecker street church, built by the Second Presbyterian 
society. This was purchased in February, 1847. ^ n April, 1862, steps 
were taken for the enlargment of the church and property was purchased 
in the rear for Sunday school purposes. This property was all sold in 
the fall of 1886 to the Y. M. C. A., and a lot was purchased on the 
corner of Rutger and West streets, where, on June 29, 1887, the corner 
stone of the new brick church was laid. On the fiftieth anniversary, 
March 22, 1888, the name Park Baptist church was assumed. 

The Ebenezer Baptist church was incorporated in August, 1836, in 
which year a lot was purchased on Columbia street and a frame build- 
ing erected. 

The Emanuel Baptist church was organized January 29, 1890, with 
forty- two members. A house of worship was soon erected on the corner 
of Eagle and Dudley streets. It was dedicated free from debt March 
12, 1890. 

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran church (German) was organized May 
15, 1842, at its place of meeting, the " Old Bethel" on Fayette street, 
West Utica. There were forty-six charter members and the services 
were held in the German language. A church was built on Columbia 
street, and dedicated September 28, 1844. This was burned Feb- 
ruary 28, 185 1. This site was sold to the Catholics and the present 
church built on the corner of Cooper and Fayette streets. A day 
school building was erected in 1870 on Columbia street. 

On March 25, i860, the church just described resolved to establish a 
German mission in the southeastern part of the city. A lot was do- 
nated and a small building thereon was consecrated in August of that 
year as St. Paul's Lutheran church (German). Under the pastorate of 
Rev. O. Kaselitz, beginning in 1880, the church building was nearly 
destroyed by a storm and the present edifice was erected on the site. 
This calamity placed the society under a burdensome debt which was 
finally paid off by the self-sacrifice of the members. 

The Evangelical Lutheran church of the Redeemer was organized 
December 27, 1878. Services were first held in the M. E. chapel, 
corner Court and Stark streets, and in the summer of 188 1 an old malt 

43 



338 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

house lot on Columbia street was purchased and a stone chapel erected. 
This was followed by the building of the present church, which was 
occupied May 17, 1885. 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church (German) was organized August 
21, 1881, at a meeting in a private house, where it was determined also 
to form a day school and a Sunday school. The day school was com- 
menced in St. Patrick's school building on Columbia street, and on 
March 12, 1882, property was purchased on Hamilton street and the 
house there standing was remodeled for church purposes. The present 
brick church was built in 1886 and dedicated December 12. 

The Evangelical Lutheran church of the Holy Communion was or- 
ganized as a result of the missionary labors of Rev. Gustavus A. Bierde- 
mann in Southwest Utica, begun in the fall of 1887. The frame church 
on the corner of Sunset avenue and Mulberry street was built in the 
winter of 1887-88. 

In 1854 Rev. Valentine Miller, of the Moravian church, came to 
Utica by request and began holding services in private houses. A 
small frame church corner Cornelia and Cooper streets (formerly Luth- 
eran) was purchased and on July 2, 1856, the Moravian church was or- 
ganized. A new brick church and parsonage was built on the old site 
in the summer of 1891. The Moravian mission on South street is a 
branch of this church and was organized in April, 1882. In February 
of the following year a chapel for the mission was built on South street. 

A Utica newspaper of November, 1825, announced that Mr. Thomp- 
son would preach in the Court House on Sunday, November 20, and 
the Universalists of the village were requested to meet at the same 
place on the following evening for the purpose of organizing a society. 
Accordingly, " a number of persons, believing in the doctrine of God's 
impartial and universal love," met and organized the first Universalist 
society of Utica. Forty-two persons signed the constitution. In 1828- 
30 a church was erected on Devereux street, but the society became 
financially involved, and the property was sold. In 1848 services were 
recommenced in Mechanics' Hall and a new society was organized 
named the Central Universalist society, commonly known as the Church 
of Reconciliation. A brick church was erected on Seneca street near 
Genesee and completed in 1851. In 1877 this building was extensively 
repaired and a new chapel was erected. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 339 

The services of the Second Universalist, or the Church of our Father, 
begun in May, 1888, in the Mary street school house. In October of 
that year a chapel was built on Bacon street, where services where held 
in the afternoon by Rev. C. E. Rice until July, 1889. In 1890-91 a 
lot was purchased on Bleecker street and the present brick church was 
erected thereon. 

The first priest whose name is found connected with the Roman 
Catholics of Utica was Rev. M. McQuade, then pastor of St. Mary's 
church, Albany. Between 1813 and 1816, when the diocese of New 
York, to which Utica belonged, was without a bishop, he came occa- 
sionally to this district and said mass. The first notice found of church 
services in Utica was in 18 19 when Rev. Michael O'Gorman, who had 
been assigned to Northern New York, met the adherents of this faith in 
the academy on the 10th of January. Mass was celebrated and a ser- 
mon was preached in the evening. On the 15 th of March the Catho- 
lics were invited to attend service conducted by Rev. Mr. Farnon on 
the following Sunday. On May 24 it was announced that " Rev. Mr. 
Farnon, who is now established rector of the western district, has re- 
turned from a circuit through said district and will perform divine ser- 
vice at the academy on the 30th inst." These were the initial steps 
which led to the formation of St. John's church, the early membership 
of which was scattered over a large territory. The first trustees of the 
church were John C. and Nicholas Devereux ; James Lynch of Rome 
and later of Utica ; Francis O'Toole, of Augusta, and another person 
from Johnstown. The resident congregation did not exceed thirty, but 
they as well as many Protestants contributed liberally toward building 
a church on a lot corner of John and Bleecker streets donated by Judge 
Morris S. Miller and wife. The building was promptly begun and was 
dedicated August 19, 1821, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Connolly. It was not 
entirely completed until two years later. The first rectory, which was 
superseded by the present one, was built in 1824. In 1825, when Rev. 
John Shannahan was pastor, there were only sixteen Catholic families 
in Utica. Through the generosity of John C. Devereux, the Sisters of 
Charity were brought to Utica about 1832 and have performed their 
unselfish labors in the city ever since. In June, 1836, the corner stone 
of a larger church edifice was laid and the building was finished during 



340 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

that year. This edifice sufficed for the congregation for about thirty 
years, when, under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Daly (1858-1878), it 
became apparent that larger accommodations were needed. The St. 
John's Building Association was thereupon organized to aid the pastor 
in raising funds, and the corner stone of the present handsome church 
was laid June 27, 1869; the building was finished in 1871. Under 
Father Daly's administration the Christian Brothers opened an orphan 
asylum in a part of the school building of the Assumption Academy 
March 25, 1862. These accommodations becoming inadequate, a 
large building was erected in 1869, corner Rutger street and Taylor 
avenue, now known as St. Vincent's Male Orphan Asylum. This insti- 
tution is described in later pages. 

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church (German) was organized in 1842 
by Rev. Joseph Prost. They first worshiped in a frame building on 
Fayette street, purchased by the congregation. The society prospered 
and in 1855 a two story brick school building was erected. In 
1890-91 a convent was built on Fayette street for the use of the school 
sisters. 

St. Patrick's Catholic church was organized March 17, 1850, the natal 
day of the patron saint. Services were first held in the building on 
Columbia street, which is now a part of the St. Elizabeth's Hospital. 
Soon after the arrival of the first pastor, Rev. Patrick Carraher, a lot 
wat purchased on the corner of Columbia and Huntington streets, and 
on July 30, 1851, the corner stone of a brick church was laid. This 
building was burned November 9, 1889, and services were held in an 
old school house near the church site. In March, 1886, the church 
property was sold on a mortgage to Father Carraher and its affairs went 
into litigation. Later it passed into the possession of the parish, and in 
1895 a new brick church, costing about $54,000, was built on the old 
site. It was consecrated December 8th of that year. 

The present edifice of St. Mary's Catholic church (German), corner 
South street and Taylor avenue, was purchased from the German Luth- 
eran church in 1870 by the first pastor, Rev. G. Veith. The building 
has since been greatly extended, a rectory added, and connected with 
it are a parochial school and three benevolent societies, the Society of 
St. Boniface, the Society of St. Aloysius, and the Society of St. Stanis- 
laus. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 341 

In April, 1877, the bishop of the Diocese authorized Rev. Luke G. 
O'Reilly, then assistant in St. John's parish, to organize a new parish of 
that section east of Genesee street and south of South street, to be 
known as the Church of St. Francis de Sales. Meetings were first held 
in a school house and within a year the building on Steuben street, near 
South, was purchased and remodeled for the use of the parish A 
suitable site was finally obtained for a church on the corner of Eagle 
street and Summit avenue, and ten years from its organization the 
society had completed a beautiful brick building and parochial resi- 
dence. 

In 1886 a Sunday school was established in the old school buildino- 
on Mary street, which was soon changed to a Catholic school. In May, 
1887, a new Catholic parish was formed of the section east of Mohawk 
street, and called St. Agnes. Rev. John J. Toomey, former assistant at 
St. John's, was appointed pastor, and steps were taken toward the erec- 
tion of a church. A lot was secured at the corner of Blandina street 
and Kossuth avenue, and the corner stone of the building was laid in 
July, 1887. 

The first Hebrew congregation in Utica was organized in 1848, Rabbi 
Ellsner leader, and worshiped for a time in rooms on Hotel street. In 
1852-53 the congregation was reorganized with Rabbi Rosenthal, pas- 
tor, and built a small synagogue on Bleecker street. In 1870 a syna- 
gogue was built on Whitesboro street and chartered under the name of 
the House of Jacob. In 1882 this was sold to Solomon Griffiths and 
July 22 the church on Seneca street was bought from the Moriah Welsh 
church and has since been used. 

On December 7, 1888, Levi Lyons, Elias Marulsky and David Roth- 
stein purchased from the city a school house, corner of Whitesboro and 
Washington streets. A congregation was soon gathered and January 
5, 1889, an organization was effected under the name of the House of 
Israel. Extensive repairs were made to the building in the year 1889 

CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT INSTIUTIONS. 

One of the most important of the benevolent institutions of Utica is 
the Utica Orphan Asylum, the history of which begins with the estab- 
lishment of the Female Society of Industry in October, 1826. It was 



342 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

composed of seventy members, who paid six dollars each, annually in 
either cash or needle work, and in January, 1828, they began to raise a 
fund for founding an orphan asylum. The officers were Mrs. Sophia 
Bagg, president and treasurer, and Mrs. Ann Breese, secretary. By the 
fall of 1833 a fund of $3,000 was accumulated. A charter was drawn 
and a public meeting held January, 7, 1830, at which a constitution was 
adopted and women officers chosen, with the exception of three men, to 
act as an advisory committee. Further subscriptions were solicited and 
housekeeping was begun in November, 1830, in a building on the north- 
east corner of John and Catherine streets. In May, 1833, the family 
removed to a house near the southeast corner of Chancellor Square. The 
financial panic of 1837 almost caused the abandonment of the institu- 
tion, but in December, 1842, a general meeting was held, the old con- 
stitution was approved, and it was determined to apply for an extension 
of charter containing provisions for the admission of half-orphans. The 
asylum was reopened on Broadway, east side, in May, 1845. ^ n 1846 
the lot No. 312 Genesee street was purchased with the proceeds of two 
fairs and in June, 1847, a building was begun, which was finished in 
May, 1848. A large number of gifts and legacies were soon received 
by the institution, culminating with the legacy of $34,000 left by Alfred 
Munson conditioned upon the raising of $10,000 within five years of 
his death, for the purchasing of suitable grounds of not less than three 
acres, the balance remaining to be expended towards the erection of a 
new building. This condition was fulfilled in 1855 anc ^ tne legacy was 
made available in i860. Meanwhile Benjamin F. Jewett donated to the 
society three acres of land on the corner of Genesee and Pleasant streets. 
On the 30th of May, i860, the corner stone of the new building was 
laid and it was finished in the summer of 1861. Since that time the 
asylum has done incalculable good in the city. Among the larger gifts 
to the institutions were $9,000 by Augustus White ; $25,000 from Silas 
D. Childs and a similar gift from his widow; $17,000 from Francis 
Ramsdell; $4,850 from B. F. Shaw; $5,000 from Mrs. Alfred 
Churchill; $10,000 from Jonathan R. Warner; and $5,000 from Nich- 
olas F. Vedder. 

St. John's Female Orphan Asylum was incorporated March 18, 1848, 
and was the ultimate result of an application made in 1834 by John C. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 343 

and Nicholas Devereux to the Sisters of Charity to conduct a Catholic 
asylum and day school in Utica. The support of the institution was 
largely contributed by the Messrs. Devereux until its incorporation, 
since which time the work of the Sisters and their friends has made the 
building what it now is. The structure fronts 140 feet on John street, 
200 feet deep and is four stories high. # The school is supported by St. 
John's parish. 

The St. Vincent Male Orphan Asylum, incorporated April 21, 1862, 
and connected with St. John's church, has already been mentioned. Its 
affairs were at first directed by the Brothers of the Christian schools, 
while its finances were controlled by a board of managers. The Broth- 
ers resigned in April, 1876, when the board assumed entire charge, and 
the institution was incorporated under the title of " St. Vincent Protect- 
orate and Reformatory for Destitute Children in Oneida and Adjacent 
Counties." About the end of the year the property was sold at auction 
and was purchased by Right Rev. Bishop McNierny, who recalled the 
Christian Brothers in January, 1877. In August, 1885, the Christian 
Brothers purchased the property and reincorporated it under the name 
of St. Vincent Industrial School. The building was at once largely im- 
proved and equipped with various machines for practical instruction. 

In the winter of 1872-73 a meeting was held in Trinity rectory where 
steps were taken toward founding an institution for infirm and destitute 
children, under the direction of the Episcopal denomination. In May, 
1873, the House of the Good Shepherd went into operation in a tene- 
ment on Blandina street. It was controlled by eleven trustees and six 
managers. Subscriptions were solicited through the use of which, on 
the 8th of June, 1875, a commodious house corner Bleecker and East 
streets was formally opened. The building has since been greatly en- 
larged and improved and several lots added to the grounds. It is sup- 
ported chiefly by gifts from its friends. 

On November 19, 1866, a charter was granted to the " Home for the 
Homeless in the City of Utica," the object of which was the support of 
aged, indigent or infirm women. The Home was opened in May, 1867, 
in a building on Whitesboro street, opposite the State Asylum. About 
this time Theodore S. Faxton offered to give $20,000 toward the erec- 
tion of the Home, provided a like sum should be subscribed by January 



344 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

I, 1869 The sum of $26,000 was raised by that time and the founda- 
tion for the building laid on two acres of land donated by Mr. Faxton 
on Faxton street. In December, 1870, B. F. Jewett and his sisters 
donated four lots to the Home adjoining the original site. The build- 
ing cost $30,000 and was opened December 6, 1870. In 1879 a new 
building was added at a cost of $6,000. The institution is under the 
management of thirty-seven women, from whom its officers. are chosen. 
In 1880 Jason G. Coye made a bequest to the Home of $55,000, and 
in 1 89 1 a second addition was made to the institution. 

The Faxton Hospital was erected in 1874-75, wholly at the expense 
of Theodore S. Faxton, its founder. In June, 1875, he placed the in- 
stitution under the management of a board of trustees created a few 
years earlier, who retained it until 1878. A medical and surgical staff 
was appointed, nurses engaged and the sick were received. The de- 
mands upon the Hospital not meeting the anticipations of its founder, 
the trustees in 1878 placed the institution under a board of forty women 
managers. By them the second and third floors of the building were 
devoted to the reception of aged men, the lower one being used for the 
sick. The institution was thus made not only a hospital but a shelter 
for those who are left helpless in their declining years. 

In February, 1882, was incorporated the Home for Aged Men, gifts 
having already been received of $1,000 from the late A. J. Williams, 
$500 from Miss Jane E. Kelly and $1,000 from the estate of Mrs. Geo. 
S. Green. Later it was decided to admit aged men and their wives, 
and in the early part of 1890 a lot on Sunset avenue was secured on 
which was erected a commodious structure at a cost of $35,000. It was 
opened July 15, 1891. 

St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Home was organized December 12, 1866, 
by Mother Bernardine of the charitable order of St. Francis. The first 
patient was received in a small building on Columbia street, owned by the 
Franciscan Fathers, to which was added two other buildings within two 
years through the generosity of Thomas B. Devereux. In 1S68 the old 
buildings were removed to make room for St. Joseph's church and the 
Hospital was transferred to a large house a few doors west. A dispensary 
for the outdoor poor was opened in 1871. The Hospital is under the 
supervision of the Sisters of the order of St. Francis, and is not con- 
nected with any church, 





. .; 




THE CITY OF UTICA. 344 a 

While not a county institution, the Masonic Home at Utica may 
properly be noticed here. The nucleus of the great fund with which 
the Masonic Temple in New York city was built, was a subscription of 
one dollar made in 1842 This was followed by others until a little 
more than $300 was subscribed, when a memorial signed by 100 breth- 
ren was presented to the Grand Lodge. An act of incorporation was 
passed April 21, 1864, the object of the corporation being stated as the 
building and maintaining of a Masonic Hall in New York city, out of 
the income of which asylums and schools should be built for the relief 
of worthy indigent Masons, their widows and orphans. The act and 
its amendments gave the corporation power to hold property to the 
amount of $5,000,000. In 1870 the fund had grown to $340,000, and 
within the next five years the finest Masonic structure in the world was 
built in New York city. A heavy debt was incurred under which the 
fraternity of the State struggled for fourteen years. In 1885 Frank R. 
Lawrence was elected Grand Master and through his systematic, ear- 
nest and business like methods, the debt of nearly a million dollars was 
extinguished in 1889. The fraternity now saw a prospect of the 
early erection of the Home. The question of location was a perplexing 
one, the competition among various cities being very active. After 
much discussion and various generous offers of land, the Grand Lodge 
resolved to limit the time for receiving proposals for the location to 
September 15, 1888, and a committee was empowered to immediately 
thereafter visit the various localities and make a selection. The result 
of it all was the purchase ofv/hat had been the Utica driving park, near 
the city of Utica, containing 160 acres of land, beautifully situated. 
The property was valued at $75,000; of this the owner, Charles W. 
Hutchinson, donated $25,000, the city of Utica $30,000, and the Grand 
Lodge paid $20,000. The West Shore railroad donated a quarter of 
an acre of ground and five additional acres were purchased for $750. 
In 1889 the name of the institution was changed from asylum to 
" Masonic Home and School." The plans originally contemplated a 
building to cost not more than $100,000, but in 1890 this sum was in- 
creased to $150,000. On August 27 of that year the plans of archi- 
tect William H. Hume, of New York, were adopted, and on October 
27 eighteen bids were opened for the erection of the building. The 
contract was let to Dickinson & Allen of Syracuse, at $134,000. About 
$5000 was subsequently added. Dockage property, furniture and fix- 



3 44 J OUR COUNTY AND ITS FBOPLE. 

tures and all expenses finally made the cost of the Home, $175,000. 
More than this sum was in bank to the credit of the trustees. 

The ceremonies of laying the corner stone were conducted by John 
W. Vrooman, who succeeded Mr. Lawrence as Grand Master on May 
21, 1 89 1. The number of eminent craftsmen present, the military 
escort, and the general magnificence of the pageant made this one of the 
memorable Masonic gatherings of the century. Work progressed on 
the building through that and the following years, and considerable 
delay was caused by the failure of the contractors, compelling the 
trustees to finish the work themselves. It had been the intention to 
dedicate the Home on July 1, 1892, but the delay made it necessary to 
change the plans and October 5 was selected. Again there was a great 
gathering of the fraternity to participate in the inspiring ceremonies. 
Irrespective of the departments of Masonry, 8,524 Master Masons took 
part in the proceedings. Thirteen Commanderies, and seventy-three 
Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, with their officers, preceded the Master 
Masons. In the words of the historian of the Grand Lodge, " The 
enthusiasm of the occasion marked a notable event in the history of Free- 
masonry in the State of New York. The Utica Home is the monument 
of Masonic charity." 

In June, 1893, the trustees reported that the total cost of the Home 
and appurtenances to that date was $230,685.18. The balance in bank 
was $155,572.55. The Grand Lodge instructed the trustees to set aside 
each year thirty per cent, of the net receipts of the fund as a revenue 
fund, until such revenue fund reached $300,000. 

Past Grand Master Jesse B. Anthony took charge of the Home as 
superintendent in February, 1893, with Mrs. Anthony as his assistant. 
No better selection for this important position could have been made. 
The first inmates were received on May 1, 1893. 

In the hallway of the building are three tablets, one of which was 
erected in honor of M. W. Frank R Lawrence, for his unselfish labors ; 
a second one commemorates the laying of the corner stone and the 
dedication of the building, while the third bears the following inscription : 
This Asylum for the Aged and Infirm Brother, the Destitute Widow, and Helpless 
Orphan, was Erected A. D. 1891-1892, 'by the Fraternity of Free and Accepted 
Masons of the State ot New York, under the Supervision of the Trustees of the 
Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund. Edward B. Harper, John Stewart, Jerome E. 
Morse, Horace L. Green, Alexander T. Goodwin, George Hayes, George H. Wiley, 
Herman H. Russ, Trustees. William H. Hume, Architect. 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 345 

St. Luke's Home was incorporated December 23, 1869, as the re- 
sult of a suggestion made two years earlier by Rev. E. M. Van Deusen, 
D. D. Truman K. Butler in the fall of 1869 offered the use of an un- 
furnished building then in course of erection, rent free for eighteen 
months, with the condition that if the project proved practicable he 
would then give a deed of the property. The object of the institution 
was stated as " The establishing and maintaining in the city of Utica of 
a refuge for the poor and friendless members of Grace Church parish in 
Utica and such others as the Board of Managers may think entitled to 
its benefits." The Home was opened and it was soon found that a 
hospital was necessary, and September 1, 1870, a double two-story 
brick dwelling adjoining the Home was purchased of Mr. Butler. The 
Hospital was opened July 9, 1872. In 1875 a lot owned by the city, 
west of the Hospital, was purchased and in February, 1883, Mr. Butler 
conveyed to the corporation the lot used as a lawn. In 1886 a new 
brick building was erected, costing nearly $14,000, and in June, 1887, 
the dwelling No. 305 Whitesboro street was also purchased. The prop- 
erty is clear of indebtedness. In January, 1888, the name St. Luke's 
Home and Hospital was adopted, and in the same year "The Lancas- 
ter House " was fitted up for the use of nurses. A school for nurses 
was established in 1878. The first medical director was chosen in 1880. 

The City Hospital was erected by commission in 1856 at the expense 
of the city and it was intended for a workhouse. Two years later it was 
made a hospital, under the superintendence of the poormaster, who was 
superseded by the Board of Charities upon its creation in 1873. The 
building is of brick, three stories high, on the corner of South and Mo- 
hawk streets, and surrounded by extensive grounds. A physician ap- 
pointed by the Board of Charities is in daily attendance. 

The Board of Charities just mentioned consists of six commissioners, 
one half of whom are elected by popular vote and one-half appointed 
by the town auditors. To this board in Utica are intrusted all the ordi- 
nary powers and duties of the poormaster and they serve without com- 
pensation. The board appoints a clerk who acts as the paid and author- 
ized agent in administering the city charities. The clerk is aided by a 
secretary. This system has been found to be far superior in every way 
to the former administration of poormastsrs. 



346 OUE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In addition to the foregoing benevolent organizations, Utica has a 
Woman's Christian Association, organized in 1870, which owns the 
"Georgia Porter Memorial " building, costing $10,000. The associa- 
tion was incorporated April 15, 1886, and accomplishes a vast amount 
of good. There is also in the city St. Joseph's Infant Home, the Indus- 
trial Home, the Homoeopathic Hospital, and the Utica Dispensary or- 
ganizations. 

Schools and Libraries. — The first school in Utica of which any thing 
is now known was kept in a building on the south side of Main street, 
between First and Second streets. The reader has already learned 
something of the various secular and religious meetings that were held 
in that old building in the earlier years. The teacher in 1797 was 
Joseph Dana, who was succeeded by a Mr. Clark and he by Roswell 
Holcomb about 1804. Gideon Wilcoxson taught in 1805. In 1807 
Jonathan Child kept a school for a short time in the Welsh church cor- 
of Washington and Whitesboro streets. In 1808 Eliasaph Dorchester 
was teaching there, while David R. Dixon occupied the building on the 
site of Grace church, which served as a school house and also for the 
meetings of the village trustees. During the years 1810 and 181 1 
Thomas Colling taught in that school, and in the year 181 3 a private 
school, called the Juvenile Academy, was kept in the third story of a 
building on the north corner of Broad and Genesee streets. The first 
teacher was Henry White, who was succeeded by S. W. Brace and he 
by Obed Eddy in the year 18 16. 

In 1 813 nineteen citizens of Utica asked the Regents of the Uni- 
versity to incorporate an academy in their village. A charter was 
granted March 28, 1814, naming the following trustees: Jeremiah 
Van Rensselaer, Arthur Breese, Talcott Camp, David W. Childs, Fran- 
cis A. Bloodgood, Bryan Johnson, A. B. Johnson, Thomas Skinner, 
Thomas Walker, Apollos Cooper, Solomon Wolcott, Anson Thomas 
and Ebenezer B. Shearman. Mr. Van Rensselaer was chosen president, 
Mr. Walker, treasurer, and Mr. Shearman, secretary. A fund was 
raised by subscription and when $1,600 were obtained the trustees 
accepted their charge, and in June, 181 5, requested Rev. Jesse Towns- 
end to take charge of the institution ; he was then teaching a gram - 
mar school in the village and remained with the academy about two 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 347 

years. In 1816 a committee of citizens proposed to the trustees to aid 
them in erecting a building, which would serve as " An Academy, 
Townhouse and Court House," and a new subscription was started. 
The usual contest as to the site followed and it was finally decided 
that every subscriber of $5 or more should have a vote for either of 
the two proposed sites, one of which was the one finally adopted and 
the other on Genesee street. The vote polled showed a majority of 
222 in favor of the site adopted. The subscription amounted to $5,- 
000, to which was added other minor pledges, and the building was 
erected and completed in the summer of 18 18. It was a two story 
brick edifice 50 by 60 feet in size. In August of that year Rev. Sam- 
uel T. Mills, a Presbyterian clergyman, was appointed the first precep- 
tor at a salary of $800, and in October a Mr. Whiteside was chosen 
assistant for six months, with compensation at the rate of $300. In 
January, 1819, William Hayes was employed to teach writing and 
arithmetic at $50 a quarter of eleven and one-half weeks. There were 
three classes of pupils, one of whom paid $5, one $4 and one $3 a 
quarter. In 185 1 the trustees determined to sell to the county for a 
court house the John street front of the academy, on condition, in ad- 
dition to a pecuniary consideration, that the release of the remainder 
should be obtained from the original grantors and from the city. 
This was finally consummated. Mr. Roberts's place was for a short 
time occupied by a Mr. Newcomb and next by a Mr. Kenget. In 
April, 1852, a committee of the trustees was appointed to confer with 
the school commissioners to effect an arrangement under which the 
offices of superintendent of schools and principal of the academy might 
be united ; such arrangement was carried out and was the last act of 
the trustees under the old charter. In May, 1853, by act of the Legisla- 
ture, the school commissioners became the trustees of the academy, 
thus preserving the venerable charter. The new organization was ef- 
fected in February, 1854, when Edmund A. Wetmore, chairman of 
the school commissioners, was chosen president and Daniel S. Heffron, 
superintendent of the schools, was made secretary. Since that date the 
academy has remained a part, and the head, of the public school sys- 
tem. Under that arrangement Mr. Weld, a graduate of the university, 
was appointed principal, with three women teachers as assistants. He 



348 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

resigned in the winter of 1857 an d was succeeded by George C. Saw- 
yer, A.B., a graduate of Harvard, who for nearly forty years has re- 
mained the efficient head of the institution. 

The first act of the Legislature in relation to a free school in Utica 
was passed April 27, 18 17. Section 28 of that act vested in the trus- 
tees of the village " All the property of the Twelfth district of Whites- 
town," which then included Utica, for the use of a free school. In the 
same year the trustees erected a building and employed Ignatius Thomp- 
son to teach for three months from the first Monday in December, at 
$40 a month. This building was of two stories, stood on the south side 
of Catherine street, nearly opposite Franklin, and was afterwards known 
as the Lancaster School. The Lancaster system was introduced in 18 19 
when Andrew L'Amoureux was the teacher. He remained until 1824, 
when he was succeeded by Roswell Holcomb. Rev. Joseph Carter be- 
came principal in 1828 and the school was reorganized. About 150 
pupils were in attendance and the school was flourishing. Mr. Carter 
was succeeded by Eliasaph Dorchester, who remained some years and 
was assisted by Susan Wright. An act of Legislature passed in 1830 
gave the trustees of the village power to establish schools at their pleas- 
ure and distribute the public money as they thought best. In April of 
the following year a committee of the trustees was appointed to sell the 
free school lot on Catherine street and to buy another suitable for school 
and fire purposes. The school was next kept in the session room of the 
Second Presbyterian church, corner of Charlotte and Elizabeth streets. 
In 1 83 1 the school district was established in the eastern part of the vil- 
lage and a school located on the corner of East and Linden streets. A 
third public school was added in 1834, with Abraham Yates, principal. 

In April, 1828, an infant society was organized, the object of which 
was to give care and instruction to the infant poor, thus relieving their 
parents during the day. Mrs. Moses Bagg was the first directress and 
Mrs. R. M. Crowley the preceptress. In 1829 a similar institution, 
called the Pattern Infant School, was started under the patronage of 
Jesse W. Doolittle. Each of these received in 1832 an appropriation of 
$92 from the council. 

During the period thus far considered private schools in the village 
were numerous. Among them was one established about 18 19 by Am- 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 349 

brose Kasson on the corner of Whitesboro and Division streets. Will- 
iam Sparrow opened a classical school, but soon left it for the principal- 
ship of the academy. In 1824 Elisha Harrington taught a school and 
was aided by his sister. The Utica High School, afterwards known as 
the Utica Gymnasium, was founded as a boarding school for boys in 
1827 by Charles Bartlett and flourished successfully for about eight 
years. He had previously conducted a select school on Washington 
street, which he turned over to Isaac Wilmarth. For the High School 
he leased a house and farm at the lower end of Broad street which had 
formerly belonged to Dr. Solomon Wolcott. The farm was placed 
under charge of the brother of Charles. There was an annual attendance 
at this school of over forty, the expense to each being at first $200 an- 
nually, afterwards reduced to $150. Mr. Bartlett had the assistance of 
a number of eminent men as teachers, and among the students were 
many who became conspicuous in later years. 

Another successful educational institution established a few years later 
than Mr. Bartlett's was the Classical and Commercial Lyceum of 
Messrs. Phillips and Kingsley. Mr. Phillips was soon succeeded by 
Mr Bailey. The school was situated on the east side of Washington 
street, between Whitesboro and Liberty, and continued to about 1840. 
Another classical and commercial school was begun in 1832 on what is 
now Blandina street by John Williams, who conducted it for forty one 
years and until his death in 1873. A little later, about 1835 to 1838, 
William Barrett presided over the school on Genesee street, a little 
below Blandina. Two other schools of that period for ladies were con- 
ducted, one by Miss Dickens and the other by Miss Bowen. The 
earliest school for ladies exclusively was in existence in 1806 by Solo- 
mon P. Goodrich, a bookseller, but little is known of it. About 18 18 a 
young ladies' school was opened by Montgomery R. Bartlett, which 
met with success, but was not long lived. A school of the year 1822 
was taught by Madame Despard.on Broad street ; she gave more atten- 
tion to French, music and deportment than to English branches. Rev. 
William Woodbridge, a veteran teacher, conducted a young ladies' 
school in 1824 and later, on the northwest corner of John and Catherine 
streets, which was patronized by many of the best families of the place. 
Charles C. Everts, aided by his wife and three assistants, opened a school 



350 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

on Whitesboro street in [826, which was successfully conducted a num- 
ber of years. In the York House, nearly opposite, Rev. Samuel Whit- 
tlesee and wife established a boarding school in 1828. In 1833 their 
school was situated on the corner of Genesee and Pearl streets, while 
Samuel McLauren succeeded them in the York House. 

While many of these schools for girls were in a high degree credit- 
able, the people of Utica eventually felt that an institution was needed 
which would give to their daughters as good educational facilities as 
was enjoyed by their sons in the academy. Public interest was aroused 
on the subject, a stock company was formed and the Utica Female 
Academy was chartered April 28, 1837, with a board of trustees com- 
prising twenty-one leading citizens. In the same year four lots lying 
between Washington street and Broadway with the buildings thereon 
were purchased at a cost of $6,300. The school was first opened in 
what was known as the United States Hotel, corner Genesee and Pearl 
streets. In December, 1838, the number of students was 168 and dur- 
ing that and the following years a three-story brick academy building, 
50 by 100 feet in size, was erected. The first principal was Miss Urania 
E. Sheldon; she was succeeded August, 1842, by Rev. James Nichols 
and wife, who were followed in June, 1844, by Miss Jane E. Kelley, 
who continued until 1865. The- academy building was burned March 
27, 1865, and the present handsome structure was erected on the site 
in 1869-90 at a cost of $75,000. In 1871 Mrs. E. S. Hammill leased 
the building and conducted the school until the summer of 1875, when 
she was succeeded by the present principal, Mrs J. C. Piatt. As " Mrs. 
Piatt School" the institution has an extended reputation for thorough 
and careful training of pupils. 

Returning to the history of the public schools, it is found that in 1843 
they were in a deplorable condition ; the city owned only three indiffer- 
ent school buildings and hired three or four, in all of which about 1,100 
children sought instruction. The Board of Commissioners of that year, 
consisting of Rudolph Snyder, Hiram Denio, Spencer Kellogg, Robert 
T. Hallock, Francis Kernan, and James Watson Williams, immediately 
inaugurated a thorough reorganization ; they greatly improved the old 
school buildings, soon began the erection of new and better ones, and 
adopted a graded system, extending upward from the primary depart- 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 351 

ment through the ward schools and the advanced school to the academy. 
In 1850 Daniel S. Heffron, a man well fitted for the position, was ap- 
pointed superintendent of schools. From the meagre accommodations 
in existence at that time the school facilities increased before 1 868 (the 
date of the first published report of the commissioners) to twelve school 
houses of various grades, besides the academy. The list embraced the 
following: the Advanced school building, corner Elizabeth and Char- 
lotte streets, completed in 1847 on a lot donated by John R. Bleecker ; 
this building has been considerably enlarged and improved ; the Hamil- 
ton street and Steuben street schools, built in 1851 ; the Blandina street 
and Aikin street schools, begun in 1852 ; the Catherine street school, 
built in 1855; the Whitesboro street school, erected in 1853; the Al- 
bany street and Lansing street schools, built in 1858 ; the Court street 
school, built in i860, and the South street and Francis street schools, in 
1867. These were all good brick buildings, two stories in height, and 
similar in design. The Albany Street school was burned in 1893 and 
rebuilt in 1896. 

On the morning of May 13, 1865, the Utica Academy and its con- 
tents were destroyed by fire ; the school was temporarily continued in 
the Court House. The commissioners took immediate steps toward re- 
building and enlarging the grounds and obtained possession of a lot 
corner Academy and Bleecker streets. There in the autumn of 1867 
was completed the present handsome and commodious structure. 

On the 13th of July, 1867, Mr. Heffron resigned his position as sup- 
erintendent of schools, after a period of seventeen years of faithful ser- 
vice, and was succeeded by Andrew McMillan. The latter was a man 
whose natural and acquired qualifications made him pre eminent for 
the position, and under his watchful care and unremitting labor the 
schools of Utica rapidly advanced to their present high standing. His 
annual reports published since 1868 are at the service of all interested 
persons and are model works of their kind. 

In May, 1869, St. Patrick's Parochial school, occupying a brick build- 
ing on Columbia street, was organized as one of the city public schools. 
In 1870 the commissioners purchased the Welsh Congregational church 
and remodeled it for school purposes, and in 1870 and '71 the large 
brick school building, corner of Miller and Leah streets, was erected. 



352 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Union Street school was erected in 1S74. The Court Street school 
house was enlarged in 1878 to double its former capacity and otherwise 
improved The following year the Lansing Street school house was 
similarly enlarged and improved. In 1SS0 a new and commodious 
school building was erected on the corner of James and Kemble streets. 
To accommodate the increasing population in the eastern part of the 
city a school site extending from Blandina street to Mary street, near 
Jefferson avenue, was purchased in 1S79. Thereon was erected in 1881 
one of the finest brick school structures in Central New York. In 18S8 
tho old landmark known as the Washington Street school was sold and 
the proceeds devoted to building the spacious brick and stone structure 
on YVhitesboro street, known as school Xo. 18. Faxton Hall, in which 
Faxton school is located, was built in 1868. Mary street school was 
erected in 1882-S3; school Xo. 19 in 1892; school Xo. 20 in 1893; 
and school Xo. 21 in 1S96. 

Prof. Andrew McMillan resigned at the close of the school year 1892 
and George Griffith, Ph. D., the present efficient superintendent, suc- 
ceeded to the position. The present (1896) Board of School Commis- 
sioners consists of Horatio S. Moore, chairman ; John E. Carberry, 
John B. Jones, John E. Brandegee, John C. Schreiber, and John H. 
Siemers. George C. Sawyer, A. B., is principal of the academy and 
Herbert J. Pease is principal of the Advanced school. About 190 
teachers are employed in all the schools of the city. 

Libraries. — The first public library in the village was incorporated 
March 5, 1825, undor the title of the Utica Library, and was opened in 
the following July with 1. 100 books. It was owned by shareholders and 
controlled by a board of twelve trustees. There were 400 shares, of 
three dollars each. The librarian was Justus Rathbone, who attended 
for the drawing of books once in each week. Within a few years the 
number of volumes increased to 2,500, and the library was removed from 
Mr. Rathbone's office on Broad street to the Mechanics' Association 
Building. Xo record of this library exists after 1837. 

When in the year 1838 $55,000 of the income of the U. S. Deposit 
Fund was directed to be distributed to the school districts of this State 
for the purchase of library books, Utica received her share, and a free 
library was established. By legislative act of 1 842 this library was placed 



-ZI I7TT 7 7717^. -_'_■'_ 

un der the control of the school commissi oners. Then \\- tort shoved 
1,700 volumes on hand. The hhrai xatedc ex the Centra. 7 "_ 

Bank on Franklin Square, and Francis Grosvenor was the first librarian 
and continued to act until 1851. In 1863 Bbca iy had 4,000 vol- 

umes ; in 1868, 5,000; in 1873, about 6,000. In 1856 the library was 
removed with the Superintendent's office to the City Hall building 
where it re m a in ed until the completion of the present librarv bnDcing in 
This building star if :_-_ E tabeth street, and is admirably 
adapted to its purposes. Bya bequest by Theodcrr £ Fa tin made in 
1 88 1 the library came into possession of $2,500 for the purchase of 
additional books In 1 885 the librarian's report showed that there e 
on the shelves a little over 10,000 volumes In the present year ( 1 896) 
this number has increased to over 21,500. 

~'-' - r '■:"-_- -'." I": — Tie first z= e iter trl-ier -^est ::" Aliarv fit 
"■ - - -- '-- -- - r.e:i.i ::■::: . _- : fittest: - - "jarette \ :t _ r- 
gan ~_ liartfe rd Tie publication was suspended 

-- — e r:„:~ .r. - i:e: ':.;: as returner :~ Mav : "of. 7V711an 1 lifiear 
being its printer and shortly afterward its proprietor. In Jnry, 1 ~ 
:.: r.::vei . : :ifrt :. 7: : tei Tit 7 tie ::": t - er :: tie 

';-- '-"'■'■ -'-'-- .: It" - 1 : Tie 5::: : :ate: .: : t ::_ r 

was the esterr; Cer: .-. * it .^: : - : _ .-. :-; ; ; 

it was discontinued a few years later. In February, 1804, Mr. McLean 
sold his paper to John H. Lothrop. who changed its name to the Patriot, 
and one year later tc the V: :t Patriot ...:.: title it retainer _-t.1 
1S16- H .1 ::: succeeded Mr. Lothrop as editor and pro- 

::: On Januar; [815 re and 1: Tiams began the 
-"-'-t -:-- at Utka :f the Patrol, which was united with the Patriot 
January 2. 1S16. under the name of the Utica Patriot and PatroL It 
was issued semi- week :': r about 1 - ear, and then weekly until 1821 
The prospectus gives the proprie::-; - .-_;.; Se and, William H. 

■ .-.r. 1: : ea ■:; r. t .are 

- atriot and Patrol on March 31, [821 This change in the name 

: rought about through an alteration in the politics of the editor 

■vt: =;;r.;:r.e: rite 7. :::.t:ar. rartv Tfie fiertfifiei -:;:.::;: :.m: t 

printed by Ira Merrill for - at; . rle- 

tor. 7. r ratable ok ssold bo Samuel D. Dakir_ 



354 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Bacon and by them united with the Columbian Gazette, May 6, 1825, 
under the title of the Utica Sentinel & Gazette. In 1828 S. D. Dakin 
became sole editor and owner, and in 1829 sold out to his printers, 
Northway & Porter. The paper was published semi- weekly until Jan- 
uary, 1829. In 1 83 1 Rufus Northway became sole proprietor and The- 
odore S. Gold succeeded Mr. Dakin as editor, continuing until the es- 
tablishment of the daily paper in 1842. The Columbian Gazette, which 
was united with the Sentinel, was first issued in Rome, August 17, 1799, 
by Thomas Walker and Ebenezer Eton, under the title of the Colum- 
bian Patriotic Gazette. It was removed to Utica March 21, 1803. In 
January, 1830, the American Citizen was united with the Sentinel and 
Gazette. On August 7, 1832, the Utica Intelligencer, started Febru- 
ary 2, 1826, by William Tracy, also joined the Sentinel and Gazette. 
E. S. Ely and Joseph H. Buckingham were at different times editors of 
this paper. The American Citizen, just mentioned, first appeared June 
8, 1830, with George S. Wilson, editor and proprietor. The Elucidator, 
Organ of the Anti-Masonic party, was started August 7, 1829, by Be- 
riah B. Hotchkin, who edited the paper until January 1, 1833, when he 
was succeeded by Samuel P. Lyman. William Williams became pro- 
prietor of the paper January 1, 1830. It was consolidated with the Sen- 
tinel and Gazette May 20, 1834, under the name of the Oneida Whig, 
" R. Northway, printer and publisher." The Whig was published by 
Mr. Northway and his associates until October 12, 1853, when it was 
sold to Lyon & Arthur, J. M. Lyon, editor, and the name changed to the 
Weekly Gazette. On July 25, 1856, it was transferred to N. D. Jewell, 
C. J. Radford, editor, and called the Weekly Gazette and Courier, con- 
tinuing thus to January, 29, 1867, when its subscription list passed into 
possession of Ellis H. Roberts, purchaser of the Utica Daily Gazette, 
with which it had been associated since 1842. 

The Utica Daily Gazette was the first daily paper published in Utica, 
excepting the Morning News, which lived about three months in 1842 
under management of Lyon & Arthur. The Daily Gazette was started 
by Rufus Northway, proprietor of the Oneida Whig, February 4, 1842. 
Richard U. Shearman was editor the first year and was succeeded by 
Ezekiel Bacon for about two months. Alexander Seward became editor 
and joint proprietor May 1, 1843, and under the firm name of R. North- 




E. PRENTISS BAILEY. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 355 

way & Co. it was published until the fall of 1853. Dr. H. C. Potter, 
who was associate editor from November I, 1847, and sole editor from 
May 1, to September 23, 1850. became part proprietor with Northway 
& Seward on the latter date. The establishment was sold to Lyon & 
Arthur October 12, 1853, and J. M. Lyon became editor. N. D. Jewell 
bought them out July 25, 1856, arid continued the publication with C.J. 
Radford, editor, until January 29, 1857, when the name and good will 
was purchased by Ellis H. Roberts and united with the Morning Herald. 

Meanwhile in November, 1847, tne publication of the Oneida Morn- 
ing Herald had been begun by Robert W. Roberts, Richard U. Shear- 
man and Edwin R. Colston. The last named withdrew in 1848 and Mr. 
Shearman in 185 1, when Ellis H. Roberts became editor and proprietor, 
a position which he capably filled until 1872. In that year he associ- 
ated with himself his nephew, H. L. Roberts, and S. N. D. North, under 
the firm name of Ellis H. Roberts & Co. Mr. North withdrew from the 
firm in 1885. Financial difficulties accumulating through a series of 
years culminated in 1890, in the appointment of a receiver for the pub- 
lishers of the Herald, Mr. Roberts, then assistant U. S. treasurer of New 
York, being agreed upon for that position. The affairs of the old firm 
were soon adjusted and in October, 1890, the plant was sold to the Utica 
Herald Publishing Co., which was organized with Joseph R. Swan, pres- 
ident ; Titus Sheard, of Little Falls, vice-president, and Fred H. Wienke, 
secretary. The latter was made business manager, and John H. Cun- 
ningham, editor. Throughout all its changes and embarrassments the 
Herald has retained its distinction as one of the leading Republican or- 
gans of this State and has given entire satisfaction to its large Central 
New York constituency. 

The first number of the Utica Observer, long one of the strongest 
and most popular Democratic daily journals in the State, was first 
issued by Eliasaph Dorchester January 27, 18 17. Within two years 
thereafter the paper was transferred to Rome and its name changed to 
the Oneida Observer ; but it soon returned to Utica and resumed its 
former title. The burning of the Observer files renders it impossible 
to give a detailed history of the early life of the paper. Between 1820 
and i860 such men as Augustine G. Dauby, C. C. Griffiths, E. A. 
Maynard, John P. Bush, John F. Kittle, Arthur M. Beardsley, Joseph 



356 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

M. Lyon and Dewitt C. Grove were successfully connected with its 
management. Mr. Grove was sole owner of the Observer from 1853 
to 1867, was mayor of Utica at the time of the breaking out of the 
Rebellion and was a prominent factor in city affairs. He came to the 
Observer through its consolidation with the Utica Democrat in 1852. 
The Democrat was started by John G. Floyd in 1836 and was success- 
fully edited and published by Edward Morrin, Jarvis M. Hatch, Ben- 
jamin Welch, jr., Welch & Grove and Dewitt C. Grove. The new firm 
of Lyon & Grove came to an early end in 1853, Mr. Lyon retiring, and 
John B. Miller was employed as editor for several years. Mr. Grove 
then became editor and so remained until 1883, his connection with the 
paper covering a period of thirty years. During all that period saving 
a part of the first year, E. Prentiss Bailey was associated with him edi- 
torially and became his business partner in 1867. Several years later 
the firm of Grove & Bailey was succeeded by a corporation with a 
capital stock of $84,000. The ownership remained the same except 
that Theodore P. Cook was admitted as stockholder and trustee. So it 
remained until ill health compelled the retirement of Mr. Grove, whose 
shares was purchased by Mr. Bailey and the corporation title changed 
to E. P. Bailey & Co.; at the same time Thomas E. Clarke was ad- 
mitte as part owner. The entire Observer plant, with about $1,000,- 
000 worth of surrounding property, was destroyed by fire March 2, 
1884. The loss to the corporation was a heavy one, but it resulted in 
their building on Franklin street their present handsome and commo- 
dious structure, which contains a modern newspaper plant, perfect in 
all its features and equipped to produce the large edition which goes 
daily out to the Observer's constituents. 

The first number of the Utica Daily Press was issued March 13, 1872, 
by a combination of practical printers, who had joined in a strike in the 
Herald office. It was first published in a job printing office on Colum- 
bia street, but a few days later removed to an office of its own on 
Seneca street. In the following May another removal was made to No. 
7 Broad street, whence it went into its new building, No. 7 Main street, 
in November, 1891. After various changes in the stockholders a new 
company was organized in February, 1883, including some of the lead- 
ing and professional men of the city. In February, 1885, a majority of 




GEORGE E. DUNHAM. 




A. M. DICKINSON. 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 357 

the stock passed to Otto A. Meyer and George E. Dunham, the latter 
being made president and the former secretary and treasurer. At this 
time F. A. Eastman, who had edited the paper about two years, re- 
signed, and Mr. Dunham, who had previously acted as city editor, took 
the chair. Mr. Meyer continued as business manager, a position which 
he had already held about two years, and F. W. Bensberg became 
a stockholder and took charge of the mechanical department. The 
Press is independent in politics, enterprising in the quest of news, 
is ably edited throughout and has from the first enjoyed an excep- 
tionally large circulation. Its new building is a model of its kind and is 
equipped with a first-class modern newspaper plant. 

The Sunday Tribune was founded in May, 1877, by Dennis T. Kelly 
and T. F. Baker. It was the first Sunday publication in the city and 
was successful from the start. The present proprietor, H. E. Deven- 
dorf, became interested in the fall of 1877 and sole owner in 1883. 
Early in 1878 the office was removed to the corner of Broad and John 
streets, where the facilities of the establishment were soon outgrown. 
Later it was moved to its present quarters in Broad street. 

The Utica Saturday Globe was founded May 21, J 881, by William 
T. and Thomas F. Baker. The circulation grew so rapidly that en- 
larged quarters were obtained three times before its permanent home in 
Whitesboro street was built in 1886 Two enlargements were neces- 
sary here, the first in 1887, and the second in 1892, each doubling the 
former capacity. Since the completion of the last the Globe doubtless 
occupies more room than that devoted exclusively to the publication of 
any newspaper in the State. It is probably the best and most complete 
newspaper plant in the State outside of New York city, among its 
equipment being a new multi-colored press, set up in 1896. The cir- 
culation during 1891 averaged 165,354 copies and on occasions has 
risen to 269,175 and 268,536. A. M. Dickinson is managing editor; 
associate editors, Timothy H. Sweeney, Hugh P. McCabe. Fred G. 
Reusswig, Byron B. Merrill, and five assistants. 

The Utica Daily Union was first issued October 12, 1895, by an as- 
sociation of fifteen persons, thirteen of whom were printers from other 
papers. The corporation was known as the Union Publishing Company 
of Utica, Andrew Keiner being president, Enoch M. Chase, secretary, 



358 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and E. L. Mainwaring, treasurer and general manager. It was the first 
one- cent paper started in Utica. 

The Utica Sunday Journal was started October 14, 1894, by the 
Journal Publishing Company, consisting of John A. Neyenhouse, John 
M. Dolan, and Thomas D. Cahill. 

Measures were adopted in 1853 to establish a paper in Utica for the 
German element. Charles Bierbauer, Frank Sang, John Hahn, J. W. 
Wasmer, A. Brendle, Joseph Leutheuser, Joseph Faass, Paul Keiser, 
Fred Koelbel and others formed a stock company and started a paper 
called the Central New York Demokrat. The first printers were two 
men from New York city, named Timm and Brand, and Dr. Soden was 
the first editor. The paper was issued twice each week and after about 
two years passed to possession of Paul Keiser, who changed its name 
to the Oneida Demokrat. J. C. Schreiber became the editor under 
Paul Keiser's management in i860, the paper then being a weekly. 
In 1865 Mr. Schreiber bought the establishment and made the paper 
again a semi weekly. He changed the name to its present title, The 
Utica Deutsche Zeitung and Oneida Demokrat and later issued it three 
times a week. On April 1, 1891, the establishment passed into the 
control of a stock company of which Mr. Schreiber was president and 
John C. Fulmer secretary and treasurer. The paper has been ably con- 
ducted and widely read by the Germans 

The Utica Volksblatt was started by the present editor and proprie- 
tor, Henry Kruempel, on September 6, 1887. It is issued weekly, and 
is the only German Republican newspaper in Oneida county. 

Y Drych (The Mirror), the only Welsh weekly newspaper in the 
United States (1896), is published in Utica, by Thomas J. Griffiths, at 
131 Genesee street. The paper was started in New York city in 1851 
by J. M. Jones, who conducted it until 1854, when he sold it to a com- 
pany, and the late John W. Jones was employed as its editor. After a 
time the editor became the proprietor. He moved the paper to Utica 
about i860, and this city has since been its home. The late J. Mather 
Jones purchased it not long after its removal, and John W. Jones re- 
tained the position as editor and T. B Morris was associated with him. 
The journal gained popularity rapidly, and was widely circulated among 
the Welsh people. In 1869 J. Mather Jones and John W. Jones went 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 359 

to Arvonia, Kansas, to establish a Welsh settlement there, and J. C. 
Roberts came on from New York in March of that year to manage the 
paper, which position he ha? since retained Mr. Morris remained to 
assist him for a while, but soon went to Scranton, Pa., to edit the Baner 
America. John W. Jones made a short stay in Kansas, and returning 
continued his connection with the paper. He was often absent for ex- 
tended periods. He made several trips to the old country, though up 
to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1884. he was em- 
ployed on the paper and wrote for it. He was a prominent man among 
the Welsh. With them he was very popular and by them he was much 
respected. J. Mather Jones remained in Kansas from 1869 to 1872, 
and continued to own Y Drych till his death, in December, 1874, when 
the paper passed into the hands of T. J. Griffiths, who is now its enter- 
prising and successful proprietor. Joseph W. Nichols was associated 
with Mr. Roberts for about eight months in 1870; then G. H. Hum- 
phrey for some years from 1885 ; and now (1896) Benjamin F. Lewis, 
late of the Utica Herald. 

In 1877 Mr. Griffiths bought the Baner America, which had been 
running nine years and had a circulation of about 2,000. In 1890 he 
bought Y Warg (The Press) which had been published in Pittsburg 
since 1871 ; and in 1894 the Columbia (started in Chicago, 1888), was 
merged in Y Drych, which is now alone in the field with a circulation 
of about 12,000 It aims to be a family paper. It has all the Welsh 
news carefully edited and condensed. Contributions are frequently 
sent in and the best are published. Editorial comment on current 
events is provided, and in short, it is made just such a paper as pleases 
all who can read Welsh Y Drych has the largest circulation in Penn- 
sylvania, and other States follow in this order : Ohio, Wisconsin, New 
York, Vermont, Kansas, Illinois, and so on through the list, for there is 
no State nor Territory that is without at least a few copies of Y Drych. 
It goes wherever there are any Welshmen. 

Y Cyfaill (The Friend), a Calvanistic monthly magazine, founded in 
1857, has been published by J. C. Griffiths from the office of Y Drych 
since i860. It is printed in Welsh. 

Y. Wawr, a Baptist monthly magazine, was established in January, 
1876, by Rev. Owen Griffiths, the present editor. 



360 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Cambrian, a monthly magazine published in English in the in- 
terests of Welsh Americans, was started in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1880, 
and moved to Utica in December, 1886. This and Y Wawr are printed 
by J. C. Griffiths. 

The Utica Advocate, weekly, was started by Horton & Deane in 1894 
and is now published by Bantham, Folkes & Co. 

Besides the foregoing there are or have been several publications in 
Utica with special purposes. The Church Eclectic, a monthly maga- 
zine of church literature, was formed March 1, 1873, by Rev. W. T. 
Gibson, D.D., then rector of St. George's Church. 

A monthly paper called the Christian Worker is issued by the Women's 
Christian Association, and devoted to the interests of charities of the 
city. 

The Gospel Messenger, organ of the Episcopal church in Western 
New York, was founded in 1827 in Auburn by Dr. John Churchill 
Rudd. About the year 1846 Dr. Rudd removed with his paper to 
Utica, where he died April 15, 1848. Bishop De Lancey succeeded 
to the ownership and turned it over to Rev. Dr. William A. Matson as 
editor and proprietor who continued down to i860. Rev. William T. 
Gibson, D.D., then assumed the same position, which he continued 
until January, 1872, The new diocese of Central New York having 
been set off in 1868, the Gospel Messeuger was removed in January, 
1872, to Syracuse, was merged with the Church Journal in November 
of that year, which a few years later was in turn merged in the present 
Churchman. 

The American Journal of Insanity was founded in what is now the 
Utica State Hospital in 1844 and has been continued under the offices 
of the various superintendents until the present time. 

The Evening Telegraph was founded as an independent daily paper 
May 1, 1851, by T. R. McQuade & Co., the company being James Mc- 
Iver, who was editor. He was succeeded in 1856 by James McQuade, 
who acted until 1861 and was followed by Henry W. Chase. In the 
fall of 1863 the paper v/as purchased by F. A. Crandall. who soon sold 
out to D. C. Ritchie. The publication ceased its existence in 1865. 

Other publications, which had a brief existence were, the Christian 
Magazine, 18 14— 15, published by Congregational and Presbyterian 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 



361 



ministers; The Christian Repository, 1822-28, a monthly printed by 
William Williams; The Western Recorder, 1823-28, published by Mer- 
rell & Hastings ; The Baptist Register, a weekly started by Rev. E. F. 
Willey and Elon Galusha and removed in 1855 to New York city ; The 
Utica Evangelical Magazine, later called the Magazine and Advocate, 
edited by Adolphas Skinner in behalf of Universalism, 1827-31 ; The 
Western Sunday School Visitant, 1826-28; The Friend of Man; The 
Teetotaler; The Mechanics' Press; The Uticanian ; The Mothers' 
Magazine, 1833; The Club, by Henry Goodfellow, 1814-15; The 
Woman's Era, started by Charles M. Curry and M. Stanislaus Murphy 
in May, 1895, and published by them until April, 1896; and the 
Parish Record, issued by Trinity Church. 

Banking and Manufactures. — It is an acknowledged fact that the city 
of Utica of to-day rests upon a financial foundation more stable and 
sound than those of the majority of the large communities of the coun ■ 
try. This position has not been reached, however, without bitter lessons 
of experience, struggles to avert disaster, and periods of monetary 
stringency that threatened to overwhelm the business of the place 
From the consequences of the well known financial " panics," as they 
are called, which have afflicted the country, Utica has suffered more 
than many of her sister cities. There are good reasons for this, and 
they lie chiefly in the facts that apart from her location in the midst of 
a rich agricultural region, she possesses no natural sources of wealth, 
and that she has no large water power, from which in early years might 
have been cheaply developed a large manufacturing industry. 1 

The beginning of banking operations in Utica dates from the arrival 
of Montgomery Hunt in 1809, who was sent hither by the Manhattan 
Bank of New York to organize a branch of that institution. This he 
did and began business in a small building standing back from the west 
line of Hotel street, a little south of Whitesboro. In July, 1809. the lot 
on the corner of those streets was purchased and a brick bank building 
erected. Mr. Hunt's only associate was Henry B. Gibson, who acted 
as teller and bookkeeper. The institution existed until 1 8 18 and appears 
to have been prosperous. 

' U " tS1 a <L ter about 1845 there were almost no manufacturing operations in Utica, while Whites- 
HshmentT ' ^^ ^ ^^^ "^ Wate ™ !le "weth. sites of flourish™**- 

' 46 



362 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Iu February, 181 1, a call was published for those interested in a bank 
in Utica to meet at the hotel. This step resulted in the incorporation 
of a Bank of Utica,' 1 June I, 1812, which began business on the 8th of 
the following December, on the west side of Genesee street; in 1813 it 
was removed to the brick building on Whitesboro street, next east of 
the hotel, and there remained until February, 1854, when it was removed 
to its present location. The capital stock was placed at $1,000,000, but 
in reality it did not exceed $600,000 and on the renewal of its charter 
in 1832 it was fixed at the latter sum. Since the expiration of the sec- 
ond charter in 1850 the business has been carried on by an association 
under the State law. The presidents of this bank have been James S. 
Kip, a part of one year; Henry Huntington, until 1845; Thomas 
Walker, until June, 1863; Benjamin N. Huntington, until 1876; when 
Publius V. Rogers, then cashier, was chosen president. On his death 
in July, 1895, Charles B. Rogers succeeded to the office. On the first 
of September, 1865, this bank was organized under the national system, 
becoming the First National Bank of Utica. 

The Oneida National Bank was incorporated May 13, 1836, and be- 
gan business in November of the same year with a capital stock of 
$400,000. Augustine G. Dauby was the first president and Kellogg 
Hurlburt the first cashier. The stock of the bank was in great demand 
and subscriptions to the amount of about $1, 000,000 were soon made. 
On Sunday night, November 20, 1836, preceding the morning proposed 
for opening business the bank was robbed of $108,000 in cash and 
$8,500 in drafts. The theft was perpetrated in the early morning after 
the watchman had gone home. The two thieves went to Canada where 
they purchased farms and other property. They -were subsequently 
arrested ; one of them was convicted and about $50,000 in property was 
recovered. Though this loss was a severe one. the bank made a redis 
tribution of stock and soon became financially strong. On the 1st of 
July, 1865, it went under the national system, becoming the Oneida 
National Bank. Succeeding Mr. Dauby, who held the office of presi- 

1 Timothy O. Grannis came to Utica and about 1832 entered the Bank of Utica as clerk, after- 
wards rising to the position of teller. In 1838 the Bank of Central New York was organized and 
Mr. Grannis acted as teller and later as cashier. July 1, 1862, the T. O. Grannis & Co. Bank was 
opened to business, at first under a State charter and later as a private institution. Mr. Grannis 
was a worthy and enterprising citizen, was long connected with Trinit}* church and later with 
Grace church and was alderman in 1849. He died May 19, 1883. 




"fAAM 



"L-V LV,-C i 



THE CITY OF TTTICA. 363 

dent only about three months, Alfred Munson was chosen in December, 
1836, and continued until his death, May 6, 1854. Charles A. Mann 
succeeded, continuing to his death, January 20, i860. In June of that 
year James Sayre was chosen ; he died April 24, 1877, ar »d on the 6th 
of July following A. J. Williams was elected, and held the office until 
his death in August, 1888. In November of that year R. S. Williams 
was elected and still holds the position. The handsome bank building 
owned by the institution was erected in 1886-87. 

The legislative act incorporating the Utica City Bank bears date 
April 8, 1838, but the organization was not effected until September 1, 

1848. The original capital was $125,000, which was increased May 1 1, 

1849, by $75,000, and in January, 1888, was raised to $400,000; the 
bank began business at 37 Genesee street. In 1862 property on the 
corner of Genesee and Catherine streets was purchased and the next 
year a suitable building was erected. This was burned in the destructive 
fire of March 2, 1884. Temporary quarters were then occupied until 
May, 1885, when it removed to its present building. In May, 1865, the 
bank was reorganized under the national system. Hiram Denio was its 
first president and was succeeded, September 5, 1859, by Jared E. 
Warner; he resigned January 10, 1878, and was succeeded by Isaac 
Maynard, who died February 23, 1885. February 7 of that year 
Charles S. Symonds, the present incumbent, was elected. 

The Oneida County Bank' was organized in 1853 with a capital of 
$125,000, which has always remained the same, and began business in 
its present quarters. The first president was Ira B. Cary, who died in 
1855, and was succeeded by Judge Charles H. Doolittle, who served 
u til his death in 1874. In June of that year Francis Kernan was 
elected and held the office until August 2, 1887, when John Milton 
Butler was chosen. Mr. Butler came to Utica to enter this bank in 
1853 and was made its cashier in 1855. The institution has always 
maintained its credit and has passed through the various financial panics 
almost unscathed. 

1 Stephen Sicard, born in New York in 1835, was reared in Utica and from 1854 to 1865 was 
in the Oneida Bank as clerk and later as teller. In the latter year he became a member of the 
firm of H. H. Hurd & Co., wholesale grain dealers', in which he continued to his death, November 
5, 1800. He was secretary of the board of trustees of the Female Academy, at one time was cap- 
tain of the Citizens Corps, and for many years was director of the Oneida Bank. 



364 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Second National Bank' was incorporated December 10, 1863, and 
began business at 75 Genesee street in February, 1864. The first 
officers were William J. Bacon, president ; Theodore S. Faxton, vice- 
president ; William D. Hamlin, cashier. A few months later Mr. Fax- 
ton was chosen president and held the office until his death in 1881 ; he 
was succeeded by Edward S. Brayton, who continued until his death 
in 1887. William M. White was then elected to the office, and held it 
until his death in January, 1896, when Thomas R. Proctor was chosen. 
J. R. Swan is vice president and D. A. Avery, cashier. The original 
capital stock was $300,000 and has always remained the same. 

In 1 82 1 the Legislature granted a charter for "A Bank for Savings in 
the City of Utica." No further action was taken until 1839, when, on 
the 26th of.July, a charter was granted to the Savings Bank of Utica. 
The institution was promptly organized and began business on May 18 
of that year in the office of Nicholas Devereux. The charter limited 
the deposits to $500,000 and each depositor $2,000. JohnC. Devereux 
was elected president, Thomas Walker, vice-president, and Stalham 
Williams, secretary. At the second meeting May 8, 1839, a code of 
by-laws was adopted, and Mr. Williams was appointed treasurer of the 
bank, an office which he held thirty- four years, until his death in 1873 
at the age of ninety- nine and one-half years. In 1842 an act was 
passed authorizing the bank to. loan $5,000 on personal security instead 
of $3,000 and another act of i860 extended the limit of deposits to 
$1,000,000. This amount was increased in 1864 to $2,000,000; in 
1869 to $3,000,000, and in 1871 to $5,000,000. The Central City 
Savings Institution was incorporated June 20, 185 1, and failed in 1873. 
The National Savings Bank of Utica incorporated March 22, 1865, was 
merged later with a branch of the People's Safe Deposit and Savings 
Institution of the State of New York, incorporated May 14, 1868. 
This institution became bankrupt early in 1872. The failure of the two 
institutions caused some distrust among the depositors of the Savings 
Bank of Utica, which culminated in a run on the bank in the latter part 

1 George R. Thomas, son of Daniel Thomas of Utica, was born January 8, 1822. After being 
employed in several banks, the longest in the Rome Bank, where he was teller and cashier until 
the expiration of its charter, he settled in Utica in 1864, and with E. S. Brayton and others organ- 
ized the Second National Bank and was cashier until his death, July 23, 1887'. Through the confi- 
dence reposed in him he tilled many positions of financial trust. 



THE CITY OP UTICA. 365 

of December of that year; this run continued for about twenty days and 
during a portion of the time was heavy, but when it ended the institu- 
tion had on hand in its vault about $500,000 in currency. Since that 
time the policy of this bank has been to exclude the deposit of moneys 
held for business and commercial purposes. In 185 1 the store on the 
east side of Genesee street, near the corner of Bleecker, was taken by the 
bank and used until 1869, when it was sold and the lot corner Genesee 
and Fayette streets was purchased and the handsome bank building, 
since occupied, was erected thereon. The presidents of the bank have 
been- John C. Devereux, Thomas Walker, Hiram Denio, Edmund A. 
Wetmore, Hon. William J. Bacon, Ephraim Chamberlain, and since the 
latter's death in September, 1895, William Blaikie. Rufus P. Birdseye 
has been treasurer and secretary of the board of trustees since Decem- 
ber, 1894, succeeding Addison C. Miller. 

A. D. Mather & Co. (Asaph D. Mather and Joshua Mather) established 
a private banking house in Utica in March, 1866; the business was 
continued until the death of A. D. Mather in April 8, 1880, when the 
firm was constituted of Joshua and Charles W. Mather. The business 
continued as a private bank to 1890, when it was organized as a State 
bank with a capital of $200,000. Joshua Mather was made president, 
Charles W. Mather, vice-president, Eduard Bushinger, cashier. At the 
present time Charles W. Mather is president, William C. Marsh, vice- 
president, and Eduard Bushinger, cashier. 

The Commercial Travelers' Mutual Accident Association of America, 
with headquarters in Utica, was incorporated March 19, 1883, the 
founder being Edward Trevvett, who drafted its constitution and by- 
laws, and who has served as the secretary and treasurer since July, 1883. 
Henry D. Pixley has been its only president. This is the largest acci- 
dent association in the world of a distinct class of men, all its members 
being or having been bona fide commercial travelers. 

The Homestead Aid Association of Utica was founded by the late 
Edward Curran in February, 1884, and represents assets aggregating 
more than half a million dollars. Mr. Curran was its president until his 
death in June, 1894. In January, 1895, George D. Dimon, then vice- 
president, was elected president, and he was succeeded in January, 
1896, by Hon. Watson T. Dunmore. The association has an invested 
capital of nearly $700,000. 



366 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Utica during much of its history has been noted for its manufactures. 
Its situation near the head of Mohawk navigation and its consequent 
convenience as a place for the receipt and distribution of goods from 
the east, and the return of the products of agriculture from a rich and 
wide reach of country gave it a start as a fit place for commerce. And 
in commerce its people were largely employed. But the lack of water 
power suitable for the driving of factories and mills, at a period when 
such power was wholly relied on, forbade that its industry and its cap- 
ital should be directed to manufacturing. There were of course the 
usual complement of shoe shops, tin shops, chair, cabinet and wagon 
makers. There were tanners, iron founders, and nail makers. To 
wider and more aspiring methods of gain, and pending the period of the 
more developed uses of steam, Utica was by its site wholly denied. 
Among its business men there has never been a lack of enterprise, but 
its manifestations were seen in the conduct of each one's private affairs. 
As wealth increased other fields were sought wherein to invest the sur- 
plus products of industry; and with thought and hands busy at home, 
capitalists have added to their store while helping to build up towns at 
a distance in which they had small cause for personal concern. Nearer 
home they shared in the stock of some of the mills of the Sauquoit, and 
when in 1810 a factory was projected at Oriskany, over one-third of its 
subscribers, representing one-fifth of the capital, were dwellers in Utica, 
the bulk of the capital having been obtained at the east. 

Space can be spared here for only a brief record of the founding of 
some of the important manufacturing industries of the village and city 
as follows : 

The Oneida Glass Company, incorporated in February, 1809, with a 
capital of $100,000. The works were located at Vernon, but the cap- 
ital was mostly from Utica. The factory was operated with moderate 
success until 1836, when the company closed its affairs. 

In 1820 Seth Peckham of Troy began the manufacture of plows and 
other implements on Catherine street. This was the nucleus of the 
later large stove foundry of J. S. & M. Peckham, 1 now conducted by 

1 John S. Peckham, born in Rensselaer county October 3, 1803, lived in Utica from his youth. 
In 1828 he succeeded to the plow factory of his uncle, Seth Peckham. In 1835 he, with his half- 




EDMUND MUNSON. 



THE CITY OF TTTICA. 367 

Edwin and Frank Peckham and W. C. Walker. Another foundry was 
started in 1822 by Ephraim Hart which was the parent of the large 
establishment now under the management of H. Gilbert Hart, grandson 
of Ephraim, and Clarence B. Crouse.' 

A grist mill was started, using the current of the Mohawk River, in 
1823 ; the second grist mill, known as the City Mill, to be supplemented 
with power from the waste water from the canal, was built not long 
afterward by Rutger B. Miller. 

What is known as the Central New York Pottery, Charles N. White, 
manager, is descended from two industries in that line, one founded by 
Justin Campbell, in 1826, and the-other by Brayton, Kellogg & Doolittle 
in the following year. The latter was soon after leased by Noah White, 
who subsequently purchased it From him it passed to his son, Nich- 
olas A. White, and thence to the latter's son, Charles N. White. 

The present large establishment of Munson Bros,, foundry, machine 
shops and manufacturers of mill machinery, had its origin in 1823, when 
Alfred Munson began the manufacture of buhr mill stones on the corner 
of Hotel and Liberty streets. In 1830 Martin Hart became a partner 
in the business and several years later this firm dissolved and a new one 
was formed by Alexander B. Hart and Edmund Munson. This firm 
was succeeded by Munson Bros, in 1868. 2 

The Vulcan Works, now the Utica Steam Engine and Boiler Works, 
was erected in 1832 by Philo C. Curtis, father of Philo S. About three 
years later the business passed out of his hands, but came back to him 
in 1861. One year later Philo S. Curtis bought out his father. 

brother, Merritt, formed the firm of J. S. & M. Peckham, which continued a successful business 
until his death, May 2, 1879. He was a Whig and a Republican in politics, possessed an active 
public spirit and labored in many ways for the advancement of the city. The Utica Mechanics 
Association, the Art Association and other institutions were largely indebted to him for such 
prosperity as they enjoyed. 

1 Henry R. Hart, son of Ephraim and a partner with him in the iron foundry, was well known 
for his activity in promoting the welfare of public institutions, his generosity and genial person- 
ality. He was captain of the Citizens Corps and active in the Mechanics Association and in the 
Fire Department. He died in 1808, aged fifty-seven years. 

2 Edmund Munson, born in Litchfield county, Conn., May 2, 1805, learned the milling business 
with his father, and in 1829 built a flouring mill with four pairs of French Buhr stones made by 
himself. In 1835 he settled in Utica and was employed by his uncle, Alfred Munson, as superin- 
tendent of his business. In 1847, with Alexander C. Hart, he formed the firm of Hart & Munson, 
mill furnishers, which continued until 18U9, when it was exchanged for one with three sons con- 
tinuing until his death, March 14, 1872. Mr. Munson secured several valuable patents for devices 
in connection with his business. A sketch of him appears on a subsequent page of this volume. 



368 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The first planing mill in Utica was started by Philo C. Curtis, which 
soon passed to Chauncey Palmer and Lewis Lawrence. In 1834 they 
began making sash, doors and blinds by steam power. These articles 
had already been produced by Truman B. Dixon, using horse power. 
The business of Palmer & Lawrence passed to Downer & Kellogg and 
later to Mr. Kellogg alone, the present firm being Charles C. Kellogg 
& Sons Co Other lumber working establishments were those of Met- 
calf & Dering, started in 1861, and of Edward F. Downer & Son. 

The manufacture of oil cloth 1 has long been carried on in Utica, hav- 
ing been started in 1832 by J. D. Edwards; it soon passed to Dr. 
Theodore Pomeroy and Thomas R. Walker and later to Theodore and 
George D Pomeroy, son and grandson of the original proprietor. 

The manufacture of ready made clothing in Utica began about 1836 
by James B. Martin and was continued later by the brothers Yates, 
whose sister Martin married This industry has since been represented 
by such establishments as that of William Taylor & Co., successors to 
the Yates business ; Rockwell, Rhodes & Miller, successors to the busi- 
ness of Henry J. Wood ; Roberts, Butler & Co., successors to the busi- 
ness started by Charles A. Yates ; Owen, Pixley & Co , succeeding P. V. 
Kellogg & Co. ; the firm of Owen, Pixley & Co , dissolved in 1885 and 
in its place were organized the firms of H. D. Pixley & Son and Owen 
Bros., both extensive manufacturers. Other large establishments were 
H. H. Cooper & Co., Crouse & Brandegee, Utica Clothing Co. 

The decade between 1840 and 1850 saw an awakening of the indus- 
trial spirit in Utica. A company to operate the Utica Steam Woolen 
Mills was organized February 27, 1846; the property passed to A. T 
Stewart of New York city under judgment sale in 1869. After a long 
and successful existence the business was closed up in December, 1877. 

What is now the Globe Woolen Mills originated as the Utica Globe 
Mills, in 1847. After various vicissitudes this great establishment 
passed under the management of Robert Middleton in 1857 and an era 
of prosperity began. The capital, which was $70,000 at first, was in- 

' William B. Jackson, a native of Westport, Conn., began business life in New York city and 
in 1852, on account of ill health settled in Forestport, where he carried on a lumber business. In 
1864 he removed to Utica, and for about ten years was a partner with Theodore Pomeroy in the 
manufacture of oil cloths. He was a director in the Second National Bank, trustee of St. Luke's 
and Faxton Hospitals and a warden in Grace church. He died December 38, 1890. 



THE CITY OF DTIOA. 369 

creased in 1868 from its earnings to $300,000. In 1886 a large worsted 
mile was added to the plant. In the height of its prosperity this mill 
has employed about 1000 operatives, and has manufactured the finest 
cloths made in this country. 

The Utica Steam Cotton Mills were established in February, 1848, 
under an agreement dated January 11, 1847, made by the following 
persons as trustees : Theodore S. Faxton, Silas D. Childs, Alfred Mun- 
son, Charles A. Mann, Edmund A. Graham, Andrew S. Pond and 
Horatio Seymour. The first mill was erected in 1848 and in 1850 be- 
gan the manufacture of wide cotton goods. 1 The lower mill was erected 
and put in operation in 1870 and the No. 3 Mill, which is connected 
with No. 1, in 1880-81. Extensive additions and improvements were 
made in 1890-91. 

The Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills, established in 1880 for the manu- 
facture of sheetings different in texture from those made by the fore- 
going mills, are under the same executive management as the Utica 
Steam Cotton Mills. The capital stock is $500,000. 

The Skenandoa Cotton Company was organized in 1882 with a capi- 
tal stock of $200,000, which was afterwards increased to $300,000 and 
later to $600,000. The plant is a large one, having a spindlage of 
about 55, OOO, and about 500 operatives are employed in the manufac- 
ture of hosiery yarns. 

Other manufacturing industries 2 in the city worthy of mention, but which 
can only be alluded to in the briefest manner, are the following: The 

1 William Wolcott settled in Utica about 1840, coming from Whitesboro, where he located in 
1811 when seventeen years old. He early displayed unusual business talent and was a long time 
general agent and superintendent of the factory of the Oneida Manufacturing Society. He was 
associated in business with Benjamin S. Wolcott, his brother, in the New York Mills, and after 
coming to Utica superintended the building of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, one of the best of its 
kind in the country. He was thirty years a director of the Bank of Utica, was a director of the 
Savings Bank, a director of the aforementioned mills, and a member and elder in the Reformed 
church. He died November 8, 1859. 

2 John G. Marklove, an English organ builder, came to New York city in 1850 and thence to 
Utica. He thoroughly understood his trade and successfully carried on a manufactory of excel- 
lent organs. He was drowned at Scarboro, Me., August 21, 1891. 

Edward D. Buckingham, born at Saybrook, Conn., February 32, 1818, learned the trade of 
cabinetmaking, at which he worked in various places and finally in Waterville in this county. 
There he established a piano factory and made instruments which gained an excellent reputation. 
Failing in the financial crisis of 1857, he removed to Utica, bought the stock of William H. Dutton 
and was long a head of a successful music and art store. He was a public spirited citizen and 
influential in promoting the general welfare of the city. He died suddenly in May 1891 
47 




^^N) 



THE CITY OF UTICA. 371 

1833, Henry Seymour; 1834-5, Joseph Kirkland ; 1836, John Ostrom; 1837, Theo- 
dore S. Gold; 1838, Charles P. Kirkland; 1839-40, John C. Devereux; 1841, Spencer 
Kellogg; 1842, Horatio Seymour; 1843, Frederick Hollister; 1 1844, Ward Hunt; 
1845-46, E. A. Wetmore ; 1847, James Watson Williams; 1848, Joshua A. Spencer, 
1849-50, Thomas R. Walker; 1851-52, John E. Hinman; 1853 Charles H. Doolittle; 
1854, John E. Hinman; 1855, Henry H. Fish; 1856-57, Alrick Hubbell; 1858-59, 
Roscoe Conkling; 1860, Calvin Hall; 1861-62, Dewitt C. Grove; 1863, Charles S. Wil- 
son; a 1864, Theodore S. Faxton ; 1865, John Butterfield; 1866, James McQuade 
1867, Charles S. Wilson; 1868, J. Thomas Spriggs; 1869-70, Ephraim Chamberlain 
1871, Miles C. Cumstock; 1872, Theodore F. Butterfield; 1873, Charles K. Grannis 
1874, Theodore F. Sayre; 1875, Charles W. Hutchinson; 1876, Charles E. Barnard 
1877, David H. Gaffin ; 1878, James Benton; 1879, John Buckley; 1880, J. Thomas 
Spriggs;. 1881, James Miller; 1882, Francis M. Burdick; 1883, Charles A. Doolittle; 
1884, James S. Sherman; 1885-87, Thomas E. Kinney; 1888, Henry Martin; 1889, 
Samuel J. Barrows; 1890-91, 3 Alexander T. Goodwin; 1891-93, Thomas Wheeler; 
1894-96, John C. Gibson. 

1 A man who had a somewhat remarkable career between 1830 and 1850 was Frederick Hollis- 
ter. From position of clerk in the drug store of John Williams he became his partner and later 
his successor. An active business ambition took Mr. Hollister outside of legitimate trade, and 
in 1840 he bought the mill of Isaac Mason at Checkerville; there he suffered loss by fire of about 
$40,000, but rebuilt with improvements. In 1842 he bought property at Clayville and built the 
Empire Mill; at these two points he expended nearly §500,000. His expectations were not realized, 
and in 1851 he failed with liabilities of about $1,800,000, causing loss and distress tomany indorsers 
and persons of small means, who had intrusted him with their savings. He was alderman in 
1838, mayor in 1843, and originator of the Bridgewater plank road, the first that led out of the city. 
After his failure he removed to New York and died there December 18, 18G3. 

2 Charles S. Wilson, born in Scotland in 1809, came to New York in 1830 and soon after to Utica. 
From 1832-1S48 he was teller of the Bank of Utica and afterwards with others organized the Utica 
City Bank, becoming its cashier. A Democrat in politics, he was alderman three years, and in 
1859 was nominated for mayor. He failed of election, but when Roscoe Conkling not long after- 
ward resigned that office to enter Congress, Mr. Wilson was appointed to the vacancy by the 
council. In 1863 and again in 1867 he was elected mayor. He died July 30, 1884- 

3 In 1890 the mayor's term of office was extended to two years. 



372 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE TOWN OF ANNSVILLE. 



This town is one of the northern tier of Oneida county and lies a 
little west of the center. Its territory includes a large part of numbers 
I, 2, 3, and 8 of the township divisions of Scriba's patent, as seen on 
the map in Chapter X. Scriba's sale of 75,000 acres to Franklin & 
Robinson included a part of the territory of this town. A part of the 
eastern and the southern boundaries of the town are formed by the 
respective branches of Fish Creek ; the east branch, after leaving the 
boundary, flows across the southeast part, while the area is well drained 
otherwise by Furnace Creek, Miller's Creek, Fall Brook and Glenmore 
Brook. These streams are rapid, were formerly filled with fish, and 
supplied water power for the early mills. Fall Brook takes its name 
from the falls where it empties into Fish Creek, the upper one of which 
is fourteen feet high, the middle one fourteen, and the lower one sixty 
feet. The volume of water is now small excepting in times of flood. 
The town contains 36,316 acres, and received its name in honor of the 
wife of John W. Bloomfield, its first settler. What have been called 
"the meadows" in this town were formerly occupied by a part of the 
Oneida nation. About the time of the old French war a party of 
Canadian Indians located at the Fish Creek forks, where the fishing was 
excellent, but they were driven out by the Oneidas. The surface of 
Annsville is broken by ridges and rolling swells running east and west 
and gradually rising towards the north. The soil is clayey in the south 
part and sandy, gravelly and stony in the north. 

Although not organized as a town until comparatively recent date, 
the territory of Annsville was settled early. In April, 1793, John 
Bloomfield (of whom the reader of earlier chapters has already learned 
something) came from Burlington, N. J., and settled on the site of Taberg, 
making his first improvement on the place afterwards occupied by Dr. 
Beach. On his way in he stopped at Old Fort Schuyler and went 



THE TOWN OF ANNSVILLB. 373 

thence on to Fort Stanwix (Rome), arriving there on the same day with 
George Huntington. A little later he proceeded to his large purchase 
at Taberg, and soon built a saw mill and a grist mill ; these were of 
great utility to the early settlers in that region. Mr. Bloomfield and 
his heart strong wife found only a boundless wilderness to welcome 
them around their new home. Their only visitors for a long time 
were occasional Indians, and they were not always the most desirable 
callers. While the Oneidas had a settlement at the forks of Fish 
Creek, according to the "Annals," they frequently brought salmon to 
Mr. Bloomfield for his table. Seeing him weigh the fish they soon 
learned that they received more money for heavy than for light ones 
Soon afterwards, while dressing some fish, Mr. Bloomfield found them 
filled with small stones. Complaint to the chief put a stop to such 
practices. On another occasion, when Mrs. Bloomfield was alone in the 
house, an Indian came in and asked for liquor, which she refused He 
persisted in his demand, saying he knew she had it in the house She 
still refused him, when he drew a knife with which he threatened her 
and drove her into a corner, hoping to frighten her into compliance 
with his demand. In this he failed ; she called to some one to call Mr 
Bloomfield from his work, and the discomfited savage turned and fled' 
The Indian ever admires bravery, and the next day Mrs Bloomfield 
received from her late visitor a fine saddle of venison as an evidence 
of his appreciation of her firmness. The Indians were all thencefor- 
ward her friends. 

Wild animals, too, were numerous, annoying and sometimes dan 
gerous, all through that region in the early years. Elias Brewster 
who came from Connecticut, settled in what is now Annsville in 1806* 
having then lived in the town of Western since 1790. He be^an clear' 
ing his land in 1806 and in April, 1807, located his family on his pur 
chase, where he had built a rude cabin ; the snow was five feet deep 
at the time of his removal. He soon had a few cattle and hogs on his 
place and bears made eternal vigilance the price of keeping them safe 
The be; : rs also made havoc in his cornfield, and in the second year of 
his res.dence there a large black hog belonging to a neighbor who had 
settled about a mile away, also found its way to the same crop Mr 
Brewster's fences were not pretentious and he often had to drive away 



374 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the hog. One evening he thought he heard the animal in his corn, and 
he sent his little boy to drive it away. The boy had been on similar 
errands before and had no scruples about collecting ammunition in the 
shape of stones for his onslaught. A volley or two at the black animal 
caused it to retreat, climbing the tree fence with surprising agility. 
When the boy returned he told his father it was no use trying to keep 
the animal out as it would climb a fence like a cat. The. father sus- 
pected the facts, and when the boy told him further that when he 
stoned the hog it raised up on its hind feet to fight, he knew that the 
lad had driven off a big bear. Saying nothing he reconnoitered the 
place "the next morning and found ample evidence that he was right. 
Setting spring guns the following night, a bear weighing 400 pounds 
was killed. 

Settlement in the north part of the town also began early and by 1803 
several families had penetrated that region. In June of that year four 
brothers, Benjamin. Jonathan, James, and Abraham Morton came in 
from Springfield, Mass.; Abraham arrived ahead of the others, driving 
an ox team. He settled on the farm occupied in recent years by O. F. 
Simmons; the other brothers settled in the same neighborhood, Benja- 
min on the farm subsequently occupied by Jonathan Stanford (and later 
by Wm. Houston), whose father (Jonathan, sr.) married Benjamin 
Morton's daughter and took the farm when the latter located in Taberg. 
The settlement of Jonathan and Samuel Stanford was made in 1805, two 
years after the Mortons came. 

Peter Abbott, from Windham, Vt,, settled in the north part of the 
town in 1806. He was a Revolutionary veteran and a personal ac- 
quaintance of Major Andre. Two of his sons served in the war of 181 2, 
and Captain John F. Abbott and Harvey Abbott, well-known citizens 
of the town, were also sons of Peter, the pioneer. 

Daniel Miller, from Granville, Mass., settled in the north part of the 
town in 1804, on the farm subsequently occupied by John Whiffin. His 
brother, Eliakim Miller, came to the town in 18 14, purchased the farm 
and lived there until his death. Daniel lived for a time in Lee and in 
Taberg, and then removed to Ohio. A son of Eliakim served in the 
war of 1812. 

Squire Fairservice was another early settler, and did not long remain ; 



THE TOWN OF ANN8VILLE. 375 

he located on the flats below the Jervis mill. Being a noted fisherman 
he enjoyed life there until the disappearance of the salmon from Fish 
Creek, when he removed to Wisconsin. Adam P. Campbell and Nich- 
olas Armstrong came in and settled on the meadow about 1806. Dan 
Taft settled early near the site of the later tavern of Vincent Taft, and 
had sons Lyman and George, who were well known citizens. 

As these men and their associates labored in clearing their farms, 
others made use of the water power on the streams by the erection of 
saw mills and the manufacture of lumber in large quantities ; while 
others still established the necessary mercantile stores for the supply of 
the people, built grist mills, founded schools, opened the roads, etc. 
There were at one time twenty-one saw mills in the town, twelve shingle 
mills, four lath mills, four turning shops, two stave mills, a wool carding 
machine, a blast furnace, two cupola furnaces, and two tanneries, a large 
part of these industries being at Taberg. Only three saw mills now 
remain. Very many of these, particularly of the saw mills, have disap- 
peared with the clearing away of the forests. The village of Taberg 
took its name from a town in Sweden, and is situated on the east branch 
of Fish Creek, and has good water power. The Oneida Iron and Glass 
Manufacturing Company, originated in 1809, began operations here and 
gave the place its name. The first blast was made in 18 ri and a good 
product was made. Hollow ware was afterwards manufactured for a 
time, but finally the product was confined wholly to pig iron of fine 
quality. The business was finally closed up. 

A grist mill was built below the McConnellsvilie station prior to 1854 
by David Pike for a man named Mills, and a small settlement gathered 
about it. It long ago disappeared. The tannery at Taberg was orig- 
inally built by Jotham Warden, and was burned several times and 
rebuilt, the last time by D. B. Danforth ; it finally passed to James A. 
Terrill & Co., of Boston. The last to operate it was Spencer Owen, and 
it was closed up in 1893. 

In 1874 Wilson & Draper built a planing mill, a grist mill and butter 
tub factory at Taberg. The planing mill was last operated by John F. 
Draper. 

Hiram Thorne built the first saw mill at Glenmore, and a custom 
grist mill was afterwards established, around which gathered a small 



376 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

hamlet. This mill and a saw mill and cider mill has been operated a 
number of years by Robert G. Jones. Many Irish settled in that vicin- 
ity. The post-office was opened here between 1850 and i860, with 
(probably) Alfred Blenis as the first postmaster. John L. Ward ran the 
grist mill at Taberg last, succeeding Robert Ward, who had it several 
years. Thomas J. Flanigan built a new grist mill in 1895. Mr. Ward 
has placed a planing mill in his grist mill. 

One of the first schools in the town was taught in a log building in 
the north part of the town, east of where Jonathan Stanford lived. This 
was in 18 12 -13, and the teacher's name was Fannie Hatch. In the 
same winter Rachel Hill taught a school in Taberg; in the following 
winter the house that had been occupied by John W. Bloomfield, who 
had removed to Rome, was used for school purposes, Dr. Ashley being 
the teacher. The first frame school houses in the north part of the 
town were built in 1820, one in the Miller and one in the west district. 
There are now in the town eighteen districts with school house in each. 

What is now the Blossvale post-office, in the south part of the town, 
was formerly located in the edge of Vienna at what was called Pine 
Corners and went under that name. It was removed to Taberg station 
on the railroad and given the name Blossvale, from the prominent family 
of settlers there of that name. John Bloss was the first postmaster. A 
little hamlet has grown up around the station. F. and I, J. White are 
merchants here and the latter has built and keeps a hotel. 

Aside from the sweet corn which is raised in considerable quantities 
for the several canning establishments, the farmers of the town are 
turning their attention to dairying more than in former years. There 
are now two cheese factories in the northern part, one at Taberg, one 
at Glenmore, and factories for limburger cheese at Cold Hill and on the 
State road. 

The canning industry is large and factories are carried on, two at 
Taberg, one of which is by G. H. Wilson and the other just now in- 
volved in the Fort Stanwix bank failure ; one at Blossvale by F. & I. J. 
White. 

The hotel in Taberg formerly owned by J. J. O'Connor was sold 
about a year ago to Alexander McCabe and burned in April, 1896. 
Peter A. Coyle bought a hotekof John Ferguson fifteen years or more 



THE TOWN OF ANNSVILLE. 377 

ago, which burned a few years later and was rebuilt and subsequently 
sold to O. L. Peck in 1893 ; he died within the present year (1896), and 
the house is conducted by his widow. Another hotel, built about two 
years ago by J. F. O'Connor, was sold to Charles Light, who now con- 
ducts it 

Of the merchants of Taberg, John J. Dooley began trade in 1884. 
His store was burned, when he built his present one and carries on an 
extensive business. Henry Silvernail has been in business several 
years, succeeding W. J. Lasher who was in trade many years. G. H. 
Wilson is in business, succeeding George Lake; he was preceded 
by Daniel Beekman. At the upper end of the village James H. 
Ferguson carries on business in the store built by him many years 
ago. His brother Samuel was formerly a partner with him. Dr. O. S. 
Kenyon, who has been in practice many years, has a drug store. W. 
B. Graves is in business in a building that was formerly a hotel kept by 
W. W. Barber, Charles Coventry, Patrick Kelly and David Barry suc- 
cessively. Mr. Graves was preceded by Clarence Joslyn, and he by A. 
J. Brewster. 

A store is kept at Glenmore by R. R. Jones, and a hotel by Peter 
Riley. 

The date of the act constituting the town of Annsville is April 12, 
1823, when the territory was set off from Lee, Florence, Camden and 
Vienna. The first town meeting was held March 2, 1824, when the 
following officers were chosen : 

Supervisor, Benjamin Hyde; town clerk, John Segar; assessors, John Bloss, James 
Hart, Dan Taft ; collector, Edminster Harrison, jr. ; overseers of the poor, Increase 
Bartlett, Peter Abbott, jr. ; commissioners of highways, Daniel Griswold, Zachariah 
Tompkins, John Paddock; constables, E. Hammond, jr., Eben S. Bartholomew, R. 
R. Jones; commissioners of schools, Eliakim Simons, Gilbert H. Hull, William 
Clover; inspectors of schools, Joseph C. Bloomfield, Benjamin Hyde, jr., Marshal F. 
Fairservice; poundmasters, Barker Cobb, Asher Miller. 

This list embraces many of the prominent settlers in the town during 
the first quarter of the present century, which is supplemented by the 
names of many more in the following list of those who have held the 
office of supervisor, as far as it is accessible, from the town organization 
to the present time : 

1825-27, Joel Northrop; 1829-31, Israel S. Parker; 1832 to 1853, records missing; 



378 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1854, Thomas B. Allanson; 1855-56, Alfred Blenis; 1857-62, Thomas B. Allanson; 
1863, David Beekman ; 1864, Benjamin F. Secor; 1865, Thomas B. Allanson; 1866, 
George W. Brown; 1867-68, Benjamin F. Secor; 1869-70, David B. Danforth; 1871, 
William G. Cornwell; 1872, A. J. Brewster; 1873, Ambrose Bloss; 1874, Wm. H. 
Nelson; 1875, Wm. C. Armstrong; 1876. George H. Wilson; 1877, Wm. H. Nelson; 
1878-79, Thomas B. Allanson; 1880, James Dounnend; 1881, G. R. Stedman; 1882- 
83, I. J. White; 1884, W. H. Nelson; 1885-86-87, James H. Fergerson; 1888-89, 
William H. Nelson; 1890, G. R. Stedman; 1891, George W. White; 1892-93-94-95-96, 
John J. Dooley. 

Annsville has always been, and always must be, largely an agricul- 
tural community ; as such it is now among the best of those similarly 
located in the county. The opening of the Midland Railroad along its 
southern border, with the station of Taberg (Blossvale post-office) only 
a few miles from Taberg village, gives the farmers reasonable access to 
markets with their surplus products. Among the leading farmers of 
the town, past and present, may be mentioned Ambrose Bloss, George 
W. White, William C. and David Armstrong, William Houston, Simeon 
Harris, William R. Armstrong, Patrick Cooney, Edward K. and G. R. 
Stedman, John Finn, Jacob Sauer, Horatio Evans, Chauncey White, 
Alvin Webb, Patrick Gubbins and Hiram Hillman. 

The first regularly organized church society in this town was doubt- 
less the Baptist, in Taberg, which was formed February 17, 1831, with 
twenty members, and Rev. Samuel Bloss, pastor. During the next ten 
years the membership increased, but after that date it declined and in 
March, 1846, the society disbanded. A reorganization was effected 
January 23, 1847, an< ^ ' n l %4& tne membership was fifty-six, with Rev. 
P. P. Brown, pastor. The first frame church stood on the site of the 
later parsonage and was built soon after the formation of the society. 
The present church was erected about 1864. 

Methodist services were held early in the town, but the organization 
of the society at Taberg was not effected until 1838, when nine mem- 
bers joined for that purpose. A frame church, afterwards sold to the Cath- 
olics, was built in 1839. The present brick church was erected in 
1875-7 at a cost of $8,O00. Methodist services were held in the school 
house at Glenmore for twenty years before the society at that place 
was organized. Preaching was often heard from the ministers settled at 
Taberg. A society was finally organized (1876) and a frame church 
built which was dedicated in February, 1877. 



THE TOWN OF AUGUSTA. 379 

The large number of Irish who have come into this town in compar- 
atively late years, taking the places of early settlers, led to the holding 
of Catholic religious services, which were conducted a number of years 
in a small frame church north of Glenmore and a mile from the present 
church. Rev. Father John Ludden, from Florence, was the first pastor. 
The new church was erected in 1875-6. The Catholic society of Ta- 
berg began holding regular meetings in 1876, and soon had a resident 
pastor in Rev. P. McNulty, under whom the old Methodist church was 
purchased, as before stated. These societies are both prosperous. 

A branch of the Congregational church of Camden was formed in 
Annsville in 1820, and meetings were held in the two school houses in 
the north part of the town. After some years of usefulness the society 
ceased its existence. A Presbyterian society also had an existence for 
some time in Taberg and built a church. It ultimately passed out of 
existence. 

The table printed on page 202 gives the population of the town in 
various years when a census was taken. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE TOWN OF AUGUSTA. 

This town lies on the southwestern border of Oneida county, contains 
an area of 16,763 acres, and was formed from the old town of Whites- 
town March 15, 1798, coincident with the formation of Oneida county, 
when it was enacted : 

That all that part of the town of Whitestown, bounded westerly and southerly by 
the county of Chenango, easterly by Brothertown, and the town of Paris, and north- 
erly by the southernmost great Genesee road shall be and hereby is erected into a 
separate town by the name of Augusta. And that the first town meeting shall be 
holden at the dwelling house of Timothy Pond, jr., in said town. 

The town was named after Gen. Augustus Van Horn, who promised 
to give Thomas Cassety a new military hat if it was so named. 

Augusta was the eleventh of the towns in the county in date of 



380 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

organization. The town includes a part of the Peter Smith tract of 
60,000 acres, described in Chapter X, and the reservation of the Stock - 
bridge Indians. The southeast corner of the Smith tract was the south- 
east corner of the town. The territory of the town lies on both sides of 
Skanandoa Creek, the highlands rising on each side of the valley and 
known as East Hill and West Hill. Oriskany Creek flows through 
the extreme southeast corner. The soil is clayey and sandy loam and 
is fertile. 

As soon as Peter Smith obtained his tract of land he began leasing 
subdivisions for twenty-one years, and by the year 1797 most of the 
lands of the town were leased. In 1795 and 1797 these leases were 
confirmed by the Legislature, the lessees becoming patentees. 

The first settler in this town was a man named Gunn, who in 1793 
built a log house near where Peter Stebbins afterward lived. The sec- 
ond house was built by Benjamin Warren where he lived many years. 
His son, William F., died in the spring of 1895 ; Lyman Warren, his 
brother, lives near Newell's Corners, is eighty-four years of age, and has 
been a prominent citizen for forty years. Others settlers of that year 
were David Morton, John Alden, Ichabod Stafford, Joseph and Abra- 
ham Forbes, and their families, twenty-three persons in all. 

In 1794 a considerable number of pioneers came in, among them 
Isaac and Benjamin Allen, Amos Parker, James Cassety (or Casety), 
Francis O'Toole, Ozias Hart, Abel Prior, Thomas Spafford, Ezra Sax- 
ton, and Abiel Linsley. Parker was a Revolutionary soldier, and is 
said to have been the tallest man in the army, and stood on the right 
of the line at the surrender of Cornwallis. His descendants live in the 
county. Thomas Cassety was a son of James, who was a captain in the 
British army in the 1756 war ; he refused to take up arms against the 
colonies in the Revolution. After the peace of 1760, James went to 
Detroit as an Indian trader and there Thomas was born. For firing at 
an officer of the crown sent to arrest his father, Thomas was in danger 
and fled from Detroit and took refuge among the Western Indians, 
where he was adopted into a tribe and took an Indian wife. After the 
close of the Revolution he returned to civilization and settled at Oriskany 
Falls in 1794. The place was early called " Cassety Hollow." There 
he built the first saw mill in 1794-5 and a grist mill in 1796, the latter 



THE TOWN OF AUGUSTA. 381 

in company with Peter Smith. He afterwards bought Smith's interest 
giving back a mortgage. Reverses overtook him, the mortgage was 
foreclosed and Mr. Cassety was reduced to poverty. His death took 
place August 14, 1831, from taking accidentally a dose of sulphuric 
acid. Capt. James Cassety, his father, died in Augusta May 23, 1822, 
aged eighty-four years. 

Francis O'Toole served the English cause three years, came to this 
country and lived two years with the family of Col. Thomas Seymour 
in Hartford, Conn. He was long supposed to be an ordinary specimen 
of untutored Irishman, but when he replied sharply in Latin to his em- 
ployer's son, who was home from Yale and was making his knowledge 
of that language conspicuous, he appeared in an entirely new light. 
He and his family were much respected, but the name is not now repre 
sented in the town. 

In 1796 Abraham and Alexander Holmes settled on the east hill, 
while Oliver Bartholomew, Deacon Philip Pond, William Martin, 
Stephen Crosby, Archibald and John Manchester, Robert Wordes, and 
John Goodhue settled in other parts of the town in that year. Some 
of them had already done work on their places. There was no road 
worthy of mention down to this date except the one from Clinton to 
Madison, which passed through Augusta. In the fall of this year the 
grist mill was so nearly complete that it could be used ; it was, of course, 
a great convenience and relieved the settlers of their previous long jour- 
neys to Clinton or Madison to get their grinding done. There are a 
very few descendants of the pioneers thus far named living in the vicin- 
ity. A daughter of Alexander Holmes married Rowland Clark, now 
living near Augusta Center. J. Reynolds settled probably in 1795 and 
became a respected citizen ; he has descendants now in business at 
Oriskany Falls. 

Five families came to the town together in the spring of 1797 from 
Washington, Litchfield county, Conn., and settled on what has been 
known as Washington street. Among them were Robert Durkee, New- 
ton Smith, Joseph Hurd, and Sheldon Parmalee. Benjamin and Joseph 
Durkee, and David Curtis, from the same place, came in during this 
year, and settled on " Washington " street, which runs south from the 
Center. There are descendants of some of the Durkee families still 



382 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

living in the town Joseph Durkee was town clerk for twenty-four 
years after the organization of the town. 

An effort was made in the Legislature in 1797 to organize the town,' 
but it failed from the fact that there were not enough freeholders to fill 
the various offices, as required by law, the settlers being still lessees 
under Peter Smith. The organization as effected in the next year, as 
already stated, and at the first town meeting, held the first Tuesday in 
April, 1798, at the house of Timothy Pond, jr., the following officers 
were elected : 

Supervisor, Col. Thomas Cassety ; town clerk, Joseph Durkee (who held the office 
until 1822); assessors, Ezra Sexton, David Brewer, Simeon Williams, Joel Hull; 
commissioners of highways, Michael Hinman, Ichabod Stafford, Philip Pond; con- 
stable and collector, Frederick Putnam; overseers of the poor, James Cassety, Abiel 
Linsley; inspectors of schools, Francis O'Toole, John Smile, Sheldon Parmalee; 
fence viewers, Justus Markham, William Martin, Charles Putnam, Oliver Barthol 
omew. 

These officers started the simple machinery of the town government 
and aided in the establishment of schools and churches. At the time 
of the organization of the town the statutes required that the oaths of 
town officers should be taken before a justice of the peace, or other 
proper officer, without fee or reward. Colonel Cassety was a justice for 
Herkimer county and was probably the only one at that time in the 
town. He administered the oath of office as supervisor to himself, and 
certified that the oath was taken before himself, as shown in the records. 
The first justice of the peace elected for Augusta at town meeting, was 
Nathan Kimball, chosen in 1830; prior to April 17, 1826, they were 
appointed ; by an act passed in 1826 they were elected at the general 
elections; May 4, 1829, they were made elective at town meetings. 
Mr. Kimball settled in the town in 1804 and was subsequently judge. 
The town meeting of 1801 adjourned to meet the following year at the 
house of Seth Holmes, who lived on the west side of the road ascending 
the hill from the south from Vernon Center ; but the erection of the 
town of Vernon in February, 1802, took Mr. Holmes's house into the 
new town and no town meeting was held that year, the officers being 
appointed by three justices of the peace. A town house was built at 
the Center in 1805, and after two removals was finally left in its original 
situation. 



THE TOWN OF AUGUSTA. 383 

The early inhabitants of Augusta gave earnest attention to religious 
matters, and it is recorded that a Methodist minister preached a sermon 
in the town as early as 1794, which was the first public religious service 
in the town, unless some of the missionaries visited the locality at an 
earlier date. The Presbyterian church at Augusta Center was organ- 
ized with nine members on the 7th of September, 1797, in the log school 
house built in that year, where many early gatherings for various pur- 
poses were held. This church was organized in the Congregational 
faith, with the following members: Isaiah Gilbert, Experience Gilbert, 
Benjamin Durkee, Thomas Stafford, Lucy Stafford, Ezra Saxton, Abiel 
Linsley, and Anna Linsley. The first deacons were Abiel Linsley, 
and Isaiah Gilbert, and the first settled pastor was Rev. John Spencer, 
who began his services in 1804. He had been a Revolutionary soldier 
and removed from Augusta to Chautauqua county in 1807 and died 
there. This church held its meetings for several years in private dwell- 
ings and in the school house, and from 1805 to 18 16 in the town hall. 
In 1 8 16 a substantial frame church was erected, which was extensively 
repaired in 1844. The church has always enjoyed a good degree of 
prosperity and is still in existence. 

The Methodist church which formerly existed at the Center was or - 
ganized as early as 1802, at which time there were two classes in the 
town, one of which was on the east hill, where Riley Shepard built the 
old chapel in 18 19. The chapel was occupied until 1840, when a new 
one was built at the Center. The society ultimately closed its ex- 
istence. 

The Baptists formed a society very early on the east hill, but it en- 
dured for only a short time. 

The first school, as far as known, was taught in the log school house 
just mentioned as built in 1797. It stood on the west side of the road 
leading north from where William Bridge lived. A school house was 
built at the Center as early, or earlier, than 1805, in which year the 
town meeting is recorded as held in it. Other schools were provided 
as the settlement increased and various neighborhoods demanded until 
1834, when steps were taken to found an academy. About $2,100 
were raised for the purpose and a commodious building was erected at 
the Center and the school commenced. It was a successful and benefi- 



384 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

cent institution for many years. In 1840 about $400 were raised and 
expended for a library and apparatus and the academy was incorpo- 
rated. The building was of stone and is still standing, but is not used 
for school purposes. The schools of the town have always been care- 
fully fostered by the people. The town is now divided into eleven 
school districts, which include union schools at Oriskany Falls, organ- 
ized in December, 1892, and at Knoxboro, organized in 1876. 

Meanwhile the more material interests of the town were steadily ad- 
vancing. The nucleus of a village gathered at the Center, where a 
Mr. Adams began selling goods in a small way in 1798, in the dwell- 
ing of Ichabod Stafford. He began building a store on lot 17, but 
failed before it was finished. Abiel Linsley was an early merchant at 
the Center and for a time was associated with Samuel Chandler. The 
company failed and W. H. Chandler in 1 806 formed a partnership with 
his brother under the style of Samuel Chandler & Co. Although thus 
interested in the store, W. H. Chandler did not settle there until 1808. 
The brothers continued in business until 18 18, when W. H. Chandler 
became sole proprietor and so continued until February 25, 1835, when 
his store was burned. Elisha Carrington had a small store in early 
years at " Bartlett's" afterwards Newell's Corners At Augusta Center, 
where is located the oldest post-office in the town, a tavern was kept in 
the first years of the century by Jared Moss, which was burned down 
about 1820. Another was erected on the site and occupied for a time 
as a public house and later as a dwelling. Other small taverns were 
established at different times and one is now conducted. Winthrop H. 
Chandler was one of the first merchants at this place and held the office 
of postmaster for many years, the office being in his store. Henry M. 
Hawley was a later merchant and postmaster. Wayne C. Russell is 
the incumbent of the office and the only merchant in the village. 

The picturesque site of the village of Oriskany Falls, with its valua- 
ble water power, also attracted early settlers and business men. The 
building of the early mills at this point by Colonel Cassety has been 
noticed. Another early settler near the Falls was Andrew McMillan, 
who located at Newell's Corners in 1798, and afterwards lived many 
years on the hill west of Deansville. He was father of the late Andrew 
McMillan, former superintendent of the public schools of Utica, who 



THE TOWN OP AUGUSTA. 385 

died in 1892 : there are no descendants of this family now in this town. 
Elisha Fowler, son of Elisha, was born in the town of Paris in 1793, re- 
moved to Augusta in 1816, and settled at the Falls in 1821, was promi- 
nent in the dry goods and grocery business and operated a distillery on 
the site of the brewery. The old Cassety grist mill stood about on the 
site of the later foundry and machine shop and was carried away in a 
heavy freshet about the year 1807. A tannery was established at the 
Falls by Aaron Burley as early as 18 16, who some years later changed 
it to a custom grist mill and distillery, which was burned. The post- 
office, was established in 1828, with David Murray, postmaster. 

While these and other improvements were in progress at the several 
hamlets of the town, settlers came rapidly into the outlying districts, 
the forests fell, lands were cultivated, and attractive homes were founded 
throughout the town. 

The State of Connecticut continued to send her hardy Yankees into 
Augusta, and it is said that in 1847 of forty- eight families living on the 
road running north and south through its center, eighteen were from 
Litchfield county in that State, while many others were from other 
counties in the same State. Josiah Cook, from Otis, Conn., settled in 
town in T799, with his family of thirteen children, twelve of whom with 
their families located in this town. It was from this family that " Cook's 
Corners," now Knoxboro, was named. 

Abner Ranney, from Blandford, a Connecticut town adjoining Otis, 
settled in this town early, and lived to be 101 years and five months old ; 
he was father of twelve children. Elisha Shepard, another early settler, 
was from Blandford, as were the Knox family, with the exception of J. 
J. Knox. John J. Knox came to Augusta in 181 1 ; he was born in 1791, 
and died in 1876. John Jay Knox, one of his sons, was born in 1828, 
and died February 9, 1891. He was prominent in public affairs ; from 
1866 to 1873, he was in charge of the mint and coinage correspond- 
ence of the Treasury Department ; was deputy comptroller of the cur- 
rency five years, and comptroller five years. He was honored with the 
degree of LL. D. by Hamiton College. Knoxboro received its name 
from the father of John Jay, who established a store there in 181 1, 
which was carried on by members of the family many years. He also 
established a brewery about 1820, to "keep folks from drinking" ; it was 



386 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

sold to New York men and is not now in operation. John J. Knox had 
two other sons, all prominent men ; but of the three most widely known 
were Revs. VV. E. Knox and Charles E. Knox. The former was pastor 
for several years of the Presbyterian church at Watertown, N. Y., then 
at Rome from 1848 to 1869, and at Venice from the latter year to his 
death in September, 1883. He was a strong man in the ministry and 
everywhere he was placed. Rev. Charles E. Knox was also an able 
divine. J. C. Knox and others established the " New York Lock Com- 
pany" in 1 861 and manufactured locks several years. James C. Knox 
was the first postmaster after the office was established in about 1850; 
the name was officially changed in 1863. The present postmaster is 
Fred Onyan. 

Charles Putnam, from Stonington, Conn., settled very early in Oneida 
county, first for two years at Clinton, whence he removed to a 400- acre 
farm situated a mile and a half northwest of Oriskany Falls. There he 
built the first barn in the town. He was a veteran of the Revolution 
and father of Frederick Putnam, who settled in the town the next year 
after his father came. Sidney Putnam, son of Frederick, died in 1883, 
leaving a very large estate. 

An early physician in this town, and probably the first, was Dr. 
Johnson, who settled at the Center in 1797, and died in 1806 or 1807. 
Dr. Nathaniel Rose began practice here in 1803 and lived on the place 
where he died in 1839. Eli Botsford became a student with him in 
1 8 19, practiced for a time with his preceptor, and in 1827 began prac- 
tice at Knoxboro ; in 1845 he removed to the Center. Dr. Hooker and 
Dr. Richards were early physicians at the Center, and Dr. Edmund 
Allen settled there in 1820. Preceding Dr. Botsford at Knoxboro were 
Drs. Usher and Hastings, and Dr. Seabury M. Higgins settled there in 
1846. Dr. John S. Livermore began practice at Oriskany Falls in 
1822; Dr. Bishop in 1827; Dr. A. W. Marsh in 1828-9; Dr. D. C. 
Worden in 1833, and Dr. Edward Trask in 1835. Later physicians at 
the Falls were Drs. T. H. Cox, and Dr. W. E. Babcock. Dr. Charles 
Munger has been in practice at Knoxboro more than twenty- five years. 

Early in the year 1797 two brothers, Joab and John Farman, sons of 
John and Rebecca (Chamberlain) Farman, came from Bath, N. H., to 
Paris, Oneida county, N. Y. Joab purchased lands in that town, which 




< ''' I.:-,. Q/'ClA^7 



'7 



THE TOWN OP AUGUSTA. 387 

he sold in 1800 and 1804. In 1804 he moved to Ellisburg, Jefferson 
county, N. Y., where he died October n, 1864, in his ninety-eighth 
year. His first wife, Rebecca (Powers) Farman, died in Paris, July 6, 
1806; and he married in the same place, August 27, 18.07, Abigail 
Whitney. Of his thirteen children, five were born in Paris, viz. : 
Wealthy, October 28, 1797; Belara, September 20, 1799; Martha, De- 
cember 17, 1801 ; Erastus Ingerson, April 14, 1805, and Joab, jr., July 
3, 1806. John purchased 235 acres of land on the Oneida Reservation, 
in the north part of the town of Augusta ; his deed was dated Decem- 
ber 17, 1797 ; and the land was situated a little east of the farm owned 
and occupied, for many years, by the late Walter Powers. John died in 
Oppenheim, N. Y., February 18 12, while on his way to his home from 
Albany, where he had been to market his wheat. Another brother, 
Moody Farman, then a young unmarried man, came with John to 
Augusta. After his marriage he lived till 1820 at Vernon Center, and 
then moved to Jamesville, Onondaga county, N. Y. He was a mill- 
wright, and died from the result of a fall, while building a flouring mill, 
in the then village of Rochester, N. Y., September 27, 1825 Roswell, 
Samuel and Simpson Farman, who were also brothers of Joab and John, 
came to Oneida county with them, or soon afterwards ; Roswell resided 
in Vernon until 1806, when he removed to New Haven, Oswego county, 
(then Mexico, Oneida county), when he died October 17, 1839, in his 
seventy-fifth year. Samuel and Simpson resided some years in West- 
moreland, and then moved to Jefferson county. Samuel died in Ellis- 
burg in that county, December 20, 1849; an< ^ Simpson in Wisconsin 
in 1863, in his eighty eighth year. John Farman, father of Roswell and 
John Farman, was born September 11, 1739, in Maryland; he was a 
descendant in the fourth generation of Robert Foreman (as the name 
was originally written), a planter, who settled near Annapolis, Md., in 
1674. John was a volunteer in the old French war, and served in the 
British army from 1756 to 1763. He came by the way of the Hudson, 
the Mohawk, Oneida Lake and Oswego River to Oswego ; he was occu- 
pied on this route and at Oswego for three years, the greater part of the 
time at the latter place. In 1760 he descended the St. Lawrence in the 
general movement upon Montreal, and in 1763 went through the forests 
to Newbury, Vt. (then New Hampshire). He there married Rebecca 



388 OUK COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Chamberlain and settled in Bath, New Hampshire. He served in the 
Revolutionary war, had a family of nine sons and one daughter, all of 
whom, except one, lived to have families, mostly large ones. It is 
probable that his accounts of Central New York led his sons, soon after 
his death, to leave their homes among the mountains of Northern New 
Eugland, for the more genial climate and fertile soil of Central New 
York. 

Some of the early residents of the town attained distinction in public 
affairs ; among them David Ambler, who was a member of assembly 
when presidential electors were chosen by that body, and was one of 
that body to elect James Monroe to the presidency. John J. Knox 
was elector when William Henry Harrison was chosen to the presi- 
dency. Of other early residents Winthrop H. Chandler, Riley Shep- 
ard, and David Murray were member of assembly, and many other 
families of the town will be found noticed in Parts II and III of this 
volume. 

Outside of Oriskany Falls this town is essentially an agricultural dis- 
trict, and the farmers past and present have advanced in their vocation 
with the improvements in facilities and the broader knowledge of 
methods introduced in later years. Following the crops of various 
grains and vegetables that were principally grown in early years, large 
areas were given up to the cultivation of hops. This crop has been a 
snccessful one, as far as relates to quantity and quality, but the town 
has often suffered in common with others from the fluctuation in prices. 
In comparatively recent years much attention has been devoted to 
dairying, with good results ; cheese has been manufactured to a con- 
siderable extent and there are now two factories in the town. Among 
the leading farmers of the present may be mentioned the following : 

D. Fairchild, John Hewitt, George Byrnes, W. W. Collins, H. J. Durkee, Charles 
Green, Arthur Allen, Warren G. Strong, A. W. Strong, Eugene Snow, E. C. Eaton, 
W. G. Spaulding, R. O. Vaughn, William Hinman, A. C. Brewer, E. J. Bartholo- 
mew, J. E. Morrow, Henry Farnham, A. I. Stone, J. J. Beach, Putnam estate, John 
C. Cross, A. A. Miller, Jay Hatheway, W. W. Hatheway, E. B. Miner, William 
Maxon, P. Chesebro, James Van Swall, A. Morehouse. 

The first white child born in Augusta was Peter Smith Gunn, a son 
of the first settler. The first marriage was that of Daniel Hart and 
Catherine Putnam, the ceremony being performed by Colonel Cassety, 



THE TOWN OF AUGUSTA. 389 

as justice. The first death of an adult was that of Eleazer Putnam, who 
died April 15, 1795, at the age of thirty-one years. 

In the cemetery near Knoxboro is the grave of Dr. Augustus Bur- 
goyhe, who first came to this country at the time of the war of the 
Revolution, as general surgeon in the British army under command of 
his uncle, Gen. Sir John Burgoyne. After the surrender of the latter, 
October 17, 1777, at Saratoga, Dr. Burgoyne and other prisoners were 
sent into Vermont to be safely kept, and at one time he was confined 
in the old Bennington meeting house. While in Vermont he became 
acquainted with Anna Rice, whom he afterwards married. He settled 
in Thetford, Vt, where he practiced medicine many years. In his old 
age he went to live with his married daughter, Tabitha Burgoyne, wife 
of Zenas Bird, who lived in Augusta. There he died and was buried. 
The inscription on his tombstone reads as follows : 

Sacred to the memory of Dr. Augustus Burgoyne. Born in England 1737, and 
died in Augusta February 8, 1824, aged 87 years. 

Oh soft remembrance drops a pious tear, 
And holy friendship stands a mourner here. 

The present oldest resident of the town is Elliot Hurd, who resides 
at Augusta Center at the age of ninety eight years. The town has 
been the native place of several excellent attorneys, some of the latter 
ones being noticed in Part II. In 1847 a historical address was deliv- 
ered by the Rev. Orlo Bartholomew, from which many facts are herein 
drawn, in which he gave the following as lawyers native in the town up 
to that time : Henry Moss, George Fowler, S. L. Rose, James O. Toole, 
Austin Kendall, Henry L. Brown, Du Portal Davis, and James C. Steb- 
bins. 

Besides the churches already noticed several others have'been organ- 
ized and are now in prosperous existence. The Baptist church at the 
Center was organized August 22, 1829, with thirty-three members. 
The church edifice was completed before the organization and dedicated 
two days previous. The society closed its existence many years ago. 

On the 31st of January, 1833, the Congregational society at Oriskany 
Falls was organized, and the stone edifice was partly finished, so that 
services were held in the basement, in the following year ; the buildino- 
was not finished until 1845. F° r several years prior to 1894, the 



390 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

church was practically closed, but the pulpit is now occupied by a non- 
resident pastor. 

A Methodist class was in existence many years before the organiza- 
tion of a society, which was effected in 1867. The village was made a 
station in 1858, with Rev. A. L. York, pastor. In 1867 the Women's 
Aid Society purchased the lot and fitted up a building there as a chapel. 
The present church building was erected in 1870-71. 

The date of organization of the Church of the Good Shepherd, at 
Oriskany Falls, is not obtainable but was prior to 1871, at which date 
Rev. Russell Todd was pastor. The frame church was erected in that 
year. It is now in a fairly prosperous condition. 

St. Joseph's Catholic church, Oriskany Falls, began holding meetings 
in Owen's Hall in 1867, and in 1872 began the erection of the present 
church, which was finished in the next year. The first pastor was Rev. 
Peter O'Reilly, of Clinton. 

A Union church, composed of Presbyterians and Methodists was 
organized in 1849, and a building was erected from the materials of the 
old church on East Hill. This was closed as a church in 1871. The 
present Methodist church at Knoxboro was erected in 1872 at a cost of 
nearly $10,000. The Presbyterians of Knoxboro built their separate 
edifice in the same year, which cost with all appurtenances about $10,- 
000. The society is an offshoot from the one at the Center. 

The village of Oriskany Falls is one of the most thriving and at- 
tractive of the smaller villages of the county. In recent years many 
industries have been established within its limits which enterprising men 
have made prosperous. The railroad built by the Utica, Clinton and 
Binghamton Company, which was organized in August, 1862, and 
opened to Oriskany Falls in 1868, and through to its terminus in 1871, 
placed the village in rapid and easy connection with the large markets 
and gave it a marked impulse. The first grist and saw mills which 
have been described were succeeded in later years by the present mill, 
which was erected by David Currie. Passing through various hands 
it finally came into possession of Hatheway & Reynolds, the present 
proprietors. It contains all modern requisites for flouring purposes. 
What has been known as the " Farmers' Mill " was built in 186 1-2 by 
Martin Miller, and is now owned by E. S. Hambliii. It has been re- 
fitted for the roller process. 



THE TOWN OF AUGUSTA. 391 

Aaron Burley's early tannery, which was converted into a distillery, 
has been mentioned. It was again transformed into a woolen mill by 
E. & W. D. Hicks in 1864. In 1889 it was purchased by Langley & 
Davis. It was burned in December, 1894. 

A foundry and machine shop was built by Ballard & Briggs in 
1853, to which was added a furnace. They carried on the business 
many years. In the spring of 1895, the Oriskany Falls Knitting Com- 
pany was organized for the manufacture of sweaters and underwear, 
and took the old foundry and shop plant for their business. 

In, 1 865 the firm of Owen & Brainard built and established a woolen 
factory, where they manufactured cassimeres until 1875, when E.~ B. 
Woolworth'took the plant and began the manufacture of woolen yarns. 
The business in 1889 passed to Langly & Davis and the factory was 
burned. H. H. Langley then erected a new factory which is now in 
successful operation. 

The inception of the Oriskany Falls brewery is credited to a Mr. 
Hines, who built on the site of the former distillery of Elisha Fowler. 
After passing through other hands it, about eleven years ago, came 
into possession of H. Morgan & Co. (James A. Douglass) and the es- 
tablishment now has a capacity of about seventy- five barrels a day. 
Mr. Douglass is now sole proprietor. 

One of the largest and most prosperous industries of the village is 
the Scotch cap factory of Hathevvay & Reynolds. The first two man- 
ufactories of these goods in America were established in Utica, and the 
third was the one at the Falls, which was started in 1881. About 150 
hands are employed in the business. 

Another industry in the same line is the Scotch cap factory of James 
Cunningham & Son, which was founded by the senior of the firm, who 
learned the business in his native Scotland. He located in Utica in 
1880 and removed to Oriskany Falls in the next year, where he started 
the factory of Hatheway & Reynolds. In April, 1890, he engaged 
in the manufacture with his son, and they now employ about fifty 
hands. 

In 1869 Fred G. Willard established a job printing-office in this vil- 
lage and three years later began the publication of a small paper called 
the Monthly Advertiser. It was soon enlarged and the name changed 



392 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

to the Weekly News. Later another enlargement was made and the 
name changed to the Oriskany Falls News. On the 1st of March, 
1888, the establishment was purchased by W. S. Phillips, the present 
proprietor. He has improved and enlarged the paper, which finds a 
large constituency. 

Oriskany Falls Engine Company No. 1, with its attendant hose com- 

' pany, has protected the village from fires, as far as possible, for more 

than twenty years. The hand engine was purchased in 1871, and the 

company was organized immediately afterwards. D. E. McElhinney is 

chief. 

Oriskany Falls village was incorporated March 20, 1888. J. C. Cross 
was the first president, and H. A. Langley is the present incumbent of 
the office. C. B. Keith is president of the school board. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of Augusta from the date of 
its organization to the present time, with the dates of their election : 

Colonel Thomas Cassety, 1798; Abiel Linsley, 1799-1800; Sheldon Parmalee, 
1802-7; Samuel Chandler, 1808-17; John J. Knox, 1818; Samuel Chandler, 1819-21; 
John J. Knox, 1822-23; Winthrop H. Chandler, 1824-26; Nathan Kimball, 1827-28; 
W. H. Chandler, 1829; Nathan Kimball, 1830-31; William Smith, 1832-34; W. H. 
Chandler, 1835-36; Aaron Burley, 1837-38; Benjamin Allen, 1839; John Currie, 
1840; Elisha Fowler, 1841-42; John A. Scott, 1842-43; Alonzo Metcalf, 1845; Benja- 
min Allen, 1846 ; David Murray, 1847 ; Solomon M. Wells, 1848 ; George W. Couch, 
1849; John A. Scott, 1850; Warren H. Griswold, 1851; George W. Couch, 1852; Al- 
mon W. Reynolds, 1853; Isaac C. Miller, 1854; James Allen, 1855; Elisha Fowler, 
1856; James C. Knox, 1857; Dan P. Buckingham, 1858-59; James C. Knox, 1860; 
Willard G. Cummings, 1861; David W. Miner, 1862-64; W. S. Adams, 1865; Phil- 
ander Powers, 1866-67; John McMillan, 1868; Philander Powers, 1869; Milo C. 
Barker, 1870; Warren G. Strong, 1871-7-2; Milo C. Barker, 1873; James A. Douglass, 
1874-75 ; Arthur P. Bartholomew, 1876-77 ; F. Leroy Hatheway, 1878-80 ; Warren G. 
Strong, 1881 ; Judge D. Dodge, 1882 ; Joseph Beach, 1883 ; William Hinman, 1884- 
85; Myrtlan-F. Smith, 1886-89; James A. Douglass, 1890-94. 

By the year 1835 the population of the town had reached 3,347 ; but 
before the next census in 1840, the number was reduced to 2,175, 
largely by the setting off of a portion of the town to Stockbridge, Madi- 
son county, in 1836. Since that time it has hardly kept its original 
number of inhabitants, like many other localities that are without very 
large commercial centers. In 1845 the population was 2,117; m 1 850, 
2,271 ; in 1855, 2,383 — the largest number after it was reduced in area 
in 1836. In i860 it was 2,213; in 1870, 2,067; in 1875, 2,233; in 
1880, 2,171 ; in 1890, 1,984 and in 1892, 1,983. 




J. A. DOUGLASS. 



THE TOWN OF AVA. 393 

The principal officers of the town for 1895 are the following: 

Supervisor, James A. Douglass; town clerk, Charles F. French; justices, E. S. 
Hamblin, E. Bartholomew, Frank French, Jay Fairchilds; assessors, Lewis Porte. 
Fred Wasmuth, Isaac Richmond; highway commissioner, John Van Evra; collector, 
Arthur Barton ; overseer of poor, William Beck. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE TOWN OF AVA. 

This town lies in the central part of the northern tier of the county, 
and is one of the minor towns as well as next to the last one in date of 
organization. It was set off from Boonville by an act of the Legislature 
May 12, 1846, and embraces a little more than 22,000 acres. A large 
part of the territory of the town was included in the Machin and the 
Adgate patents, as shown on the map in Chapter X, with a smaller part 
in the Scriba patent, and small grants to others. The surface of the 
town is high and rolling, and the soil productive and composed of 
gravelly loam. The western boundary is Fish Creek, and through the 
town flow the headwaters of the Mohawk, with several small brooks. 
Tributaries of Black River find their source in the town, and in early 
years especially, when the volume of all small streams was much larger 
than now, good water power was found in many parts of the town, upon 
which was built the numerous early saw mills. 

The territory of Ava was settled early, considering its situation, the 
pioneer, Ebenezer Harger, having located there in 1797 or 1798, re- 
moving from Whitestown where he had been about a year. His settle- 
ment was made about a mile east of the site of Ava Corners. He was 
soon followed into the town by Zephaniah and Abner Wood, and prob- 
ably in 1800, they welcomed as neighbors Philo Harger, Benjamin 
Jones, Lemuel Wood, and Justus Beardsley. Salmon Bates became a 
settler in or before 1800, and opened his house as a tavern, the first in 
the town. In the following year Benjamin Jones built the first saw mill, 
at which time there were said to be only nine residents. 



394 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Eli Mitchell located in Western in 1803, where their daughter Jerusha 
was born the next year. About 1807 they removed to Ava and settled 
on the farm afterwards occupied by their son, Eli T. Mitchell, in the 
southeast part. Rickerson Kenyon was another early settler in that 
neighborhood, south of the Mitchell place, and Joseph Hunt settled 
near the site of the Corners. About 1800 Daniel Buck settled in the 
northeast part of the town, on the farm occupied in recent years by his 
son, Jonathan Buck. The latter was born on that farm in December, 
1804, and passed his life there. About a mile northeast of the Buck 
farm Isaac Knight settled just before the beginning of the century ; he 
was from Rhode Island. This farm was occupied in recent years by 
Fenner Rockwood. Remember Kent built a saw mill northwest of this 
on Moose Creek, which was operated many years. As early as 1801 
Philo Harger and Benjamin Jones built one of the first saw mills in the 
town on the east branch of the Mohawk. The first white child born in 
the town was Chauncey Harger, born in March, 1801. 

The pioneers of Ava lived in an isolated situation, distant from the 
main thoroughfares of travel, and passed through many hardships that 
were escaped by those of other localities ; but they persevered, cleared 
their farms, learned lessons of self-reliance, and reared their descendants 
in such a manner that they became good citizens. Children received 
such education as was possible under the circumstances ; those in the 
eastern part of the town were compelled for a number of years to go 
to Boonville, while others went to the log school houses that gradually 
came into existence. Religious, services were held in the dwellings of 
the settlers for many years before a regular church organization was 
effected. Many of the pioneers belonged to the Society of Friends, 
and they built an early church, which was the only one in the town for 
years. 

The act organizing the town directed the first town meeting to be 
held " on the 4th Tuesday in May, 1846, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, 
at the house of Joshua Coleman, in said town." At that meeting the 
following officers were chosen, the list comprising a number of the 
prominent settlers who located in the town prior to 1850 : 

Supervisor, Henry C apron ; town clerk, Horace Hoyt; justices of the peace, Sam- 
uel Jonas, Truman Harger, John Cronk, Jeremiah Rowley; collector, Ezekiel R. 



THE TOWN OF AVA. 395 

Preston; assessors, Jonathan Buck, David Rankins, Ephraim S. Adams; superin- 
tendent of schools, Horace A. Buck; commissioners of highways, Nathan Shippy, 
Artemus Young, Daniel Edgerton ; overseers of the poor, Samuel Hunt, Hiram 
Cronk; constables, Nathan R. Tiffany, Noah Nelson, John S. Bush, Archibald Mc- 
Donald ; sealer of weights and measures, Horace Hoyt. 

The early road that was cut through from Fort Stanwix to the 
French settlement on Black River passed through this town, and in the 
central part a settlement gathered at what became and now is Ava Cor- 
ners. There a post-office was established early, through the effort, as 
it is said, of a man named Bancroft, who secured a title formed by re- 
versing his own name to Croft Ban. It is not wonderful that such a 
name did not endure, and later gave place to Ava (the name of the 
capital of the Burmese empire, Asia), and upon the organization of the 
town in 1846, it very appropriately took the same name. Ava Corners 
is a small village where has been carried on one or two stores, a hotel, 
and various shops. It is connected by stage with Rome. The first 
hotel was built by a Mr. Kingsbury, on the site of the later hotel; the 
second one was partly built in the summer of 1850, but it passed to 
Morse & Shaver, who finished it and kept it a number of years. A 
store is kept by F. E. Castle, who has been in trade several years, suc- 
ceeding W. S. Bushnell. Pohl & Smith have carried on a store about 
four years, prior to which A. Hurlbut, now a merchant of Boonville, 
was with Mr. Pohl. G. D. & V. F. Pohl established here a foundry and 
machine shop where they have manufactured largely curd mills, agita- 
tors, steam and gasoline engines, and other articles. The foundry part 
of their works burned in April, 1896. H. G. Wickman has a wagon 
shop in the place. 

Some of the former merchants of the place are Silas Morse, Nathan 
Tiffany, Fred Hammes, Frank Edgerton and Waiter Bushnell. 

The farming community is now engaged to a considerable extent in 
dairying, and there are now six cheese factories of all kinds in the town. 
Some of the leading farmers of Ava, past and present, are A. and H. 
Hurlbut, Gideon Vary, Charles Castle, N. C. Vary, James Thomas, Asa 
W. Owens, Orsemus Tiffany, John J. Adams, J. B. Adams, Lincoln 
Wood, Jedediah Edgerton and P. A. Flint. 

Mrs. Samuel Hurlbut, who is now eighty-four years old, lives with 
her son on the place where she was born, and is the oldest living resi- 
dent. She was a daughter of Justus Beardsley. 



396 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

There have been a good many German settlers in this town, and they 
have always had religious meetings and finally effected an organization 
which erected a church in school district No. 9. It was completed 
about 1 86 1. 

Methodist services were held in school houses and dwellings for years 
before the formation of the present society in 1868. The pretty church 
was built in the following year. 

The schools of the town are well cared for, the number' of districts, 
with school houses, being nine, as it has been for many years. 

Following is a list of those persons who have held the office of super- 
visor in Ava from its organization to the present ; a list containing 
about fifty of the prominent citizens : 

1847, Henry Capron ; 1848-19, Horace Hoyt; 1850, Henry Capron; 1851-52, Silas 
C. Morse; 1853, Horace Hoyt; 1854-55, Walker Adams ; 1856, Reuben Knight; 1857, 
Peter A. Flint; 1858-59, Henry E. Shaver; 1860, Samuel Hunt; 1861, Stephen L. 
Bates; 1862-64, Jedediah Edgerton; 1865-66, James H Capron; 1867, Samuel Hurl- 
but; 1868, Selden Palmer ; 1869, Silas C. Morse; 1870-71, John M. Edgerton; 1S72, 
Peter A. Flint ; 1873, Selden Palmer ; 1874, Smith M. Capron ; 1875, Silas C. Morse ; 
1876, James H. Bellinger; 1877, Luke Jones; 1878-79, Gideon Vary; 1880, James M. 
Bellinger; 1881-83, John M. Edgerton; 1884, Menzo Fox; 1885, William A. Lyman; 
1886-87, Menzo Fox; 1888, Nathan C. Vary; 1889, Henry Harris; 1890, N. C. Vary; 
1891-93, Henry Harris ; 1894-96, Charles Knight. 

For population of the town in the years when a census has been 
taken see page 202. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE TOWN OF BOONVILLE. 

The town of Boonville is situated on the northern border of Oneida 
county and is among the largest of the towns, its area being 43,985 
acres. Within its territory are included parts of Adgate's and Matchin's 
patents, as shown on the map herein. Black River flows in a north- 
westerly direction across the eastern part of the town and the head- 
waters of the Mohawk, Black River and Fish Creek are found within 
its borders. Black River Canal enters the town near the southwest 



THE TOWN OP BOONVILLE. 397 

corner, passes northerly through the village of Boonville and enters 
Lewis county from the northern part of this town. A feeder to this 
canal extends from Boonville village to the village of Forestport. The 
surface of the town is uneven, rising in places in considerable hills. 
The soil is generally sandy and in many places the land is thickly dot- 
ted with great boulders. The original forest in this region was princi- 
pally a dense growth of pine and spruce, which was a source of a large 
lumber industry in the early years of the history of the town. 
\/The fact' that the Holland Land Company purchased a large tract of 
land in Oneida county at an early day has already been recorded in 
another chapter of this volume. A considerable part of their purchase 
lay in what is now Boonville, and Gerrit Boon came here to act as agent 
in the sale of the company's lands. From him the town took its name. 

Permanent settlement began in this town in the spring of 1795 when 
Andrew Edmunds came in to act also as agent in the sale of lands 
either for the Holland Company direct or under Mr. Boon. A number 
of men were employed by him in making improvements, among which 
were the building of a saw mill and the commencement of a grist mill. 
On account of the accidental burning of the quantity of lumber intended 
for the latter mill, its completion was delayed until the following spring. 

The water power and other natural features of the locality were at- 
tractive to settlers, and in 1796 quite a number came in. Among them 
were Luke Fisher and his son, Phineas, Silas and Martin Southwell, 
Asahel and Ezekiel Porter (who located on the west hill), Aaron Will- 
ard (who settled on the site of the village), Jacob Springer, Jeptha King, 
Hezekiah Jones and son, a Mr. Stockwell and three young men named 
King. Many of these were employed by the Holland Company, while 
others selected farms, made clearings in the forest and began the erec- 
tion of their humble homes. 

In that year (1796) the Holland Company built and opened a store 
on the site of the village, which was the first one in the town. It stood 
on what is now the southwest corner of Main and Schuyler streets, was 
in a one story frame building and was kept by a Mr. Storms. It was 
afterwards sold to Schuyler & Post who carried on business there more 
than forty years. In the fall of the same year the company built a 
tavern on the corner on the site of the stone building owned in recent 



398 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

years by J. M. Lewis. There Capt. Andrew Edmunds opened the first 
public house in the town, and soon around these pioneer business places 
gathered the nucleus of a hamlet. A post-office was established early 
and Peter Schuyler was probably the first postmaster ; he came in from 
New Jersey and for a time lived in Trenton. ^ In early years a mail 
post route extended from Utica to Ogdensburg. Among the early mail 
carriers was Jerry Kingsbury who later went to Alabama. 

Dr. Samuel Snow settled in Boonville about 1796 as the first phy- 
sician. He began keeping a tavern in 1808. Small- pox broke out in 
the settlement in 1799 and Dr. Snow inoculated many for the disease. 
Other very early physicians were Drs. Samuel Bass and Nathan North. 

Aaron Willard, before mentioned, settled on or near the village site 
and built the first house between Boonville and Leyden in 1796 ; it was 
replaced by a frame building in 1812. Jacob Rogers, a native of Ston- 
ington, Conn , and later from Springfield, Mass., brought his family to 
Boonville in March, 1796; he was a shoemaker and tanner and had 
worked for the Holland Company in the previous year. In 1799 he 
established a tannery which he operated several years. Ill health com- 
pelled him to give up the business and he settled on a farm. He was 
prominently connected with the early militia, and his son Julius was 
born in the village in 1799 and there passed his long life. When Jacob 
Rogers first came in John Burgess and Hezekiah Jones were occupying 
a log house, and he stopped with them until his own rude dwelling was 
completed ; it was situated on Moose Creek, and in that neighborhood Mr. 
Rogers built his tannery. 

Jotham Snow came from Worcester, Mass., and settled in Boonville 
in 1804; he had lived in Leyden five or six years previously. The farm 
on which he located is now the property of George Tubbs. His son, 
S. E. Snow, born in 1804, was a long-time merchant in the village. 

Deacon John Nichols settled within the limits of the village cor- 
poration about 1805, on the farm occupied twenty years ago by Will- 
iam Higby, which is now leased to a tenant. Timothy and Thomas 
Jackson located here about 1807; Pelatiah Ballou was also an early 
settler. •J Elias Kingsbury, and his brothers, John, Jerry, and Elijah, and 
their cousin, Archelaus Kingsbury, settled in the town within about 
three years from 1796 ; they were all from New England. Israel Kings- 



THE TOWN OF BOONVILLE. 399 

bury, son of Elias, long a respected citizen of the town, as also were 
others of the family. 

The first birth of a white child in what is now Boonville was a daugh- 
ter of Jacob Springer, and the first deaths were those of Mr. Truman and 
Mr. Darrow ; it is not positively known which of the two died first. The 
first couple married were Henry Evans and Elizabeth Edmunds, the 
latter a daughter of the pioneer. 

The eastern part of the town was not settled until comparatively re- 
cent years. Jacob Hayes located there in 1823 on the farm afterwards 
occupied by his son Jonas. /George Hilts settled on the next farm 
north, and Ahaz Thayer and Ziba Kingsbury to the south. 

Levi Hillman was an early settler and one of the first assessors. 
Elisha Grant was another pioneer and was chosen the first collector of 
the town. Job Fisk and John Post settled prior to 18 16 and both held 
the office of supervisor in early years ; the latter located in the village. 
The names of many other prominent citizens will appear as we proceed. 
v/The town of Boonville was erected from the town of Leyden March 
28, 1805. Its territory was originally included in Whitestown, from 
which it was taken to form a part of Steuben, and in 1797 became a 
part of Leyden. The first town meeting for Leyden was held at the 
house of Andrew Edmunds April 4, 1797, and the following officers 
elected, among whom were a number of early comers to what later was 
made Boonville : 

Supervisor, Andrew Edmunds ; town clerk, John Stormes ; assessors, Asa Brayton, 
Jacob Rogers, Phineas Southwell ; constables and collectors, Jared Topping, Levi 
Hillman ; poormasters, Bela Hubbard, Luke Fisher; commissioners of highways, Asa 
Lord, Reuben King, Elisha Randal; roadmasters, Sheldon Johnson, Isaac Southwell, 
Eliphalet Edmunds, Amasa King, "Archelaus Kingsbury ; fence viewers, Lilly Fisher' 
Asahel Huff (Hough?), Timothy Burgess; poundmasters, Charles Otis, Joshua 
Preston. 

Boonville territory, it will be noticed, got most of the officers. The 
supervisors of Leyden from 1797 to 1805 were as follows: 

1798, Andrew Edmunds; 1799, Phineas Southwell ; 1800, Asa Brayton ; 1801, Phineas 
Southwell ; 1802, Asa Brayton ; 1803, Silas Southwell ; 1804 John Dewey ; 1805, Peter 
Schuyler. 

The usual regulations were voted in the early town meetings, among 
them being a ten dollar bounty for wolf scalps taken on the west side of 



400 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Black River, and six cents for henhawks' heads ; these bounties were 
voted at the last election in Leyden before Boonville was set off. 

i The first election of officers for Boonville was held at the house of 
Josoph Denning April 22, 1805, and the following officers were chosen, 
the list embracing several pioneers not before mentioned : 

Supervisor, Joseph Rogers; town clerk, Aaron Willard; assessors, Levi Hillman, 
Jotham Snow, Isaac Knight; constable and collector, Elisha Grant ; poormasters, 
Luke Fisher, Job Fisk; commissioners of highways, Pelatiah Ballou, Pliny Morgan, 
Ebenezer Wheeler; fence viewers, Lebbeus Ford, Daniel Buck, Ebenezer Wheeler; 
poundmaster, Pliny Morgan; pathmasters, George Dibble, John G. Post, Isaac 
KnightY Elijah Kingsbury, Josiah Hurlburt, Pelatiah Ballou, John Combs, Archelaus 
Kingsbury, Benjamin S. Jones, Abner Wood, Hezekiah Turner. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of the town with the years of 
their election from its organization to the present time : 

1806, Peter Schuyler; 1807, Job Fisk ; 1808-9, John Post; 1810-21, Martin Southwell; 
1822-24, John Dewey ; 1825, Martin Southwell; 1826-29, Henry Graves ; 1830, John 
Dewey; 1831-36, Henry Graves : 1837-39, Philip M. Schuyler; 1840-44, Stephen Ward; 
1845^t6, William S. Jackson; 1847-51, Nelson C. Grant ; 1852-53, William S. Jackson; 
1854, Joseph R. Tharratt; 1855-56, William H. Cole; 1857-58, J. Earl Hurlbert; 1859, 
Justus V. Kent; 1860, Griffith J. Griffiths; 1861, Joseph R. Tharratt; 1862-64, George 
B. Anderson; 1865-67, Samuel Johnson; 1868-69, Evan J. Evans; 1870-71, Nathaniel 
Sargent; 1872, Robert Wilson; 1873, Samuel Johnson; 1874-75, Robert H. Roberts; 
1876-78, H. D wight Grant; 1879-80-81-82, Job W. Fisk; 1883, Charles N. Bush; 
1884-85, Francis A. Willard; 1886-87, G. Clinton Ward; 1888-89-90, W. W. Roberts; 
1891-92-93-94-95, Elbridge Palmer; 1896, H. Dwight Grant. 

The situation of Boonville in such that the inhabitants at the time of 
the war of 18 12 felt the deepest interest in that conflict. This fact is 
indicated by the following proceedings which took place at a special 
town meeting held July 18, 1812 : 

Voted, That the town of Boonville send to the Governor of the State of New York 
for arms and ammunition. 

Voted, That the surplus moneys in the hands of the town clerk, amounting to 
seventeen dollars and sixty-eight cents, shall be appropriated to pay the expense of 
transporting arms and ammunition. 

Voted, That Captain Ebenezer Wheeler, Lieutenant George Manchester, Pelatiah 
Ballou, Ezra Adams, and Peter Schuyler, Esqs., be a committee to carry the above- 
mentioned business into effect. 

The patriotism thus displayed was again active when the government 
was threatened in the war of the Rebellion. No town in Oneida county 
was more active and enthusiastic in supplying volunteers for the army, 
and Boonville village was made the rendezvous of the 97th Regiment. 




WALTER BALLOU. 



THE TOWN OF BOONVILLE. 401 

The building of the Black River Canal and the Black River Railroad, 
both of which pass through this town, gave it an impetus in growth, as 
well as shipping facilities that have been of great benefit. The farming 
community has kept pace with other localities in the county and tilled 
the lands with a fair degree of profit. In recent years dairying has 
been brought forward successfully and numerous cheese factories con- 
tribute to the large gross product of the county. 

A general act for the incorporation of villages was passed by the 
State Legislature, December 7, 1847, an d the village of Boonville was 
incorporated under the provisions of this act in 1855, with the following 
described boundaries, viz.: 

Commencing at the northwest corner of Elisha Scovil's land (in the said town of 
Boonville), and running thence south two degrees west 8718 feet to the centre of the 
street designated on the map accompanying the petition as Ford Street; thence 
south 18° 24' east 2583 feet; thence south 85" 41' east 5693 feet to the southeast cor- 
ner of William Higby's land; thence north 4° 15' east 1412 feet to the centre of the 
Boonville Plank-Road, or Main Street on said road; thence north 84° 2' west 811 feet; 
thence north two degrees east 4505 feet to the northeast corner of W. Tuttle's saw- 
mill lot ; thence north 88° west 5973 feet to the place of beginning, containing Eight 
Hundred Fifty-two and 410 acres of land. 

The following were elected the first president and board of trustees, 
of the village in 1855: William Higby, president ; Archibald Bamber, 
Joseph R. Tharratt, James Hyland, Charles N. Bass. 

The following is a list of the presidents frpm its incorporation down 
to the present time : 

1855, William Higby; 1856, Charles N. Bass; 1857, Lewis Holdridge; 1858, Will- 
iam F. Owens; 1860, James Hyland; 1861, Thomas N. Manchester; 1862, Thomas 
Bamber; 1863, Archibald Bamber; 1864, Job W. Fisk; 1865, Charles N. Bass; 1866- 
67, Chauncey W. Colton; 1868, J. R. Tharratt; 1869, Walter Ballou; 1870, J. F. 
Manchester; 1871, Walter Booth; 1872, Williams F. Owens; 1873, Joseph R. Thar- 
ratt; 1874, Henry W. Bentley; 1875, Ephraim Owen ; 1876, Henry McCluskey ; 1877, 
Henry McCluskey; 1878 William Comstock ; 1879, W. Ray Tanner; 1880-81, Robert 
H. Roberts; 1882-83, Charles F. Rice; 1884-85, David Karlen ; 1886, George M. 
Sawyer; 1887, Walter Ballou; 1888, James H. Capron; 1889-90-91, Henry W. Bent- 
ley; 1892, John Ready; 1893-94, Edgar Hughes; 1895, Jerry Buckley; 1896, Frank 
W. Smith. 

Boonville village has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the 
most active and enterprising places in this county. Its situation in the 
midst of a large and prosperous farming district and its position as the 



402 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

business center of many small villages and hamlets supplied it long ago 
with elements of growth and prosperity peculiar to itself. 

Following the establishment of the first business interests here, which 
have been described, the erection of the well known Hulbert House 
took place in 1 8 19 by Ephraim Owens. About twenty years later it 
was purchased by Richard Hulbert, who raised the substantial stone 
structure another story and added considerably to it on the west side. It 
has ever since been a noted hostelry and has satisfactorily catered to 
thousands of guests. The house was taken in April, 1883, by George 
Beck who succeeded George May. The Park Hotel was built by 
George Marcy ; it is now the property of Charles Pratt and is leased to 
Dennis Leary. The Central Hotel was built by Matthew Siter, and is 
owned and conducted by Jerry Buckley. The American Hotel is 
owned by Mrs. Jacobs, whose husband built it, and is leased to George 
Youngs. 

About the year 18 17 Ephraim Owens built a saw mill and a grist 
mill on Mill Creek about on the site where the Sargent mill and chair 
factory now stand. The old grist mill was long ago taken down and 
the name Boonville Mills which it and the small mill bore has been 
transferred to the Boonville Mills now owned by Mrs. M. J. Davis 
widow of William Davis. In 1878 S. C. Thompson & Co. built a steam 
flouring mill which they have operated ever since. A third grist mill is 
conducted by A. H. Barber. 

A foundry and machine shop was established in i85oby Titus Powers 
who soon afterward sold out to Holdridge & Gilbert. It afterwards 
passed to Gilbert & Sawyer and finally closed up. Norton & Avery 
established a saw and planing mill in 1875, in which business is now 
conducted by Lewis Siter. The firm of Norton & Avery had carried 
on the same business in an earlier mill south of the village, which was 
burned. 

A tannery was established about 1824 by Ephraim Owens, sr., who 
did so much for the advancement of the industrial interests of the vil- 
lage. This tannery changed hands several times and in 1849 passed to 
Samuel Johnson, who carried on the business many years. The tan- 
nery was situated on Mill Creek and subsequently burned. 

A tub, churn and barrel factory was built by J. L. Mather on Mill 




G. A. W1LLARD. 



THE TOWN OF BOONVILLB. 403 

Creek many years ago and later was sold to W. R. Davis. He carried 
on the business several years and transferred it to Jeremiah Lints, who 
continues the business. 

Many years ago a foundry was established by C. H. Jillson. It was 
changed into a sash and blind factory which was operated by John M. 
Fisk, who carried on the manufacture several years, and in 1868 trans- 
ferred it to Rice Brothers ; it is now operated by C. F. Rice. 

A large wagon factory was established in 1830 by Burton Tuttle in 
the building now occupied for the same business by E. L Woolley, who 
succeeded the firm of Tanner & Woolley. Other firms who carried on 
the business there were Noyes & Whiting and Fisk & Burgess. Tanner 
& Woolley took the business in 1857. 

What is now the chair factory of Sargent Brothers was established by 
their father, N. M. Sargent, in 185 1, on Mill Creek, for the manufacture 
of wooden chairs. 

Among the prominent merchants of the past were Archibald Bamber, 
William F. Owen, William H. Cole, John M. Lewis and Thomas Man- 
chester, all of whom are deceased, and John and Philip Owens, Joel 
T. Comstock, Owens & Diefendorf, and Nicholas Schweinsberg. Dr. 
Samuel Bass dealt in drugs many years ago, and was succeeded by his 
son. The oldest merchants of the present are Edward Richards, Job W. 
Fisk and Eaton Snow. The village has at the present time about thirty 
merchants of all kinds. 

The first newspaper published in Boonville was the Boonville Ledger, 
which was started by James H. Norton in March, 1852, who was suc- 
ceeded by E. Kent. In March, 1855, the establishment was purchased 
by L. C. Childs & Co., who changed the name of the paper to the Black 
River Herald and published it until March 8, 1862, when they sold to 
H. P. Willard. He successfully conducted the business and ultimately 
took in partnership his two sons, Francis A. and Garry A. Just before 
the death of H. P. Willard, the sons assumed the establishment and 
carried on the business as Willard Brothers. In 1891 Gary bought his 
brother's interest and has since conducted the paper alone. While un- 
der the management of Mr. Willard he changed the name of the paper 
to the Boonville Herald and it so continues. The Herald is a progressive 
and able country weekly, independent with Republican leaning; and 
enjoys the confidence of the public. 



404 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Boonville Record was founded August 15, 1892, by C.J. Don- 
nelly. He published the paper until November 22, 1895, when it was 
purchased by Harry H. Griffith and I. Gilbert Sawyer, both of whom 
are practical printers and enterprising and successful editors and pub- 
lishers. The Record is Democratic in politics. 

The earliest schools in this town were undoubtedly taught at the 
village. The first one of which there is definite knowledge was taught 
here by Miss Lydia Buckley, afterwards Mrs. John Post. This was 
about 1802 and the school was in a private house at the corner of 
Schuyler and Post streets. A log school house was built about 1 807 on 
what is now West street, where a Mr. Higby, from Turin, and Nathan 
Wheeler taught in early years. Before this school building was erected 
a frame structure had been built for the joint use of a school and town 
hall purposes. This building was afterwards burned. In 18 17 a stone 
school house was erected near the site of S. C. Thompson & Co.'s bank. 
In the eastern part of the town was an early log school house, built 
about 1822, and in that part a frame school house was erected a little 
later and was afterward removed to near Hawkinsville. In Boonville 
village a stone school building was erected previous to 1850 The Un- 
ion Free School district was established in 1879 and the excellent school 
is now under Charles H. Warfield, principal, with nine assistants. The 
town now has eighteen school districts with a school house in each. 

It is not known just when the first provision was made for protection 
against fires in the village, but it was very early. A fire company was 
organized and Cataract engine purchased. In September, 1856, the cor- 
poration purchased of the company this engine and all apparatus and 
property for $1,560. In the same year an engine house was built and 
two reservoirs constructed. The property of the fire department now 
consists of the old engine, one steam fire engine, a hook and ladder 
apparatus, with ample hose and other appurtenances. Efficient com- 
panies have charge of each of these divisions. 

Boonville is amply supplied with banking facilities. The First Na- 
tional Bank of Boonville was established as the Bank of Boonville in 
1866, with a capital of $75,000. J. R. Tharratt has been president of 
the institution from its organization. 

S. C. Thompson & Co.'s Bank was founded at Constableville, Lewis 



THE TOWN OF BOONVILLE. 405 

county, in June, 1867, by Schuyler C. Thompson, and was removed to 
Boonville in 1872. The members of the company are S. C. Thompson, 
S. A. Johnson and E. S. Thompson. 

The Boonville Union Agricultural Society was organized in 1871 and 
leased the grounds of the Boonville Driving Park Association (which 
was organized in the previous year), and for a number of years it held 
fairs with a reasonable degree of success ; but the organization ultimately 
declined and finally went out of existence. In 1888 the Boonville Fair 
Association was formed as a stock company and has since held success- 
ful annual fairs. 

Boonville village has within the past few years been especially fav- 
ored through the benefaction of one of its former citizens, Cornelius B. 
Erwin. He was born in the village but left before he reached his ma- 
jority, finally locating in New Britain, Conn., where he organized the 
great firm of Russell, Erwin & Co., and accumulated a fortune. Upon 
his death he left a will which bequeathed $10,000 to an association to 
be formed under State laws for a public library building; $2,500 for a 
library, and $18,000 as a maintenance fund. In 1886 the Erwin Library 
and Institute was organized with John M. Whipple, Robert H. Roberts, 
Frank A. Willard, Leander W. Fiske, and William Bamber directors 
and trustees of the fund. In 1890 a building was erected in native 
limestone, at a cost of over thirteen thousand dollars. In 1891 a library 
was purchased and now a free public library with a public reading room 
is maintained with an annual circulation of over six thousand books. 

Besides these inestimable gifts, Mr. Erwin gave $20,000 to the vil- 
lage for improvements of its park : $10,000 to the cemetery association ; 
$10,000 to the Baptist church, and $5,000 to the Presbyterian church. 
These funds have been, or are being, judiciously expended to the great 
benefit of the place. 

The little village of Hawkinsville had its inception in the settlement 
about 1824 of Sterry Hawkins, David Porter, and Moses Johnson, who 
joined in the building of a saw mill on Black River. In the next year 
they built a grist mill. The saw mill was destroyed in a freshet in 1869. 
A carding mill was established about 1830 by Stephen Hawkins, which 
ceased operations many years ago. Alexander Murray built a tavern 
several years after the first settlements were made on the site of the later 



406 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mechanics' Hotel. Piatt Rogers, a shoemaker, settled about the same 
time with the others named and was succeeded in his business by 
Simeon Hayes. The post-office here was opened not far from 1850, 
with Sterry Hawkins postmaster. A chair factory was built and oper- 
ated first by Jacob Hilts and Sterry Hawkins ; it has passed through 
various hands, and is now operated on a small scale A large tannery 
was established east of the village in 1852 by William Anderson's sons. 
For many years it did a large business and was last operated by George 
Anderson. The first regular store was opened about 1838 by Whitman 
Buck, though goods had been sold in temporary places before that time. 
He was succeeded later by D. Hayes. The present merchant is Oscar 
Hayes. The Union Hotel was built in 1867 by Matthias Munz, who 
kept it a number of years. The general business of the place has de- 
clined in late years. 

Alder Creek is a hamlet and post-office in the southeast part of the 
town, with a station about a mile distant on the railroad. The business 
interests at this point have always been small, and at the present time 
a store is kept by R. J. Helmer, and another by John McClusky. The 
hotel is kept by G. S. Thurston. 

The first religious society organized in Boonville was called the Con- 
oregational church of Boonville, which was formed in 1805 through the 
efforts of Rev. David or Daniel Smith, a missionary. At a later date it 
took the Presbyterian form. The frame church was built about 1861, 
previous to which year services were held in the old Union church 
erected in 1827. The church has been much improved in recent years 
and is in a properous condition. 

The Boonville Baptist church was organized February 3, 18 10, by 
Elder John Upfold, with seventeen members. The first pastor was El- 
der Timothy Day. Up to 1826 the meetings were held in the village 
school house or in private dwellings ; in that year a frame church was 
erected, which was used until displaced in 1866 by the present brick 
edifice. 

The Methodist society at Boonville was organized about 1820 In 
1827 a union church was built by the Presbyterians, Methodists and 
Universalists. Some years later the Methodists disposed of their inter- 
est to the Presbyterians and about 1836 built their frame church ; this 




R. J. HELMER. 



THE TOWN OP BRIDGEWATER. 407 

was used until 1873, when the present brick edifice was erected. The 
old church is now in use for stores and a printing-office. There is also 
a small Methodist society at Langsing Kill. 

The German Lutheran church at Boonville was organized in 1869 
with Rev. Mr. Heinle as pastor and only five members. The first 
frame church was leased in 1872, the meetings previous to that being 
held in halls. A church has been erected in recent years. 

Trinity Episcopal church of Boonville was organized as a parish 
about. 1 855 by Rev. Edward H. Jewett. who was the first rector. The 
present brick church edifice was erected within a few years. 

There is a Roman Catholic society at Boonville, which has erected a 
frame church, and another at Hawkinsville which was organized and 
built its church about i860. 

The German Lutheran .church at Hawkinsville was organized about 
i860 and its church erected in the next year. The original member- 
ship was forty with Rev. Mr. Classen pastor. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at Hawkinsvillle was organized about 
1866, and built a frame church soon afterward. 

There is a Presbyterian church at Alder Creek, which has a frame 
church and has kept up its meetings and been supplied by pastors from 
Forestport and elsewhere. The church used many years ago by a Bap- 
tist society here, passed to the Methodists. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

THE TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER. 

Although it is the smallest town in Oneida county, containing only 
14,820 acres and containing the least number of inhabitants, its settle- 
ment in Bridgewater began within five years after Hugh White took up 
his residence in Whitestown. Bridgewater is in the extreme southeast 
corner of the county and was formed from Sangerfield March 24, 1797, 
seven years after the first settlement was made. The accompanying 
map shows that its eastern portion was a part of the Bayard patent, de- 



408 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

scribed in Chapter X ; its western part a portion of town 20 of the 
Chenango Twenty Towns, while a small diagonal tract in the northern- 
central part was in Coxe's patent. The headwaters of the Unadilla 
River flow through the central part of the town and receive numerous 
tributaries. The valley of this stream is about a mile wide toward the 
north part, narrowing as it extends southward. The surface of the re- 
mainder of the town is broken and hilly, the elevations rising in the east 
and the west to from 500 to 600 feet above the valley. The soil in the 
east part is rich gravelly loam and in the west is clay. Limestone is 
quarried to some extent in the northeast part. Cedar swamp exists 
along some of the streams. 

The date of first settlement in Bridgewater is in slight dispute. Judge 
Jones gives the following version in his "Annals: " 

In March, 1789, Farwell, in company with Ephraim Waldo and Nathan Waldo, 
removed their families from Mansfield, Connecticut, to Farwell's Hill. They came 
by way of Albany, up the valley of the Mohawk to Whitesborough, and from thence 
by the way of Paris Hill to Bridgewater. From Paris Hill they were obliged to 
make their road as they progressed, following a line of marked trees. Their team 
consisted of a yoke of oxen and a horse, and the vehicle an ox-sled. They arrived 
on the 4th of March. The snow at this time was about one and a half feet deep, 
but soon increased to the depth of four feet. They had two cows, which, with the 
oxen and horse, subsisted until the snow left upon browse alone. Upon their arrival 
they erected a shanty in the most primeval style. Four crotches set in the ground, 
with a roof of split bass wood overlaid with hemlock boughs, with siding composed 
of coverlets and blankets formed the first dwelling-house ever erected in the town 
of Bridgewater. The three families continued in this miserable apology for a house 
until midsummer, when two of them, having more comfortable dwellings provided, 
removed to them, while the other remained for a year. Farwell's home was of logs, 
built upon the hill where he commenced the previous season. About three years 
afterwards he erected the first frame house in town. 

On another hand, Charlotte Ives made the following statement to the 
editor of the Evarts history of the county in 1877-78 : 

In 1789 Jesse and Joel Ives, cousins, came to this town to look for land, and selected 
the place northwest of the village of Bridgewater, upon which Miss Ives now re- 
sides. These men were under 21 years of age at the time and unmarried. In 1790 
they came back to their claim and made a clearing upon it of twelve acres, and 
erected a log house In the spring of the same year Thomas Brown located on the 
site of Bridgewater village, where he built the first log house in town, and was the 
first actual settler within its limits. With him came his wife, and Miss Margaret 
Lines, and Joseph Farwell. In 1791 the first frame houses in town were built by Joel 
and Jesse Ives. Those erected by the former have long since succumbed to the 



THE TOWN OP BRIDGEWATER. 409 

beating of the elements: the barn built by Jesse Ives is still standing, and the kitchen 
of his old house is now the front part of the dwelling of Miss C. Ives. It has been 
somewhat remodeled. Before the Cherry Valley road was constructed the highway 
passed between Jesse Ives' house and barn. The last-named person removed to ■ 
Whitesboro' April 1, 1800, just ten years after he had located on his place in Bridge- 
water. He retained the old place, andin 1832 removed back to it, but returned to 
Whitesboro in 1845. He died in 1862, at a ripe old age. Joel Ives died on his place 
in 1804. His daughter, Mrs. Julia Scott, is now living at the village with her son, 
Willard J. Scott. 

Abner Ives, a younger brother of Jesse, came a year or two after the others had 
settled, he being married at the time. When the Ives family came they made the 
trip from Connecticut on sleds drawn by oxen, and were but scantily supplied with 
the necessaries and comforts of life. 

Other residents of the town have asserted that the Waldo families did 
not come into the town until about 1793, which is directly in contradic- 
tion of Judge Jones. These differences in dates cannot now be settled 
any more conclusively. 

Ezra Parker settled very early in the north part of the town and 
opened his house as a tavern. A Mr. Lyman came in about the same 
time, and a few years later erected a frame structure in which was after- 
wards kept a tavern long known as Parkhurst's Tavern. The building 
is yet standing at North Bridgewater. 

According to the Annals, Major Farwell in 1790 built a saw mill on 
the west branch of the Unadilla about three- fourths of a mile below its 
junction with the Tianadara Creek ; it was doubtless the first saw mill 
in town. In 1792 Ephraim Waldo built a store and a blacksmith shop 
on Farwell's Hill, which were also the first of the kind in town. A 
grist mill was erected the same year by a Mr. Thomas. 

As early as 1797 a school house was built a mile north of North 
Bridgewater, near the tavern of Ezra Parker, where the first school was 
taught by a man whose name is lost in the past. Schools were also 
opened very early in the Farwell neighborhood, and elsewhere in the 
town, as would be expected from a knowledge of the character and 
former homes of the pioneers. The town has now eight school districts, 
with a school house in each. So, also, we would look for early churches. 
The Congregational society was organized March 8, 1798, with thirteen 
members, which must have included almost the whole settlement. A 
church was built in 1805 two miles north of the village near the center 



410 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the town. Meetings were held there until 1S34 when a division took 
place, as noted further on. 

The first town meeting followed closely upon the town organization 
and was held April 4, 1797, at the house of Col. Thomas Convers, as 
stated in the records. There the following officers were elected, the list 
embracing a number of additional settlers who must have located in the 
town before the beginning of the century : 

Supervisor, Thomas Brown, esq. ; town clerk, Aaron Morse ; assessors, James Kin- 
nee, esq. , Eldad Oorbit, and William Morgan ; overseers of the poor, Ezra Parker, 
John W. Brown, and Alexander Tackles; road commissioners, Levi Carpenter, jr., 
Job Tyler, and James Benham, jr. ; constable, John Mitchell; school commissioners, 
Asher Flint, Thomas Brown, esq., and Jonathan Porter; collector, John Mitchell; 
fence viewers, Ebenezer Barker, Joseph Moore, Abijah Babcock. 

The usual town laws were adopted for the simple government of the 
community, among them being one for the building of a pound " near 
the house of Epaphras Moody. Chose Joseph Moore trustee and com- 
mittee to build such pound, and likewise pound keeper." The town 
meeting for 1798 was held at the house of Asher Bull. On the 1st of 
March of that year the following persons paid $5 each for inn keepers' 
licenses: John W. Brown, Timothy Andrews, Ezra Paiker, and Joseph 
Farwell. The following list gives the names of all the supervisors of the 
town from the beginning and, of course, includes many of the early 
prominent citizens : 

1798-1800, James Kinnee, esq.; 1801-2, Job Tyler; 1806, Asher Flint; 1804-6, 
Peabody Fitch ; 1807-13, Daniel Rindge; 1814, Samuel Jones, jr.; 1815-17, Willard 
Crafts; 1818, Oliver Brown; 1819-21, Samuel Jones; 1822, Willard Crafts; 1823, 
Sardius Denslow; 1824, James A. Rhodes; 1825-26, Sardius Denslow ; 18'*7, Willard 
Crafts; 1828, Samuel Jones; 1829, Peleg Brown; 1830-31, Absalom L. Groves; 1832- 
35, Laurens Hull; 1836, Levi Carpenter; 1837, Peleg Brown; 1838, Theodore Page; 
1839, John F. Trowbridge; 1840, James A. Rhodes; 1841-42, Peleg Brown; 1843-44, 
Oliver R. Babcock; 1845, Oliver B. Brown ; 1846, Milton Converse; 1847, John South- 
worth ; 1848, Everett Lewis ; 1849, Samuel De Wolf ; 1850, Elisha Baker ; 1851-54, 
Peleg B. Babcock ; 1855, Nehemiah N. Peirce, 1856, Elisha B. Brown ; 1857, William 
N. Southworth ; 1858-60, Peter B. Crandall ; 1861-2, Albert A. Steele ; 1863-64, Milton 
Converse; 1865-6, J. Jerome Budlong ; 1867-69, Nehemiah N Peirce; 1870-71, Albert 
N. Bort; 1872, William Foote; 1873-4, A. N. Bort; 1875, Gould H. Parkhurst; 187P- 
77, Newton Sholes; 1879-80, Wm. N. Southwick; 1881-82, Nehemiah N. Peirce; 
1883-4; Geo. W. Palmer ; 1885, Samuel Williams; 1886-7, David S. Wood ; 1888, Geo. 
N. Greenman; 1889-90, Robert J. Williams; 1891, Henry Robinson ; 1892, Chas. D. 
Woodworth; 1893-95, Henry Sarn; 1896, Wm. Walsh. 



THE TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER. 411 

Among other early settlers in the town was Frederick Peirce, father 
of Nehemiah N. Peirce, one of the prominent citizens of the town, who 
came from Mansfield, Conn., originally, and settled in Bridgewater in 
1796. He was then unmarried and accompanied a family named Gurley, 
with whom he lived for a time ; their home was a little north of Bridge- 
water village. Mr. Peirce practiced surveying and was one of the early 
justices of the peace ; he laid out many of the early roads. 

Abraham Monroe was an early settler and kept a public house on the 
place owned in recent years by John Tuckerman. Stewart Bennett, a 
blacksmith located on the well known Kirkland farm which he sold to 
Stephen Kirkland, who carhe from Saybrook, Conn., in July, 18 16. 
There was then a small frame house on the place ; it was occupied long 
by the two brothers, Asa P. and Nathaniel Kirkland. 

Asa and Oliver Babcock, from North Stonington, Conn., wereamong 
the first settlers on the hill which took its name from them. Asa came 
in 1797 and located on the farm in the edge of Paris afterwards owned 
by George Chapman, and adjoining the one in Bridgewater whereon 
Oliver Babcock settled in 1799. Martin Babcock, a younger brother, 
came in 1807 and settled on the farm afterwards occupied by his son, 
C. H. Babcock. Roland Stiles had settled prior and made improve- 
ments on that farm. Martin and Oliver Babcock served in the war of 
1812, the former at Ogdensburg and the latter at Sackett's Harbor. 

Major Anthony Rhodes, father of James A. Rhodes, came into this 
town in the summer of 1791 and purchased of Judge Sanger 500 acres 
of land, a part of which his son subsequently occupied. After building 
a log shanty on his place, he returned to his home in North Stonington, 
Conn., and in the next year made his permanent settlement in Bridge- 
water. He was a veteran of the Revolution. His son was born in 
1790 and passed a long and honorable life in this town. 

Major Rhodes' wife used to relate the circumstances which induced her husband 
and herself to remove to this town. Her brother, Captain Oliver Babcock, came this 
way at some time during the Revolution with a small band of Connecticut soldiers. 
They proceeded from Schenectady to what is known as the " Carr Farm," in Otsego 
county, and thence up the Unadilla and down the Oriskany to Fort Stanwix. On 
the way they camped on the very ground which was afterwards selected by Major 
Rhodes for a home. Captain Babcock mentioned the place to his brother-in law 
after his return to Connecticut, and the latter came out and bought it, and he and 
his wife are now buried upon it. 



412 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

On Esquire Rhodes' farm are a number of apple-trees which grew up at the spot 
where Captain Babcock and his party bivouacked. They probably sprang from 
seeds thrown down by those men, as they undoubtedly procured apples at the Can- 
farm. One of the trees is now ten feet in circumference. 1 

Major Rhodes was accompanied into the town by John W. Brown 
and his brother, the former of whom settled on Babcock Hill and the 
latter at the forks of the Unadilla; and by Dr. Daniel Avery and John 
W. Collins. John Rhodes, brother of the major became a settler in 
town soon after his brother came, and purchased a large tract of land. 

A little hamlet grew around Babcock Hill and a post-office was 
established in 1845, with John M. Champion, M. D., postmaster. The 
mail was brought by carrier from Cassville in the town of Paris. Other 
early postmasters were David Palmer, Clark Green, Mills Barnet, James 
Johnson, Lewis J. Tripp, Gould Benedict, John P. Babcock, and others. 
Edward L. Austin was postmaster in 1894 and had held the position 
about twenty- five years. A hotel was built on the hill in 18 12 by Asa 
Babcock, who kept it until his death. The first store was kept by P. 
Mott ; there is no store or hotel at the Hill at the present time. 

The active growth of the village of Bridgewater began about 18 10, 
after the construction of the Cherry Valley Turnpike, a noted early east 
and west thoroughfare, which passed through this place. Previous to 
that time the principal settlement was on Farwell's Hill, half a mile 
farther south, near the county line. At that point there were at one 
time two stores, two taverns, a post-office and some shops. Levi Bost- 
wick built what was later known as the Hibbard House about 1812, and 
was its landlord a number of years. The building was subsequently 
greatly enlarged and improved, and finally passed to A. C. Hibbard, 
who died a few years ago ; the house is now conducted by E. F. 
Saunders. 

A brick building opposite was built early for a hotel by Harvey Cur- 
tis, who kept it many years. Abner Ives was an early merchant on the 
site of what become Wilson's Hotel. Piatt Herrick changed the store 
to a hotel and occupied it for a period. It finally passed to William 
Wilson. 

Among other past business men of Bridgewater have been A. M. 
Perkins, deceased ; Frank Mallory, who had a hardware store in what 

' The Everts History of Oneida Co., 1878. 



THE TOWN OP BRIDGEWATER. 413 

is now the Cottage Hotel. Present merchants are Rising Brothers, 
Charles W. Stoddard, Thomas Carter. 

Bridgewater has had a number of professional men of prominence 
among whom were John Ruger, De Witt C. Littlejohn, and Leander 
Babcock, attorneys; and Drs. Laurens Hull and Daniel Avery, who 
located at Bridgewater village about 1804; Dr. Avery was a settler as 
early as 1793, in the Babcock Hill neighborhood. Dr. H. P. Whitford 
has been long in practice in Bridgewater and is the only physician now 
in the place. 

North Bridgewater is a hamlet on the Utica and Chenango division of 
the D., L. & W. Railroad, where a post-office was established about 
1850, with Elisha Baker postmaster. Gould T. Parkhurst kept a tavern 
here in early years, which house was afterwards conducted by John 
Golden. There is now no hotel or store at this point. 

Among the leading farmers of this town in the past may be men- 
tioned Frederick G. Bobbins, James Thorn, Elisha Brown, S. Brown, 
James A. Rhodes, Giles Scott and Alvah Penny, all of whom are dead. 
Prominent farmers of the present day are Newton Sholes, William Henry 
Brown, Francis D. Penny, William H. Briggs, Gershom Schaul, James 
B. Tuckerman and Willard J. Scott. 

When the division before mentioned was made in the old Congrega- 
tional church of Bridgewater, a new society of that denomination was 
formed at the village, by whom a new church was at once erected ; it 
was greatly repaired and improved and an organ added in 1876. The 
church is still fairly prosperous. 

The Baptist church of Bridgewater was organized July 12, 1826, with 
sixteen members, and Rev. Amasa Smith as the first settled pastor; he 
remained about ten years. The first church built by the society stood 
on the hill a little west of the village and was erected in 1826. In 1840 
it was removed nearer to the center of the village and extensively im- 
proved. The building was burned about 1863, at which date it was 
being used by the Methodists. At the same time a few Episcopalians 
were holding services in a small building owned by them, and an agree- 
ment was reached by the three sects under which this building was 
moved to the site of the burned church for the general use of all three. 
This arrangement was carried out. An Episcopal society is still main- 
tained. 



414 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A Universalist society was formed in this town quite early and built 
a church in 1834 in the south part of the village. The first pastor was 
Rev. L. D. Smith. This society still exists. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE TOWN OF CAMDEN. 

This town is situated on the western border of Oneida county, near 
the northwestern corner, and include; : ' A its present area the whole of 
township 7 and about half of township S of Scriba's patent. (See map 
herein). 

The town was formed from the great town of Mexico on the 15th of 
March, and then included what was then Florence (set off February 16, 
1805), Vienna (set off" April 3, 1807) and a part of Annsville which was 
taken off in 1823, leaving Camden with its present area of 31,438 acres. 
The west branch of Fish Creek flows through the town towards the south- 
west and unites with Mad River near Camden village, the latter stream 
flowing down from the north. Little River forms part of the southern 
boundary and joins Fish Creek near the southeast corner of the town. 
These streams are rapid, in many places furnishing excellent water 
power which has been extensively utilized. Many small tributaries con- 
tribute to drain the town. The surface is rolling, gradually rising 
towards the north where it is broken into a hilly region. The soil is a 
sandy loam, gravelly and stony in some places and generally suitable 
for grazing. Good building stone are quarried in some places. 

The settlement of this town began in 1796-7, probably, with the ar- 
rival of Judge Henry Williams. Jesse Curtiss had already been in the 
town and built a saw mill, but he did not permanently settle until later. 
It is probable that other families came in with Judge Williams or about 
the same time, but if so they returned for their families, remaining away 
through the ensuing winter. Among the earliest arrivals were Levi 
Matthews, Daniel Parke, Seth and Joel Dunbar, Aaron Matthews, 
Thomas Comstock, Jesse and Elihu Curtiss, Samuel Royce, Noah and 




STEPHEN CROMWELL. 



THE TOWN OF CAMDEN. 415 

Andrew Tuttle, Benjamin Barnes, sr., and his son Benjamin, Philip 
Barnes, Israel Stoddard and a Mr. Carrier. Of these Judge Israel 
Stoddard came into the town in 1793 and purchased a farm on which 
was a small house. He then went back to his former home for his 
family, returning with them in 1799. He was astonished to find a 
funeral in progress in his house, over the bodies of a Mrs. Bacon and 
her child who had been drowned while crossing Mad River in a canoe. 
These were the first deaths in the town. Noah Tuttle, mentioned 
above, located half a mile southwest of the village site. His son Daniel, 
born April 22, 1788, was the first white male child born in the town, 
and the first birth of a white child of either sex was a daughter of Judge 
Williams. The marriage of Elihu Curtiss and Anna North rup was the 
first in town. Mr. Curtiss died in January, 18 15, at the age of fifty- 
nine. Jesse Curtiss erected the first frame house in the town and 
owned ten acres of land in what is now the heart of the village, and in- 
cluding the mill privilege on Fish Creek. There he built a saw mill 
just above the site of the grist mill and made other early improvements. 
He died in 1821 at the age of eighty eight years. About 1800 Manning 
Barnes, from Connecticut, settled on the site of West Camden, and built 
a log house on the site of the later hotel and afterward added to it a 
frame portion. Being requested to entertain many travelers and settlers, 
he made his dwelling a public house and kept it as such many years. He 
was accompanied into the town by his brothers Whiting and Lyman 
Barnes, who took up farms and afterward brought on their father, 
Zopher. Other sons of Zopher Barnes were were Zopher, Street and 
Pliny. The family has been prominent in the history of the town. 

Elijah Perkins came from Connecticut in 1803 and settled in the 
south part of the town where James Nisbet lived in recent years. He 
brought with him besides his wife, two sons, Elijah and Woodard. 
The former and his brother Lyman served in the war of 1812. Wood- 
ard Perkins was a farmer on the road between Camden village and 
West Camden. 

A school was being taught on the site of Camden village in 1803, .in 
a frame building, which was probably built a few years earlier. About 
1 8 10 a school house was built in the Perkins district, where Clark Cro- 
foot taught ; he lived in Florence and a part of that town was included 



416 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in the district. In Manning Barnes's log house at West Camden a 
school was kept soon after the war of 1812 by Rachel Hungerford. 
After this schools multiplied rapidly. 

Measures were early adopted by the pioneers to establish a church, 
which resulted in the organization of the First Congregational church 
of Camden February 19, 1798, by Rev. Eliphalet Steele, pastor of the 
church at Paris Hill. The organization was effected at Paris, and in- 
cluded the following eight members : Benjamin Barnes, sr., and his wife 
Thankful ; Philip Barnes and Laura, his wife ; Marshal Meriam and Ben- 
jamin Barnes, jr., all of whom were dismissed from Mr. Steele's church. 
Rev. Joshua Johnson, of Redfield, preached the first sermon. A little 
rivalry in early years between the so-called east and west villages led to 
the withdrawal from the First church of a number of members, and the 
organization in 1803 of the Second Congregational church in the west 
village. The two were united in 18 15, under the name of the Union 
Congregational church of Camden. According to the agreement, meet- 
ings were to be held in the Second church one-fourth of the time. A 
building was erected and enclosed in 1807, and furnished with rough 
benches; it was not finished until 1816, was repaired in 1836 and burned in 
the great fire of June 22, 1867. The present church was erected imme- 
diately afterward. 

Eldad Smith came to this town from Connecticut in 1800 with an ox 
team and was two weeks on the way. He settled east of West Camden 
and was the father of S. L. Smith. John Bryan, came from Watertown, 
Conn., about 1805, driving a yoke of oxen and a horse, and bringing his 
family. He settled on the Taberg road in the east part of the town. 
His daughter married Amos D. Mix, father of J. W. Mix. 

Col. Israel E. Stoddard came to the town in 1798 and in the follow- 
ing year went back and brought in his family, settling about two miles 
north of Camden village, where his son Israel E. now lives. A year or 
two later he sold out and located one- half mile north of the village on 
the farm owned by his son John N. He died there April 4, 1859. His 
children were Cyrus, Samuel, Mrs. Huldah B. Judson, Joanna P., Martha 
P., Israel E., Cynthia C, and John N. 

John D. Penfield was born on a farm north of the village in 18 13, 
where his father settled, and is probably the oldest living native of the 




A. C. WOODRUFF. 



THE TOWN OF CAMDEN. 417 

town. He located in the village in 1836, where he has long been con- 
nected with the milling business and prominent in all public affairs 
(See biography and portrait in this volume.) 

Joel Dunbar settled a little west of the village on the Mexico road, 
where he had the old Dunbar mill. He was a brother of Horace Dun- 
bar, and died December 31, 1827. 

Other very early settlers who can only be briefly mentioned were 
Allen Sperry, father of Clark, Anson, Andrew and Sherman Sperry, 
who settled on Sperry, or Wolcott Hill ; the Prestons, Caleb, who died 
in February, 181 3, and Abner (died November 24, 1833), William R. 
(died August 4, 1834), and Noah (died April 4, 1835). It was from 
these and others of the name that Preston Hill took its title. Heman 
Byington, who settled on a farm one-half mile from Camden village and 
had sons, Rufus and Ira; he died in September, 1831. Henry Peck, 
who settled on Wolcott Hill, and died February 24, 1833. Deacon 
Bennet Cobb, settled on the Taberg road, where" H. Giles now owns, 
and died April 8, 1870, aged eighty- four years. Sylvanus Wilson lived 
on a farm about two miles north of the village, and died March 17, 
1833. Seth Dunbar, father of Horace and Edwin S. Dunbar. Dr. 
Whitman V Ransom, died November 3, 18 17. Jonah Sanford, 
died November 15, 1824. Oliver Cook, died Decmber 30, 1838, at the 
age of eighty-three years. Isaac Stone, died November 2, 1839. Bar 
tholomew Pond, a Revolutionary soldier, who died in 1850 at the age 
of ninety five years. Martin Stevens, died in 1832. Andrew Tuttle, 
died October 19, 1829. Lemuel Warner, died July 23, 1824. Will- 
iam S. Spencer, died August 23, 1831. Eliphalet Johnson, died March 
2, 18 18. Elijah Bailey, died in August, 1838. Other names will ap- 
pear in the official list and accounts of industries, etc. 

These men and their descendants laid the foundation for the later 
prosperity of this town. As a farming community it has been pros- 
perous, a considerable dairy interest having been developed in recent 
years. There are now several cheese factories in the town. The open 
ing of the Rome and Watertown Railroad through the town, and later 
the E., C. & N. road gave the inhabitants excellent facilities for reaching 
the markets, and inaugurated a marked impetus in Camden village, 
under which it sprang into prominence as one of the most active and 



418 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

most enterprising communities of Central New York. While many 
other towns have stood still or retrograded in population, Camden 
has steadily advanced. From 2,114 m I ^S5> it reached 3,187 in i860, 
and in 1892 had 3,675. The number of school districts with school 
houses is fourteen, as it has been for many years. 

Camden village was incorporated May 2, 1834, and the first election 
of officers took place June 27 of that year, resulting as follows : 

Humphrey Brown, president; Lyman Curtiss, Hubbard Tuttle, Ammi Hinkley, 
and Aaron Stone, trustees ; Rufus Byiugton, David Johnson, and George Trowbridge, 
assessors; Martin H. Stevens, collector; Robert H. Burr, treasurer; A. Trowbridge, 
clerk. 

Following is a list of the presidents of the village from that time to 
the present : 

1835, Humphrey Brown; 1836, A. Stone; 1837-8, A. Trowbridge; 1839-40, Richard 
Empey; 1841, A. Trowbridge; 1842, Lyman Curtiss; 1843, H. Tuthill ; 1844-46, 
Jefferson Colton ; 1847, Edwin Rockwell ; 1848, William R. Paddock ; 1849, Baldwin 
Tuthill; 1850, R. Empey; 1851-53, A. W. Ransom; 1854, Thomas D. Penfield; 1855, 
Joshua H. Tracy; 1856-57, Ambrose Curtiss; 1858-59, A. W. Ransom; 1860, A. 
Curtiss; 1861, J. Munroe; 1863-63, A. Stone; 1864, Stephen Cromwell; 1S65-66, 
Thomas D. Penfield ; 1867-68, Stephen Cromwell ; 1869, P. H. Costello ; 1870, Stephen 
Cromwell; 1871, George Abbott ; 1872, P. H. Costello; 1873-74, Thomas D. Penfield; 
1875, Benjamin D. Stone; 1876, A. J. Stone; 1877, Lewis J. Conlan ; 1878, John G. 
Dorrance; 1879-80, Robert Frazier; 1881, E. A. Harvey; 1882-83, Eugene H. 
Conant ; 1884, J. C. McDonald ; 1885, Egbert More ; 1886, Robert Frazier ; 1887-88, 
Thomas D. Penfield; 1889-90, B. D. Stone; 1891, A. C. Woodruff; 1892, W. H. 
Stansfield; 1893, Theron A. Farnsworth: 1894-95, D. T. Wood; 1896, T. A. Farns- 
worth. 

Camden village has long been the center of a large manufacturing 
interest. In 1832 James Barber and Horace Mclntyre established the 
first foundry. About five years later it was sold to G. W. and Josiah 
Wood, and Albro Phelps. During their proprietorship the foundry was 
burned. Meanwhile, in 1859 the firm of Tripp & Fifield established 
the Eagle foundry and machine shop on Fish Creek. The Wood 
foundry was not rebuilt after the fire, but the firm acquired the Fifield 
foundry and began business there, the members at that time being Wood 
Brothers and Percival, William G. Percival having acquired an interest 
in the business with Augustus and Henry Wood, sons of G. W. Wood. 
Later, in 1894, a stock company was formed with a capital of $24,000 
in which I. D. West was a member. One of the chief articles of manu- 
facture is turbine water wheels. 




W. J. FR1SB1E. 



THE TOWN OF OaMDBN. 419 

In the early history of the town there were, of course, numerous saw 
mills built on the various streams, which were kept busy in cutting up 
the timber of the forests which covered the land. As these disappeared 
many of the mills fell in to disuse. A saw mill has existed continuously 
for many years in the village and is now operated by Herbert Giles, 
who took it recently from A. Raymond who had owned it for many 
years. It was built very early and probably by Timothy Wood. An- 
other mill is located about a mile northwest and outside the corporation 
which is run by Walter Russell. It was owned years ago by H. S. 
Waterman who sold it to Curtiss Covill and he transferred it to Mr. 
Russel. Another saw mill known as the Dunbar mill is on Fish Creek 
and was long owned by Horace Dunbar ; it was last operated by 
George Swanson. 

A woolen factory was established in early years by John Norton ; it 
was burned, and the same fate was shared by a second which was 
erected. C. T. E. Huyck then built the third one, which was operated 
many years after 1866. It was finally converted into a planing mill by 
Wakefield & Gardner, and is now operated by George Dana. 

Another planing mill was built by Stone & Hammond about 1839. 
In 1844 Cyrus Allen purchased a half interest and in 1850 became sole 
owner. It was subsequently burned and rebuilt, and in 1891 was pur- 
chased by Lewis Perrin who now uses it for the manufacture of desks. 
The planing mill now run by Horace Rush was built by D. P. Cox 
about 1853, was burned ten years later and rebuilt by Cox & Stone. 
The firm afterwards became Stone, Williams & Co. and later Williams 
& Rush, Jacob Rush being the partner. Mr. Williams retired and 
Horace Rush succeeded his father. 

The Camden Knitting Company carries on one of the largest and 
most important industries in this section. It had its origin with Willard 
J. Frisbie (see biography and portrait elsewhere in this work) and Will- 
iam H. Stansfield, former successful dry goods merchants in Camden, 
who in 1883 established a knitting factory of small capacity in the build- 
ing now occupied by the Corbin Lock Company. Their business in- 
creased and in 1887 they started a yarn factory on the premises formerly 
occupied by the tannery of P. & P. Costello. In this branch of the in- 
dustry Charles F. Kendall had an interest and it was carried on under 



420 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the name of Charles F. Kendall & Co. The old building burned in 
March, 1893, but meanwhile, in 1891, the knitting industry was removed 
to the same locality, where new and commodious brick buildings were 
erected and the name Camden Knitting Company adopted. About 
200 hands are employed chiefly in the manufacture of ladies' and 
children's ribbed underware. The same company have factories in Syra- 
cuse and in Utica. 

The tannery above mentioned was established in 1847 an d was long 
an important industry ; but the disappearance of bark led to its final 
extinction. A still earlier tannery was operated by Reuben Bettis and 
afterwards by Orange Dayton. 

What are known as the Grove Mills, on the east side of the river, 
were built by John Lambie and Levi Wilcox just before i860. From 
them they passed to James P. Owen and quite recently from him to 
Thomas Jackson. 

The building of the first saw mill here by Jesse Curtiss has been de- 
scribed. A distillery formerly existed below the saw mill and a grist 
mill was erected an the site of the present Camden mill. The latter was 
built by Lyman Curtiss on the site occupied by the old one erected by 
his father, Jesse. This property was acquired by Thomas D. Penfield 
(see biography and portrait elsewhere in these pages) and Thomas Stone 
and was operated by them until i860, when Mr. Stone died. The mill 
was conducted by the surviving partner until 1867, when Benjamin D. 
Stone, son of Thomas, acquired an interest, the firm name continuing 
the same. 

One of the most prominent industries of Oneida county is the chair 
works of F. H. Conant's Sons. This business was established in 1851 
by F. H Conant, who is succeeded by his sons, E. H. and George F. 
Conant. About 175 hands are employed. 

The firm of Stark & Boehm began the manufacture of wagons and 
sleighs in Church street in 1864. In 1881 Mr. Boehm retired and in the 
fall of that year James Stark bought his present shop of J. P. Owen, who 
had previously carried on the same business there for about ten years. 
The firm of Boehm Brothers was formed and now carry on a large busi- 
ness in the same line. 

Camden has for many years been the center of a large canning indus- 




^-z?^ 



THE TOWN OF CAMDEN. 421 

try, devoted to the preparation of sweet corn for the market. This 
business is also extensive in other parts of the county. The first factory in 
the county was established at Camden about 1855 by the Edgett Broth- 
ers, and ten years later J. W. Mix began the business and for a number 
of years was extensively engaged. Godfrey & Stoddard built a factory 
in 1878 on Mad River, which subsequently burned. The Camden Pack- 
ing Company was formed and established two factories, one a mile and 
a half west of the village, which had been built in 1874 by J E. Woods, 
and the other below the village, built by Stephen McCall in 1872. The 
latter was operated in 1872 by S. S. McCall & Co., and in 1874 by J P. 
McCall & Co. It was then taken by the Camden Packing Company. 
A factory was built by James Gerow in 1878, and within a few years of 
that time others were started by Godfrey & Stoddard, Pliny Phelps, 
Byron Phelps, W. I. Stoddard, and Paddock Brothers. The factories 
now in operation are those of Tuttle & Stoddard, east of the village, and 
that of L. P. Haviland. 

The Corbin Cabinet Lock Company began a branch of its industry in 
Camden in 1891, its principal business being the manufacture of gov- 
ernment furniture for post-office equipment. The wood work only is done 
here, the other branches being located at New Berlin, Conn. 

The press of Camden village is most worthily represented by the Ad- 
vance-Journal, a local independent newspaper of high character and in- 
fluence. The first newspaper in the village was the Camden Gazette, 
started by E. C. Hatton in 1842. A few years' later it passed to E. M. 
Higbie and closed its existence under him. The next paper was the 
Northern Light, which shed its effulgence on the world only a short 
time. Ira D. Brown published it six months in 1852, when Merritt & 
Stone took it, and employed N, B. Stevens as editor. In 1853 tn ' s paper 
was succeeded by the Camden Courier, E. O'Farrell, proprietor ; this 
paper had only a brief existence and was followed by the Camden Free- 
man, started by Wesley Henderson and suspended in 1863. In March, 
1864, Jairus H. Munger established the Camden Journal and continued 
its editor and proprietor until his death in 1878. Meanwhile in 1867 
the Camden News was started by Giles & Franklin, which was removed 
to Coxsackie a year later. On July 24, 1873, W, C. Stone established 
the Camden Advance, which he successfully conducted until January, 



422 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1885, when he bought out the Journal (above described) and consoli- 
dated the two papers under the name of the Advance-Journal. In 
1887-88 Mr. Stone built the brick block in which he is now located, 
adapting it for a modern country newspaper, and a book and stationery 
store, both of which he now conducts. 

The Camden Library Association was formed in 1891 by a number of 
women of the village. The first president was Mrs. E. T. Pike and the 
first secretary Miss Tessie M. Durr. The present president is Mrs. J. G. 
Dorrance and the secretary and librarian is Mrs. E. C. Case. About 1,300 
volumes have been accumulated and pleasant rooms fitted up in the 
new Town Hall. The institution is accomplishing much good. 

Some of the men and firms who have been conspicuous in Camden 
mercantile business during the past half century are Frisbie & Stansfield, 
dry goods ; J. G. Dorrance, general store ; C. Cuftiss & Son, F. & F. 
Fifield (later Fifield & Dorrance) ; G. S. Wetmore, drugs ; E. A. Har- 
vey, grocer; W. C. Carman, grocer; Orth & Tracy, clothiers; Olmsted 
& Meacham, clothiers; Samuel B. Hinckley (father of Briggs T. Hinck- 
ley), Ammi Hinckley, Don A. Gatchell, and E. A. Harvey 

Later and present prominent merchants in various lines are Williams 
& Norton, George H. Smith, A. G. Robson, W. H. Dorrance & Son, L. 
Hornung, D. Crimmins, G. J. Williams, W. I. Stoddard, D. E. Kennedy, 
C. O. Biederman, Chas. E. Hendley, C. A. & A. C. Phelps, Robert Aird, 
B. A. Curtis, Charles E. Orr, Charles J. Durr & Co., S. L. Harding, J. 
N.Nichols, W, E. Tiffaany, Briggs T. Hinckley. 

The first hotel in the village was kept by Elihu Curtiss on what is now 
Minor avenue, and it is said that the old well of the house is now under 
the foundation of the Whitney House. The house stood about one- 
half in what is now the street, and was opened as early as 1803. Jeffer- 
son Colton kept an early hotel about on the site of Churchill & Tibbit's 
market ; he is remembered as a-fine type of the old time landlord. His 
house was called the Park Hotel, and was burned June 22, 1867. The 
Seymour House was an early hotel and stood on the site of B. D. Stone's 
residence; it was burned about i860. Another hotel was early in ex- 
istence at the lower end of the village. 

The Commercial Hotel was built about ten years ago by John Olden, 
who kept it until his death a year later. He was succeeded by Morse 




E. A. HARVEY. 



THE TOWN OF CAMDEN. 423 

& Farmer, and others. The present proprietor, C. L. Roberts, pur- 
chased the property six years ago. 

The Whitney House was built by Moses L. Whitney, who had pre- 
viously kept the Park Hotel, and was kept by him about five years. 
The present proprietor, D. J. Crimmins, bought it in 1876, and practi- 
cally rebuilt the house. 

The Empire House was built by William Moses after a former house 
on that site had been burned. The present proprietor, P. E. Malone, 
took the house in 1889. The Erwin House is k:pt by M. G. Ronan. 

A bank was in existence in Camden under the State law in early years, 
of which Gen. Lyman Curtiss was at one time president. This institu- 
tion failed previous to the war of the Rebellion, and Hastings Curtiss 
then opened a banking house about i860, which passed to the proprie- 
torship of Curtiss & Carman ; they failed in 1876. 

The private bank of D. G. & J. G. Dorrance was established in 1876 
and continued as such until January, 1880, when it was made the First 
National Bank of Camden, with a capital of $50,000. D. G. Dorrance 
continued president of the bank until his death, on March 26, 1896, and 
the office has not yet been filled. (See biography and portrait in this 
work.) J. G. Dorrance has been cashier from the first. Edwin A. 
Harvey is vice-president, and Daniel G. Dorrance, son of J. G, is assist- 
ant cashier. 

The entire village of Camden is now embraced in Union Free School 
district No. 1, and a commodious brick building built in 1855, on the 
site of the one burned two years earlier, accommodates the pupils. A 
high school and academic department have been inaugurated, below 
which there are nine grades. Following is the Board of Instruction in 
1895-96; 

D. D. Van Allen, M. A., principal; Frances J. H. Van Allen, preceptress; asso- 
ciate teachers: Misses Sarah Davis, Clara E. Curtiss, Emma Gardner, Josephine 
Lewis, Nellie I. Moore, Minnie Sanford, Lelah J. Sanford. The Board of Education 
consists of the following: Mr. John M. Young, president; Counselor A. C. Wood- 
ruff, secretary; Robert Allen, B. A. Curtiss, D. G. Dorrance, M. A., G. F. Morss, 
James P. Owen, Benj. D. Stone, Geo. J. Williams. 

Camden village street lights consisted of oil lamps until 1888 when 
the Camden Electric Light Company was formed, with M. P. Osborne, 
manager. He is now practically the owner of the plant which was put 



424 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in operation, and the streets are properly hung with large incandescent 
lamps. 

Public water works were established by the village corporation in 
1886, water being brought from Emmons Brook, giving about 175 feet- 
head. About fifty hydrants are placed in the streets and mains laid 
throughout the principal streets, making an effective agency for extin- 
guishing fires. The village was bonded for $40,000 to build the system. 
A fire engine had long been owned in the village, for which a company 
was organized in 1839, of which Samuel B. Hinckley was captain. The 
engine was bought at about the same time. A hook and ladder com- 
pany was organized in 1857, and in the following year A. J. Stone was 
chosen chief engineer, and two assistants. From that time forward the 
department was kept on an efficient basis. When the water system was 
placed in operation the engine was sold. The two most notable fires in 
the village occurred June 28, 1856, and June 22, 1867. In the latter 
three churches were destroyed, a hotel, and a number of stores on Main 
street. 

A handsome opera house was completed in 1894 by a stock company 
at a cost of over $20,000. 

In 1894 the village was bonded for $10,000 for a new town hall It 
is a handsome brick structure and accommodates the fire department, 
the library, a large hall, offices, etc. 

The small village of West Camden is situated in the northwest part 
of the town on the railroad. The early settlement here of Manning 
Barnes, and the opening of the tavern have been described. Wilburt 
Barnes opened the first store in the place and continued in trade a num- 
ber of years; he was a son of Manning Barnes. The post-office was 
established in 1832, with Merrit Munson, probably as the first post- 
master. 

A small mercantile business has existed here many years and at the 
present time a store is kept by J. C. Leigh. The saw mill and chair 
factory is carried on by Mott Brothers, and another chair factory estab- 
lished by A. S. Gibson, is now operated by Cummings Brothers. 

The next church organized in Camden succeeding the one described 
on a preceding page was the Methodist Episcopal. A class was formed 
in the town before 1805, consisting of seven persons, and another a 



THE TOWN OF CAMDEN. " 425 

little later at West Camden. The Methodist Episcopal society of Cam- 
den was organized in 1820 and in 183 1 Camden was made a station. 
A frame church was built in 1852 and rebuilt in 1889. A Wesleyan 
Methodist church was organized prior to 1840, but disbanded in 1854. 
A Free Methodist society was organized in August, 1887, and pur- 
chased the frame church formerly owned by the Wesleyan Methodists. 
It was remodeled in 1895. 

The first Presbyterian church in Camden was organized in Septem- 
ber, 1867, with thirty-two members who were dismissed from the Con- 
gregational church for the purpose. The first meetings were held in 
Curtiss Hall. The corner stone of the present brick church was laid 
June 30, 1868, and it was dedicated in March of the next year. The 
total cost was about $18,000. 

Trinity Episcopal church of Camden was organized about 1842 with 
Rev. E. D. Kennicott the first rector. The frame church was erected 
which was one of the three burned June 22, 1867, and the present brick 
edifice was built immediately afterwards on the site; its cost was about 
$8,000. 

The Baptist church of Camden was constituted in 1839. In 1844 it 
became a branch of the society at North Bay and was finally absorbed 
by the latter. A Baptist society was organized in early years at Hills- 
boro in the west part of the town, which subsequently disbanded. On 
December 30, 1870, the First Baptist church of Camden was organized 
at that place and a frame church was built in the following year. 

The second Congregational church at West Camden was organized 
November 5, 1851, with sixteen members, and Rev. Samuel Sweezey, 
pastor. He had preached there for some time previous. A frame 
church was erected in 1858. This building was also occupied by the 
Methodists of that place. 

St. John's Catholic church of Camden was formerly affiliated with St. 
Mary's of Florence, under which it was a mission for many years. The 
church society acquired the old Methodist edifice which it used until re- 
cent years when a new frame building was erected. 

Following is a list of supervisors of this town from its organization to 
the present time : 

1800-1, John W. Bloomfield, esq.; 1802, John Rogers; 1803-5, John Humiston; 
54 



426 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1806-8, Israel Stoddard; 1809-10, Elihu Curtiss; 1811-12, Phineas Tuttle; 1813-16, 
Seth Dunbar; 1817-24, Israel Stoddard; 1825, Seth Dunbar; 1826-28, Israel Stod- 
dajd; 1829-31, Seth Dunbar; 1832, Israel Stoddard; 1833, no record; 1834, Lyman 
Curtiss; 1835, Garrit Smith; 1836, John Smith; 1837-38, Samuel B. Hinkley; 1839, 
Seth Dunbar; 1840, Don A. Gatchel; 1841-42, Junius Woods; 1843, Samuel B. 
Hinkley; 1844-45, Horace Dunbar; 1846-47, Ambrose Curtiss; 1848-49. Edwin S. 
Dunbar; 1850, George W. Wood; 1851-53, Thomas D. Penfield; 1864, Edwin S. 
Dunbar; 1855, Jairus H. Hunger; 1856-57, Horace Dunbar; 1838, Alfred Chamber- 
lain; 1859, Thomas D. Penfield; 1860, Albert Bickford; 1861, Thomas D. Penfield; 
1862, Pliny Phelps; 1863-66, P. C. Costello; 1867-68, Henry S. Waterman; 1869-70, 
Benjamin D. Stone; 1871-72, Curtis J. Wright; 1873-74, Spencer J. Upson; 1875-76, 
B. A. Curtiss; 1877-82, Thomas D. Penfield; 1883, Benjamin D. Stone; 1884-85, 
Chauncey M. Phelps; 1886, Thomas D. Penfield; 1887-88, Jabez Ford; 1889-90, 
Andrew W Craig; 1891-92, Orson C. Woods; 1893-95, W. H. Gifford; 1896, William 
S. Peck. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE TOWN OF DEERFIELD. 

The town of Deerfield lies near the center of the eastern boundary 
of Oneida county. Its surface is mostly a high plateau rising from 6oo 
to i.ooo feet above the Mohawk. A broad intervale extends along the 
river opposite Utica, parts of which are sometimes overflowed. In the 
northeast part the surface descends abruptly to West Canada Creek, 
which forms the boundary of the town in that direction. The soil on 
the flats is a rich alluvial loam, while on the hills the loam is intermixed 
with gravel and slate. To the northward of the Mohawk flats rise 
the noted "Deerfield Hills," from which is viewed a landscape of the 
greatest beauty, while the scenery in other parts of the town is pictur- 
esque and grand. Beyond the Deerfield Hills is the valley of Nine- 
Mile Creek, which rises in this town and flows westward into Trenton. 
Reall's Creek rises near the center of the town and flows into the Mo- 
hawk at Utica. 

The reader must be referred back to Chapter VII for an account of 
the settlement in this town before the Revolution (1773) of George J. 
Weaver (originally Weber), Mark Damuth, and Christian Reall. They 



THE TOWN OF DEERFIELD. 427 

sympathized with the colonists in the struggle for independence, for 
which offense their settlements were burned in the summer of 1776, 
and they were driven from their homes, as already described. But 
these families remembered their homes in the wilderness, and after the 
cessation of hostilities, in 1784, made their way back to the desolate 
scene and again began work. In the following year they were joined 
by Peter, Nicholas and George Weaver (distantly related to the first 
pioneer), George Damuth, and Nicholas and Philip Harter, who settled 
in the same neighborhood. (See Chapter VII.) 

The Weaver family was a long and prominent one in the town, and 
the first white male child born here was a son of George M. Weaver 
and grandson of George J. He was born January 15, 1787, and died 
in 1877 at the age of ninety years. In the "Annals" is found the fol- 
lowing account of an incident in which he was the principal figure : 

In 1792 the first bridge was erected over the Mohawk between Utica and Deerfield. 
To insure more help it was raised on Sunday. George M. Weaver — son of George 
J. Weaver — and his wife, with their little son, . . . were on their way to the raising 
and when about half-way from the Corners to Utica, and some twenty or thirty rods 
above the present MacAdam road, their dog treed a bear. Mr. Weaver left his wife 
and son with the dog to keep the animal up the tree, while he returned for his gun. 
The peculiar barking of the dog had apprised the inhabitants of "Old Fort Schuy- 
ler " that valuable game was on foot, and a number Oi them arrived with their guns 
at about the same time that Mr. Weaver returned. Four or five shots were made in 
quick succession, and poor Bruin's life paid the forfeit for his temerity in approaching 
so near the site of an embryo city. 

George M. Weaver was father of Hon. A. B. Weaver, a leading 
citizen and member of assembly. In the third generation was Jacob 
G. Weaver, another prominent citizen who was several times elected 
supervisor. 

Nicholas Harter was a shoemaker, and Philip was a blacksmith. 
They owned adjoining farms ; Nicholas mingled shoemaking with 
farming, and died July 26, 1854, in his ninety-fourth year, leaving his 
son Richard on the homestead. Philip followed his trade and died 
about 1808. 

Timothy Smith came in from Worcester, Mass., in March, 1800, 
and settled with his family on what became known as Smith's Hill. 
His family then consisted of his wife, four sons and a daughter. One 
of his sons was Pratt Smith, who passed his life in the town and died 



428 OUR .COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in March, 1874, at the age of eighty-six. A son of Pratt Smith was 
Giles, who was long a prominent citizen, supervisor, etc. 

The accompanying map shows that the town of Deerfield originally 
comprised a large part of Gage's patent, a small part of Cosby's Manor, 
most of the Sadaquahda patent, and part of Oriskany patent (see Chap- 
ter X ) The town was organized under an act of Legislature dated 
March 15, 1798, which also erected the county of Oneida. From its 
original area was taken the town of Marcy on March 30, 1832, leaving 
Deerfield with its present area of 22,500 acres. 

The first town meeting for Deerfield was held at the house of Ezra 
Payne, an early settler, April 3, 1798, where the following officers were 
elected, the list embracing a large number of prominent pioneers: 

Supervisor, Dr. Francis Guiteau; town clerk, Isaac Brayton, jr.; justices of the 
peace, Abram Camp, James S. Kipp; assessors, Daniel Biddlecom, Ebenezer Stew- 
ard, Phineas Camp; commissioners of highways, William Hallock, Calvin. Guiteau, 
Hazard Sherman; poormasters, Olney Pierce, Ezra Payne; constables, Heh Foot, 
Wm. Hallock, Samuel Wells ; overseers of highways, Rev. Oded Eddy, Ezekiel Will- 
ington, Olney Pierce, Hazard Sherman, Joseph Tylor, John Warren, William Hal- 
lock, James Wilson, James Briggs, David Hadcock, Ebenezer Steward, John Jonson ; 
poundmasters, Hazard Sherman, Phineas Camp, Wm. Hallock, Nicholas G. Weaver- 
While these early settlements were being made and the simple gov- 
ernment of town affairs being established, settlers were coming rapidly 
into Whitestown, the bridge was built across the river to the site of Utica 
in 1792, roads were surveyed, and general progress was made. Calvin 
Guiteau was a pioneer and a surveyor, and many of the early roads 
were laid out by him ; he came to the town about 1 792, when his brother, 
Dr. Francis Guiteau, jr., also arrived. (See chapter on the Medical Pro- 
fession— XXIII.) 

The first road laid out, according to the records of March 16, 1799, 
is described as follows : 

Beginning at the place where . . of Utica road intersects the County Road, on 
the north side of the Mohawk River, and continuing on the line of lots 14 and 15, 
twenty chains beyond the Dwelling House of Eldred Edwards ; to be two rods in 
width (that is one rod on each side of the line). 

Calvin Guiteau, Hazard Sherman, and William Hallock were then road 
commissioners. Another road record May 10, 1799, was thus described: 

Beginning near Hazard Sherman's house, on the line between Lots Nos. 14 and 
15, as they now run ; from thence Northerly until it intersects the back road. Said 
line is in the middle of the Road, and is four rods wide. 



THE TOWN OF DBBRPIELD. 429 

Returning to early settlements it is found that Dr. Alexander Cov- 
entry, who settled in Utica in 1796, came over into Deerfield previous 
to 1804, retaining an office in Utica. He purchased a farm and divided 
his time between agriculture and his profession. (See Chapter XXIII.) 
His son, Robert Coventry, was born on the homestead in 1807 and 
passed a long life in this town. 

Meanwhile settlement extended into the northern part of the town in 
the neighborhood of North Gage, many of the new comers being of 
Scotch ancestry. Among them were the families of John Smith, the 
Walkers, McKays, and a family named Blue, of whom Duncan Blue was 
the pioneer. 

In 1798, when Dr. Francis Guiteau was supervisor, licenses were 
granted to the following persons : Jabez Stewart, James Fluskey ; in 
1799 to Ezra Payne, Philip Harter, Isaac Brayton, jr., Hazard Sherman, 
and Guiteau & Pierce; in 1 800 to Bennett Rice, Isaac Brayton, jr., 
Philip Harter, and George Tisdale, all of whom were of course early 
settlers. 

Jacob H. Schermerhorn, born in Rensselaer county, came in from 
Montgomery county before 1802 and purchased over 200 acres in the 
north part of the town but did not then remain. In 1803 his eldest son, 
Uriah, and a slave family named Jackson, came to the place, and in 
March, 1804, were followed by the father's family. The house after- 
wards occupied by his grandson, William Schermerhorn, was built by 
the pioneer in 1812, and was the first frame house in that part. Jacob 
H. Schermerhorn died May 8, 181 3. Cornelius Schermerhorn, of North 
Gage, was his son, and another son was Daniel, who volunteered in the 
war of 1812. Jacob H. Schermerhorn built a saw mill on West Canada 
Creek in 1805, which was washed away two years later. In 18 19 the 
sons, Daniel and Cornelius, built a tannery near North Gage and car- 
ried on shoemaking in connection, doing a prosperous business. 

About the year 1807 the first school in this town was taught in a log 
building near J. H. Schermerhorn's place. Stuart Cummings was one 
of the very early teachers here. By an act of the Legislsture passed 
April 5, 1 8 10, commissioners were appointed to lay out a road from 
Deerfield to Boonville. 

Iaaac Heatherington settled in Deerfield with his family about 1808, 



430 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

on the road from North Gage to Utica. He built an early saw mill on 
Nine- Mile Creek, on the site of the later mill of Amasa Salisbury; the 
first mill was burned. Isaac was father of William Hetherington. 

Joseph Cox settled in this town in 1809, coming from Schuyler, Her- 
kimer county. He was father of James Cox and died May 15, 1855. 
Peter Walker was the son of the pioneer in the north part of the town, 
named Alexander Walker, who located there in 1803. 

In the town has been developed in recent years a very large dairy 
interest and there are now ten or twelve cheese factories, while large 
quantities of milk are sold in Utica. Gardening for the city trade is 
also a considerable industry. Among the leading farmers of the town, 
past and present, are Van R. Weaver (now sheriff of the county), Geo. 
B. Anderson, George H. Crossman, Frederick G. Weaver, A. B. Weaver, 
Earl Clapp, Giles Smith, Lewis B. Gillett, William W. Biddlecom, 
Isaac Buchanan, Stephen Northrup, John W. Smith, Thomas Burton, 
Lyman Marsh, Robert Coventry, and William M. Wells. 

One of the earliest industries in this large agricultural town was the 
making of brick on the flats where grew up the little village of Deerfield 
Corners, and the business has continued down to the present time. 
This industry has been of immense advantage to the city of Utica, and 
has supplied a large part of the brick for that city. The clay is of ex- 
cellent quality and seven or eight yards have at times been in simulta- 
neous operation. 

The settlement at the Corners increased in magnitude and the road 
between the place and Utica became nearly all built in. Stores and hotels 
were opened and considerable business carried on. The post-office was 
opened about 1855 with the name " Deerfield," and Joseph Oster, post- 
master. One of the long time merchants here was Henry W. Kasson, 
who started in business here as early as i860 and was succeeded by his 
son, C. H. Kasson, the present merchant. Another store is kept by 
Jesse Anert. Union Hotel, one of the older public houses, is kept by 
Mrs. Katherine Anert, who succeeds her husband. The Washington 
Hotel is conducted by J. H. Huss. E. T. Hamert is a wagonmaker 
and John Hofmeister, blacksmith. The factory of the Utica Paper 
Novelty Company is located here and turns out a large quantity of paper 
pails, grocers' packages, etc. A steam saw mill two miles east of the 
Corners is operated by John Smith. 




^2^^T 



THE TOWN OF DEBRFIELD. 431 

The post-office at North Gage, with this name, was established 
about'1831, with Daniel Schermerhorn postmaster; he was soon suc- 
ceeded by Dr. Stephen F. Fenton. During the war Archibald C. Blue 
built and managed a cheese factory here, the first in the town. In 
1 87 1 the North Gage cheese factory was started by a stock company. 
Later it passed to the Schermerhorn brothers, In early days, when 
travel was quite extensive in this direction, there were public houses 
and stores at this point. 

Deerfield Corners was the home of the Second Baptist society 
organized in Oneida county, its formation being effected in 1798, and 
a church built soon afterward a little east of the Corners. Elder Oded 
Eddy was the first pastor, and continued twenty-four years. The 
frame church was built in 1812, and has been several times improved. 
In 1 81 5 the cemetery adjoining the church was laid out on land given by 
Gen. John G. Weaver, whose wife was the first person buried there in 
181 1. In later years many Baptists have attended church in Utica but 
a society is maintained. 

Episcopal services were begun in Deerfield about 1874 under a 
mission from Whitesboro, and a church was built seven years later. 
The society has kept its existence since. 

St. Peter's Roman Catholic church was organized and its church built 
in 1872, under the pastorate of Rev. Father Eis. 

The Union church (Presbyterian and Baptist) at North Gage, was 
built in 1830; the first Baptist pastor was Rev. David Pratt and the first 
Presbyterian, Rev. William Goodell. 

The following list of supervisors of this town from the beginning con- 
tains the names of very many prominent citizens not already men- 
tioned : 

1799-1800, Dr. Francis Guiteau; 1801-10, Isaac Brayton, jr. ; 1811, Calvin Guiteau; 
1812-18, Isaac Brayton ; 1819-23, Dr. Alexander Coventry ; 1824, John G. Weaver ; 1825, 
Amasa Rovve ; 1826-27, John D.Leland ; 1828, Jacob Edic ; 1829-31, John D. Leland ; 1832, 
Amasa Rowe ; 1833-40, Calvin Hall, jr. ; 1841, Ambrose Kasson ; 1842, Luther Leland ; 
1843-44, Jacob G. Weaver; 1845^ Richard Harter; 1846-47, Jacob G. Weaver; 1848, 
Luther Leland; 1849, John G. Webster; 1850-51, George F. Weaver; 1852, William 
D. Schermerhorn; 1853, John D. Leland; 1854-55, Calvin Hall; 1856-57, William H. 
Green; 1858-59, William Haddon; 1860-61, George F. Weaver; 1862, John C. Blue; 
1863. Luther Leland; 1864, tie vote,— no supervisor recorded ; 1865, William McSor- 
ley; 1866, no vote recorded; 1867, George F. Weaver; 1868, Job Sayre; 1869, no vote 



432 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

recorded; 1870, Nicholas Hicks; 1871-72, Frederick G. Weaver; 1873-74, Malcolm A. 
Blue ; 1875, Nicholas H. Hicks ; 1876, Frederick G. Weaver ; 1877, Giles Smith ; 1878-9, 
N. H. Hicks; 1880-84, Van R. Weaver; 1885-6, Archibald M. Blue; 1887-89, Alfred 
C. Shaw; 1890-91, N. H. Hicks; 1893-94, Van R. Weaver; 1895, John R. Donafield; 
1896, Charles J. Wood. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE TOWN OF FLORENCE. 

Florence lies in the extreme northwest corner of Oneida county and 
has an area of 33,473 acres. It was wholly included in Scriba's patent 
as township No. 4 and a part of No. 3. The surface of the town is roll- 
ing and lies from 250 to 300 feet above the Rome level. Mad River 
flows southeasterly across the town and receives the waters of many 
small streams. The west branch of Fish Creek also finds a part of its 
source in the southwest part of the town. Considerable water power is 
developed by these streams. The soil in most parts of the town is light 
and stony and considerable parts are still covered with forest. 

William Henderson, of New York city, purchased township No. 4 of 
the Scriba patent, and in order to promote settlement upon his tract he 
offered a bonus of fifty acres each to persons who would locate on his 
land and become permanent settlers. This offer was accepted by Amos 
Woodworth, John Spinning, and a man named Turner, and perhaps by 
others not now known. Mr. Woodworth located in the fall of 1801 
about half a mile from the north line of the town. John Spinning set- 
tled about the same time on the old State road east of the site of Florence 
village, and both began improving their property. 

Clark Crawford and his father, whose name is not now known, came 
into the town soon after the three pioneers, and were followed about 
the same time by Azariah Norton and Norman Waugh ; all of these 
located in the south part of the town. Benoni Barlow, Ebenezer Bar- 
low, Ambrose Curtiss, Ephraim Wright, Joseph Olcott, and Benjamin 
Youngs settled very early in the Florence Hill neighborhood. 

Nathan Thomson visited the town in 1801, but did not remain per- 



THE TOWN OF FLORENCE. 433 

manently until his second visit, May 6, 1802, when he brought in his 
family and settled on the farm afterwards occupied by his son, Aaron 
H. Thomson. The father built a log house a little east of the later 
dwelling, and there opened a tavern which he kept many years and was 
succeeded by his son, just named. When Mr. Thomson first came to 
the town it is recorded that there was only one house between that of 
John W. Bloomfield, at Taberg in Annsville, and the one occupied by 
John Spinning, two miles east of Florence village, a distance of about 
twelve miles by the route then traveled. 

Other settlers who came into Florence before the war of 1812 were 
Asa Jenkins, the first supervisor, Eliakim Simons, Samuel Stanford, 
Daniel Dye, James Angell, Amos Wilcox, Salem Town, Jonathan Mor- 
ton, Ansel Lovejoy, Imri Case, and others. 

The town of Florence was set off from Camden under an act of the 
Legislature dated February 16, 1 805. From its original area a small 
portion was taken off and annexed to Annsville in 1823, leaving it with 
its present dimensions. The act creating the town authorized the hold- 
ing of the first town meeting at the house of John Spinning, on the 
State road on the first Tuesday in April, 1805 ; but the records show 
that it was held on March 5, of that year. There the following officers 
were elected : 

Supervisor, Asa Jenkins; town clerk, David Young; assessors, Benoni Barlow, 
Eliakim Simons, Daniel Dye ; collector, Joseph Olcott ; poormasters. Ephraim Wright ; 
Abraham Morton; commissioners of highways, Samuel Town, John Spinning, Eph- 
raim Wright; constables, Joseph Olcott, James Angell; fence viewers, Ansel Love- 
joy, Imri Case, Lemuel Spinning, Jonathan Morton; pathmasters, Azariah Orton. 
Jared Olcott, Norton Waugh, David Kellogg, Amos Wilcox, Salem Town, Asa Jen 
kins, Daniel Dye. 

The first marriage ceremony performed in this town was that uniting 
Benjamin Wilcox and Betsey Waugh, in 1803. The first birth was a 
child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Crawford. 

Job Dawley, father of Calvin, settled in town prior to the war of 1812, 
and located on the farm occupied in later years by Robert McFern, and 
near his son's late residence. Calvin Dawley went to Sackett's Harbor 
twice during the war, and passed a long life in town. A. C. Dawley is 
a son of Calvin. 

Anthony Empey, sr., was an early settler, first on the Calvin Dawley 
55 



434 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

place, coming about 181 1-12. His son, Anthony, jr., laid out the little 
village of Empey ville, and the family built an early saw mill near by. 
Boardwine Dyer afterwards built a grist mill which ultimately passed 
out of use. Other early settlers were Hiram Fellows, John Cropper, 
Elijah Blake (a surveyor), and Abel Smith. 

While these pioneers and their successors were clearing up their lands 
and building their homes, they did not neglect the educational and moral 
welfare of the community. Schools were early established, but the 
records give almost no information regarding them. The number of 
districts into which the town had been divided in i860 was eleven; this 
had been increased in 1878 to seventeen, three of which were joint dis- 
tricts. There are now in the town fourteen districts, with good school 
buildings. 

Among other settlers in this town who have been prominent as farm- 
ers and otherwise are David Young, Benoni Barlow, and Charles Curtiss 
in the west part; Eliakim Simons in the north part; and others yet to 
be mentioned. 

The first church society organized in Florence was the Congrega- 
tional, at Florence Hill, under date of December 16, 18 16. There were 
only ten members at the first, but the society soon joined the Presby- 
tery, and by January, 1829, there were sixty-nine communicants. 
Gerrit Smith gave the church a site, a lot for a burial place and aided 
in the erection of the church building, which was begun in 1825 and 
finished two years later. From about 1835 the society declined in 
numbers and finally lost its separate identity. 

A Methodist class was organized about 1815 on Florence Hill where 
a small society of that denomination still exists. Another class was 
formed about 1820 three miles below Florence village, which prospered 
a number of years ; while at about the same time a class was formed at 
the village, which was soon organized into a society and built its church 
in 1833. This society has ever since prospered. The church building 
has recently been improved. 

Some of the prominent citizens of the town who came in at a later 
date than those already mentioned were Simon Davis, Charles Curtiss, 
Safford S. Delano, Varnum Dunton, Daniel G. Dorrance, John Downs, 
and others whose names appear in lists of officials and in Part III. 



THE TOWN OF FLORENCE. 435 

The growth of Florence village began early and was fostered to some 
extent by Gerrit Smith, the Madison county philanthropist. He had 
built a blacksmith shop in 1822, and in the following year Thomas 
Evans, formerly of Peterboro (Madison county), and father of Horatio 
J. Evans, settled in the hamlet and began work at his trade of black- 
smithing in Mr. Smith's shop. Other mechanics were also induced by 
Mr Smith to settle here, as well as men of other avocations and profes- 
sions, and the little village seemed to have a bright prospect. Roger 
Maddock, a former Peterboro merchant, was among those sent by Smith; 
he bought out a small store which had been kept by a Mr. Norton, and 
at the same time acted as Mr. Smith's agent. Mr. Smith also purchased 
the grist mill at the village, which had been erected not long previous. 
The mill now here is run by Z. L. Tompkins. Ezra Graves established 
a tannery some time prior to 1828. He removed away soon afterward. 
Another tannery was started in 1832 by James S. T. Stranahan, through 
the agency of Mr. Smith. This tannery was burned and another was 
erected by Lewis Rider, which ultimately passed to Terrill Brothers, of 
Boston, and was burned about 1875, after doing a vast business for a 
number of years. Another tannery in the village was carried on by 
John Sliter, while W. W. Graves manufactured fine upper leather in his 
tannery, and operated the grist mill. It will be seen that the tanning 
interest has been by far the most imporatant industry in Florence ; but 
with the disappearance of bark the business has greatly declined. It is 
now represented only by the Graves tannery, which is operated by H. 
A. Seymour, son-in-law of W, W. Graves. A saw mill is now situated 
a little above the village and is run by C. Wilmot. 

A large hotel was built in 1825 by James Cleveland, founder of the 
village of Cleveland, Oswego county. This building was subsequently 
burned. There are now two hotels, the Grove Hotel, by Clark Brothers, 
and a comparatively new house, built and kept by John Riley. Rens- 
selaer Lament formerly kept a hotel here. 

It is not known in just what year the post-office was established, but 
in 1823 it was located at the tavern of Asa Barnes, two miles above 
the village, and he was postmaster. It was removed to the village 
about 1830. 

There has always been a small mercantile business at Florence village. 



436 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Among the former merchants of the place were J. S T. Stranahan, 
Daniel G. Dorrance, whose son is now banker in Camden, Simon Davis, 
Junius A. Cowles. Stores are now kept by J. Orr, Daniel O'Mara, and 
John F. Clark. 

This village, like many others in the county, is not so prosperous in a 
business sense as it was in former years, for reasons that are apparent. 
The town is fairly prosperous as an agricultural district, mixed crops 
being successfully 'cultivated by many progressive farmers. Dairying 
has received increasing attention in recent years, and there are now four 
cheese factories in the town. 

The Baptist society of Florence village became connected with the 
Oneida Baptist Association in 1828, having been organized some years 
prior to that year. The society then had a membership of twenty- four ; 
this number had increased to sixty- four in 1835. The society built a 
church, and in 1833 opened a school for the education of young men, 
on the now popular plan of combining mental and manual labor and 
study. A large three story stone school building was erected in 1834; 
but neither the school nor the church was permanently prosperous. The 
church declined and the building finally passed to a small Congregational 
society, previously mentioned. The school building was purchased by 
a Catholic society about 1845, was changed over for its new purpose 
and has ever since been used by that organization. 

The post office at Empeyville is named East Florence, and was origin- 
ally located at the corners near the Thomson farm ; Charles B. Thom- 
son was probably the first postmaster. The office was removed to the 
little village in April, 1863, The business interests of this hamlet are 
small. The saw mill which has existed many years is run by James 
Keating, and A. C. Dawley and James Bonner are merchants. 

The following are the supervisors of Florence from 1806 to 1896, in- 
clusive : 

1806-7, Asa Jenkins ; 1808, Samuel Stanford ; 1809-13, Asa Jenkins ; 1813 (special 
election), Samuel Stanford ; 1814-23, Benoni Barlow; 1824-28, Calvin Dawley; 1829- 
32, Amos Woodworth; 1833-34, Simon Davis; 1835-36, Charles Curtiss; 1837-38, 
Safford S. Delano; 1839-30, Amos Woodworth; 1841, Nathan Thomson; 1842, Var- 
num Dunton; 1843-44, Anthony Empey, jr.; 1845-46, Daniel G. Dorrance; 1847, 
Watson Sammon ; 1848-50, Aaron H. Thomson ; 1851-52, John Downer, jr. ; 1853-54, 
Rensselaer Lament; 1855, Junius A. Cowles; 1856, Lewis Rider; 1857-58, Cornelius 



THE TOWN OF FLOYD. 437 

Simpkins; 1859, Aaron H. Thomson; 1860-61, Lewis Rider; 1862-63, Michael Mc- 
Laughlin; 1864-66, A. H. Thomson; 1867-68, A. D. Rider; 1869-70, Stoddard Love- 
land; 1871-77, Edward Fitzgerald; 1878-79, Humphrey Courtney; 1880-81, Edward 
Fitzgerald; 1882-83, Daniel O'Mara; 1884-85, Humphrey Courtney; 1886-87, John 
Daly; 1888-89, Aaron Clough; 1890-91-92, John F. Clark; 1893-94-95-96, William 
Clark. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE TOWN OF FLOYD. 

The town of Floyd was erected from Steuben on March 4, 1796, 
when Western was also a part of Steuben. Floyd received its name in 
honor of Gen. William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence, and a large land owner in this town and in Western. 
General Floyd settled in Western in 1803, and remained there until his 
death. He was instrumental in the development of this region and 
gave material aid to the early settlers. (See history of Western). The 
territory of Floyd was included largely in the southeast corner of Fonda's 
patent, while the southern portion and the eastern portion were in the 
Oriskany and Holland patents respectively. The town lies just east of 
the center, its southern limit touching the Mohawk at the junction of 
Nine- Mile Creek with the river; tributaries of both these streams find 
their sources within this town. The surface consists of the Mohawk in- 
tervale in the south, a sandy plateau farther back, with the Floyd hills 
in the northern part. The soil is generally productive and many fine 
farms are seen in the town. A large number of the thrifty Welsh set- 
tled early in the northern part of Floyd and have aided materially in 
its development. In late years a considerable dairying interest has 
taken the place of earlier agricultural crops. The town has an area of 
20,650 acres. 

Settlement in Floyd began several years prior to the formation of the 
town, with the advent of Capt. Benjamin Pike about 1790. He had a 
son, Jarvis Pike, who came in early, possibly with his father, and took 
a lease from General Floyd of a lot north of Floyd Corners under date 
of October 26, 1793. He was supervisor from 1801 to 1811. 



438 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Contemporaneous with Benjamin Pike's settlement was that of Stephen 
Moulton, jr , a musician in the Revolutionary army, who lived to the 
age of ninety-one years and died February i, 1851. 

As early as February, 1795, the different members of the Moulton 
family, from Stafford, Conn., had settled in this town. As before men- 
tioned, Stephen Moulton, the younger, was among the earliest settlers. 
Within five years after his arrival, his father, Stephen Moulton, and four 
other sons, Salmon, Joseph, Benjamin, and Ebenezer, had moved into 
the town. The Moulton family were among the staunchest Whigs of 
the Revolution in the land of " steady habits," and sacrificed much in 
the cause of their country. Salmon was taken prisoner on Long Island, 
and suffered all the horrors of a confinement in the "Sugar House," a 
place more noted for the suffering of its inmates than the " Black Hole " 
of Calcutta, because more protracted. Mr. Moulton was kept so short 
of provisions that he and his compatriots used to chew pieces of the oak 
staves of the sugar casks left in their prison, for the little nutriment they 
contained. His father, Col. Stephen Moulton, was afterward taken 
prisoner (as is understood) at Fort Washington, and there confined. 
After a tedious confinement in the " Sugar House," Salmon was paroled 
to leave for Fort Washington, and soon after, both father and son were 
paroled to go to their homes.' 

Stephen Moulton, sr., was elected the first supervisor of Floyd and 
the family has been a prominent one in the town. William and 
Nathaniel Allen and James Chase came in at about the same time with 
the Moultons, and were soon followed by Elisha Lake, Hope Smith, 
and two brothers named Howard ; Mr. Smith was father of Stephen R. 
Smith, who became a popular Universalist preacher. David Byam, 
James Bartlett, and a man named Putney settled very early in the north 
part of the town. 

The first town meeting was held in the spring of 1796, at the house 
of Samuel J. Curtiss, another early setder, and Stephen Moulton, sr., 
was chosen supervisor, and Moses Coffeen, town clerk. The town rec- 
ords for 1797 are missing. The supervisors of the town from 1798 
to the present time excepting from 1851 to 1863. of which year the 
records are missing, have been as follows : 



THE TOWN OF FLOYD. 439 

Abel French held the office of supervisor in 1798-99; Jarvis Pike from 1800 to 
1811; Nathan Townsend, sr., in 1812; Ephraim Robbins from 1813 to 1819; Nathan 
Townsend again in 1820-21; Ephraim Robbins again from 1822 to 1824; Salmon Pel- 
ton from 1825 to 1832; David Moulton from 1833 to 1837; Samuel C. Brooker, 1838- 
39; David Moulton 1840-42; Hosea Clark, 1843-44; David Moulton again from 1845 
to 1851; 1863, Alonzo Denison : 1864-66, Philip A. Hale; 1867, George W. Davis; 
1868, David Moulton; 1869-71, William A. Davis; 1872-73, David Moulton; 1874, 
Thomas D. Roberts ; 1875, Wm. A. Davis ; 1876, T. D. Roberts ; 1877, Matthew J. Bar- 
ker; 1878, Charles A. Ward; 1879-80, M. J. Barker; 1881, Orris B. Tripp; 1882-83, J. 
Henry Powell; 1884-85, Philip J. Baker; 1886, Owen J. Evans; 1887, J. Nicholas 
Jacobs'; 1888-90, J. W. Potter; 1891, Griffith D. Thomas; 1892, G. M. Soule, 1893- 
95, P. J. Baker; 1896, Griffith W. Jones. 

It is noteworthy that very early in this century Floyd was the 
residence for a time of Israel Denio, father of the distinguished 
Judge Hiram Denio, who is elsewhere noticed in this volume. Israel 
Denio was a son of Aaron Denio, who was a Revolutionary vet- 
eran, and was born in Deerfield, Mass. Learning the blacksmith 
trade, he married in 1791 . Ester Robbins, daughter of John Robbins 
(another Floyd pioneer) and in 1795 settled in what is now the town 
of Floyd, about a mile south of the late farm of Alfred Robbins. 
There was born in 1796 his daughter who became the wife of Joseph 
Kirkland. About the year 1797 Mr. Denio removed to Wright Set- 
tlement, in the town of Rome, and there followed his trade many years. 
He later worked at other points and died in 1846. His son Hiram was 
born in the town of Rome in May, 1799. 

John Robbins, mentioned above, came from Bennington, Vt, into 
Oneida county in 1790, locating at first in the town of Rome near New- 
ville Finding fever and ague prevalent there he removed into what is 
now Floyd and settled near the town line on the farm occupied in recent 
years by his grandson, Alfred Robbins. The father of the latter was 
Henry Robbins, who passed his life and died in Floyd. 

Samuel Dyer was an early settler, who spent several years on a farm 
in this town and removed to Marcy. He was a man of excellent char- 
acter, and is doubtless the one referred to in the following extract from 
the diary of Rev. John Taylor, a missionary who passed through this 
region from Massachusetts in 1802: 

August 2. — Started for Floyd; rode 11 miles to a Captain Rice's. Preached in the 
evening. I know not what remarks to make upon the inhabitants of this town; a 
half dozen excepted, they seem to be the fag-end of man in disorder and confusion 



440 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of all kinds. The Baptists have some regularity, but the Methodists are producing 
the scenes which are transpiring in Kentucky. Women here, Methodists, pray in 
their families instead of ye men, and with such strength of lungs as to be distinctly 
heard by their neighbors. I had almost as many nations, sects, and religions pres- 
ent to hear me preach as Peter had on the day of Pentecost. In this town there is 
an excellent character, — Esq. Dier; he tells me that Clinton has given commissions 
to five men for justices in this place, one of whom is a renegade Irishman, without 
character and without prayer, and another has no Bible in his house. In fact, this 
is a most miserable place as to inhabitants. The land is good, too good for such in- 
habitants. 

It is more than probable that some of the statements of this mission- 
ary were unjustifiable under the circumstances; they certainly do not 
indicate a Christian spirit. Coming westward from older settled locali- 
ties to encounter the rude scenes of life in the wilderness, v/ith many 
privations that may have touched his own person harshly, this mission- 
ary appears to have little understood or appreciated the situation. It 
is very certain that the pioneers of Floyd no more deserved the obloquy 
of this itinerant, than those of any other similar locality in the early 
years. 

Captain Nathan Townsend settled in 1801 in the southeast part of 
the town, on a farm which had been purchased by Gov. George Clin- 
ton, and where a "squatter" named Turner Ellis had previously lived. 
Mr. Townsend was supervisor in 1821, and had a son of the same name. 
He was father of Ingham and William F. Townsend. 

Thomas Bacon and Samuel Cummings were early settlers on Floyd 
Hill, the locality being known for a time as " Bacon's Hill." Asa 
Clark settled on the Hill about 1805. He served as a teamster in the 
war of 18 1 2 and was father of A. S. Clark, one time postmaster at 
Floyd Corners. 

Robert Nutt and his son David came into the town about the begin- 
ning of the century and both lived and died in the town. The father 
was a Revolutionary soldier. David's son, Austin A., was born in 
Floyd in 1800. Samuel Denison settled in town in 1800, and about 
the same time came James Chase, Latham Denison, and others. An 
epidemic of dysentery swept over the settlement in the summer of 1796, 
during which the wife of Col. Stephen Moulton and three children of 
his son died, all within a week. Nathan Thompson was the second 
person to die in the town, and was killed by a falling tree. 



THE TOWN OF FLOYD. 441 

Benjamin Gardner came from Rhode Island and settled in Floyd 
about 1804, with his father, Amos Gardner. Benjamin served in the 
war of 18 12 ; his wife was a daughter of Eli Kent, who was five years 
old when her parents came into Oneida county in 1795 and settled in 
the edge of the town of Rome. In that neighborhood but within the 
Floyd town line settled early three families named Kilborn, and Israel 
Denio, before mentioned. It was probably one of these Kilborns who 
taught a very early school, about the winter 1795-6, in the Kent neigh- 
borhood in the town of Rome. A school was taught as early as 18 10 
in the Nutt neighborhood. The town was later divided and subdivided 
into districts which numbered eleven in j86o. There are now nine dis- 
tricts, with good school buildings. 

One of the earliest churches in this town was built as a Union church 
at the Corners, where for a number of years services were held as 
opportunity offered by Methodist, Baptist or Presbyterian ministers or 
missionaries. Free Methodists and Episcopalians occasionally occupied 
the church in later years, until finally the services were confined mainly 
to the Methodists. 

A Baptist society was organized on the Hill in 1807, and for many 
yeaas was prosperous. It finally declined and went out of existence. 

Camroden post-office and the little hamlet of that name is situated 
about three miles northerly from Floyd Corners, where numbers of 
Welsh settlers located and gave it the peculiar name. The post-office 
was established in 1872. Here is located a Methodist church society 
organized about 1840, who built their present church about 1866; ser- 
vices where held previous to that time in the building that was subse- 
quently used for the post office and residence of R. M. Williams. The 
Welsh Congregational church at Camroden was originally under Presby- 
terian authority and was organized about 1834. A church was erected 
north of the present building, which was built in 1854. 

Besides the post office and hamlet at Floyd Corners (the post-office 
having the name of Floyd), there is a post-office called East Floyd in 
the eastern part of the town. The saw mill here is operated by P. J. 
Baker, who is postmaster. 

The little village of Floyd Corners is in the southern central part of 
the town, whese a post-office was established in early years, with Benja- 



442 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

min Pike postmaster. There has always been a small mercantile busi- 
ness here, the store at present being conducted by M. J. Barker, who has 
been a merchant for twenty- five years. He was preceded during many years 
by P. A. Hale. G. W. Martin has a second store. The hotel which has 
long been conducted is now in charge of S. A. Thorp. The first hotel 
here was kept by Capt. Benjamin Pike. 

The first cheese factory in this town was built in 1862 by T. D. Rob- 
erts. There are now three, and one for the manufacture of limburger 
cheese. Some of the leading farmers of this town, past and present, are 
Germaine Soule, Ingham Townsend, and his brother William F., Thomas 
D. Roberts, H. M. Hemenway, William Jones, O. B. Tripp, Frank Tripp, 
Thomas H. Vandenhoff, G. D. Thomas, Robert Evans, Charles H. Owen 
aud John Evans. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 
THE TOWN OF FORESTPORT 

This is the northeasternmost town in Oneida county and its territory 
includes in the southern part a small section of the Remsenburgh patent, 
all of the Woodhull tract in its central portion, and the Adgate eastern 
patent in the north part, as shown on the map. Black River forms it's 
southern boundary, while many small streams flow through parts of the 
town, and numerous lakes and ponds exist in the northern part; among 
these are Long Lake, White Lake, Otter Lake, and Deer and Round 
Ponds. Big and Little Woodhull Creeks flow southeasterly across the 
town and into Black River. The surface of the town is elevated from 
1.500 to 2,000 feet above tide and is much broken by hills and ridges. 
The soil is mostly a light sandy loam, suitable for the ordinary farm 
crops, and hops have been raised to some extent in the central part. 

This town has only a brief history, either as a civil organization or as 
to its settlement. Lying in the outskirts of the great northern wilder- 
ness, its forests were not penetrated until comparatively recent years, 
and most of its dwellers have in some way been associated with the 




G. M. STUDOR. 



THE TOWN OF FORESTPORT. 443 

leading industries of lumbering or tanning. Foresport was erected from 
Remsen November 24, 1869, and the first town meeting was held in 
Forestport village on the 1st of March, 1870, at which time the follow- 
ing officers were elected : 

Supervisor, Harry Weed; town clerk, Charles E. Barber; justices of the peace, 
Daniel Nugent, Judson W. Rockwell; assessors, Stephen Millard, Thomas Ryan; 
commissioners of highways, Christopher Herrig, John Bellinger; collector, Thomas 
J. Alliger; poormasters, Philip Studer, John Lindsey; constables, James H. Jackson, 
Henry Herrig, Asaph Learned, William Elthorp, George Thurston ; inspectors of 
election, Giles C. Hovey, Edward Coughlin, Cephas Weeks; sealer of weights and 
measures, James McKenzie. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its organiza- 
tion to the present time : 

1870-75, Harry Weed; 1876-80, Timothy Coughlin; 1881, Evan R. Jones; 1882, 
Roselle Putney ; 1883-4, A. B. Baker ; 1885, Oscar F. Huber ; 1886-93, F. X. Sulzman ; 
1894-96, J. B. Coughlin. 

The building of the great dam at Forestport by the State in 1849-50 
to create the feeder for the Black River Canal, stimulated settlement at 
that point, and the lumber business was soon active. A man named 
Smith built on the west side of the river the first saw mill there, and the 
first dwelling on the east side of the river was built by Alfred Hough. 
Truman Yale had settled there about 1840 and carried on a chair fac- 
tory, the first industry in the place. A hotel was opened in 185 1 by 
Anson Hayden, and a store was opened early on the west side of the 
river, in the town of Boonville, by Loren Miller This was the first 
store, and the first one on the east side was established by Enos S. 
Howard while the canal feeder was being constructed. The place was 
at one period known as Williamsville, when the post-office was located 
at Woodhull, which is now practically a suburb of Forestport. The 
office was finally removed to Forestport and given that name, with 
Alfred Hough, postmaster. It is now the only post-office in the town. 

George Hovey settled permanently in Forestport in 1847, having 
visited the locality some years before. A school was opened about 
1840 in the hamlet, since which time the town has been subdivided into 
more districts, having now ten. Forestport village now has a graded 
school, with David R. Lloyd, principal, and two assistants. 

Among other early and prominent settlers in this town may be men- 



444 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tioned Gen. Jonathan A. Hill, who located here in 1867, after having 
won high military distinction in the war of the Rebellion, and became 
associated with Thomas E. Proctor, of Boston, in carrying on a great 
tannery at Woodhull. 

An early grist mill in Forestport was erected and carried on by 
Hough & Hulburt, and a later one was built by Philip McGuire. These 
mills are now operated by George Farley and C. M. Bingham, both of 
whom have been in the business many years. 

As the lumber business developed, large mills were erected at various 
points, among those now in operation being Denton & Waterbury, 
Forestport Lumber Company, Syphert & Herrig, James Gallagher 
(all in Forestport village), and those of W. R. Stanburgh, a mile out ; 
Joseph Ano, four miles east; Henry Nichols and Jerry App, on Bear 
Creek. A pulp mill was built in 1888 by H. Nichols and a shingle mill 
by Frederick Brown The Adirondack Lumber Company is located at 
White Lake, where a chair factory is operated. The hotels at Forest- 
port are the Getman House, built about eight years ago by Charles 
Getman ; the American by Michael Doyle ; the Clinton House, built by 
Robert Boyle, and George Buckley's hotel. Merchants here are Den- 
ton & Waterbury, Boyce & Downing, George R. Ainsworth, who 
bought out W. R. Stanburgh, Henry Nichols, Herbert Helmer. Older 
merchants, now gone, were S. F. Traffarn and Hough & Hurlbut. The 
village has an active fire department and in 1891 purchased a Howe 
combined chemical and water engine. A graded school is maintained 
with three teaehers. . 

At Woodhull the large tannery formerly operated by Proctor & Hill is 

not now in use. A planing mill is operated by Charles Hayes, and a 

store is kept by the Woodhull Lumber Company. The Central Hotel 

, is kept by Cornelius Breen ; the Hasney House by R. J. Monihan, and 

the Forestport House. 

The Presbyterian society, organized as the Presbyterian church of 
Forestport, Alder Creek and White Lake, built its frame house of wor- 
ship in 1 88 1. Prior to that services were held in the school house, in 
the M. E. church and in Temperance Hall. Rev. William N. Cleveland 
(brother of President Cleveland) was the first pastor and remained about 
ten years. 




PHILIP MCGUIRE. 



THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND. 445 

The Catholic church was organized and its church built fourteen years 
ago. It is in charge of the society at Boonville. 

An Episcopal society has been in existence here many years. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 
THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND. 

Although it was organized at a comparatively recent date, the town 
of Kirkland is in many respects one of the most important in Oneida 
county. It was organized under an act of the Legislature passed April 
13, 1827, and then included what is now the town of Marshall, which 
was set off in 1829. In 1834 a small section was annexed to New Hart- 
ford, and in 1839 a small part of Paris was annexed to Kirkland. The 
town now embraces an area of 19,716 acres, and received its name in 
honor of the Rev. Samuei Kirkland, the noted missionary. It lies in 
the interior of the county, south of the center, and its surface is divided 
into two general ridges by the Oriskany Creek which flows northeasterly 
through near the center. The hilly uplands rise 200 to 500 feet, often 
with steep declivities, presenting in many places scenery of picturesque 
beauty. The soil is generally a rich calcareous loam, well adapted to 
fruit growing, which has been extensively followed. Along the shores 
of Oriskany Creek are rich alluvial deposits. Iron ore of good quality 
has been found in the town, and in past years thousands of tons were 
annually shipped to distant furnaces by the Chenango Canal. Good 
building stone is quarried near Clinton village. The town is noted 
throughout the State for the number and high character of its educa- 
tional institutions. 

The settlement of this town was begun on the 3d of March, 1787, by 
Moses Foote and seven families. The event is commemorated on a 
stone now standing in the park at Clinton village by the following in- 
scriptions : 

Moses Foote, Esq. , in company with seven other families, commenced the settle- 
ment of this village March 3, 1787. 



446 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The north face has the following : 

Nine miles to Utica. Moses Foote, James Bronson, Luther Foote, Bronson Foote, 
Ira Foote, Barnabas Pond, Ludim Blodgett, Levi Sherman. 

Mr. Foote and a few other persons had visited this locality in the fall 
of 1786, and James Bronson came in February, 1787, passing the night 
of the 27th of that month under shelter of the roots of a tree on what is 
now Clinton Green. Five of the eight families mentioned were from 
Plymouth, Conn., whence they had a few years earlier migrated to 
German Flats. In coming to their later home they followed what was 
known as the Moyer road, which followed a part of the Indian trail from 
Buffalo to the Mohawk valley. That road brought them to Paris Hill, 
where they turned northward. After some discussion the party located 
the site of their settlement on the site of Clinton village. The family of 
Solomon Hovey is thought by some to have come in with those 
pioneers; if he did not, he followed them very closely, and his wife was 
the first white woman to come into the town. The summer of 1787 
found thirteen families living on the Oriskany, and this number had in- 
creased to twenty, this addition including the families of John Bullen, 
Salmon Butler, James Cassety (see history of Augusta, herein) William 
Cook, Samuel and Noah Hubbard, Amos Kellogg, Aaron Kellogg, 
Oliver Porter, Randall Lewis, Cordial Storrs, Caleb Merrill, Levi Sher- 
man, and Judah Stebbins. 

The settlement was formed on a road extending north and south from 
the house owned in recent years by Marshall W. Barker to the house of 
Seth K. Blair. Each family was given two acres of land on this street 
for a building lot, and in the course of a year eight acres additional were 
set off for each family, adjoining the first assignment in each case. These 
pioneers cleared some of their land, planted crops, and named their set- 
tlement in honor of the governor of the State, Clinton. They labored 
under the privations and inconveniences common to the first settlers in 
many other localities ; they carried their corn on foot or horseback to 
the mill at Whitestown, built in 1788, over a narrow trail, six miles 
until a little later they joined their labor and cut out a road wide enough 
for teams. Soon afterward Colonel Cassety built a grist mill on the east 
bank of the creek, near the site of the bridge on College street, and in 
the same year a saw mill was built a few rods above. This saw mill 



THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND. 447 

property is now owned by E G. Coleman and the grist mill by Van 
Buskirk &Co., and known as the Clinton Roller mills. 

During the summer of 1788 about twenty new families were added 
to the settlement, among whom were the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, George 
Longford, Timothy Tuttle, Benjamin Pollard, Zadock Loomis, Theodore 
Manross, Andrew Blanchard, Silas Austen, Joshua Morse, Elias Dewey, 
and Joseph Gleason. 

When the lands now covered by this town were first selected by Captain Foot and 
his parly, it was supposed that they had never been surveyed, and were not embraced 
within the limits of any patent. They considered themselves ' squatters,' presuming 
that when the land came into marketthey could claim it by pre-emption right. What, 
then, was their surprise, on exploring and clearing up the forests, to find lines of 
marked trees, and on further inquiry to learn that they had settled upon Coxe's 
Patent, ' a tract of land granted by the colony of New York, May 30,' 1770, to Daniel 
Coxe, William Coxe, Rebecca Coxe, and John Tabor Kempe and Grace, his wife.' 
Their settlement was found to be located on ' the two thousand and sixteen acres 
tract,' by which descriptive name it was long known to the older inhabitants and 
surveyors. This plot was bounded on the north by the farm now owned by Henry 
Gleason, on the east by David Pickett's, on the south by Seth K. Blair's, and on the 
west by the Oriskany Creek. On further search it was found that this tract had al- 
ready been divided into twenty lots of nearly equal size, and that the proprietors 
had ottered it as a gift to any colony of twenty families who would take it up and 
occupy it as a permanent settlement. At once our settlers hoped that they might 
enjoy the benefit of this generous offer; but the patentees, learning that their lands 
had already been occupied in ignorance of their proposal, refused to make the gift, 
and required the squatters to buy the land at the rate often shillings an acre. Ac- 
cordingly, in the summer of 1788, Captain Foot was sent to Philadelphia to purchase 
the whole tract on the best possible terms; and eventually the several lots were 
parceled out at cost among the different settlers. The triangular piece of land which 
afterwards became the site of the village wa? called the 'handkerchief lot,' from its 
resemblance on the map to a half handkerchief, and was bought by Captain Foot. ' 

The first death in the town occurred in the spring of 1788, when Miss 
Merab Tuttle, seventeen years old, a daughter of Timothy Tuttle, was 
drowned in Oriskany Creek; the sad event cast a shadow of gloom over 
the little community. 

On account of loss of the records of this town prior to 1866, the list 
of supervisors can be given only from that year, as follows : 

. 1866-7, Charles Kellogg ; 1868-9, Henry S. Armstrong ; 1870-2, Elliott S. Williams ; 
1873-4, Silas T. Ives; 1875, Anthony N. Owston ; 1876, Henry N. Gleason; 1877-78, 
Henry C. Earle; 1879-81, Robert W. Evans; 1882-83, Lathrop N. Brock way; 1884- 

1 History of Kirkland (1874) by Rev. A. D. Gridley. 



448 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

87, Andrew L. Williams; 1888-89, Thomas W. Onyon; 1890-93, George E. Norton; 
1894-95. Amos Armstrong; 1896, Willard G. Pickert. 

Within the boundaries of Kirkland are included the Kirkland patent, 
a part of the tract of the Brothertown Indians, a part of Cox's patent. 
This latter section made the early settler considerable trouble, as de- 
scribed a little further on. (See also Chapter X, and the map of 
patents). 

The first marriage in Kirkland was celebrated in 1788, when on the 
same day Elias Dewey and Anna Foote, and Andrew Blanchard and 
Mary Cook were united. Mr. Dewey built a house on the site of the 
Judge Williams residence of recent years. Roger Leverett and Eliza- 
beth Cheesebrough were also married in that year, in a log house that 
stood on the road to Utica, east of Slocum's bridge. The first child 
born in the town was Clinton Foote, who died before reaching manhood ; 
the second was Fanny Kellogg, daughter of Amos Kellogg and later 
the wife of Orrin Gridley ; the third was Julius Pond, born July 26, 
1789. 

Among the settlers who arrived in 1789 was Jesse Curtiss, who in 
the fall of that year built the third frame house in town, the first having 
been erected by Timothy Tuttle, and the second by Ebenezer Butler, 
jr. These three were all built in 1789. Other setttlers of the year 
were Timothy Pond, Eli Bristol, Joel Bristol, Jonah Sanford, Samuel 
Curtiss, John Curtiss, Ebenezer Butler, Theodore Gridley, Bartholomew 
Po d, Rufus Millard, William Marsh, and William Carpenter. While 
Capt. Moses Foote brought to the town the first horse, it was soon 
stolen by Indians, and the next ones were brought in 1789 by William 
Carpenter and Nathan Marsh. It is a local tradition that these men 
started on hoseback for Albany, and at the same time Jesse Curtiss and 
Bartholomew started on foot, and that the footmen reached their desti- 
nation some hours ahead of the horsemen. 

In 1789 the families who had settled in this town encountered an en- 
emy which they had not anticipated, in a period of famine. It seems 
incredible that actual want of food could have existed, but when the 
difficulty of communication with distant points, where crops had not 
failed, is considered, the situation may be better appreciated. The stock 
of flour and potatoes was exhausted and many were compelled to live 



THE TOWN OF KIRKLA.ND. 449 

on wild game and such nuts and wild vegetables as they could find. At 
last a party of men started for Fort Plain in Montgomery county, in 
search of flour or other food. There they found a friend in Isaac Paris, 
who loaded a small flat boat with flour and meal and sent it up the 
Mohawk to the mouth of Oriskany Creek, where it was transferred to a 
log canoe, which the settlers had made and who were there to meet the 
returning party. The canoe and its load were worked up the creek to 
near the village, where the welcome food was taken in carts to the set- 
tlement, Mr. Paris received his pay for the flour and meal in ginseng 
root, for which he could find a ready market. All that territory was 
then a part of Whitestown, it will be remembered, and when in 1792, a 
new town was to be erected which would include what is now Clinton, 
he was honored by giving it his name — Paris. 

In 1792 Thomas Hart settled in Clinton and opened a store in com- 
pany with Seth Roberts in a building erected by Ebenezer Butler, in 
which the latter had carried on trade. In 1793 Judah Stebbins built the 
first two-story house in the town. It was in the Hart store, to which 
business Ephraim Hart (son of Thomas), had succeeded prior to 1801, 
that the first burglary in the town was committed. Mr. Hart had col- 
lected about $1 800 in silver, and an Irishman named Samuel McBride, 
who must have learned of the treasure, broke into the store and carried 
it off. He was very soon captured and most of the money restored to 
the owner. The thief escaped from the place of confinement, started 
north and traveled till morning, when he found a hollow stump about 
ten feet high near Middle Settlement, into which he descended to hide 
until night again came on. But the misguided burglar found a prison 
more secure in the stump than where he was first confined. After 
nearly losing his life he did finally get out, but only to fall into the cus 
tody of his pursuers. He was tried and sentenced to State prison for 
fourteen years. 

The pioneers of Kirkland and that vicinity found many Indians of the 
Oneida nation, the Stockbridge and the Brothertown tribes, and for a 
number of years their figures and faces were perhaps more familiar to 
the settlers than those of their own white neighbors. Many incidents 
of interest are recorded of the intercourse between the natives and the 
pioneers, for which space cannot be spared in this volume. (See Grid- 

57 



450 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ley's History of Kirkland, and Jones's Annals of Oneida County.) The 
Indians were friendly as a rule and in some instances were contributors 
to the comfort of the settlers. It was among these Indians that Rev. 
Samuel Kirkland passed a large part of his life in efforts to Christianize 
them. He established the first permanent Protestant mission in the 
country of the Six Nations among the Oneidas in July, 1766, and from 
that time until the beginning of the present century was a prominent 
figure in this history of this region. He was a graduate of Nassau Hall, 
Princeton, N. J. (1765), and in the previous year, when he was twenty- 
three years old, had made a visit to the country of the Six Nations. His 
life among the Indians was replete with incident and its history reads 
like a romance. When Mr. Kirkland settled among the Oneidas in this 
town, he built for himself a dwelling for which he cut the timber and 
dug a cellar with his own hands. His garden was on ground afterwards 
used for the same purpose by Hon. Timothy Jenkins. He was con- 
nected with the army as chaplain during a part of the Revolutionary 
struggle, and was conspicuous and acted as interpreter in the great 
Buffalo treaty of 1784. In October, 1791, he removed his family to the 
land granted him by the Indians and the State, and as far as he was 
able continued his labors among the Oneidas through the remainder of 
his life. His death took place February 28, 1808. His funeral was held 
in Clinton and his remains were buried on his own land and near his 
dwelling. His remains, with those of others of the family, were ex- 
humed and reburied in the college cemetery October 31, 1S56. Three 
sons and three daughters were born to him. Two of the sons died 
young and unmarried. Dr. John Thornton Kirkland, president of Ham- 
ilton College, left no children. Of the daughters, Jerusha, the eldest, 
married John H. Lothrop, of Utica, in 1797 ; Sarah married Francis 
Amory, of Boston, in 1804; and Eliza, the youngest, married Rev. Ed- 
ward Robinson, D D., in 1818, then a professor in Hamilton College, and 
subsequently known as an Oriental traveler, and professor in Union 
Theological Seminary of New York city. Mr. Kirkland's greatest act 
of usefulness was, perhaps, the founding in 1793 of the Hamilton Oneida 
Academy, at Clinton, which was the direct parent of Hamilton College. 
A history of this and the many other prominent educational institutions 
of this "educational emporium of Oneida county" is given in Chapter 
XXIV. 



THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND. 451 

Hamilton Academy was advanced to the rank and dignity of a col- 
lege in 1 8 12, and in the following year the Clinton Grammar School 
was founded, as fully described in Chapter XXIV. The well known 
Clinton Liberal Institute was established in 1831, and was followed in 
the next year by the Young Ladies' Domestic Seminary, all of which 
were forerunners of others which have been described. As to the early 
common schools of the town, there is little that can be recorded. The 
following brief sketch was prepared by Gains Butler for the Gridley 
history and should be preserved : 

The first building erected in Kirkland for the purpose of a common school stood 
on the east side of the village green, upon the spot now occupied for a similar pur- 
pose. It was a frame building, one story and a half high. This was afterward re- 
moved, and now (1873) stands on the north side of Kellogg Street, and is occupied by 
Mr. James Hughes. The original school-house was succeeded by a brick building. 
The bricks used in this structure were made on the farm of Gideon Cole, now owned 
by James Elphick and Dr. G. I. Bronson. In the spring of 1840 this house, having 
become somewhat dilapidated, was sold at auction for some S300, and soon after- 
wards the present frame building was erected on or near the same spot. It is 
worthy of note that a Mr. Fillmore, brother of President Fillmore, was one of the 
early teachers in this school-house. 

It was originally a very general practice to measure the lot by the size of the 
school-house, as if a sufficient margin for a play-ground was land thrown away. 
The school-house on Utica Street was built on a steep bluff, at an angle od two sides 
of some 45 degrees, with not one spare foot of ground. A school was sustained on 
this spot for many years, but a bright light one evening many years ago showed that 
the old building was being reduced to ashes. 

The first school-house in the eastern part of Kirkland, near Mr. Pickett's, was 
built by a Mr. Willard, at the contract price of $150. Low price and poor work. It 
was attempted to warm the building in winter by a Russian stove, of which Dr. 
Backus said, " One might as well warm his feet by a tombstone." Another and bet- 
ter building was afterwards put up on the same site, but ere long it went up by fire, 
and the district itself was dissolved. 

The Franklin district is a large and populous one. The first school-house was 
destroyed under circumstances bordering on the ludicrous. It may suffice here to 
state that for a certain cutaneous disease sulphur was regarded as the best remedy, 
and that, in order to its being well rubbed in, a large fire was considered necessary. 
Well, the boys were not in a condition to put it out. 

District schools were opened early in other parts of the town, such 
names as the " Brimfield Hill district," the " Chuckery district," the 
"Manchester district," and the "Post Street district " being some of 
those applied to the several divisions. In i860 there were seventeen 



452 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

districts in the town. The number at the present time is fifteen, 
with a school house in each. 

While these various extensive and effective measures were being adopted 
to provide for the education of the young of the town, religious organ- 
izations were established. It is recorded that the first religious meet- 
ing held in Kirkland convened on Sunday, April 8, 1787, in an un- 
finished house belonging to Moses Foote, in Clinton. Mr. Foote opened 
the meeting with prayer, and Caleb Merrill, who lived near Middle 
Settlement, read a printed sermon. Other similar meetings were held 
in various places until a church organization was effected. Rev. Sam- 
uel Eells, of Branford, Conn., visited Clinton in November, 1788, held 
services and performed baptisms. In August, 1791, Rev. Dr. Edwards, 
then pastor of the North church in New Haven, Conn., came to Clin- 
ton and organized a Congregational church with thirty members. A 
few weeks later " The Society of Clinton " was organized with eighty- 
three members. Rev. Asahel Strong Norton, of Chatham, Conn., was 
called as the first pastor, and was paid a salary of " one hundred pounds, 
lawful money." He served for the same pay for twenty years, and 
visited other parts of the town, preaching in school houses, dwellings 
and barns. A log building was erected on the village common in 1792, 
and there meetings were held. This was torn down in 1796, and the 
school house was used for worship until a church was built. This was 
partly accomplished in that year, but the building was not finished 
until 1 801. It stood in the park, facing the south, and was 65 by 48 
feet in size. A bell was hung in the square tower in 1804, which was 
cast by Capt. Timothy Barnes in the village — a product of one of the 
earliest industries. The church is remembered as " the old white meet- 
ing house." A new church was erected of stone in 1835—6, on the 
south side of the park, and was burned July 10, 1876, when the pres- 
ent handsome edifice was erected at a total cost of about $40,000. 
After a period of about seventy years in the Congregational faith, the 
Presbyterian form was adopted and the church became connected with 
the Utica Presbytery. The first Methodist class was formed in 18 18, 
and that and other churches are described a little further on. 

During the period in which were established the above mentioned 
organizations for the moral and educational welfare of this town, many 



THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND. 453 

of the early manufacturing industries were founded, which for a time 
made it a center of considerable business. The breeding of fine-wool 
sheep was successfully followed in Oneida county at an early date and 
Kirkland people engaged extensively in the work. This led to the 
formation of companies for the manufacture of woolen cloths, among 
which was the Clinton Woolen Manufacturing Company, which erected 
a factory in 1810. After a few years of profitable operation, the busi- 
ness declined after the close of the war of 18 12, largely through com- 
petition of English goods. Broadcloths were made at this factory which 
sold during the war as high as $12 a yard, and other kinds of cloth in 
proportion. The property ultimately passed to the proprietors of 
Clark's Mills and was used as a cotton factory, as described further on ; 
the post-office at this point has the name of Clark Mills. 

Amos Kellogg built a fulling mill in Clinton prior to 18 10, on the 
east side of the creek on College street. He sold out to Clark Wood, 
who removed the machinery to the north side of the road to make 
room for a carding machine which was set up on the site by Owen & 
Bennett. 

About the year 1813 a nail factory was established by Silas Buttrick 
and others, near the site of the grist mill ; this was soon closed. The 
building of the first grist mill has been mentioned ; it stood on the east 
side of the creek, just above College street. Another was erected by 
Simon Nelson at a later date on the site and in 1878 was occupied by 
William Healey. An early flouring mill was built about forty rods above 
the Farmers' Mill, which was afterward moved down the stream and 
rebuilt under the name of Hart's Mill, and finally took the name of 
"Farmers' Mill." About 1800 a small grist mill was built a little east 
of Manchester (Kirkland P. O) by a Mr. Sherman. A Mr. Parks, an 
early settler, began the erection of a mill below Manchester and ex- 
pended consideral money on a raceway ; but his prospects of profit in 
it were cut off by the erection of a mill about 1802-3 by Nathan and 
Ebenezer Thompson at Clark Mills. These men had also a saw mill 
and a carding machine. The saw mill was burned in 1881. The first 
saw mill in the town was established by Bronson Foote in 1788, and 
had several successors in different parts. One was at the upper end of 
the Dug- Way ; another, built by Mr. Bliss, where the chair factory of 



454 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

S. P. Landers was built in 1861, and another by Ralph W. Kirkland a 
little below the Franklin Iron Works. Still another saw mill was on a 
stream known as Sherman Brook, near the eastern bounds of the town ; 
it was owned by Judah Stebbins and Zadock Loomis, while farther 
down that stream was a grist mill owned by Timothy Barnes and his 
sons; the latter was sold and converted into a distillery.- Still farther 
down the same stream was the saw mill of John Bird, and below that 
one by Thomas Warmele. 

In 1794, a deed was made by Mr. Bliss to Woodruff & Kinney, for a dike to be cut 
from his mill-pond (near Mr. Landers' present factory) through his land to the pres- 
ent location of the shop. The water-course having been dug, a trip-hammer-shop 
was built for making scythes, hoes, and for common blacksmithing. After a few 
years Manross & Wicks became the proprietors. They sold one-half of the shop to 
Charles Faber, who made nail-hammers. The next proprietors were Porter & Kelsey 
who made hay-forks. After them came Mr. Wells, who made staves. The next 
proprietors were Biam and Hiram Davis, who manufactured sash, blinds, and doors. 
The next owner was James Stewart, who made Excelsior shavings, and carried on 
the business of upholstery. During its occupancy by Colonel Stewart, Mr. H. H. 
Jones manufactured axes to some extent. Succeeding Colonel Stewart came Messrs. 
Cooke & Case, who, during the war of the Rebellion, when cotton was high, dressed 
flax. Soon after this they turned their attention to the making of cotton batting. 

Asa Marvin started a hat factory in Clinton about 1834 on the west 
corner of College and Franklin streets, which continued some years. 
Woodbury & Kinney made scythes quite early near the Farmers' Mill, 
and Timothy Barnes cast bells, as before mentioned. The first pottery 
was established by Erastus Barnes, near College street ; he used an ex- 
cellent clay found near Manchester and did a large business ; he was 
succeeded by John B. Gregory. Brick making has been largely carried 
on, the first ones being made by Dr. Abel Sherman, on Utica street ; 
other yards were established in various places. 

Among the numerous tanneries which were established and which 
have all passed away were those of Theophilus Redfield, near the foot 
of College Hill ; of John Shapley, in the hollow east of the village of 
Clinton ; of Rufus Hayes, and another by Bangs & Dillow on Utica 
street. 

A small factory was established about 1830 by a Mr. Hurd on a 
stream between Clinton and Deansville for making of German silver 
spoons ; the proprietor afterwards began counterfeiting coin and fled 



THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND. 455 

the country Lewis Pond and Andrew Pond each established a small 
furnace for working scrap iron quite early, but neither continued long 
in operation. 

The Manchester Manufacturing.Company was chartered in 1815, with 
capital stock of $100,000, its purpose the establishment of a cotton fac- 
tory in this town. The works were put up by Thomas R. Gold, Theo- 
dore Sill and John Young, and the limited machinery of those days put 
in. The weaving was done by hand by families over a large extent of 
territory. After the introduction of the power loom, the business was 
revolutionized, but continued successful. In 1831 the factory was en- 
larged and new machinery including ninety six looms added. The fac- 
tory was burned in 1854 and not rebuilt. The Clinton Iron Works 
occupied the site. 

The mining of iron ore in Kirkland has already been alluded to. The 
richest beds in town were discovered early on the farm of the late James 
D. Stebbins, and the ore was so near the surface that it was turned up 
by the plow. The ore was taken out of town many years and worked 
into pig iron. In 1852 the Franklin Iron Works went into operation, 
the company having been formed in 1850, with a capital of $16,000. 
The works were built during 1 85 1 , and had a capacity of six to ten tons 
a day. The capital not being forthcoming, a new company was formed 
in 1852, in which Alfred Munson, of Utica, and Mr. Tower took an in- 
terest, the capital being increased to $32,000. The works were started 
with success and were afterwards greatly enlarged. In 1864 the prop- 
erty passed to a new corporation, and the capital stock was increased to 
$100,000. The first stack produced 100 tons per week; in 1869-70 a 
new stack was built with a capacity of 160 tons per week. In 1871 the 
old stack was rebuilt. Quite a hamlet gathered about these works and 
a post-office opened under the name Franklin Iron Works. The works 
closed down in 1893. 

The Clinton Iron Company was formed in November, 1872, with a 
capital stock of $100,000. The works were erected in the following 
year at Manchester, and work was commenced in 1874. Operations 
were suspended in 1876, but started up again and continued with more 
or less success until 1893, when they closed down. At Kirkland is 
located the plant of the Kirkland Canning Co., and the Kirkland Cream- 
ery, both of which are successfully operated. 



456 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In the summer of 1846 a cotton factory was established in the ex- 
treme northern part of the town by Ralph, Eneas P. and A. B. Clark, 
from whom the hamlet that subsequently gathered there took the name 
of Clark Mills, the name also applying to the post-office at that point. 
The first factory was finished in that year and in April, 1849, 1 1 1 looms 
were put in operation. At a later date the old woolen factory at Clin- 
ton and the Peckville Mills were purchased, and the business rapidly in- 
creased. A mill for making batting and rope was also established. In 
1873 the mills changed proprietorship. In 1891' this factory was 
changed to a plush factory, in which foreign capital is chiefly interested. 
The post-office was established about 1852, with H. W. Bettis, post- 
master. A large brick structure was erected for a boarding house, stores 
were opened and the place became quite an active center. 

With the changes that have taken place in agriculture in this town, 
as in most others, and the larger attention given to dairying, cheese 
factories came into existence. The first company was formed at Man- 
chester in 1862, with Benjamin Barnes, president; George W. Pixley, 
secretary; E C. Lewis, treasurer. The business was successful, and 
another factory was established in the " Chuckery " district in 1864, and 
a third at Franklin in 1866 by Thomas T. Sawyer, jr. There are now 
three factories in the town. 

Among the prominent farmers of the town, past and present, may be 
mentioned : 

Amos P. Gridley, James D. Stebbins, Simeon Gunn, Marshall W. Barker, William 
B. Havens, Hiram G. Hart, James O. Gridley, George Bristol, Col. John H. Tower, 
R. J. Billingham, John Foote, A. P. Armstrong, William C. Billingham, James 
Burns,. Henry C. Earle, Charles Baker, Warren Ely, Henry Gleason, Herbert Case, 
Harrison Griffin, H. H. Miller, and P. M. Miller. The south part of the town is still 
largely devoted to hop raising. Along the railroad line considerable milk is now 
produced for shipment. 

The village of Clinton was incorporated April 12, 1843, by which 
time it had become a very active and enterprising place. Three years 
later the first newspaper was established, when the Clinton Signal was 
issued on July 10, 1846, by L. W. Payne. To meet the suggestions of 
some of the Senior class of the college in 1848 the paper was changed 
to an eight-page quarto form and the name called the Radiator. The 
former style and name were taken in the following year. The paper 



THE TOWN OP KIRKLAND. 467 

suspended in 1852. Mr. Payne and Ira D. Brown soon afterward es- 
tablished the Oneida Chief, which continued with some changes in 
ownership for several years; in 1856 it was sold to Francis E. Merritt, 
who sold a year later to Galen H. Osborne, who changed the name to 
the Chief and Courier. Osborne sold to M. D. Raymond in August, 
1859, who continued it to May 1, 1875, when it passed to J. B. Sykes, 
and the name changed to the Clinton Courier. It is now published by 
J. B. & H. B. Sykes. It is a progressive and ably edited journal. 

In 1852 a monthly agricultural paper was started in Clinton called the 
Northern Farmer, the publisher was T. B. Miner. In 1854 it was issued 
in connection with the Farmer (another monthly), and in January, 1856, 
the Rural American was added. Soon afterwards both editions of the 
Farmer were dropped and the Rural American continued to 1868, when 
it was removed to New Jersey. 

In 1845 Orrin Gridley established the Kirkland Bank in Clinton, and 
on his death in April, 1847, it passed to his son, Albert G. Gridley, who 
conducted it until the fall of 1854, when it was closed and its affairs set- 
tled. In 1862 the Lincoln Bank was established with William H. Mars- 
ton, president, and Henry M. Burchard, cashier; it was closed in June, 
1864. A banking house was opened by George Bissell & Co in Jan- 
uary, 1866, with Philip J. Hart, cashier; it was closed in August, 1868. 
The Clinton Bank was established January 19, 1870, by Bunce & Dun- 
bar ; from them it passed to Hill & Elliott, and since 1884 has been 
conducted by C. E. Hayes & Co. 

The post office in Clinton was opened January 1, 1803, with J. Sim- 
mons, postmaster. Julia H. Bronson has held the position for the past 
twelve years. 

In 1 891 the village voted to organize a Union school. In the next 
year a modern and commodious school building was erected at a cost of 
nearly $50,000, and is designated as Clinton Union School and Academy. 

The old Park House was erected at about the beginning of the cent- 
ury, and continued in use as a hotel more than three-quarters of a 
century. The Clinton House, a fine brick hotel, was erected in 1873 
by J. H. Tower. On the site of this hotel stood the old Clinton House, 
built by Joseph Stebbins probably between 18 18 and 1820, and long a 
popular hotel; it was burned in 1871. 



458 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Among the prominent former merchants of the village were Major- 
General Comstock, Benoni Butler, Peter Fake, " Deacon" Gridley, Dr. 
Charles Barrows (drugs). James T. Watson and John Marsh have been 
in business since 1858, and R. C. Osborn since i860. 

Following is a list of those who have held the office of village presi- 
dent since 1875, in which year Hiram C. Everett held the position: 
1876, William C. Bartlett; 1877-82, James J. Scollard ; 1883-5, Andrew 
W. Mills ; 1886-7, E. S. Williams ; 1888-90, James I. Scollard ; 1 891-2, 
E. S. Williams; 1893-6, E. B. Woolworth. 

A fire company has existed in Clinton from early times. A reorgan- 
ization of the fire department was effected in 1873 and maintained until 
the establishment of the village water works in 1882-3. Since then the 
Smythe Hook & Ladder company and the Osborn Hose company, 
with Francis Tasker chief, have constituted the equipment for extin- 
guishing fires. 

In the spring of 1796 Bartholomew Pond, who then owned what has 
been known as the Royce farm, donated to the Society of Clinton 
(before described) an acre of land to "be used as a burial yard." This 
lot constitutes the southeast corner of the present cemetery. About 
the year 1805 the grounds were enlarged by the addition of the north- 
ern and eastern parts, which were deeded to the society by Samuel 
Royce. The Rural Cemetery Association act of the Legislature was 
passed in 1847, and in the summer of 1854 an association was formed 
under it in Clinton. Grounds now forming the Clinton Cemetery were 
selected and purchased for $3,220. The lot comprises about twenty- 
eight acres and has been handsomely laid out. The care of the old 
cemetery was in 1862 passed over to the new one. 

The post-office at Manchester (Kirkland post-office) was established 
about 1815, when the Manchester Company before described erected 
their mills The first postmaster was probably Robert Converse. At 
about the same time Robert Eells opened a store, and a few shops and 
taverns with a hamlet of dwellings soon gathered about. In the early 
days at one time there were three public dwellings there, one a' half 
mile east, and eleven on the road between here and Utica. The first 
one opened at Kirkland was kept by Justin Little as early as 1805, and 
the next one by David Pixley, sr., who settled there about 1805. The 




E. S. WILLIAMS. 



THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND. 459 

latter was closed thirty or more years ago. Charles Hart was an early 
merchant and his old store is now used as one of the two hotels. David, 
Charles and Isaac Pixley were early merchants. The store is now kept 
by Thomas Joy, who is postmaster. 

Besides this post-office, and the one at Clinton, there is one still re- 
tained at Franklin Iron Works, and one at Chuckery which was estab- 
lished in 1895. 

The Methodist class which has been mentioned as having been formed 
at Clinton in 18 18 belonged to the Westmoreland circuit, and preach- 
ing was begun in the village in 1819. Dr. Joseph Cornell located in 
the village in 1831 and in company with Walter Gillespie purchased a 
site for a church; it was buiit in 1832, repaired in 1849 an d again in 
1867 in its present form. 

The Universalist society of Clinton was an outgrowth of the one at New 
Hartford, organized in 1805. In 1821 the Clinton society began an in- 
dependent existence and built a brick church, largely through the liber- 
ality of Joseph Stebbins. It was designated a Free church and the people 
worshiping in it were called the Free Church Society of Clinton. 
Methodists and Baptists used it to some extent in its early years. The 
society took its title as the First Universalist Society of Clinton in June, 
1 83 1 . Rev. Stephen R. Smith, its founder, was the first pastor. A 
new church was erected and dedicated October 12, 1870 at a cost of 
about $18,000. 

The College church (Presbyterian) was organized in the college April 
20, 1825, and continued until 183 1, when it was dissolved. In Decem- 
ber, 1 861, it was reorganized and has continued a prosperous existence 
since. 

The Baptist church of Clinton was organized September 21, 1831, 
with seventeen members. A church site was soon purchased and the 
present church was built at a cost of $2,000. It was subsequently re- 
modeled at a cost of $6,500. 

St. James Episcopal church, Clinton, was the outgrowth of services 
held between 1841 and 1850 by Bishop De Lancey. In 1854 a Sun- 
day school was organized, and services were held by various pastors, 
but not continuous, until May, 1862, when the parish was organized. 
The corner stone of the church was laid on the 5th of June, 1863, and the 



460 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

building was finished in March, 1865. It was consecrated in January, 
1869. 

A Sabbath school was started at Kirkland in 18 17, soon after the 
establishment of the cotton factory. Later meetings were held in the 
brick school house, where various pastors held services until 1834, when 
a church edifice was erected. About the same time a society of the 
Congregational faith was organized. 

St. Mark's Episcopal church at Clark Mills, was an outgrowth of 
religious services held in the school house there in 1862, by Rev. Russell 
Todd. The corner stone of the church was laid on June 6, 1863, and 
the parish was incorporated in November of that year. There were 
then forty communicants. 

A Methodist society has been organized here, and their new church 
has just been completed (1896). 

St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, Clinton. — Rev. William C. Cough- 
lin made his first professional visit to Clinton January 6, 185 1, and cele- 
brated the first mass in a dwelling on the 14th of that month before a 
congregation of sixteen members. The present church edifice was 
begun in May, 1852, and finished and dedicated October 25, 1854. A 
parochial residence was built on Marvin street in 1872. The church is 
prosperous. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

THE TOWN OF LEE. 

This town lies just north of the center of the county and embraces in 
its territory parts of townships 1 and 2 of Scriba's patent, and small 
sections of the Oothoudt, and the several smaller subdivisions clearly 
shown on the map of patents herein The area of the town is 27,771 
acres. The west branch of the Mohawk flows across the northeast 
corner, and the east branch of Fish Creek forms a part of the western 
boundary ; other small streams give the town good drainage and water. 
The surface is rolling and moderately hilly, rising from the lowlands 



THE TOWN OF LEE. 461 

gradually to a height of 500 to 800 feet above the canal level at Rome. 
The soil is a clayey, sandy and gravelly loam, in some places very 
stony, but generally productive. 

This town was erected from Western April 3, 181 1 ; Western from 
Steuben, March 10, 1797, and Steuben from Whitestown April 10, 1792. 
The town was reduced to its present area by setting off a small part to 
Annsville in 1823. 

Settlement began early in this town. On the 8th of March, 1872, 
the 60th anniversary of the first town meeting was celebrated at Lee 
Center, which resulted, among other things, in the preservation of much 
valuable local history which might otherwise have been lost. An ad- 
dress was delivered by Hon. Anson S. Miller, then of Rockford, 111., in 
which he reviewed the early settlement of the town as follows : ' 

The first settlement in what is now Lee was made on the west side of the Mohawk 
River, near the present site of Delta, by Esek Sheldon and his sons, Stephen, Reuben, 
and Amasa, in 1790. Stephen built the first house, a little logcabin, between Potash 
Brook and the house afterwards built by Israel Stark. The father and the other 
brothers took up land on the flat west of the Mohawk, next above the land known as 
the Bugby place, just north of the road leading from Delta to Lee Center. At this 
angle in the roads under the hill was erected the first school-house in the town of 
Western, now Lee. It was a small, log house, with a Dutch fireplace, stick chimney, 
and slab-roof and seats. Joshua Northrup, a young surveyor, scarcely eighteen 
years old, was the first teacher. He settled in what isnow Western, and was a mag- 
istrate there for many years. About the time of the Sheldon settlement, or soon 
after, David Smith and his sons, David and Russell, came to the Mohawk country, 
near Delta, described by a writer of that time as " away up the Mohawk country be- 
yond Fort Stanwix, inhabited only by bears, wolves and Indians." David Smithjr., 
built a saw mill there soon after, which he subsequently sold to Judge Prosper Rudd, 
who came into the country from Franklin, Mass., with Eliza, his wife, and his sons, 
Jabez F., Benjamin, and Wyllis, and his daughter, wife of the late Captain Gates 
Peck. Jndge Rudd soon added a flouring mill, with one run of stone, and a carding 
machine, which were a great convenience to the country. The flouring mill has been 

1 In attendance at this celebration were the following natives of Lee: Samuel Nisbet, Henry 
Hall, John Shaver, Asa Starr, Asahel Castle, Albert J. Wilkinson, Nathaniel Kenyon, Orrin Ken- 
yon, Lewis Eames, Walton Worden, D. G. Drummond, A. W. Cornish, Capt. Asa Fillmore, Ly- 
man Sexton, Albert J. Wentworth. .Besides these there were present William Parke, .Stephen 
Allen, and Nathaniel Kenyon (the last above named) were among the original voters in the town. ' 
Four other originaj voters were then known to be living but were unable to be present; these 
were Nathaniel Wood, A. B. Pease, Joseph Kenyon, and Tillotson Ross. Those natives of the 
town who were present from other localities were the following: George Hovey, of Herkimer 
county; Col. E. B. Armstrong, of Rome; Henry Twitchell, of Pulaski; Dr. H. N. Porter, of New 
York Mills; Smith Miller and Philetus Laney, of Annsville; Dwight Waterman, of Whitesboro; 
Calvert Comstock, of Rome; Anson S. Miller, of Rockford, 111. This list includes, of course, 
many of the early settled families in the town. 



462 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

greatly enlarged and improved by Eliakim Elder, Anson Dart, and Elisha Wals- 
worth. Soon after came 1790 Dea. Nathan Barlow/and Lydia, his wife, late the widow 
of Joseph Miller, of Granville, Mass., and mother of Smith, Eliakim, Dan, and Luther 
Miller, pioneer settlers. They cut the first wagon-path from the residence of Ros- 
well Fellows, on the road running from Fort Stanwix to Elmer Hill, a mile and a 
half, to their residence in Lee Centre. 

In 1792, Colonel Alpheus Wheelock and Rachel, his wife, a famous female physi- 
cian, settled at Elmer Hill, and about the same time Edward Salisbury and his seven 
sons, Nicholas, Edward S., Enon, Alexander, Lodowick, De Estaing, and Smith, 
settled near Delta. Nicholas, the father of Mrs. Abigail Rudd, wife of Colonel Ben- 
jamin Rudd, was the first resident on the Bugby place, next south of Esek Sheldon's. 
Edward S. took land further up the Mohawk River, on the west side, near what be- 
came the residence of Silas Morse. Another early settler, Otis White, father of Moses 
T., Willard, Otis, jr., and Israel, "took up land in the same neighberhood. Edward 
Salisbury, sr., settled with his other sons on the land since the farms owned by Adin 
and Rensselaer Sly, on the road from Delta to Lee Centre. The Sheldons, Smith, 
Wheelocks and Salisburys emigrated from the State of Rhode Island. Hezekiah 
Elmer and Elizabeth his wife, and his sons Andrew, Eliakim, Hezekiah, and his 
daughters, subsequently the wives respectively of Dr. Enoch Alden and James Ben- 
edict, came from Connecticut at that early day, and settled near what is known as 
Elmer Hill. Colonel Wheelock opened the first tavern west of Fort Stanwix at the 
Hill. In 1792 the inhabitants near Delta were joined by John Spinning and his sons, 
John, jr., Daniel, and their brother-in-law, Luther Washburn, and sons, Martin, 
Rufus, Freeman, Luther, jr., and Calvin; also their relative, Benjamin Crittenden. 
These were from the State of Vermont. Crittenden was the first settler on the land 
afterwards the home of James Baker, father of Miles and Lorenzo D., where Daniel 
Twitchell subsequently resided. Near this time Deacon Andrew Clark, father of 
Joseph Clark, grandfather of Mrs. Stokes, built a house near Nisbet's Corners. 
Ephraim Ballard was the first settler on the Nisbet farm, and Abiel Kenyon lived 
near. Matthew Clark and Jonathan Bettis took the land afterwards occupied by 
Hazzard Steadman. Joseph Hale and his brother were the first residents on the land 
sold by Simeon Gunn to Alban Comstock, and Frederick Sprague took up the land 
adjoining, on which Colonel Wheelock subsequently built a large frame house, after- 
wards occupied by John Dye, Peter Husted, John Shaver, and others. 

Smith Miller built the Mallory House, in which the Rev. Lorenzo Dow was mar- 
ried with Margaret (Peggy) Holcomb, the younger sister of Mrs. Miller. Early in 
the settlement of what is now Lee, James Young and Hannah, his wife, and his 
sons, James, Jr., Benjamin, David, and Alvan, and a number of daughters, emi- 
grated from Lee, Mass., and settled a half a mile south of Lee Centre. Deacon John 
Hall had previously located on land near Mr. Young, which John Smith purchased 
of Hall, now owned by William Graves. There was a neighborhood west from Lee 
Centre, known as Brookfield Settlement, where West Waterman, William Lany, 
Tillotson Ross, and Messrs. Fish, Walker, Hitchcock, and others, from Brookfield, 
Mass. , settled. Dan Taft settled on the State road, towards Taberg, and Tom Law- 
rence settled on the west branch of the Mohawk at an early day. The land in Lee 
was mainly embraced in four patents, which cornered on the south side of Canada 



THE TOWN OP LEE. 463 

Creek, where Ezra Hovey afterwards had his garden. Fonda's and Oothoudt's Pat- 
ents were lease-land. Jellis Fonda sold much of his extensive patent to Stephen 
Lush, of Albany, and other land dealers, for ten cents per acre. The other patents 
were Scriba's and Banyar's. There were other lands in what is now Lee, known as 
Matchin's, Boon's and Mappa's tracts.- Apart of Scriba's Patent, known as the 
6,000-acre tract, in township No. 1, afterwards known as Fish Creek Settlement, and 
a part of the 4,000 acre tract, in township No. 2, were sold to Daniel C. White, John 
W. Bloomfield, John Hall, George Huntington, and others. 

Some of the early settlers on the 6,000-acre tract were Charles Ufford and John, 
his son ; Ephraim Pease, and Arvin B. , his son ; Elam Pease ; Jotham Worden ; Jesse 
Sextori and his sons, William and Amasa; David Webster; Gideon Perry and his 
sons, Freeman and Gideon B. ; James Eames and his sons, Simeon N., Lewis, 
George, and Daniel; George Cornish, with his sons, Hosea and George; Asahel 
Castle and his sons, John J., and others; Roswell Spinning, the son of Benjamin 
Spinning; Joseph Park and'his son, Joseph, Jr. ; Daniel Park, and the sons of Jacob 
Park, Elisha, Abijah, and William; Oliver Armstrong, father of Wheeler, Jesse, 
Enoch, and Earl; Deacon Samuel Wright and his wife Vienna, and his sons, Will- 
iam B., Arunah, Eben, and Samuel, Jr., and his mine daughters, originally from 
Connecticut, settled on this tract ; James Wood and his sons, Amasa and Nathaniel ; 
Ephraim J. H. Curtis; Apollos King; William Taft with his sons, Paul and Shays, 
who first settled near Luther Miller, on land afterwards owned by Adonijah Barnard, 
where George Sheldon afterwards resided; and many others settled on the 6,000- 
acre tract. 

The lease-land proved to be a great curse to the town. What is the town of West- 
ern, once embracing Lee, dates back one year before the settlement of the Sheldons. 
Henry Wager, Asa Beckwith and his sons, Asa, jr., Lemuel, Reuben, and Wolcott, 
came to the Mohawk country in 1789 ; and soon after Josiah Church and his sons 
George, Brayton, Jonathan, Ivan, Allan, Frazier; Joshua Northrup; Jabez Halleck 
and his sons, Joseph and Jabez, Jr. ; William Cleveland; Daniel Paddock and sons; 
Otis White and sons ; William Olney ; Daniel and Robert Felton ; and other well- 
known citizens settled on the Mohawk, above Fort Stanwix. In this early settlement 
the people built the first bridge across that river. It was back of the residence of 
Dr. Zenas Hutchinson, near Elmer Hill, where John Treadway, Anson Dart, and 
George Williams afterwards lived. The river here was narrow, with a high bank on 
the south. The bridge had only one set of stringers, and there was not a stick of 
hewn or sawed lumber in it. At this time all this region was in the town of Whites- 
town. .... 

One of the first mills built on the Mohawk River was erected by Roswell Fellows, 
Smith and Luther Miller. It stood in the notch or little gulf nearly opposite where 
John Barnard afterwards built a mill. The water was raised by a wing-dam. Sub- 
sequently, General William Floyd, who bought a large tract of land at an early day 
on the upper Mohawk, built a mill on that stream near what is now Westernville, 
and erected a saw-mill and grist-mill on Canada Creek,' a few miles below Lee 
Centre. At the first settlements in what are now Western and Lee, and before the 

' Authority of Jones's Annals. 



464 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

erection of these mills, the early settlers got their grain ground at Wetmore's on the 
Sauquoit, and other distant places. The gigantic William Remington is said to have 
carried on his shoulders the flour of two bushels of wheat from Wetmore's, mill near 
Whitestown, to his residence in what is now Lee, without resting. Very few of the 
roads at this time could be used for wagons, and journeys were therefore made on 
horseback or one foot. Henry Wager and Asa Beckwith, Jr., walked to German 
Flats, and there procured one bushel each of seed-potatoes, whi,ch they brought 
home on their shoulders. 

The first saw mill built in Lee was the one erected in 1791 or 1792, 
by David Smith, on the Mohawk in the village of Delta. The second 
one was built in 1796, by John Hall and Smith Miller, on the Canada 
Creek at Lee Center. The first grist mill in the town was built by Gen. 
William Floyd in 1796, on Canada Creek south of Lee Center and near 
the Rome town line Another was built at Lee Center in 1798 by 
Thomas and William Forfar, settlers from Scotland. A third mill was 
erected on the Mohawk previous to 1800 by Luther and Smith Miller 
and Roswell Fellows a few miles from Fort Stanwix. The grist mill at 
Lee Center was built by Ezra Hovey, not far from the site of the old 
Forfar mill, and is running in about the same condition that it has been 
in for many years by P. B. Scothon. Near the old Lee post-office a 
grist mill was in operation previous to 18 12, built by David Bryan. The 
grist mill and saw mill here on the old site are now operated by Frank 
Hyde. 

Of the proceedings which led to the division of the town of Western 
and the erection of Lee, and the first election of officers, Judge Miller 
said : 

In 1811 and previous the people of Western had discussed the question of dividing 
the town, and a committee consisting of James Young and Joshua Northrup, both 
emigrants from Lee, Mass. , acted as a committee for getting an enabling act to 
divide the town. The act was passed by the Legislature, attended to in the Senate 
by Jonas Piatt, then a senator, and in the Assembly by George Huntington, then a 
member from this district. The name " Lee" for the new town was inserted at the 
request of Messrs. Young and Northrup. The question of division was determined 
at the next town meeting of Western (1811), at the house of Silas Morse. George 
Brayton was chosen moderator, and after the election of officers for the ensuing 
year, the crowd of voters, finding the house too small for their accommodation, re- 
tired to the yard, where a division was agreed on with great unanimity. Henry 
Wager, from Western, John Hall, from Lee, and George Huntington, of Rome, 
were chosen commissioners to fix the boundaries, with Benjamin Wright as surveyor. 
The boundaries were harmoniously agreed on, and Lee remained under Western till 
the 3d of March, 1812, when the first town-meeting was held in the old West school- 



THE TOWN OF LEE. 465 

house, the only framed one in the town, the first building north of Luther Miller's 
and about three-fourths of a mile southeast of Lee Centre, at the road-crossing near 
which the late John Calvin Capron resided. 

James Young was elected supervisor and "West Waterman town clerk; Jesse Dut- 
ton, Earl Fillmore, and Joseph White, assessors ; John Hall and Dan Taft, overseers 
of the poor; Jotham Worden, Dan Taft, and Thomas E. Lawrence, commissioners 
of highways; George Hawkins, Samuel Hall, and Zebediel Wentworth, constables; 
Adonijah Barnard, Dan Taft, and Asahel Castle, fence-viewers. There were then 
22 road districts in the town, and overseers were duly chosen. Justices of the peace 
were at that time appointed by the State executive for the county, and there were 
no inspectors of common schools till 1816, when the justices of the peace — Jesse 
Dutton, James Eames, and Joseph White— appointed Dr. Jonah B. Burton, Eleazer 
Bushnell, Simeon N. Eames, William B. Wright, George Hawkins, and Samuel Hall 
such inspectors. 

In 1813, James Young was re-elected supervisor and West Waterman town clerk. 
The town meeting was held at the school-house before described, which answered in 
that day as a school-house and for religious and political meetings. Nearly all the 
officers elected in 1812 were re-elected except the assessors and collector. Charles 
Ufford, Luther Miller, and Charles Ladd were chosen assessors, and Simeon N. 
Ames, collector. 

In 1814, John Hall was elected supervisor and James Young town clerk. General 
election : Nathan Williams, Republican, for member of congress, 89 votes ; Thomas 
Gold, Federalist, for member of congress, 43— Republican majority, 46. These elec- 
tion returns are certified by James Young, John Hall, Luther Miller, Charles Ladd, 
and Charles Ufford, inspectors of election. 

The pioneers of Lee were people who believed in educating 
their children and they early adopted measures to provide the means. 
The first school house, the one in which the first town meeting was 
held, was situated southeast of Lee Center. School was first taught 
there about 1798 by Elijah Blake. The first school in the neighbor- 
hood of Delta was taught by a daughter of Prosper Rudd, who after- 
wards married Gates Peck ; the latter kept the first winter school in 
that region on Elmer Hill in 1804, and had an attendance of over 
eighty. Miss E. A. Peck, a daughter of Gates Peck, was also a suc- 
cessful teacher in the town. Rev. Thomas Brainerd, for thirty years 
pastor of the old Pine Street, church, Philadelphia, was an early and be- 
loved teacher in Lee ; in the winter of 1823-4 he taught in the Dutton 
district, where Albert Barnes had previously taught. So successful 
was Mr. Brainerd that in the following winter the trustees of the larger 
district at Lee Center secured his services. Mr. Brainerd afterwards 
taught in Rome. Among the long list of names of male teachers in 

59 



466 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

this town are found those of such later eminent men as Hiram Denio, 
Anson S. Miller, Rev. Dr. Albert Barnes, and Rev. Dr. Gideon B. 
Perry, with many others of lesser fame. For the past half century the 
town has had seventeen school districts, with good school buildings as a 
rule. The Union Free School building at Lee Center was built in 1872, 
and the first principal was Prof. William P. Robinson.. The present 
principal is Frank Niess, who has one assistant. 

A library was established very early in the century at Delta, called 
the Union Library of Lee and Western. This was succeeded by the 
one established at Lee Center by' the Harmony Library Association in 
March, 1820. The trustees were Dr. Elijah Ward, Charles Ufford, 
William Lany, Thomas E Lawrence, and James Young. A resolution 
stipulated that the library should be kept " within one mile of the North 
Meeting-House, in the town of Lee." James Young was librarian until 
his death in 1836, and many prominent citizens interested themselves in 
its welfare. The library was permitted to go to decline not long after 
the death of Mr. Young. 

There are and have been for many years six post-offices in Lee, around 
some of which is gathered a hamlet or village. The oldest one is Lee, 
in the extreme southwest corner of the town, on the State road. Jesse 
Matteson, if not the first, was one of the very early postmasters, and 
kept a public house. There had been one or two earlier taverns at that 
point, but there has never been much business there. William Fisher 
is the present postmaster, and the factory of the Lee Canning Company 
is located here. 

A post-office was early established and still continues, called Stokes 
near the eastern town line south of the Center, where a little hamlet 
gathered, with a hotel and shops. This post-office was removed in 1827 
to Lee Center, but was not long, if at all, discontinued at the former 
place. Charles Stokes was the first postmaster at that point, and when 
the office was removed he became the first postmaster at Lee Center, 
while James M. Husted was the next one at Stokes. Lee Center has 
been an active little village and is connected daily by mail and express 
lines with Rome. When Charles Stokes removed hither he established 
an ashery, having previously operated one at Stokes ; he also opened a 
store on the site of the brick block erected by A. A. Cornish in 1878. 



THE TOWN OF LEE. 467 

The old Stokes store was built by William and Abijah Park, and leased 
to a Mr. Sherman who kept the first store in the place. Eleazer Bush- 
nell, and others succeeded as merchants. A tannery was established at 
this place in 1830-31 by Asa Adams ; it was a small affair and was sold 
to Asa B. Sexton. Later it passed to Eames & Smith, who conducted 
it successfully. It burned in 1888, and was not rebuilt. A large tan- 
nery was put in operation here about 1871 by a Boston firm, and a 
great business was done ; it was afterwards burned in 1876 and not re- 
built. George and Aaron Stedman began their foundry about 1840; it 
was discontinued many years ago. The Lee Center House is now kept 
by John Bowman, and C. B. Hitchcock has another hotel. The present 
stores of the village are kept by Carl Simon, who has been many years 
on his present site, where he succeeded A. A. Cornish ; he is also post- 
master. Henry J. Hitchcock, in trade since 1868 at his present place. 
W. H. Wyman, millinery, Mrs. Ingalls, grocery, Merritt Knight, cloth- 
ing, and James R. Rogers, who succeeded Reuben R. Richmond. 
David Swanscott has a large lumber business with a steam mill in Lewis 
county. 

The village of Delta is situated in the extreme southeast corner of the 
town, on the Mohawk and is partly in the town of Western. Anson 
and Oliver Dart, brothers, settled there early and gave the place its 
name. About the year 1834 Anson Dart built the grist mill and called 
it the Delta Mills; it was subsequently burned. In the same year two 
men named Catlin and Hartoon, brothers-in-law, built a brick store. 
Prior to 1828, probably, a post-office was established at Newbernville 
(Elmer Hill) with Andrew Elmer, postmaster. In 1834 it was removed 
to Delta, the name changed, and Franklin Peck appointed postmaster. 
He was a son of Gates Peck, the pioneer. Daily mail communication 
was established with Rome. In early years Moses Hall built and oper- 
ated a distillery, over the Western line, which afterwards passed to 
Horace Putnam. Another was built by Jared C. and Elisha Pettibone; 
this was later converted into a cheese factory. These factories increased 
in number in late years, as the dairy interest grew, until there are now 
fourteen in operation. The town is now a leading one in Central New 
York in dairying. A. J. Sly operates a saw mill at Delta, and the old 
carding mill is carried on by W. C. Bacon. Frank Herington has a 
store. 



468 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Point Rock is a post office in the extreme northwest corner of the 
town, and takes its name from a precipitous rocky point between Fish 
and Point Rock Creeks. The place was long a considerable lumber 
center for some years, with a store, a tavern and a few dwellings. D. 
C. Smith and Charles Wick are the present merchants. 

West Branch is a post-office and a small hamlet in the northern part, 
with a grist mill, owned in 1878 by the Wyman Brothers, and a tavern. 
There was formerly a carding mill here. The grist mill is still in opera- 
tion. A store is kept by G. A. Simon, and a second one by Julius 
Haynes. 

Lorena is a post-office which has been established in the southern 
part in recent years. 

The first religious society organized in Lee was the Congregational, 
which dates back to 1797. The first pastor was Rev. James South- 
worth. The congregation was ministered to by several missionaries 
during a period of years, and long used the school house for its services. 
It built a church about a mile south of Lee Center, and ultimately 
changed to the Presbyterian form. It ceased its existence long ago. 

The Union Ecclesiastical Society at Lee Center was formed in 18 19, 
and a church was soon erected on land furnished by William Park. 
The Congregational Society wishing to have a church for their exclu- 
sive use, built a structure on the Hall farm. The members of the Union 
society held somewhat liberal views, and in later years the church was 
repaired and remodeled and used by the Universalists. This church is 
still standing and used as needed by any denomination. 

Methodist services were held early in this town and in 1876 the pres- 
ent society at Lee Center was organized and a handsome edifice built. 
Rev. James Stanton was the first pastor. There is also a small Metho- 
dist society at Lee, another at Point Rock, and still another south of 
Lee Center, called the Lee Valley church. 

The Methodists held meetings at Delta as early as 1838 and a soci- 
ety was organized, possibly earlier than that year. The present church 
was built in 1843. 

A Friends' Meeting House was built many years ago near West 
Branch. The society has erected a new building in recent years. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of Lee from its organization to 
the present time : 



THE TOWN OF MARCY. 469 

1813, James Young, jr.; 1814-16, John Hall, esq.; 1817-20, William Park; 1821, 
Rudolph Devendorf, — Mr. D. removed, and William Park was elected at a special 
town meeting to fill vacancy ; 1822-32, William Park ; 1833-40, Daniel Twitchell ; 
1841-42, James N. Husted; 1843, Freeman Perry; 1844-45, Lyman Sexton; 1846^7, 
John J. Castle ; 1848, Jeram Chesebrough ; 1849, Mansir G. Phillips ; 1850-53, Charles 
Stokes ; 1854-55, Charles E. Frazer ; 1856, Elias Spencer ; 1857, Charles Stokes ; 1858, 
Asaph B. Sexton; 1859, Elias Spencer ; 1860-61, Henry J. Hitchcock; 1862, Thomas 
J.Brown; 1863-65, Andrew Davidson; 1866-68, Isaac McDougall ; 1869, Andrew 
Goely; 1870, Julius H. Sly; 1871, JayCapron; 1872-75, Curtis B. Hitchcock; 1876, 
Thomas J. Brown (resigned and Elisha A. Walsworth elected to the vacancy) ; 1877- 
78, Jarnes Eames; 1879-80, Eli S. Bearss; 1881-82, Henry J. Hitchcock; 1883-84, 
Charles E. Fraser, jr.; 1885-86, A. J. Sly; 1887, H. C. Wyman ; 1888, George E. 
Hollenbeck ; 1889, S. Mason Smith ; 1890-93, Albert Krebs ; 1894, Mason N. Went- 
worth; 1895-96, D. C. Smith. 

The foregoing list extends our memoranda of prominent settlers and 
citizens and includes many of the leading men of the town. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
THE TOWN OF MARCY. 

The town lies in the eastern central part of Oneida county upon the 
north bank of the Mohawk. Nine- Mile Creek flows across the north- 
west corner and numerous small streams afford drainage into the Mo- 
hawk. The surface is made up of a wide intervale along the river which 
is rich and productive farming land. From this rises a rolling and ir- 
regular upland to a height of 300 to 500 feet above the valley. The 
soil on this upland is a rich sandy and gravelly loam; that of the valley 
an alluvial deposit. The former Utica and Black River Railroad crosses 
the town in a northerly direction, with a station at Stittville, a hamlet 
on the Trenton line, and another at Marcy. 

The town includes in its territory parts of the Sadahquada, the Oris- 
kany, the Holland and Fonda's patents, as shown on the map herein. 

Settlement was begun in Marcy by John Wilson, who came from 
Windsor, Vt., in 1793, with a large family of children and located on a 
farm half a mile east of Mine- Mile Creek; the place was occupied in 
recent years by William Richards. There he cleared several acres and 



470 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

built a log house; but he was taken ill and died in the fall of the year 
in which he arrived ; this was the first death in the town. The home- 
stead was taken in charge by the elder children. Mr. Wilson was the 
sixth of nine sons of Thomas Wilson, who came over from Ireland; 
eight of these nine sons joined the Continental army early in the Rev- 
olutionary struggle. Early in 1794 James Wilson, the seventh son in 
this family, came into Marcy, and settled in a large log house, eighteen 
feet square, on Nine- Mile Creek, near its junction with the Mohawk. 
This house had been built by a Dutchman named Tull, who also con- 
tinued there with his family, making in all twelve inmates. In the fol- 
lowing spring Wilson purchased an unimproved lot about a mile north 
,of Oriskany village, where he became a successful farmer. In 1794 
also the fourth and fifth sons of Thomas Wilson (Isaac and Jacob) set- 
tled in the town in the same neighborhood where their brother James 
first stopped. None of the early settlers is left in that locality. 

The early settlements in Marcy were mostly made along the river. 
Among them were the Camp and Carey families ; but aside from a 
comparatively few families, the larger part of the territory was settled 
later. Anthony W. and Jonathan Wood located in the town in 18 16. 
Jeremiah Sweet came in early, as did also the Weaver and Edic fam- 
ilies. William Mayhew settled at Marcy post-office about 1820. 

Early in the history of the town Welsh settlers found their way into 
the central and northern parts and their numbers increased until they 
constitute by far the larger part of the population in that district. 
Among the early comers were Joseph Ellis, Evan Jones, and Ellis 
Owens. They are generally successful farmers and thrifty and useful 
citizens. 

The first town meeting in Marcy was held May 1, 1832, " at the 
school house near Samuel Camp's." Isaac Bronson, a justice of the 
peace, presided, and the following officers were elected : 

Supervisor, John Newell; assessors, Samuel C. Baldwin, Dan P. Cadwell, Harvey 
Foot; commissioners of road's, John F. Allen, Nathaniel Kent, Joel Hale; collector, 
John Cavana; commissioners of schools, Hazen E. Fox, Horatio N. Cary, Jeremiah 
Sweet; inspectors of schools, Jonathan Sweet, James Dikeman, Ezra Simmons; 
overseers of poor, Samuel C. Baldwin, William Potter; constables, Joseph Ward, 
George W. Miller, John Cavana, Phineas Sherman, jr. ; sealer of weights and meas- 
ures Anthony W. Wood ; justices of the peace, William K. Miller, Ezra Simmons, 
Conrad Raymer; town clerk, Milton Dyer. 



THE TOWN OF MARCY. 471 

Among other settlers in Marcy may be mentioned Samuel Baldwin, 
the first supervisor, Nathaniel D. Bronson, Milton Dyer, John Cavana, 
Jonathan Sweet, Jeremiah Sweet, James A. Dikeman, Clark Potter, 
David Babcock, Amos C. Hall, William H. Hale, Henry Edic, George 
B. Robbins, Ebenezer Lewis, William E. Clark, and others, all of whom 
have been prominent and instrumental in advancing the welfare of the 
community. 

The first school in Marcy was probably taught before the beginning 
of the century, in the Wilson neighborhood. As early as 1816 there 
was a school house there, which showed by its condition that it had 
stood many years. The town was gradually subdivided and in i860 it 
had ten districts. The present number is eleven, with good school 
houses. 

A post- office bearing the name of this town was established prior to 
1836 in the southwest part of the town, on the river road. Albertus 
Hibbard was the first postmaster and was succeeded by William May- 
hew, sr., who was appointed by President Van Buren. The office was 
then removed to its present location at Marcy station. 

A post-office was established in January, 1878, at Edic's Crossing, 
in the southeast part of the town and named Maynard, with Ephraim 
V. Horn, postmaster. 

Stittville is a hamlet in the north part on the Trenton line and is 
noticed in the subsequent history of that town. 

The Union Society of the Methodist Church in Marcy was incorpo- 
rated by vote February 4, 1839, and the church was organized in the 
same year, with the following names on the register : 

David Babcock, Samuel C. Baldwin, W. Barnard, John Burton, Stephen Briggs, 
Anthony Bradt, Amos Cleaver, John Cleaver, Horace Dyer, Milton Dyer, Jacob 
Edic, David Gray, T. Gray, George Hicks, George Hazard, John Hazard, William 
Hill, John I. Jones, Walter King, William R. Miller, Jeremiah Sweet, William Sher- 
man, Freeborn Sweet, Samuel Steward, Robert Start, Abram Weaver, John White 
and Thomas White. 

This list contains the names of many families who came into the town 
at a comparatively early date. The church was erected in 1839, an d a 
parsonage the same year. The lot on which the church was built as 
well as the burial lot were donated by Jacob Edic. Rev. Mr. Cass was 
the first pastor. Previous to this organization and in 1824, the Rev. 



472 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Frost, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Whitestown, had rec- 
ommended to the Marcy people the services of a local Methodist 
preacher named Gibson, and he came and held services in the school 
house. A revival followed, and a class was formed, which was the nu- 
cleus of the latter church. 

The Berean Baptist church, at Marcy Station, was organized early in 
1844, under Elder William H. Thomas, who became the first pastor. 
The membership at the end of the first year was seventy- three and the 
church was soon erected. 

Welsh Presbyterian Church. — A society of this denomination was 
formed in 1854 under Rev. John R. Griffith, who long continued its 
pastor. A frame church was built in school district No. 11. The soci- 
ety has had continued existence since, but no regular pastor is em- 
ployed. 

A number of members of the Welsh Presbyterian congregation left it 
soon after its formation and organized a Methodist society, building a 
frame church in the northeast part of the town. It was subsequently 
burned and the existing church erected on the site. Services have gen- 
erally been held by supplies. In that part of the town also a German 
Methodist society was organized with a small membership and a frame 
church built. 

In the southeast part of the town a Welsh Presbyterian church was 
formed before 1815, and built a church. This was subsequently re- 
moved and converted into a cheese factory and in. 1858 the present 
church was erected. The membership has always been small. 

From 1833 to 1896, inclusive, the following named persons have served as super- 
visors of the town : 1833, Samuel C. Baldwin; 1834-35, Milton Dyer; 1836-38 Con- 
rad Raymer; 1839, Samuel C. Baldwin; 1840-41, Nathaniel D. Bronson; 1842-43, 
James A. Dikeman; 1844-46, Hazen E. Fox; 1847-48, Clark Potter; 1849, Jeremiah 
Sweet ; 1850, Amos C. Hall ; 1851-52, Clark Potter ; 1853, James A. Dikeman ; 1854, 
David Babcock; 1855, William H. Hale; 1856, David Babcock; 1857, Clark Potter; 
1858-59, Edward T. Marson ; 1860, James Cavana; 1861-62, Henry Edic; 1863, 
George B. Robbins; 1864-65, Ebenezer Lewis; 1866-67, Michael Van Hatten ; 
1868-69, William E. Clark; 1870, David T. Jenkins; 1871, Charles J. Edic; 1872, 
James Cavana; 1873-75, Charles J. Edic; 1876-77, David T. Jenkins; 1878, William 
Marson; 1879-80, William E. Jones; 1881, Amos L. Edic; 1882, Thomas Watkins; 
1883-84, Mortimer M. Mayhew; 1885-86, Alexander E. Morgan; 1887, John R. Pugh; 
1888-92, Mortimer M. Mayhew; 1893-95, Charles H. Clark; 1896, John W. Potter. 

Marcy is almost wholly an agricultural district and its history is a 



THE TOWN OF MARSHALL. 473 

brief record of peace and a reasonable degree of prosperity. There has 
never been any manufacturing of account within its bounds, though a 
glass factory was established in the northeastern part during the war 
period of 1812-15, where a poor quality of window glass was made for 
a time ; but the discovery of better sand on Oneida Lake caused its re- 
moval thither. A few saw mills were built in the early years, but nearly 
all have passed away. In comparatively recent years the farmers have 
turned more and more of their energies to dairying ; cheese factories 
have been established to such an extent that during one period the busi- 
ness threatened to be overdone, as far as this locality was concerned. 
Powell's saw and grist mill are in the northwest part of the town on 
Nine Mile Creek, and Clark & Whittaker have mills on the same stream. 
There is now no store or hotel in the town. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 
THE TOWN OF MARSHALL. 

This town lies in the southern central part of Oneida county, the 
southwest corner touching Madison county. The surface is a hilly up- 
land, the hills rising from 200 to 300 feet above the valleys. Oriskany 
Creek' flows northerly through the western part. The soil is a fertile 
sandy loam. A small part of the village of Waterville (in Sangerfield) 
is included within the limits of this town, but is treated in the history of 
Sangerfield. The town includes within its area of 19,322 acres a large 
part of the tract once belonging to the Brothertown Indians, with a 
small triangular tract in the northeast corner from the Coxe patent. 
(See map.) 

The Brothertown Indians were composed of remnants of several New 
Jersey and Long Island tribes, and were invited by the Oneidas to come 
and live on their territory ; the State also aided in their collection and 
removal. They settled on the well known tract mostly within what is 
now Marshall, and soon took up the English language. While living 
here they reached a comparative degree of civilization, The last of 



474 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

their number left this locality about 1850. Among those who settled 
here previous to the Revolutionary war were David Fowler, Elijah 
Wampy (or Wampe), and John Tuhi, grandfather to one of the same 
name who was executed in 1816. Those, however, who located at that 
time left soon after the war began, through fear of the Indian tribes 
which had espoused the loyal cause, and returned to New England. 
They planted potatoes before they went away, and left them growing in 
the field, and on their return some six years later found them still pro- 
ducing. In 183 1 a portion of them sold out and emigrated to Green 
Bay, Wis. During their sojourn in what is now Marshall they acted 
under a regular township organization. Their town clerks from 1795 to 
1843 were Elijah Wampy, David Fowler, jr., William Coyhis, Christo- 
pher Scheesuck, Thomas Crossley, Jacob Dick, William Dick, jr., James 
Fowler, jr., Daniel Dick, David Toucee, R. Fowler, James Kiness, 
Simon Hart, James Wiggins, and Alexander Fowler, some of whom 
held the, office a number of years, and James Kiness the longest term of 
all. By an act of the Legislature the people of Brothertown were to 
meet on the first Tuesday in April of each year to elect their town 
officers. The peace-makers presided at these meetings, and were 
authorized to give notice of special meetings. The elective officers 
were a clerk, two overseers of the poor, two marshals, three fence- 
viewers, a poundmaster, and overseers of highways. The office of 
peace-maker corresponded with that of justice of the peace, the posses- 
sor being entitled to affix " Esquire" to his name. These officers were 
appointed by the governor and Senate. The following persons served 
as superintendents of the Brothertown Indians, viz. : Samuel Jones, 
Ezra L'Hommedieu, Zina Hitchcock, William Floyd, Thomas Eddy, 
Bill Smith, Thomas Hart, Henry McNiel, Uri Doolittle, Asahel Curtis, 
Joseph Stebbins, William Root, Nathan Davis, Austin Mygatt, Samuel 
L. Hubbard, Elijah Wilson, Samuel Comstock. Prominent among the 
peace makersfrom 1796 to 1843 were the Fowlers, Johnsons, Scheesucks, 
Tuhis, and Dicks. In 1801 the Brothertowns sent John Tuhi, sr., John 
Scheesuck, sr., Jacob Fowler, and Henry Cuchip as delegates to treat 
with the Western Indians. In a few instances marble slabs were placed 
at the graves of the Brothertowns by their friends. The inscription on 
two of these are the following : 



THE TOWN OF MARSHALL. 475 

John Tuhi. Esq., died December 14, 1811, aged 65 years. 

Esther Poquinal, A Member of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians, A Practical 

and Exemplary Christian, aged 96 years. 

Asa Dick, esq., and his brother, members of the Narragansett tribe, 
were influential men among the Brothertowns. Dickville, just above 
Deansville, was named for the former, who built a mill there, and 
founded a settlement, which grew to quite respectable proportions, but 
upon his death lost its prestige, and is now a suburb of Deansville. The 
old red grist mill at Dickville was built about 1807-8, and has long been 
removed. The incident of the capture and escape of Colonel Heinrich 
Staring is related in the history of Kirkland. The colonel was appointed 
first judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Herkimer county upon its 
organization, and many laughable incidents are related of him while hold- 
ing that office. 

The first settlement made by white men in the town of Marshall was 
probably that of David Barton, in 1793, on that part of the Brothertown 
tract sold to the State. Warren Williams came in soon afterward and 
settled on a farm, which he sold to Elder Hezekiah Eastman, who re- 
ceived his deed from the State in 1795. This farm was afterwards oc- 
cupied by Horace H. Eastman. Capt. Simon Hubbard and Levi 
Barker were among the earliest settlers. The first birth in the town was 
that of Col. Lester Barker, who was sheriff of the county in 1847-48. 

Isaac Miller settled in the town about 1795, when his son, Isaac, was 
three or four years old. The family located at Hanover and there the 
pioneer passed the remainder of his life. He was the first supervisor of 
the town. His grandson, also named Isaac, became a successful farmer 
a little way north of Deansville in the town of Kirkland. Joel Green 
was an early settler on " Hanover Green," and near the home of Isaac 
Miller, sr. 

In the year 1795 John Dean, a Quaker, was commissioned by the 
Friends in New York city, to labor among the Brothertown Indians as 
a missionary. He came on to Marshall and Kirkland and began his 
work. After two years he returned, but came on again at the urgent 
request of the Indians, bringing with him his wife and son, Thomas 
Dean, who was then nineteen years old. They lived in a log house, and 
in 1799 the wing of what became the old Dean homestead was built; 
the main part of the building was erected in 1804. John Dean contin- 



476 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ued his labor with the Indians until near his death, which took place in 
1820 ; he is buried in Deansville. Some years before his death his son 
Thomas had been chosen by the Indians as their agent and counselor. 
In 1809 Thomas Dean married Mary Flandrau, sister of Thomas H- 
Flandrau, an- early lawyer of this county. Thomas Dean had charge of 
the removal of the Brothertown Indians to Green Bay, Wis., where he 
was instrumental in securing for them a tract of 64,000 acres of land. 
He spent ten winters in Washington and the intervening summers in 
Green Bay, in his efforts to bring his plans to completion. Upwards of 
2,400 Indians were removed to the west. He is remembered as an un- 
selfish, honest and generous man who gave up many years of his life to 
this work, for which he was very inadequately remunerated. He died 
in June, 1842, at the age of sixty-three years. 

In 1 801 Daniel Hanchett, John Winslow, Thomas Winslow, and 
Ward White erected a forge near the center of the town on the site of 
the hamlet that became known as Forge Hollow. They manufactured 
iron from ore, and in succeeding years other iron-working establish- 
ments were started there, in which castings were made, scrap iron 
worked, ete. All these interests long ago went out of existence. A 
man named Putnam was one of the earliest settlers at that point, and 
Elder Tremain and Timothy Burr were early comers. 

James Melvin was an early settler in Marshall. His son, Ira J., 
was born here in 1805 and became one of the successful settlers of the 
town. 

Settlement at what became known as Hanover (the post office taking 
the name of Marshall) began early, and the post office was established 
about 1824, with Dr. Levi Buckingham postmaster. A tavern was 
kept there by Newman Gridley about 18 13, and when Dr. Buckingham 
settled in the place in 18 16 he built a store on Hanover Green and en- 
gaged in trade with Henry Hawley, who had previously carried on 
business at Forge Hollow. The doctor sold out to his partner, who con- 
tinued the business many years. The first store opened in the town 
was kept by Isaac Miller. The post-office at this point has been aban- 
doned. 

Other settlers of a comparatively early date were Jared J. Hooker, 
Charles Smith, Silas Hanchett, Calvin Parker, Lorenzo Rouse, E. B. 



THE TOWN OP MARSHALL. 477 

Barton, Anthony Peck, Marinus Hubbard, Ashby K. Northrup, James 
J. Hanchett, Silas Clark, Oscar B. Gridley, Charles B. Wilkinson, and 
others whose names will appear. 

In early years there were a few. saw mills and asheries in this town, 
but their usefulness long ago ceased. There is no manufacturing of 
account carried on, and the mercantile business is mostly confined to 
Deansville. The farming community is reasonably prosperous, large 
quantities of hops having been grown, and from which in many of the 
passing years a large revenue was derived. Dairying has in recent 
years attracted more attention than formerly. 

The town supports excellent schools and is divided into ten districts. 
The number of children attending school in 1895 was 2 8>- 

Among the more prominent farmers of this town, past and present, 
are Elephas Barton, Adonijah Day, Hubert M. Rouse, S. S, Whitney, 
John G. Bennett, Ansel Hanchett, Joseph S. Barton, Daniel Conger, 
David Gallup, Julius A. Day, and Charles A. Hovey. 

Deansville is a pretty village in the extreme northwest corner of the 
town, and takes its name from the Dean family before noticed. It has 
the only post-office in the town. When the Chenango Canal was con- 
structed through this town, as described in Chapter XXI, it gave the 
inhabitants considerable encouragement, and readier access to distant 
markets. The village of Deansville is on the line of the canal and most 
of its growth dates from that time. What was formerly the TJtica, 
Clinton and Binghamton Railroad passes through the village and is, of 
course, of greater utility than the canal ever was. William Northrup 
settled in the village in 1833, and the post office was established about 
the same time, with Thomas Dean postmaster. The name of the post- 
office was changed in 1894 to Deansboro. John Wilmott opened the 
first store in a building erected by himself, and in which George B. 
and Orville B. Northrup (sons of William) were in trade in later years. 
George Barker was the second merchant in the place, and built the 
store occupied later by Fairbank & Van Vechten. Royal M. Northrup, 
brother of William, kept a hotel in 1849-50 on the Utica and Clinton 
plank road, then just completed ; it was situated half a mile north of 
Deansville, over the Kirkland line. William Northrup probably kept 
the first hotel in the village ; it stood on the site of the later Hamilton 



478 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

House, and was burned. The Hamilton House was built by William 
Hamilton in 1875-6. A hotel was kept at one period by Harvey Cur- 
tiss The old grist mill at Deansville was built by Asa Dick about 
1836 It was afterwards converted into a distiliery and operated by a 
stock company. Still later it was changed back to a grist mill. 

The Deansville Cemetery Association was organized about i860, and 
owns a fine tract of about three and one-half acres in the town of Kirk- 
land, just north of Deansville, which has been laid out with excellent 
taste. 

A Congregational church was organized in the town of Marshall June 
14, 1797- It was located at Hanover and took the name of "The 
Hanover Society." The membership embraced seven males and seven 
females. A church was erected for the society in 1801, and about forty 
years later was rebuilt. The society prospered for many years but 
eventually declined and was finally disbanded 

The First Baptist church ot Paris, which was within the present limits 
of this town, was organized July 6, 1797, only a short time after the 
organization of the Hanover society. Elder Hezekiah Eastman had 
preached here in the previous year and possibly earlier, and was the first 
pastor of this church. He continued until 1809. The society was dis- 
banded in 1832, when a part of its members united with the Baptist 
church in Clinton, then recently formed. 

The Methodists had a class in this town as early as 1803, which was 
supplied with preaching bi-weekly by Westmoreland circuit ministers. 
A society was organized in 1828, and in 1837 ^ e church in Deansville 
was erected on a site donated by Thomas Dean ; the building was first 
occupied in 1842 ; it was extensively improved in 1883 and soon after- 
ward burned It was rebuilt in 1884. 

A Universalist Society had an existence of many years at Forge Hol- 
low, but is now extinct 

The town of Marshall was organized from Kirkland February 21, 
1829, and the first town meeting ordered held at the house of George 
Tinker on the first Tuesday in March of that year. It was so held and 
the following elected as the first officers : 

Supervisor, Isaac Miller, esq.; town clerk, Levi Buckingham; assessors, Charles 
Smith, Jared J. Hooker, Thomas Lyman ; overseers of the poor, Silas Hanehett, 
James Cawing; commissioners of roads. Joseph Page, John Lapham, Horatio 



THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD. 479 

Burchard- commissioners of schools, Calvin Parker, Lorenzo Rouse, Henry L. Haw- 
ley inspectors of schools, Truman E. Lyman, Ichabod R. Miller, Joseph P. East- 
man; constables, Bernard Banker, William W. Bulkley, Pardon Tabor , collector, 
William W. Bulkley; poundkeeper, Isaac Miller, esq. ; fenceviewers, Hosea Adding- 
ton, Hamlin D. Corbin, Zadock Cutler, Seth Bath, jr. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its origanization 
to the present time : 

1830 Isaac Miller, esq. ; 1831-33, Levi Buckingham; 1834, Eliphas B. Barton; 1835, 
Thomas Lyman; 1S36, Levi Buckingham ; 1837, Anthony Peck; 1838-39, Marians 
Hubbard- 1840-42, Thomas Dean; 1843, Joel K. Greenslit; 1844-46, John Dean; 
1847-49 Horace H. Eastman; 1850, Ashby K. Northrup ; . 1851, Eliphas B. Barton; 
1852-53'. James J. Hanchett; 1854-55, Silas Clark; 1856-57, Oscar B. Gridley; 1858- 
59 Charles B. Wilkinson; 1860-64, Lorenzo Rouse; 1865, John S. Mowrey; 1866-67, 
Se'th W Peck- 1868, R. Wilson Roberts; 1869, Seth W. Peck; 1870-74, Joseph F. 
Barton- 1875-76, R. Wilson Roberts; 1877-78, Spencer F. Tooley; 1879, J. F. Bar- 
ton- 1880-83 Julius A. Day: 1884, A. D. Van Vechten; 1885-86, Julius A. Day; 
1887-8, L. D. Edwards; 1889-90, Spencer F. Tooley; 1891-93, Marshall B. Peck; 
1894-96, Philip Fuess. 



CHAPTER XL. 

THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD. 

New Hartford was the last town formed from the once great town of 
Whitestown, and was erected April 12, 1827. The name had many 
years earlier been given to the village and was retained for the town. 
The territory of New Hartford was mainly included in the Bayard and 
the Coxe patents, as shown on the map herein, and embraces at the 
present time 16,941 acres. An act of Legislature was passed April 26, 
1834, which added to New Hartford a small section of Kirkland. Pre- 
vious' to November 22, 1855, the little village of Clark's Mills lay partly 
in four towns— New Hartford, Kirkland, Westmoreland, and Whites- 
town ; but an act of Legislature of the above date small portions of 
three of those towns were annexed to Kirkland, placing all of the village 
in that town. (See history of Kirkland.) 

The surface of New Hartford is level or gently rolling, except in the 
extreme east part where there is a low range of hills. The soil is a rich 



480 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

calcareous loam. Sauquoit Creek flows northerly through near the 
center of the town and with its branches affords sufficient drainage. 
That stream in early years supplied large water power and was an influ- 
ence in the establishment of the extensive manufacturing interests of the 
town ; but in later years the volume of water has decreased and steam 
power has been placed in many of the factories. Through the influence 
of Judge Sanger, the pioneer in the town, the old Seneca turnpike, con- 
structed in 1800, passed through the village of New Hartford, giving 
the place a considerable impetus and making it for a number of years 
an active rival of Utica. The course of the Erie Canal through the 
latter village wrought the change that made Utica a city and New 
Hartford its suburb. The Chenango Canal, and what was the Utica, 
Clinton and Binghamton Railroad cross, parallel, the northern part of 
the town, and the Utica and Chenango division of the D., L and W. 
Railroad follows up the valley of the Sauquoit, with a station at New 
Hartford village. 

Previous to 1788 Col. Jedediah Sanger, born in Sherburne, Mass., 
probably, February 29, 1752, had purchased 1,000 acres of land lying 
about equally on both sides of the Sauquoit, and in March of that year 
he came on to his purchase and began making improvements. He had 
agreed to pay fifty cents an acre for his land, and it included the site of 
New Hartford village. Within the year mentioned he sold the part on 
the east side of the creek to Joseph Higbee for one dollar an acre. 
Higbee's tract was afterwards found to contain 600 acres. Colonel 
Sanger was, as seen, thirty-seven years old when he came to New 
Hartford ; he had received only a common school education and had 
kept a small store in Massachusetts. In May, 177 1, he married Sarah 
Rider, by whom he had four children. In 1782 he removed to Jeffries, 
N. H., and purchased a large farm, and kept both a store and a tavern 
in his dwelling. In 1784 his dwelling and contents were burned, rend- 
ering him bankrupt. Hearing of the " Whitestown country," he deter- 
mined to seek a new home, and in 1788 he made the change as stated. 
He later paid all of his indebtedness to his eastern creditors. 

In 1796 he erected the first grist and saw mills on the outlet of Skaneateles Lake, 
now in the beautiful village of Skaneateles, Onondaga county. He was one of the 
active and leading partners in the Paris Furnace, which was erected in 1800, and 
went into operation in 1801. In 1805 he was engaged in the manufacture of cotton. 



THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD. 481 

He spent eleven winters in Albany as a member of the Senate and Assembly, to each 
of these bodies having been elected by the people. He was the first supervisor of 
Whitestown, and held the office for three successive years. He was appointed first 
judge of Oneida county upon its organization, and held the office until 1810, when he 
resigned, as by the constitution and laws his age (sixty years) disqualified him from 
holding that office. 1 

Judge Sanger was thrice married, the last time to Fanny Dench, Oc- 
tober 3, 1827. He died June 6, 1829, and is buried in the village cem T . 
etery. , I 

Oliver Collins settled, it is believed in 17397 on a farm on the Whites- 
boro road a short distance from Middle Settlement, where he passed 
the remainder of his life ; he was quite prominent in local, civil, and 
military affairs and bore the title, " General." A native of Connecticut, 
he served in the line of that State as sergeant during the Revolution. 
Soon after his settlement here he was commissioned captain of the 
militia company, and subsequently rose step by step to the rank of gen- 
eral. In this capacity he called out the militia under him and marched 
to Sackett's Harbor where he served in 18 14. The militia under Gen- 
eral Collins numbered nearly 3,000, of whom 2,500 were from Oneida 
and Herkimer counties. The service and quarters at Sackett's Harbor 
were very trying on the raw troops, and many deserted. After the 
close of the war, and when General Collins returned he ordered a court 
martial for the deserters. In spite of determined opposition the court 
was held in Utica, and the offenders were ordered to have all their back 
pay stopped and be drummed out of camp as far as Deerfield Corners 
to the Rogue's march. The sentence was executed. General Collins 
retired to his farm and there died August 15, 1838. X 

John French settled in New Hartford, coming from New Hampshire, 
about 1792, on the farm afterwards occupied by his son John, who was 
born on that place in 1797. The father died February 25, 1839. Na- 
than Seward located about the same time on the farm adjoining Mr. 
French's on the east. He was subsequently interested in the Capron 
cotton factory north of New- Hartford village. 

Capt. David Risley, a Revolutionary veteran, with his brother, Allen,- t 
^and Truman and Webster Kellogg, settled very early south of New 
Hartford village and west of what is now Washington Mills. They 

1 Jones's Annals, * 



G Vww 



482 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

built a shanty and began making other improvements. There was no 
grist mill of much account, if indeed there was any at all, nearer than 
twenty or thirty miles in Herkimer county, and these pioneers, and 
probably others, resorted to the well-known method of pounding their 
grain into coarse meal in the top of a hollowed hard wood stump. Soon 
after his settlement Captain Risley built and opened a small store on 
his place ; it was a log building, and he also built a log tavern which 
was a popular stopping place for travelers. Later he built a large frame 
store, which became extensively patronized by the pioneers. This 
building was later removed to Washington Mills where it was used as a 
dwelling. 

Among others who settled south of the village of New Hartford, ac- 
cording to French's Gazetteer, were two families named Olmstead, and 
the Seymour, Hurlburt, Kilborn, and Montague families. Henry Black- 
stone, also, migrated to this town prior to the erection of the county, 
and settled east of Washington Mills on the farm afterwards occupied 
by his son, Alfred. His first journey hither was made in company with 
Zenas Gibbs and Ashbel Tyler, with an ox team. The Gibbs farm was 
owned in late years by his grandson, Gould G. Morton. Nehemiah 
Ensworth came into the town in the fall of 1791 and in the following 
spring settled on a part of the 500 acre lot on which Mr. Gibbs and Mr. 
Blackstone had located. Mr. Ensworth's brother, Elihu, came in with 
him ; the latter was father of Ezra Ensworth. 

Very soon after the first settlement was made in this town, steps were 
taken for the organization of a church. A meeting was held in a barn 
belonging to Judge Sanger, in New Hartford, on the 27th of August, 
1791, and there the Presbyterian church was organized with thirteen 
members It was organized under the Congregational form, but was 
changed to the Presbyterian in 1802. The first trustees were Jedediah 
Sanger, Needham Maynard, Uriah Seymour, first class; Capt. James 
Steel, Lieut. William Stone, Jesse Kellogg, second class; Capt. John 
Tillotson, Capt. Joseph Jennings, Cagt__Nathan Seward, third class. 
Rev. Dan Bradley was the first pastor. It was proposed at a meeting 
that he be given " ten acres of land near Colonel Sanger's old log house 
as a settlement," and if this land was not of the value of $200, that 
amount should be made up to him ; he was then to have $160 a year 




MORGAN BUTLER. 



THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD. 483 

salary, $60 of which should be in cash and the remainder in produce. 
This probably did not satisfy Mr. Bradley, for at the next meeting it 
was resolved to " give Mr Bradley $200 in cash as a settlement, and 
one hundred pounds current money of the State of New York annually 
as a salary — one- third in cash, the remainder in produce at the cash 
price, and thirty Chords of good firewood annually, as long as he con- 
tinues to be our minister; accepted." On March 5, 1792, the trustees 
agreed with Colonel Sanger to build them a church at a cost of " seven 
hundred pounds." The church was mainly built in 1793, though it was 
not entirely finished until 1796; it was the first church building erected 
in the State west of Herkimer. The lot on which it stood was donated 
by Judge Sanger, who also gave a lot in Sangerfield for the benefit of 
the society. 

Among those who settled west of the village were Ashbel Beach, 
Amos Ives, Solomon Blodget, Salmon Butler, Joel .Blair (the last three 
at what is known as " Middle Settlement "), A. Hill (who located on 

the farm owned for many years by Oliver Sandford, esq), Wyman, 

and Stephen Bushnell. On the road leading from Middle Settlement 
to Whitesboro was Joseph Jennings. East of the village of New Hart- 
ford were Messrs. Higbee, Seward and French. To the south of the 
village the settlers were more numerous. Eli Butler, a resident of Mid- 
dletown, Conn. — the same place whence came Hugh White, the first 
permanent settler in the county — arrived in what is now New Hartford 
in 1789, and settled on the farm afterwards owned by his grandson, 
Morgan Butler, the house of the latter being just within the corporate 
limits of the village. Mr. Butler had been to this region in the year 
1785, and purchased farms for three of his sons — John and Sylvester in 
Paris, and Ashbel in New Hartford. He had a family of four sons and 
seven daughters, and the daughters and one son, Eli, jr. (father of 
Morgan Butler), accompanied him here in 1789. Eli was his youngest 
son, and remained on the farm settled by his father in New Hartford 
until his death. The farm included three hundred acres. 

Of the early schools in this town very little can be learned, the terri- 
tory being a part of Whitestown until a comparatively recent date. It 
is known, however, that there were early schools taught in the village 
of New Hartford. 



484 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The reader has already found an account of the establishment in New 
Hartford of the Whitestown Gazette in New Hartford village in June, 
1796, by Charles McLean ; it was the second newspaper in this county, 
and was removed to Utica in 1798. (See history of Utica). 

On the farm of Zenas Gibbs, before mentioned, iron ore was early 
discovered, where an ox had thrown some dirt out of a ditch with his 
horns. Further prospecting developed considerable deposits and the 
ore was shipped in large quantities to furnaces in Paris, Litchfield and 
Franklin. The industry finally declined, and is now abandoned. 

The following list of names and dates of death has been collected 
from the grave stones in the old cemetery in New Hartford, and is 
worthy of preservation for reference and to add to the list of early set- 
tlers in the town : 

Elder Ithamar Parsons, died July 24, 1828, aged 78 years. 
Mabel, his wife, died Jan. 22, 1812, aged 57 years. 
Eli Butler, died April 19, 1802, aged 61 years. 
Mrs. Rachel Butler, died Sept. 1, 1805, aged 62 years. 
Ashbel Butler, died March 2, 1829, aged 63 years. 
Truman Kellogg, died Nov. 5, 1821, aged 56 years. 
Lois, wife of Thomas Gaylord, died May 2, 1806, aged 57 years. 
Abel Wilcox, died Jan. 13, 1836, aged 80 years. 
Experance, his wife, died June 10, 1811, aged 58 years. 
Eunice, wife of William Palmer, died April 5, 1810, aged 21 years. 
Jabez Winchester, died Sept. 10, 1838, aged 71 years. 
Lucretia, his wife, died Aug. 16, 1834, aged 54 years. 
Deacon Ebenezer Cook, died March 29, 1813, aged 67 years. 
Abigail, his wife, died Jan. 14, 1814, aged 70 years. 
Samuel Wells, died Oct. 7, 1803, aged 41 years. 
Dolly, his wife, died Feb. 9, 1854, aged 89 years. 

Mrs. Abigal Grosvenor, widow of Captain Seth Grosvenor, of Pomfret, Conn., died 
Aug. 2, 1816, aged 65 years. 

Lucy, daughter of Allen and Lucy Risley, died Sept. 14, 1803, aged 6 years. 

Jacob Hart, died Jan. 17, 1812, aged 58 years. 

Jane, wife of Charles McLean, died June 15, 1827, aged 21 years. 

Captain Elisha Newell, died Nov. 10, 1799, aged 66 years. 

Betsy H., wife of Amos Hull, M. D., died Sept. 11, 1798, aged 21 years. 

Elizabeth, wife of Amos Hull, M. D., died Oct. 1, 1802, aged 28 years. 

Eunice, wife of Amos Hull, M. D., died Aug. 5, 1812, aged 33 years. 

Uriah Lathrop, died April 13, 1814, aged 41 years. 

" Mrs. Clemens, relict of Jacob Sherril," died Aug. 8, 1820, aged 83 years. 

Esther, wife of Joseph Allen, died July 30, 1816, aged 67 years. 

David Risley, died Aug. 24, 1834, aged 68 years. 



THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD. 485 

Cynthia, his wife, died May 26, 1845, aged 76 years. 
Salmon Goodrich, died Dec. 18, 1842, aged 85 years. 
King Strong, died April 15, 1854, aged 71 years. 
Daniel Eels, died July 17, 1851, aged 94 years. — 
Martha, his wife, died May 26, 1834, aged 73 years. 
Theodosia Eels, his sister, died Dec. 7, 1850, aged 96 years. 
Ebenezer Dickinson, died May 5, 1845, aged 73 years. 
Prudence, his wife, died Dec. 29, 1863, aged 90 years. 
Jotham Gaylord, died Feb. 5. 1807, aged 58 years. 
Esther, his wife, died March 14, 1838, aged 87 years. 
Ozia's Wilcox, died Dec. 4, 1838, aged 73 years. 
Betsy, his wife, died Aug. 23, 1831, aged 55 years. 
Ebenezer Dickinson, Sr., died Dec. 24, 1824, aged 89 years. 
Mabel, his wife, died March 13, 1827, aged 89 years. 
Rhoda, wife of Abel Andrus, died Dec. 20, 1828, aged 84 years. 
Simeon Hatch, died Feb. 26, 1853, aged 86 years 
Rebecca, his wife, died Aug. 29, 1836, aged 68 years. 
Lois, wife of Arthur Perry, died Aug. 11, 1819, aged 56 years. 
Mrs. Ruth Seward, died April 21, 1810, aged 81 years. — 
Mrs. Sarah Lane, died Feb. 26, 1799, aged 47 years. 
Colonel Nathan Seward, died Nov. 9, 1815, aged 57 years. 
Martha, his wife, died March 24, 1838, aged 80 years. 
^-Samuel Abbott, died May 28, 1814, aged 27 years. ' ► 

/"Sally, his wife, died Oct. 22, 1817, aged 23 years. 
Bethuel Norton, died Sept. 11, 1814, aged 74 years. 
Lois, his wife, died April 11, 1828, aged 85 years. 
Hart Norton, died Sept. 7, 1837, aged 62 years. 
Lois, his wife, died March 19, 1813, aged 38 years. 
Susan, his wife, died March 9, 1837, aged 49 years. 
Ashbel Mallory, died Feb. 1, 1856, aged 83 years. 
Mary, his wife, died Nov. 23, 1854, aged 74 years. 
Gideon Savage, died Feb. 26, 1833, aged 82 years. 
Sarah, his wife, died June 9, 1840, aged 82 years. 
Leonard Goodrich, died Dec, 27, 1837, aged 65 years. 
Susan, his wife, died Feb. 20, 1859, aged 84 years. 
Rhoda, wife of Samuel Hecox, died Oct. 29, 1807, aged 53 years. 
William Trowbridge, died April 13, 1814, aged 26 years. 
Louisa, his wife, died July 4, 1813, aged 25 years. 
Andrew Miller, died Sept. 30, 1820, aged 41 years. 
David Miller, died June 2, 1865, aged 80 years. 
- George Peacock, died June 23, 1824, aged 75 years. 
Elizabeth, his wife, died May 20, 1820, aged 44 years. 
Thomas Thornton, .died Nov. — , 1826, aged 81 years. 
Rachel Thornton, died Dec. 29, 1816, aged 63 years. 
Abigail, wife of Baul B. Prior, died Jan. 14, 1808, aged 27 years. 
Hunting S. Pierce, died March 12, 1826, aged 34 years. 



486 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Thomas Dana, died Aug. 31, 1817, aged 95 years. 

Martha, his wife, died Sept. 14, 1795, aged 67 years. 

Ezekiel Williams, died Aug. 30, 1849, aged 94 years. 

Sarah, his wife, died April 9, 1813, aged 55 years. 

Nancy, wife of Lewis Sherril, died July 18, 1822, aged 38 years. 

The first town meeting in New Hartford was held April 24, 1827, at 
the house of King Strong, and the following officers we're elected : 

Supervisor, Eli Savage; town clerk, Samuel Dakin ; assessors, Ashbel Mallory, 
Stephen Fitch, Thomas R. Palmer; commissioner of highways, Abel Mosher, (Poll- 
ings Locke, Truman Kellogg; overseers of the poor, Joshua Palmer, Edward Black- 
stone; collector, Isaac G. Stratton ; commissioners of common schools, Daniel W. 
Randall, Charles Babcock, Warner Wadsworth; inspectors of schools, Proctor C. 
Samson, Zedekiah Sanger, James McElroy. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its organiza- 
tion to the present time ; the list includes the names of many of the 
prominent citizens of the town in its comparatively recent history: 

1828-30, Jesse Shepherd; 1831, Ashbel Mallory; 1832-35, Olliver Prescott, jr., 
1836-40, Frederick Kellogg; 1841-12, James Brown; 1843-45, Josiah S. Kellogg; 
1846^7, Oliver Prescott ; 1848-50, John French ; 1851-52, James Rees ; 1853, Hiram 
'Shays; 1854-55, Gould G. Norton; 1856-57, John French; 1858, William Huxford; 
1859-61, John B. Winship; 1862-64, George W. Chadwick; 1865-68, James Arm- 
strong; 1869-70, Henry S. Rogers; 1871, Oliver R. Babcock; 1872, Joseph P. Rich- 
ardson; 1873, John B. Winship; 1874, Oliver R. Babcock; 1875, Timothy W. Black- 
stone; 1876 PorterS. Huntley; 1877-79, John C. Roby; 1880-81, R. Abiram Smith; 
1882, Richard M. Davis; 1883, John W. McLean; 1884, R. A. Smith; 1885-86, 
Charles H. Philo; 1887, Johnson C. Dewhurst; 1888, John M. Porter; 1889, Ralph 
Lee; 1890, George Benton; 1891-95, Albert P. Seaton, 1896, Ladd J. Lewis. 

The village of New Hartford was incorporated in 1870, by a vote of 
32 to 9 In the next year the boundaries of the village were slightly 
changed so as to make Sauquoit Creek the easterly village limit. A 
post-office was established in the village at about the beginning of the 
century. Dr. Calvin Sampson was one of the early postmasters and 
held the office many years. 

Manufacturing began early in the village. A man named Butterfield 
established a factory for making ingrain carpets early in the century, 
his product being claimed as the first of the kind made in this State; 
he removed later to Oriskany. The first cut nails made in the State 
were also probably manufactured' here by Jonathan Richardson, father 
of Joseph Richardson. Mr. Richardson died in 1838. A tannery was 



THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD. 487 

early established by Thomas and Ezekiel Williams, west of Sauquoit 
Creek and north of Genesee street. Another was built nearer the creek 
by Stephen Childs, where a large product was turned out. Messrs. 
Reed & Allen established a factory for the manufacture of cotton yarn, 
batting, etc., under the name of the Half Century Manufacturing Com- 
pany. Their building was burned after it had passed to possession of 
Armstrong, Baker & Company, and the latter firm then located in what 
had been the Childs tannery, above mentioned, where they established 
a large knitting factory. This burned and the present factory of this 
company was erected. 

A paper mill was built here early by Samuel Lyon, who came from 
Vermont early in the century. It stood above the later cotton factory 
and was afterwards removed next to the grist mill, which Mr. Lyon had 
purchased. The business long ago disappeared. A door and sash fac- 
tory was formerly operated by A. Sweet, in which J. C. Roby after- 
wards established a batting factory. The building was burned and on 
the site was erected the present factory of Uevine Brothers, who manu- 
facture buffing wheels extensively. 

The New Hartford Cotton Manufacturing Company was organized 
and erected its main building about 1815-16, under the management of 
Samuel Hicks. The south addition was built in 1838 by a company 
formed about that time. The factory is operated by water and steam 
power, and was burned and rebuilt in brick. It is still operated by the 
New Hartford Cotton Manufacturing Company — John W. McLean, 
president; William M. Osborn, vice president; James Irish, secretary 
and treasurer. This company was organized in 1870, with a capital of 
$150,000. They purchased the mill from John Adams who had ope- 
rated it since before the war. The product is what are known as bunt- 
ings and about 150 hands are employed. 

There are two factories for canning corn in the village, one operated 
by the New Hartford Canning Company, and the other by the Excel- 
sior Canning Company. S. F. Sherman is superintendent of the first 
and William M. Osborn of the other. 

General stores are kept by F. N. Russell and George Ireland, and 
Joseph Killian has a hardware store. Enoch Morris carries on harness 
making. The hotel long known as the Entwistle Hotel is kept by Mrs. 



488 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Fred Durrenbeck ; the Williams House by H. A. Williams, and the 
Myers House by D. F. Myers. 

The village constitutes Union Free School district No. I, and an ex- 
cellent school is taught, with Frank B. Spaulding, principal, and five 
teachers. The town is now divided into eighteen school districts with 
a school house in each. 

Butler Memorial Hall was erected in 1889 for the use of the village 
and contains the post-office, a hall and various offices. It was donated 
to the place by the late Morgan Butler. 

The presidents of the village of New Hartford have been Charles McLean, 1870- 
71; James Armstrong, 1872; James Campbell, 1873; Richard U. Sherman, 1874-75; 
John B. Winship, 1876-9; 1880-1, James Armstrong; 1882, Luther W. McFarland; 
1833, Albert P. Seaton ; 1884, James Harris ; 1885-7, Albert P. Seaton ; 1888-9, James 
Armstrong; 1890, Jerome M. Seaman; 1891-2, James Armstrong; 1893-5, Jerome 
M. Seaman; 1896, George W. Reed. 

The village of Washington Mills is situated on Sauquoit Creek about 
two miles above New Hartford. Frederick Hollister was a business 
man of Utica, who had been associated in the drug trade there in what 
was known as " the checkered store." Isaac Mason had established a 
mill on the site of Washington Mills, which Mr. Hollister purchased in 
1840. This was burned and rebuilt by him, and was also painted in 
colors, giving the local name of " Checkerville " to the place. The 
second mill, which was of stone, was also burned, with little insurance, 
and the loss was heavy. But Mr. Hollister had unbounded energy and 
the firm of Hollister & Stanton built again a large frame mill, to which 
was given the name " Washington Mill." This ultimately became the 
property of A. T. Stewart of New York and is still owned by his estate ; 
it is idle. The post-office was established here between 1840 and 1850, 
and Adna Ingham was one of the earlier postmasters holding the office 
fifteen years. 

A hoe and fork factory was established here in 1865 by Babcock, 
Brown & Co. ; the firm was afterwards Huntley & Babcock. The 
product for some years reached $100,000 annually. The property is 
now owned by the Utica Tool Co., in which C. H. Philo and Ladd J. 
Lewis are prominent, and a successful business is carried on. 

A cotton factory was built in district No. 2, at this town, by Dr. 
Seth Capron, of Oriskany, the Sewards, of Utica, and others, about 




^Z^c^^^V^^^o 



THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD. 489 

1 8 14- 1 5 ; Dr. Capron was the leader in the enterprise, which became 
known as the Capron factory. The property ultimately passed to E. B. 
Sherman & Co., and a little later to C. C. and H. M. Taber, cotton 
brokers in New York. This firm took the factory about 1865, and 
carried it on successfully. It finally passed to the Utica Cotton Com- 
pany and continues in operation. William H. Cloher is superintendent. 

In early years there was a paper mill and a saw mill at this point, 
erected by Seward, Kellogg, and others. They have passed away. A 
knitting mill was established a few years ago by the Capron Knitting 
Mill Co. William H. Cloher is largely interested in this business. The 
post-office here is named Capron. A store is kept by Joshua Hagan. 

Chadwick's Mills post-office is a hamlet in the extreme south part of 
the town, and is a station on the railroad. Manufacturing began here 
as early as 1809, when Abner Brownell, John Chad wick, and Ira Todd 
built what was long known as the Eagle Cotton Factory. Chadwick 
and Brownell purchased the water power, which had been located by 
C. E. Macomber. The members of the firm were from Otsego county. 
Mr. Todd afterwards removed to Utica. The later cotton factory was 
established in a stone building three stories high, with G. W. Chadwick, 
proprietor, and became known as Chadwick's Mills. Both steam and 
water power were used. The property passed to the control of the 
Chadwick's Mills Cotton Co., more than twenty years ago. Benjamin 
Groff is superintendent. George W. Chadwick, son of George and 
grandson of John, is still prominently interested in the industry. 

At Willowvale is a small settlement taking its name from the quan- 
tity of willows along the creek ; it is in the southern part of the town. 
A large foundry and machine shops were established here and owned 
by Rogers & Spencer. A small saw mill was also operated there. 
The machine shops were burned in 1868 and not rebuilt. The Utica 
Willowvale Bleaching Company has an establishment here which has 
been in successful operation a number of years. A store is kept by 
M. F. Jordan. 

The New York Upper Mills of the New York Mills Manufacturing 
Company (Whitestown), are in the north part of this town, and will be 
described with the other mills of that company in the history of Whites- 
town. A grist mill was early built here, long afterwards known as the 



490 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Buhr Stone Factory. There has always been a small mercantile busi- 
ness done here, with a few shops. 

It will be seen from the foregoing pages that this town has been one 
of the most important manufacturing districts in Oneida county; and 
whils its proximity to Utica has prevented its assuming any mercantile 
importance, it has nevertheless contributed largely to the wealth of the 
county. Its agricultural interests are also large and important, some of 
the best farms in the county being situated within its limits. Dairying 
and milk producing for Utica is quite largely followed in recent years, 
and fruit growing is also an important industry. Market gardening is 
also extensively carried on 

The second church organized in New Hartford was of the Universalist 
faith and was called the Universalist Society of Whitestown. It was the 
result of pastoral labor begun in 1805 by Rev. Nathaniel Stacy. A 
small church was built in 18 15 and occupied many years, after which 
it was used by the Baptists, and subsequently burned. The society 
became extinct long ago. 

The Friends meeting house in New Hartford was erected in 1820, 
through the efforts of Rev. Peleg Gifford, a noted Quaker minister, who 
preached in New Hartford twenty years. He was a pioneer and owned 
a farm two miles southeast of New Hartford : it is said he surveyed the 
highway between New Hartford and Utica. The families of this faith 
have almost disappeared from the community. 

St. Stephens's church (Episcopal), New Hartford, was organized Sep- 
tember 1, 1824. Judge Sanger gave a lot for a church building and in 
his will left an annuity of $250 to aid in supporting a minister. The 
church was erected in 1825, and has since been improved. 

A Baptist church was organized at New Hartford previous to 1840, 
as a branch of the one at Whitesboro, but it was dissolved in 1844. 
Meetings were afterwards held in the old Universalist church and else- 
where. The site of the present church was bought, the building erected 
and dedicated in August, 1856, a reorganization having been effected 
in the previous year. The old church was abandoned and a new brick 
edifice erected a few years ago on a new site, corner of South and Mill 
streets. 

The Methodist Episcopal society at New Hartford was organized 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 491 

before 1850, the first pastor being Rev. Richard Cooke. A church 
was soon erected, which was displaced by the present one, erected 
about 1875. 

A Free Will Baptist society was organized at Washington Mills in 
i860 by Elder G. H. Ball, with twenty-five members; meetings had 
been held a few months previous to that date. The church building 
was erected for a Union church on land deeded by Frederick Hollister, 
but it did not prosper and the Baptists purchased the building and re- 
moved it to its present site. 



CHAPTER XLI. 

THE TOWN OF PARIS. 

Paris as originally constituted embraced a large area. It was set off 
from Whitestown April 10, 1792, and included what are now the towns 
of Brookfield, Hamilton, and part of Cazenovia (in Madison county), 
Sherburne (in Chenango county), Sangerfield, all of which were set off 
from it in 1794, and Kirkland, which was set off April 13, 1827 ; a still 
further tract was added to Kirkland in 1839, leaving Paris with its pres- 
ent area of 18,641 acres. The town received its name from Isaac Paris, 
a merchant of Fort Plain, who in a time of scarcity and distress in 1789, 
generously supplied them with corn and other food on liberal credit. 

Paris lies on the eastern border of the county and near the southeast 
corner. Nearly the whole of the western half was in Coxe's patent and 
the remainder in the Bayard patent, as shown on the map herein. The 
surface is very hilly, with deep intervening valleys. The highest eleva- 
tion in the county is Tassel Hill (so called from a Dutchman who settled 
there) in the extreme southwest corner of the town, which rises 2,100 
feet above sea level. The summit of what was the Utica and Chenango 
Railroad is near the line between Paris and Marshall, and is a little 
more than 1,000 feet above the station at Utica. This locality consti- 
tutes a part of the watershed to the northward and southward of the 
State. Paris Hill rises 840 feet above Sauquoit. The Sauquoit Creek 



492 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

flows northerly through the town east of the center, and in a distance 
of six miles descends nearly 400 feet, affording excellent water power. 
The soil of the town is a sandy calcareous loam. The town has been 
noted for its manufactures. 

The first town meeting in Paris was held April 2, 1793, at the 
house of Moses Foot in Clinton, and the following officers were chosen : 

Supervisor, David Ostrom, esq; town clerk, Henry McNiel; assessors, Joshua 
Holiburt, Joel Bristol, Dan Chapman, Benjamin Barnes, Ithamar Coe, Joseph Far- 
well, William Babbott ; commissioners of roads, Amos Kellogg, Simeon Coe, Stephen 
Barrett; poormasters, Timothy Tuttle, Levi Sherman; constables, Jesse Curtiss, 
Amos Dutton, Nathan Marsh; fence-viewers, Barnabas Pond, Joseph Plumb, Borden 
Wilbur, Joshua Preston ; poundmaster, Amos Kellogg. 

The first settler in this town was Maj. Amaziah Royce, who located 
near Paris Hill in 1789, on the old road from Sauquoit to its intersec- 
tion with the Oxford turnpike, north of Paris Hill. In December of 
that year John and Sylvester Butler, and Asa Shepard settled on the 
same road about half a mile west of Sauquoit ; while in the same 
- month Phineas Kellogg settled in the valley and was followed to the 
same locality the next spring by Theodore Gilbert and family, who 
who located at the Burning Spring, West Sauquoit. The first settler 
on the " Moyer Road " between Sauquoit and Paris Hill was William 
Babbitt in 1790. In the next spring Lieut. Spencer Briggs became the 
first settler at East Sauquoit, and at the same time Simeon Coe located 
on the Moyer Road east of Sauquoit. Capt. Abner Brown settled in 
the spring of 1791 at West Sauquoit and his son Kendall, born July 5, 
1 79 1, was the first male child born in Sauquoit. 

To the Paris Hill region Benjamin Barnes, sr., and his son of the same 
name, and John Humaston, followed Mr. Boyce within a few weeks, 
and Henry McNeil settled early in that vicinity ; he became a prominent 
citizen, served in the Legislature, first in 1798, and taught school early 
at Paris Hill. Luther Richards became a settler in that vicinity about 
1792 ; he was father of William Richards. Aaron Simons and his 
brothers, Adam and Abel, came in here early from Rhode Island and 
located west of the village of Paris Hill Darius Scovill and his sons, 
Isaac, Seabury and Edward, located about 1801, coming from Water- 
town, Conn. Isaac Scovill was father of J. V. H. Scovill, long a prom- 
inent citizen at Paris Hill. At this point it is proper to quote the fol- 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 493 

lowing paragraphs from a historical sketch of Paris Hill written many 
years ago by Hon. Lorenzo Rouse : 

My knowledge of the early history of Paris is, of course, somewhat limited as to 
personal observation, my first acquaintance with it having commenced in the spring 
of 1816, that is, twenty-seven years after the first settlement was made, which was 
at Paris Hill and vicinity. The first settlement made in the town was in 1789. 

The first settler at Paris Hill was Captain Royce ; soon after him came Benjamin 
Barnes and son, Stephen Barrett, Abel Simmons, sr., John and Sylvester Butler, and 
others who settled near. None of these, however, settled at the present village, but 
in the vicinity. Tradition says that one of the earliest settlers, if not the earliest, at 
Paris Hill proper was Colonel Tuttle, who was quite a land-owner on the east 
side of what is now "the Green," Indeed, he gave the east half of the Green for a 
public park, other parties giving the west half for the same purpose. 

Tradition further says that in Colonel Tuttle's day a large pine-tree was standing 
in the upper part of the park, or green. The colonel caught and tamed a young bear, 
which he used to pet very much. When winter came on the bear disappeared, and 
the colonel felt the loss deeply, — was inclined to think some one had shot or stolen 
it, — but on a sunny day in March the bear was discovered coming out of a hole in 
that pine tree, and he returned to his master, who was greatly rejoiced thereat ; he 
had been hibernating. 

The first church erected in 1791, was a plain, barn-like looking structure, innocent 
of paint, and in fact never was finished off inside. After its erection settlers began 
to come in rapidly, and Colonel Tuttle persuaded the people to sell the building to 
him, and to build larger, both of which they did. He then removed the first build- 
ing to the rear of his house, and converted it into a barn. The new church was 
located near the center of the green, nearest the west side, and was reasonably 
capacious. 

The Episcopal church was erected in 1797. That, too, was a very plain structure, 
and unpainted. In 1818 it was removed to the west of the church lot, and the present 
structure was erected. Val. Pierce was the builder, assisted by his brother; also by 
Roderick White and others. Russell Brooks, Eli Gilbert, and the Saxton boys did 
the plastering. The old structure, after its removal, was fitted up and occupjed 
(with some additions) by Rev. William R. Weeks as a residence and school building. 
Afterwards Chester Cook bought it and occupied a part as a dwelling and the rest 
as a saddle and harness shop. It subsequently took fire and was burned. 

The Methodist church stood on the road going towards Clinton, east of the present 
burial ground. It had a good congregation when I first knew it , had its regular 
services by a circuit preacher, and had a number of zealous members. The society 
afterwards became extinct, and the church was taken down about 1850. 

Paris Hill was the third or fourth settlement in order of time in the original town 
of Whitestown and being the farthest south was generally known as the "South 
Settlement." When the present village began to manifest itself it was known as 
" Shax's Borough," but after the new town had been organized, and named Paris, it 
gradually assumed its present name of Paris Hill. 

When I first saw the place, nearly sixty-two years ago, and for a few years after, 
it was a more important point than at present, and a place of much more business. 



494 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

It had three churches, two taverns (as they were therj called), two stores, two black- 
smith shops, two saddle and harness shops, several carpenters' and shoemakers' 
shops, one wagon shop, one spinning wheel maker's shop, two tailors' shops, two 
asheries or potash establishments, and two cooper shops for the making of barrels, 
to be used for pork, cider, potash, and for whisky, the latter being manufactured on 
the premises now occupied by J. Van Valkenberg. The whisky was mainly sold to 
the farmers in the vicinity, at from twenty-five to thirty cents per gallon. No doubt 
there were other- manufacturers' shops not recollected, but Chester Cook's silver plat- 
ing shop must not be overlooked. A turnpike, running through the village for some 
years, connected the place, and all south and southwest of it, as far as Oxford, with 
Utica, by means of intersecting the Seneca Turnpike at New Hartford. A toll-gate 
stood a little north of the Episcopal church. The turnpike, not proving a profitable 
investment, soon shared a fate similar to that of the plank road, which succeeded it 
at a more modern date, and was abandoned, to the stockholders' loss. 

A grist mill was standing when I first knew the place, on the east side of the road, 
opposite a portion of the present Episcopal cemetery. It was originally intended to 
be operated by horse-power, the horses to travel on the inner circumference of a 
large wheel, nearly or quite thirty feet in diameter. This wheel revolved with an 
axle, or shaft, which furnished the motive power to the machinery. The builder of 
this novel grist mill was a Mr. Simister. The working of it proved too destructive 
to horseflesh to be profitable, and it was therefore abandoned. Subsequently an at- 
tempt was made to utilize the building by putting in a steam apparatus, but as the 
construction of stationary steam engines was then but little understood, that plan 
was also abandoned, and the building was demolished about 1820. 

Sixty years ago the green was very convenient as a parade ground, two, and some- 
times three, military companies mustering for parade and inspection at the same 
time — usually the first Monday in June, the 4th of July, and the first Monday in Sep- 
tember. The two or three companies strove to outdo each other in the precision and 
skill of their evolutions. In some cases a battalion consisting of six or seven com- 
panies assembled there. In one instance, at least, the whole regiment met there in 
September for " general training," as it was called. 

Among the prominent individuals residing in the village at that time may be men- 
tioned General Henry McNiel, ex-judge and the member of assembly; Elnathan 
Judd, M. D., the leading physician of the place; Theophilus Steele, esq., the town 
clerk; Samuel H. Addington, merchant and justice of the peace, and Martin Haw- 
ley, landlord and land-owner. Esquire Addington's store was then the building on 
the west side of the green, with a brick front, now converted into a blacksmith shop. 
It was previously occupied as a store by Stanton & Hawley. The house north of it, 
on the corner, was owned by Major Hawley, and was used as a hotel or tavern. A 
curbed well was directly in front of it, in what is now used as a traveled roadway. 
Other prominent citizens living in the vicinity of the village, but not in it, were Capt. 
John Wicks, John Strong, Ephraim "Walker, Timothy Hopkins, Deacon Bailey, 
Adam and Abel Simmons, Captain Ebenezer and Esquire Charles Smith, Esquire 
Uri Doolittle, David Stiles, Fobes Head, Jonathan Head, Abiel Saxton, Luther 
Richards, and several others. The succeeding merchants at Paris Hill were Hay- 
wood & Blair, Steele & Wicks, Tompkins & Doolittle, Mott & Reynolds, Andrew 
Mills and Jesse E. Thompson. 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 495 

General McNiel was postmaster from time immemorial, but always had the busi- 
ness done by a deputy — usually a merchant or innkeeper. He was removed about 
1830, under Jackson's administration, and Germond Mott was appointed in his place. 
In the earlier days the people were content with one mail per week, and that was 
carried by the "post-rider" on horseback, he delivering the Utica newspapers to 
subscribers on his route at their doors, carrying them in his "saddle-bags," and the 
letter mail in his pockets. This method of carrying the mail continued till about 
1820, when the post-rider changed his conveyance to a one-horse wagon, thus secur- 
ing higher pay, and occasionally a passenger. Soon after a mail stage was started, 
with one pair of horses, making two trips each way per week;, afterwards three, and 
finally daily trips each way, with four horses. 

George W. Head, the late prominent Utica business man, formerly 
kept a store at the Hill. David Kelly followed and was succeeded by 
David Addington. There are now two stores, kept by G. T. Graham 
and Burrett & Hinckle. 

Other early settlers in this part of the town were Stephen Barrett, 
Luther Richards, Fobes and Jonathan Head. A post-office was early 
established, with Henry McNeil as postmaster. Capt. Uri Doolittle, 
Capt. Gideon Seymour, Eli Blakeslee, Jesse and Dr. Gurdon Thomp- 
son, were also early settlers here. Justus and Julius Munson, Isaac 
Welton, Erastus Weber, John J. Wicks, Leander Richards, Lysander, 
and Harvey Head, John Bailey, and William Richards were prominent 
farmers south of the Hill, and Anson Hubbard, William Burrett 
Abram Bartlett, the Walker, Hecox, Porter and Smith families north. 
There were two distilleries early at the Hill, one by Samuel Adding- 
ton and one by a Mr. Haywood. George W. Head was a noted mer- 
chant here many years and was succeeded by Porter C. Huntley; 
Daniel Kelley and William Wooden were also former merchants. In 
recent years the business of the place has not been large 

Other prominent farmers of the town not already named, and who 
have passed away were Deacon Charles Allen, Stephen Chapman, Elias 
F. Green, Chauncey S. Butler, Stephen Thomas, Joshua P. Tompkins, 
and Erastus Webber ; some of those of later date are J. M. Risley, 
Charles H Thomas, C. L. Chapman, O. D. Head, H. W. Anderson, 
Freeman Bartlett, Samuel G. Ryder. 

Clayville. — This is an incorporated village situated on the Sauquoit 
Creek southeast of the center of the town. The place was originally 
called Paris Furnace, and a post-office was established with Col. Gard- 
ner Avery postmaster ; he was succeeded by Deacon Joseph Howard. 



496 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

"Judge" Eliphalet Sweeting was the pioneer here in 1800 and began 
building the Paris furnace on the site of the lower Millard works. 
Colonel Avery came in the year 1801 and took charge of the com- 
pletion of the furnace and management of the business. A Mr. Hill 
built the first log house for a boarding house, and Thomas built the 
next one in 1802. Colonel Avery erected his residence in 18 10, and 
about the same time Judge Sweeting built his and erected a saw mill 
on the site of the Empire Woolen Factory. Joseph Howard had al- 
ready built a brewery and a grocery near by and Mr. Scollard erected 
a tavern opposite and west of the furnace ; this was long kept by Horace 
Luce and was ultimately converted into a residence by David Millard. 
Colonel Avery built a saw mill about 18 10 opposite his residence, 
which burned a few years later and he built another on the site which 
stood until recent years. In 1822 he erected a carding mill a little 
above, which was long operated by 'Squire Albert Barnett, who came 
to the village about that time and passed his long life here ; his father, 
James Barnett, was a pioneer of the town, and William Barnett, brother 
of Albert, and father of Mills and William H. Barnett, was long a 
prominent citizen. 

The second merchants at Clayville were Bacon & Collis. To them 
William Barnett sold the Sweeting saw mill which he had acquired, and 
on its site they began the erection of a woolen factory, which passed to 
Frederick Hollister and was finished by him in 1842-3. Present mer- 
chants are J. S. Green, O. M. Buchanan, James A. Jordan, and C. L. 
Chapman & Son. 

David J. Millard, born in 1804, came to the Sauquoit valley early in 
the century with his father, Charles Millard. On the site of the old 
Quaker factory at Sauquoit the father and his brother Amasa placed in 
the machine shop trip hammers and began manufacturing scythes in a 
primitive manner. David J. learned the trade of wool sorting and by 
evening study obtained a good education. He later became agent for 
the Furnace factory at South Sauquoit and about 1840 removed to Clay- 
ville and with his brother Sterling A. engaged in manufacturing 
scythes, hay forks, etc., on the site of the Cobb & Robinson shovel 
factory, which was built in 18 14 and converted into a scythe shop by 
Davis & Bowles in 1818. Sterling A. Millard soon withdrew from the 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 497 

business and erected his scythe works farther up the stream. The 
Millard scythes were probably the best made in the whole country and 
attained wide celebrity. David J. Millard was a leading citizen of the 
town and was supervisor several years. The S. A. Millard works were 
sold on a mortgage held by the Oneida County Bank, March 6, 1896, 
and bid off by J. M. Butler, president of the bank, who has since be- 
come sole owner. The works are now running full time, manufacturing 
forks, hoes and rakes. The D. J. Millard works, which formerly existed 
under the style of the Paris Furnace Company, were sold by the same 
bank March 17, 1896, were bid off in the same manner and also passed 
to Mr. Butler. Until quite recently this plant was used for the manu- 
facture of axes under the name of the Hubbard, Babcock, Millard Ax 
Company, and is now temporarily idle. One section of the plant is 
rented to the Pratt Chuck Company, which is in successful operation. 
When Frederick Hollister came to Clayville from Utica, as before 
noted, he purchased the partly built woolen factory, and finished it and 
put it in operation. He also bought largely of lands which included 
water power and furnished building lots, opened a street across the 
creek at the upper mill and northward along the foot of the western 
hillside to intersect the main road at the old carding mill ; this road he 
named Canada street, and thereon he built seventeen double tenement 
houses, and about the same number on the west side of the old main 
road; he built also a block of stores near the upper mill. In 1843 he 
began the erection of the large stone factory, which was ready for the 
machinery in the fall of 1844. It was used for a great Henry Clay meet- 
ing, which has led to the statement that the great statesman was pres- 
ent; this is not true, but Clay did visit the place five years later. Mr. 
Hollister built also a frame block for stores and a hotel (the Hollister 
House, later the Murray House), and a gas manufactory for lighting the 
mills. About the same period David J. Millard opened a new street 
and built houses and made other improvements. The operations of 
these two men advanced the place from a hamlet to a thriving village, 
and drew other business enterprises hither. A machine shop and 
foundry was established, two other hotels were opened, and various 
shops and stores followed. The crash from this abnormal growth came 
in 1850 with the failure of Mr. Hollister. " Millardville," above, how- 



498 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ever, continued active for some years, but ultimately shared the same 
fate. The woolen factories were run for short periods afterwards. In 
January, 1 86 1, the Empire Woolen Company was organized, with James 
J. Murray, pi sident; George Innis, vice-president; and A. J. Williams, 
treasurer. This company purchased the entire woolen factory plant 
and made the necessary repairs and changes to put it in operation. 
Soon afterwards Mr. Murray died and A. J. Williams purchased, his in- 
terest and also that of Mr. Innis, leaving the property in control of Mr. 
Williams and his four sons ; the company was reorganized with A. J. 
Williams, president ; A. G. Williams, vice-president ; and these two with 
I. A. Williams, James H. Williams, and N. A. Williams, trustees. The 
capital was made $250,000. Further improvements were made and a 
successful business inaugurated. 

The Union school in Clayville was opened in 1871, and in 1876 a 
large two story brick school building was erected at a cost of $6,000. 
Clayville was incorporated in 1887 and the first officers were elected in 
September of that year. W. J. Millard served as president until the fol- 
lowing March, and was then re-elected for one year. He was succeeded 
by C. B. Gormond, and in 1890 A. J. Rhodes was elected and has served 
ever since. 

Sauquoit. — The earliest settlers on the east and west sides of the creek 
where grew up the little villages of East and West Sauquoit have been 
briefly mentioned. In early years the west part became known as 
'' Savage's Corners," and the east part as " Methodist Corners," and 
" Bethelville." When the post-office was established in 1820 (with Ho- 
bart Graves, postmaster) the place was officially named Sauquoit. Mr. 
Graves was a merchant in the east village, and a few years later the post- 
office was removed to the other side and Stephen Savage made post- 
master ; he was succeeded in 1832 by his son, Frederick S. Savage. The 
earliest settlers were followed by William Babbitt, William M. Winship, 
David Ostrom, Captain Abner Bacon, Charles Cooledge, Zenas Merrill, 
and Camp Parmalee, in or near the west village; while on the east side 
settled Lieut. Spencer Briggs, Baxter Gage, and on the hill, Simeon 
Coe, Elisha Wetmore, Moses Campbell, jr., and Elkanah Hewett, and 
northeast of the village, Josiah Hull, Nathan Robinson, Moses Camp- 
bell, sr., and Howe Nichols. At South Sauquoit came in 1789-90, 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 499 

Titus Gilbert, sr., Allyn Gilbert, and Theodore Gilbert, 2d, and Ephraim 
Davis. This particular locality was early known as " Davis's Forge," 
or " Farmers' Factory." Captain Bacon first kept the tavern in the 
valley, and the first store was kept by Drs. Dick and Jac Perkins, who 
were succeeded by Judge James Orton; he added a store and sold out 
to Stephen Savage in about 1806 Mr. Savage built a store about 181 2 
on the southwest corner of the Presbyterian church lot; he also owned 
the grist mill at one time and in partnership with Naaman W. Moore 
established the paper mills. His old store was later kept by R. E. 
Kaple, Peter Kneaskarn and Solomon Rogers. The old Savage hotel 
was kept in later years by Paul R. Miner, Stephen Medbury, and Joseph 
Mason, and was burned April 5, 1862, and rebuilt by Mr. Mason on the 
present site. The first merchant at East Sauquoit was Martin Hawley, 
and Henry Cram opened a store soon afterwards. Mr. Hawley removed 
to Paris Hill and was succeeded by Hobart Graves, later by Hobert 
Graves, jr., who had for partners at different periods, John Milton But- 
ler, William W. Hickox and Ezra C. Southard. Other merchants were 
Mills & Hale, Solomon Rogers (with different partners), J. M. & A. Gray, 
sons of Jordan Gray, Erastus Everett, M. L. Hungerford, Davis & Day, 
Birdsall & Hull, William H. Royce, James Moulton, Miller & Nichols, 
and others. 

In 1828 Austin Graves built the hotel at the Burning Spring, South 
Sauquoit, designing the establishment for a watering place. After pass- 
ing through several hands it was burned in March, 1859. Major Will- 
iam Gere built the first tannery at East Sauquoit, which a few years 
later passed to Josiah Mosher who, with his sons, George W. and S. 
Emerson, operated it some years. Major Gere afterwards operated the 
tannery built by John Curtiss. These have passed out of existence. 
Major Gere was also a partner with A. Jenks in an oil mill at South 
Sauquoit. Deacon Abijah Hubbard manufactured wagons many years 
opposite the tannery, and a little south of his shop was the organ fac- 
tory of Oliver Prior, who was a pioneer in the invention of the early 
reed organs. Other shop keepers in the two villages were Asahel Cur- 
tiss, Ezekiel Hawley and General Gates, saddlers ; the Royces, James 
Seaton, George and Daniel Griggs, H. Norton Robinson, John Olm- 
stead, Major Gere, Zabine Luce, Samuel Robbins, George Tinker, M. L. 



500 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Antisdel and Samuel Cheeney, shoemakers ; Stillman Wells, Nehemiah 
Walton and David Loring, cabinetmakers : D. Sheldon Marsh, Hiram 
and Titus Gilbert, Roswell Eastman, George W. Holman, Alpha Smith 
and John Seaton, millwrights ; Daniel Wells, Captain Knight, T. L. 
Switzer, blacksmiths; U. T. Harvey, Elkanah Hewitt, A. L. White, 
Daniel Bacon and Benjamin Allen, tailors. At one time there were 
eleven distilleries in this town, four at Cassville, two at Paris Hill, one 
at Holman City, and a brewery at Clayville. John Butler was the pio- 
neer distiller. Among early physicians in town were Amos G. Hull, 
Elnathan Judd, Seth Hastings and David Larrabee, at Paris Hill; Dick 
and Jack Perkins, Spaulding Pierce, Leverett Bishop, Rufus Priest, 
Aaron B. Bligh, Jeremiah Knight, Ansel and Asa Tyler, C. N. Palmer 
and C. A. Ostrom, at Sauquoit ; Barzilla Budlong at Cassville, where 
some of the others also practiced. 

William L. Mould, an Englishman, came to this town early and for a 
few years operated the " Farmers' Factory Mill," between Sauquoit and 
Clayville, His sons, W. F. Mould & Brothers, bought the grist and 
saw mills of Henry Gilbert January i, 1853, and made extensive repairs 
and improvements. What was known as the Friendly Woolen Com- 
pany was formed about 18 12 by a company of Quakers who came to 
Sauquoit, purchased the Abner Bacon saw mill which they rebuilt and 
added other shops. They then built a woolen mill and began its opera- 
tion. It did not prove remunerative and the property passed to Thomas 
Dean. In 1824 it was purchased by Kellogg Hurlburt, Abner Brownell 
and John Chadwick (who were then proprietors of what became the 
Chadwick Mills in the edge of New Hartford). They converted it to a 
cotton factory and changed the name to Franklin Mill. In 1827, after 
one year's operation, the firm divided and Hurlburt and Brownell con- 
tinued the business. Later, in 1877, while being conducted by Mr. 
Brownell's sons, the factory was burned and not rebuilt. 

Between 1840 and 1845 A. Brownell &'Co. built a cotton factory 
just below Sauquoit village, which was operated at the same time with 
the Franklin Mill. In 1873 the machinery was removed and the Sau- 
quoit Silk Manufacturing Company was organized, which put in new 
machinery for the manufacture of certain silk products. Nearly 100 
hands were employed and the factory was prosperous many years. It 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 501 

was closed in 1895 while being operated by Stelle & Son, who had long 
been connected with the business. 

An academy was established in Sauquoit, by raising a fund by sub- 
scription, and a contract made with L. W. Thomas to properly fit up 
the building, the school to be held meanwhile in the basement of a 
church. It was intended that the academy should be an advance upon 
the select school that had been held in the upper story of the old school 
house. A meeting of the subscribers to the fund was held April 9, 
1844, and seven trustees were elected. The building was in due time 
occupied. The teachers were Professor Barber, assisted by his wife and 
Miss Kate Tuttle, with Miss Kittie Roberts, music teacher, and George 
W. Eastman, teacher of penmanship and bookkeeping. At the winter 
term of 1845-6 the school opened with 200 scholars. Professor Barber 
subsequently went to Texas and the school declined until 1850, when 
Rev. Moses E. Dunham assumed its management and brought it back 
to its former standard. After his departure another period of decline 
came on and the building needed repairs. In 1866 the people raised 
another fund of about $1,700, put the structure in good repair and en- 
gaged Aaron White as principal. The school now opened with over 
200 scholars ; but this prosperity was not steadily maintained, and vari- 
ous teachers were employed in efforts to keep the institution alive. In 
1878 the building was again repaired and T. H. Roberts engaged as 
principal. Under his management a fair degree of success was attained. 
The institution was merged in the Union School in March, 1895. 

Cassville. — This village is in the southern part of the town and near 
the junction of the two railroads. The first settlers here were Amasa 
Burchard, Elias and Mark Hopkins, and Eleazer Kellogg, who came in 
1803. The post-office was established about 1830 under the name of 
Paris Hollow, with Dr. Aaron Bligh postmaster. The name was 
changed to Cassville in 1835. Elias Hopkins built a saw mill here, on 
the site of the present grist mill. Amasa Burchard soon after built the 
present grist mill on the site of the former one, and in 1804 erected a 
carding mill on the site afterwards occupied by the tub factory and later 
by a cheese factory. The settlement gradually extended up the bluft 
southward and a distillery was built on each side of the road up the 
bluff, one by Thompson Snell and the other by Marsh & Stanley. 



502 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Michael Foster erected a tavern which was subsequently torn down, and 
Norman Merrill, the merchant, built his residence on the site. East of 
the village, at Richfield Junction, the railroad station, considerable busi-. 
ness is carried on. Among the prominent settlers and residents of this 
part of the town may be mentioned Nathan Randall, who settled north 
of the village in 1807 ; he was father of Abel and Bishop T. Randall. 
The Monroe and the Brownell families were prominent settlers in this 
vicinity. George Smith and R. A. Webb built a tannery and carding 
mill in 1826 on the south branch, which long ago disappeared Farther 
down the stream stood an early saw mill, and below the road to Paris 
Hill Grove W. Bagg manufactured farmers' implements about 1850. 
John, Joseph and David Budlong were pioneers north of the village. 
Deacon Charles Allen settled about 1799, and James Rhodes about the 
same time. The Budlong family had many descendants and has con- 
tributed much to the advancement of Cassville. Calvin A. Budlong 
built an early store in Cassville, conducted it many years and was suc- 
ceeded by Norman Merrill, who continued in trade to 1889, a period of 
forty years. This old store is now conducted by U. L. Loomis. Mr. 
Budlong built and kept a second store after he sold out to Merrill, and 
was succeeded therein by Thomas H. Hughes, and he by Abner Sea- 
man in 1876. Bentley & Roberts are now in that store. Lorenzo 
Palmer was another early merchant. 

Justus Childs settled in Paris about 1831 and was an extensive farmer 
east of Cassville, and a prominent citizen and officeholder. West of 
Cassville Roswell Cossitt was a pioneer distiller and his sons, Stephen 
and Miles, were prominent farmers. Asa Stanton, Val Pierce, Isaac 
Walton, and others settled on the Paris Hill road. 

Holmaii City. — This is a hamlet east of Clayville where considerable 
business was done in early years, when it bore the local title of " Log 
City." In 1798 Seth Leonard Cutler settled here and started a shop for 
turning wooden bowls, at the same time working at carpentering. After 
he moved away Lenthel Eells had a saw mill on the site of Cutler's fac- 
tory, where J B. Davis and his son made hubs in later years. In 18 12 
David Holman settled here and built a grist mill, a saw mill and later a 
clover mill ; the latter was converted into a distillery which was operated 
many years by George Briggs ; it was finally burned. The grist mill 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 503 

declined after the burning of the distillery, and William H. Le Roy and 
Jeremiah Wells built on the site a shop for making draw shaves; hoes were 
also made there. It was afterwards changed into a batting factory, and 
later into a cabinet factory, passing through various hands in the mean 
time. Early stores were kept here by William Holman, George Briggs, 
and others. In 1830 Tunis V. Le Roy, sr., a skilled mechanic, invented 
the first upright power drill and began its manufacture here in 1839 ; it 
was an important industry. 

Hops have been raised in this town to a considerable extent, but not 
as largely as in some adjoining towns. In later years attention has been 
more largely given to dairying and the production of milk for shipment 
to New York. This has been made possible by the building of the Utica 
and Chenango Valley Railroad through the town in 1869, and later the 
branch to Richfield Springs and on southward. The town is now 
divided into thirteen school districts with a school house in each. 

Following is a list of supervisors of this town from its foundation to 
the present time : 

1794, David Ostrom ; 1795, George W. Kirkland; 1796-97, Jesse Curtiss; 1798, 
Thomas Hart; 1799-1805, Jesse Curtiss; 1806-07, Isaac Miller; 1808-17, Jesse Curtiss; 
1818, Ebenezer Griffin; 1819, Henry McNiel; 1820-23, Jesse Curtiss; 1824-27, Othniel 
Williams. The act dividing the town and creating Kirkland was passed April 13, 
1827, and a second election was held for Paris, at which Henry McNeil was chosen 
supervisor; he was re-elected in 1828. 1829, Jared P. Todd; 1830, Henry McNiel; 
1831, Theophilus Steele; 1832, Jeremiah Knight; 1833-34, Jared P. Todd; 1835-37, 
Constant H. Wicks ; 1838, Jeremiah Knight ; 1839-43, Naaman W. Moore (William 
Gallup was elected justice of the peace in 1839, and held the office fifteen years); 
1844, George M. Brownell; 1845-49, David J. Millard; 1850-51, Sterling A. Millard; 
1852-53, William S. Bartlett; 1854-55, Eli Avery; 1856, William Gallup; 1857, Justus 
Childs; 1858-59, Barzilla Budlong; 1860-62, Harvey Head; 1863-64, F. S. Savage; 
1865, D. J. Millard; Mr. Millard resigned on account of ill-health, and Harvey Head 
was appointed to fill vacancy; 1866, Eli Avery; 1867, Eli C. Green; Mr. Green 
resigned, and Samuel B. Rhodes was elected at a special meeting to fill vacancy ; 
1868-70, Harvey Head; 1871-72, Martin L. Hungerford; 1873-75, Harvey Head; 
1876-77, William F. Mould; 1878-79, Harvey Head; 1880-81, A. J. Rhodes; 1882-83, 
Seth W. Smith; 1884-87, Charles L. Marshall; 1888-91, Dr. David A. Barnum; 
1892-96, Charles L. Marsh. 

The first settlers of Paris had scarcely become located in their wilder- 
ness homes before they took steps to form a church. A meeting was 
held at the house of Timothy Tutde in Whitestown on August 29, 1791, 
where Solomon and Sibil Wright, Timothy Tuttle and his wife Mehit- 



504 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPL& 

able, and Reuben Fowler, under direction of Dr. Jonathan Edwards, 
of New Haven, Conn., acting as moderator, formed the " Second 
Church of Christ in White's Town." The first pastor was Rev Elipha- 
let Steele, who was installed July 15, 1795 ; he continued until October, 
1 8 1 7. This church has had an uninterrupted existence and during a 
part of its career was one of the most prosperous in the county. In 
later years it was governed under the Presbyterian form. 

St. Paul's Episcopal church, Paris Hill, is the oldest of that denomi- 
nation in this State west of Johnstown. A meeting was held February 
13, 1797, of which Gideon Seymour was chairman, at which the follow- 
ing were chosen the first vestrymen of the new society : Uri Doolittle, 
Benjamin Graves, Peter Selleck, Epaphroditus Bly, Selah Seymour, 
Thomas Stebbins, George Harden, Noah Humaston, and Silas Judd. 
The name adopted was St. Paul's Church in Herkimer county. The 
first minister was Rev. Robert Griffith Wetmore, who performed bap- 
tisms on November 14, 1797 ; there is no evidence that he remained in 
the parish. Other early pastors who preached occasionally were Revs. 
Father Nash, Philander Chase, John Urquhart, Mr. Thatcher and Mr. 
Judd. From 1809 to 18 14 Rev. Amos G. Baldwin preached here a 
quarter of his time, in Utica one half, and a part of the remainder in 
Fairfield. The frame church at Paris Hill was built in 18 18 ; but there 
was an earlier and smaller one, built about 1800, and used later as a 
dwelling. 

The Presbyterian church at Sauquoit was organized at the house of 
Abner Bacon in January, 18 10; but an attempt had been made and 
preliminary steps taken to perfect an organization in 1795. Between 
that year and 18 10 meetings were held in the school houses. The final 
organization comprised 26 members, and in the spring of 18 10 Rev. 
Ezra Woodworth began preaching as stated supply. In August of that 
year the first steps were taken towards providing a church building, 
and in the spring of 181 1 a site was selected on the east side of the 
creek and the foundations laid. The site was then changed to the lo- 
cation of the present church. The building was not entirely finished 
until 1 8 14, but was used in its unfinished condition. It stood until 1843 
when it was demolished and the present building erected, 

The date of the formation of a Methodist class at Sauquoit is lost in 



THE TOWN OF PARIS. 505 

the past ; but a church was in existence which was much out of repair 
in 1816. In later years it was largely improved and used as an acad- 
emy. The present brick church was built in 1842. ' 

The Baptist church at Cassville- was organized sometime between 
1820 and 1830 and a frame church was erected This was subsequently 
burned and the present substantial edifice erected on the site in 1868. 
A Presbyterian Society existed at Cassville at one period and built a 
church in the year following the erection of the old Baptist church. 
The society passed out of existence. 

The Clayville Presbyterian society was organized by nine members 
who were dismissed from the Sauquoit church for that purpose in 1856. 
In September, 1858, a subscription was started to collect funds for the 
building of a church, which resulted in the erection of the present 
building. The first regular pastor was Rev. M. E. Dunham. The 
society owns a parsonage. 

St. John's Episcopal church, Clayville, was incorporated July 9, 1849, 
with 21 members Services had been held about two years previously 
and funds raised for the building of the handsome brick edifice, which 
was finished in 1849 at a cost of nearly $20,000, Rev. William Baker, 
then preaching for St. Paul's church at Paris Hill, preached here in 1847, 
once each month. The first wardens were John Wicks and Ezra Brown. 
The site for the church was deeded by the Empire Mills Company. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at Clayville was organized about 
1863, and has continued a prosperous existence since. 

St. Patrick's Catholic church, Clayville, was built in 1864 and ded- 
icated in 1865. The first Catholic pastor who visited the place was 
Father Patrick Carraher, many years before the building of the church. 
The church was organized by Rev. Father Coughlin of Clinton; who 
was succeeded by Father O'Reilly. The parish is large and thriving. 



506 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE, 



CHAPTER XLII. 

THE TOWN OF REMSEN. 

Until recent years this town occupied a large area in the extreme 
northeast corner of Oneida county, much of which was covered by the 
original forest. Remsen was reduced to its present area of 23,364 acres 
by the erection from it of the town of Forestport in 1869. Most of the 
territory of the present town was included in the Remsenburgh patent; 
a small section in the south part was in the Servis patent, and another 
small section in the west part in the Steuben tract, as shown on accom ■ 
panying map. Remsen was erected simultaneously with the formation 
of Oneida county (March 15, 1798), when it was set off from Norway, 
Herkimer county, and named after Henry Remsen, one of the original 
patentees. Black River forms the northern boundary of the town, and 
Canada Creek the southeastern boundary ; it is further watered by Cin- 
cinnati Creek, Baker Brook and small tributaries. The surface of the 
town is well elevated and generally hilly and broken, while the soil is a 
light sandy loam. A very large portion of the inhabitants of this town 
are of Welsh descent. 

Settlement began in Remsen previous to the formation of the town, 
with the arrival of Shubael Cross from Massachusetts, who in March, 
1794, came on westward, left the Mohawk at Utica and with his family 
turned northward into the forest. He made a line of marked trees 
along the Cincinnati Creek through the site of Remsen village, and 
halted and built a log cabin at what became known later as Burritt's 
Mills, and afterwards as Bordwell Settlement, now Porpoise Glen. Mr. 
Cross was an energetic pioneer and he soon had a piece of land cleared, 
and built later a wind-power grist mill This was followed by the erec- 
tion of a saw mill, both of which were of great utility to the settlers in 
that section. Mr. Cross took a cold from getting wet in the creek, lost 
his mental balance, and finally died, his death being, probably, the first 
in the town, 



THE TOWN OF RBMSBK 507 

In 1795 three more families came into the town ; these were John 
Bonner, Barnabas Mitchell and Amos Bull. Mr. Bonner was an Eng- 
lishman, but came in from Vermont and settled on the lot afterwards 
owned by Jenkin Jones; later he moved west. Mr. Mitchell settled on 
land afterwards owned by his son Milo Mitchell, and his daughter Polly, 
who became Mrs. Van Slyke, was the first white child born in the town. 
Amos Bull settled on the tract which was long known as Bull's Com- 
mons, and later as the Camp farm ; discouraged with the land and his 
prospects he removed to Floyd, where he died. 

These pioneers were soon followed into the town by Ephraim Hollis- 
ter, father-in-law of Judge Storrs, who followed brickmaking, and who 
was elected the first supervisor of the town. 

Stephen Hutchinson and a Mr. King located in the town about this 
time, and a daughter of the latter and her husband were probably the 
first persons married in the town, about the year 1800. Mr. King kept 
the first public house. It is recorded that the first religious service of a 
public character was held in Mr. Hutchinson's barn on what became 
known as the Price farm ; he was the first overseer of the poor of the 
town. 

The site of Remsen village was settled early by Peter Becker, who 
built a small log cabin on his hundred-acre lot, afterwards selling the 
property to Deacon Piatt, of Steuben. The log cabin was soon after- 
ward burned. 

About the same time Joseph Brownell purchased the 100 acre lot on 
which the upper tavern was built. He was one of the first three road 
commissioners of the town. He soon sold out to Oliver Smith and left 
the town ; Gershom Hinkley, a practical surveyor, was elected road 
commissioner in his place. It was on the farm of the latter at Fairfield 
Corners that the first school house in the town was built. 

James Smith and his son Joab came into the town about 1795, and 
the father opened a tavern in 1797 on the place afterwards occupied by 
Captain Root; the son died at Sackett's Harbor in the war of 181 2. 
At about this time the families of Jacob Dayton, Nathaniel Rockwocd, 
Solomon Gillett, Perez Farr, Ebenezer Dodd, William Piatt, Philip 
Scott (the first physician in town and an early town clerk) and Rev. 
Edmund Tefft, the first resident minister, settled in the town. The 
names of other early comers appear further on. 



508 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

This town and those adjoining it in the eastern part of the county are 
very largely settled by Welsh. The first of this nationality to locate 
here was David Jones, but it is not known in just what year he came. 
Steuben and Trenton, adjoining, already contained a large number of 
these thrifty citizens. Mr. Jones took up the so called Billings lot, on 
the Steuben road. In the year 1803 Broughton White and his brother- 
in-law, Lemuel Hough, came in from the town of Steuben, and Mr. 
White subsequently opened a small grocery in a log building on the site 
of the later store in Remsen village ; it was the first mercantile estab- 
lishment in the town, and Esquire White's chief returns for his goods 
were ashes. He sold out, after making further improvements, to John 
Mappa and Jacob Belticher, who in turn transferred it to Heman Ferry. 

The eastern part of the town remained substantially a wilderness un- 
til a number of years after settlement had progressed in the western 
part. It bore the local designation of " Ninety- six," and the first set- 
tlers came in there about 1816. About the year 1808 the Welsh fam- 
ilies of David Manual, John James, Griffith I. Jones, John Owens, and 
Hugh Hughes, all from Wales, settled in the town, and were succeeded 
by many others who with their descendants contributed largely to the 
prosperity of the community. It is recorded that Griffith O. Griffiths, 
of Remsen village, now deceased, was the first Welsh child born in this 
State west of the Hudson River. 

It is unfortunate that the earliest records of this town are lost, but it 
is known that the first town meeting was held in the year of the town 
organization (1798), in the log dwelling of Samuel Howe, at Cross Set- 
tlement ; Mr. Howe was the first justice of the peace of the town. The 
list of supervisors of the town, however, is complete, through the record 
in the Jones Annals ; they are as follows : 

1798, Ephraim Hollister; 1799-1808, Gershom Hinckley; 1809-1819, Broughton 
White; 1820-21, James Sheldon ; 1822-23, Zalmon Root; 1824-25, Luther Conkling; 
1826-28, Lemuel Hough; 1829-34, Henry R. Sheldon; 1835-38, Mather Beecher; 
1839-43, Evan Owens; 1844, Thomas R. White; 1845, Obadiah J. Owens; 1846, 
Griffith O. Griffiths; 1847, Andrew Billings; 1848^9, William H. Thomas; 1850-54, 
Evan Jones; 1855, Joseph H. Montague; 1856-58, Didymus Thomas; 1859, Samuel 
Lamb; 1860-61, John J. Vaughn; 1862, William H. Owen ■ 1863, James Mitchell; 
1864, William H. Owen; 1865, Morgan Owen; 1866-67, Silas Moore; 1868, William 
A. Thomas; 1869-72, James Mitchell ; 1873-74, Evan G. Williams; 1875-76, Richard 
R. Jones; 1877-78, John R. Thomas; 1879-80, Evan G. Williams; 1881-82, William 



THE TOWN OF REMSEN 509 

G. Griffith; 1883-85, John S. Kent; 1886-87, William A. Thomas; 1888-89, William 
J. Jones; 1890-91, David H. Jones; 1892-93, Griffith Morris; 1894-95, B. H. Kent; 
1896, Clinton R. Thomas. 

The foregoing list adds considerably to the record of names of early 
as well as later settlers in various parts of the town, and also indicates 
to what a large extent the region is settled by Welsh who are worthy 
of holding responsible positions. Silas Kent was another who was 
among the very early pioneers of Remsen, and here his son Chester was 
born January i, 1802, and became a prosperous citizen. William Rob- 
erts settled in the town in 1820 on the old State road, with his wife and 
two sons, Robert and Hugh, both of the latter having been born in 
Wales. They became prosperous farmers. Milo Mitchell, son of the 
pioneer, Barnabas, became one of the most successful farmers in the 
county; he was born in Remsen October 26, 1797. He built the first 
cheese factory in this town and the second one in the United States, 
and held several town offices. The family history of many other prom- 
inent settlers in Remsen is given in Part III of this work. 

The first school house in this town has been mentioned as situated at 
Fairchild Corners. The first meeting of the inhabitants for school pur- 
poses was held on the 4th of September, 1813, when districts were 
formed and the first district school house was built on the following 
year. The first trustees were John Piatt, Lemuel Hough, and Ezra 
Green. In December, 1813, it was voted that " Broughton White be 
instructor of said school for this winter." Austin Ward was another 
early school teacher, and also taught singing. The first school house 
was a frame building and stood in the upper part of the village. New 
districts were gradually formed until in i860 there were fourteen. After 
the erection of Forestport the number was reduced to eleven, in- 
cluding two joint districts in connection with that town and Trenton. 
There' are now ten districts with school houses and twelve teachers are 
employed. An academy was founded in Remsen village many years 
ago, which prospered for a period, but finally declined and closed its 
existence. 

The settlement of Remsen village gradually increased in numbers 
and it became a center for the large lumber business of the town. The 
construction of the Black River Railroad through the place gave it an 



510 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

impetus and the business interests developed rapidly. William Piatt, 
who settled here in 1795, built the first small mill on the site of the 
later one. John G. Jones erected a carding mill in early years on the 
creek some distance below the village. The ruins are still visible. In 
later years A. C. Herron built a grist mill in which either steam or 
water power could be used. This was afterwards occupied as a butter 
tub factory. It is still standing and used for shops. Among the early 
merchants of the village were William and Heman Ferry; the latter 
removed to Utica and the former to Michigan ; he was father of Thomas 
Ferry, U. S. senator from that State. Dr. Bill erected a part of what 
became the Dawson Hotel at an early day ; he removed to Ohio. He 
was the first physician in the village and practiced many years. Horace 
N. Bill, once editor of the Roman Citizen, was his son. 

Remsen village was incorporated in 1845 an< ^ on the first Tuesday in 
May of that year an election was held and the following officers were 
chosen : 

John Smith, Andrew Billings, Griffith B. James, trustees; Thomas R. Hawley, G. 
B. James, Morgan Owens, assessors; Mather Beecher, fire warden; L. Evan Jones, 
clerk ; John T. Griffiths, treasurer ; Josiah Griffiths, collector. 

A fire company was appointed by the trustees on the 19th of July, 
1845, consisting of the following men: George P. Bridgeman, Morgan 
Owens, John Edmunds, Owen E. Jones, William L Williams, William 
E. Lewis, Thomas Jones, Edward James, Henry Crosby, Griffith J. 
Griffiths, Isaac W. Roberts, Delos Bearhyte, A. H, Doty, Francis 
Prindle, Seth Wells, jr. 

The grist mill is operated by Richard Bros., and stores are kept by 
R. G. Griffith, R. O. Griffith, O. R. Griffith, and Owen J. Roberts ; 
D. S. Davies has a j'ewelry business and T. L. Morgan, tailoring. The 
Bristol House is kept by Brant & Gansway, succeeding on March 1, 
1896, Friend Bristol. The Pierce House is conducted by Pierce Dines. 
John H. Williams also keeps a hotel. At Bordwell Town, as it is 
kuown, is a saw mill run by Menzo Bordwell, and what was formerly 
the tannery is now used by the Porpoise Lace Company, who started 
in the fall of 1895. 

The election in the village in 1846 was declared illegal through some 
informality, and the officers of 1845 held over. The trustees from that 
time to the organization under the new charter were as follows : 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 511 

1847, Z. D. Root, Mather Beecher, Isaac W. Roberts; 1848, G. A. Yeoraans, N. 
C. Phelps, O. J. Owens; 1849, P. W. Buckingham, J. H. Smith, Z. D. Root; 1850, 
Morgan Owens, Fred E. Hale, Jonah Griffith; 1851, no record; 1852, "William E. 
Owen, Griffith O. Griffiths, Josiah Griffith ; 1853, Griffith O. Griffiths, John R. Jones, 
Robert P. Williams; 1854, Morgan Owen, James Owens, William W. Thomas; 1855, 
no record; 1856, A. C. Herron, Griffith O. Griffiths, Didymus Thomas; 1857, no 
record; 1858, Henry W. Roberts, Delos Bearhyte. R. P. Williams; 1859, Morgan 
Owens, S. Douglas, D. Bearhyte; 1860, G. O. Griffiths, William W. Thomas, Will- 
iam E. White; 1861, D. Bearhyte, W. H. Williams, W. S. Evans; 1862-63, same as 
1861; 1864, G. O. Griffiths, J. Mitchell, John D. Griffiths; 1865, James Mitchell, 
Morgan Owen, Josiah Griffith ; 1866, Richard R. Jones, William H. Williams, Rob. 
ert W. Roberts; 1867-68, no record; 1869, John P. Samuel, Robert W. Roberts, 
Hugh Hughes; 1870, William W. Thomas, Evan G. Williams, Rowland Anthony. 
There is no record for 1871. In 1872 a new charter was obtained under the general 
law, and the following officers for that year were elected : President, Dr. R. H. Wig. 
gins; trustees, Joseph Roberts, R. W. Roberts, "Jink" Jones. The village presi- 
dents to the present time have been as follows: Dr. R. H. Wiggins, 1872-75; Joseph 
I. Francis, 1876; R. W. Roberts, 1877-80; 1881-83, record missing ; 1884-86, Robert 
W. Roberts; 1887, George E. Pugh; 1888-91, Owen R. Griffith; 1892-93, Robert R. 
Griffith; 1894-96, R. R. Jones. 

The village has an excellent graded school, with two teachers. 

At one period there were twelve churches in this town, most of them 
Welsh. The number is now reduced to five. These are the Baptist 
at Remsen, which was formerly a Welsh Congregational and burned in 
1892, and was rebuilt aud changed to a Baptist in February, 1894. 

The Methodist Episcopal church in the village and the Calvinistic 
M. E. church have had a long existence, and the Welsh Calvinistic 
society, a mile and a half east of the village, is. an old one. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

THE TOWN OF ROME. 

Four years after the then large town of Steuben was set off from the 
great town of Whitestown (1792) and on the 4th of March, 1796, the 
town of Rome was erected from Steuben. The town of Floyd was 
formed at the same time, which with Rome took all of the southern part 
of Steuben. Rome occupies nearly the center of Oneida county, and 



512 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

its territory was almost wholly included in the Oriskany and Fonda's 
patents, as seen by the map herein. The Mohawk River flows south- 
easterly through the eastern part of the town ; Wood Creek flows west 
through the northwest part while Fish Creek forms the northwest 
boundary. Canada Creek flows north across the western part of the 
town. The surface of the town is nearly level, and in the western part 
are extensive swampy tracts, to which reference has been made in 
early chapters of this work. The soil is a highly productive gravelly 
loam. 

The inhabitants of the town met in their first town meeting at the 
dwelling house of Ebenezer Claflin, on the first Tuesday in April, 1796, 
and there elected the following officers: 

Supervisor, George Huntington; town clerk, Ebenezer Wright, jr.; assessors, 
Chester Gould, Gershom Waldo, Daniel W. Knight; overseers of the poor, Thomas 
Wright, William Walsworth; commissioners of highways. Bill Smith, Elijah Wells, 
Caleb Reynolds; constables, Samuel Reynolds, David Waldo; fence-viewers, Asa 
Tyler, Matthew Brown, John Williams; collector, Samuel Reynolds; poundmasters, 
Nathan Thompson-, Matthew Brown ; commissioners of schools, Chester Gould, 
Sheldon Logan, Abijah Putnam. 

Besides the election of these officers, the usual regulations for the 
simple government of the new town were voted. 

The settlement at Fort Stanwix long prior to the Revolution by John 
Roof and a few others has been already described in an earlier chapter. 
He made his settlement in 1760, two years after the fort was built, and 
remained until driven away by the siege of the fort in 1777. His first 
son was also named John and was born August 28, 1762, without 
doubt the first child born in what is now Oneida county. When the 
Roof family were forced to abandon the improvements they had made 
they left their possessions in charge of one Conrad, who was afterward 
killed in the fort. The buildings were all finally destroyed, to prevent 
their occupancy by the enemy, and Colonel Gansevoort gave Roof a 
certificate that the property destroyed was worth 800 pounds. The 
family were never reimbursed for their loss. 

The vicinity of Fort Stanwix was probably without inhabitants after 
the siege, until 1784. In May of that year Jedediah Phelps and James 
Dean located within the limits of what is now the town of Vienna. 
They built a log house and a shop, and in the latter Mr. Phelps carried 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 513 

on his trade as silversmith. A flood in the spring of 1785 practically- 
dislodged them and Mr. Dean removed to what is now the town of 
Westmoreland, while Mr. Phelps located at the fort, where he remained 
until after 1800. After continuing, work at his trade two years and 
passing a few years on the Oneida Reservation, he located as early as 
1806 on a large tract of land near the site of Verona village. A few 
other settlers came to Fort Stanwix in 1785-87 ; it is recorded by Judge 
Jones in his Annals that his father told him that in 1787 there were five 
houses there. 

Ebenezer Wright brought his wife and six children to Fort Stanwix 
in 1789, and soon acquired 196 acres of land at what became known as 
Wright Settlement. In 1790 settlers came in quite rapidly. In 1795 a 
grist mill was built on Wood Creek near the old arsenal site, which was 
a great convenience to the pioneers. In 1796 the Clark and the Hin- 
man families settled on the Whitesboro road ; Silas Matteson, grand- 
father of the late O. B. Matteson, settled about the same time on what 
was the county poor farm, and Thomas Selden, jr., grandfather of the 
late N. Hyde Leffingwell, came at that time. 

In 1790 John Lansing, jr., who owned large tracts of land in the 
northern part of Oneida county, leased to the following five persons 1 00 
acres each, all the leases being dated in June: To John Wright, son of 
Thomas Wright, one of the early settlers of Rome, what has been known 
as the Gates place, fifty acres, and fifty on the opposite side of the road 
known as the Waters place; to Moses Wright, brother of John, 100 
acres next north of the latter, lying on both sides of the highway ; to 
Asa Knapp the next 100 acres on the north ; to Elijah Weeks 100 acres 
north of Knapp, mostly on the west side of the present highway and 
extending down to the Mohawk; to Jasper French (before mentioned), 
a surveyor, 100 acres mostly on the east side of the highway. The rent 
for these lots was to be eighteen bushels of wheat, payable in Albany. 

By that year (1790) leases had also been granted in the Wright Set- 
tlement to the following: Seth Ranney, David I. Andrus, Nathaniel 
Gilbert, Rozel (or Roswell) Fellows, Ebenezer Wright, jr., Willett Ran- 
ney, jr., Benjamin Gilbert, John Wright, Moses Wright, Asa Knapp, 
Jasper French, Elijah Weeks, Elijah Root, Chester Gould, and Elisha 
Walsworth. 
65 



514 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Thomas Wright, Willet Ranney, sr., and Bill Smith probably accom- 
panied Ebenezer Wright in 1789, when he came on to make his settle- 
ment. Smith at first located near the fort, but as early as 1800 was 
living on the road to Floyd, and later on the Peter Williams farm. In 
1 8 IO he kept a small store on Dominick street in Rome. David I. An- 
drus and Nathaniel Gilbert came into the town either the same or the 
following year, and in 1 791 lands were leased in the Wright Settlement 
to Dyer McCumber and Abner Pitcher. Other early comers previous 
to 1800 were Colonel D. W. Knight, about 1 790; Jesse Childs, about 
1792; Joseph Otis, 1793; William West, 1793; Edward Simmons, 1793; 
Calvin Hurd, about 1794; John Simons, and Jonathan Brainard, 1794; 
Daniel W. Lamb, John and Daniel Ashby, about 1795 ; Rufus Barnes 
(father of Rev. Albert Barnes), 1795 ; Israel Denio (father of Judge Hi- 
ram Denio and of Israel and C. D. Denio, of Rome), about 1797; Cor- 
nelius Van Wormer, Zaccheus Abell, Abiather Seekill, Peter Lampman, 
"Pigeon" Palmer, Luke Usher, and Benjamin Taylor, about 1800. 
Some brief details of the settlement of these pioneers are at hand. Jesse 
Childs lived at the fort a short time and then located on a farm north 
of Ridge Mills, east of the Mohawk, in the Selden neighborhood. About 
the same time that he located there the families of Solomon, John, and 
David Williams came in from Connecticut, and with Daniel Ashby and 
William Brewster, from Groton, Mass., settled north of the Ridge. Da- 
vid I. Andrus lived at the Wright Settlement before 1800, and held 
a lease for 138 acres of land near the Ridge from George Clinton, 
made in 1790. He operated a distillery before 1800 at the Ridge and 
about 1804 moved to Jefferson county. The three Williams brothers 
settled on land on the Mohawk a short distance above the Ridge Mills. 
David had served in the army at the fort and was familiar with the 
locality. His youngest son was Jesse Williams, who has been elsewhere 
mentioned as the orignator of the cheese factory system in this country. 
Solomon Williams was great-grandfather of B. W. Williams, a former 
postmaster of Rome. Joseph Otis came from Fort Ann, N. Y., in 1793 
and settled in the Selden neighborhood ; with him were Lot and Simeon 
Fuller, who located in what is now Steuben. Mr. Otis was among those 
who responded to the extra inducements offered by the owners of the 
Fonda patent to bring in settlers, and came with his young wife and 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 515 

entirely without means. A road had been surveyed and opened two 
years earlier from the Ridge via what became known as Penny street 
northerly towards the covered bridge. In July of that year (1793) a 
road was surveyed by Moses Wrigbt, as an extension of the one just de- 
scribed, which extended to the covered bridge over the Mohawk, going 
around the hill and nearer the river than the present road. On the op- 
posite side of the river from the bridge stood a mill at that time owned 
by Roswell Fellows. Asa Knapp lived on what has been known as the 
Philander and Philemon Selden place. Mr. Otis assisted Benjamin 
Wright in the survey of thousands of acres of land. Rufus Barnes was 
a shoemaker by trade and a tanner. In January, 1796, he purchased an 
interest in a lease from Henry Wilson on Penny street and built a log 
house, and about 1801 built a shoe shop and a tannery on the place. 
Near the Barnes place lived Israel Denio, who was a blacksmith ; his 
father-in-law, John Robbins, settled as early as 1791, and came from 
Bennington, Vt. His coming to this locality was doubtless an induce- 
ment to Mr. Denio to follow him. The latter located at first in what is 
now the town of Floyd, near the Rome line, and about 1797 removed 
to the Wright Settlement, where he built a blacksmith shop; he followed 
his trade at several different points in the vicinity. His son, Hiram, 
who was to become eminent at the bar, was born in May, 1799. (See 
Chapter XXII.) 

Others who settled early in the Wright neighborhood were Gideon 
Butts and Grant Wheat about 1802, on what was called Canterbury 
Hill; John Butts in 1803 ; Daniel Kirkland, son of Joshua, about 1807, 
and the latter came in about 181 1; Hazel Lathrop about 1807; and 
Daniel Butts, Samuel and Asa Smith, Zacheus Abell, Samuel Williams, 
and Asa Colburn (the latter with his family) all came in early and con- 
tributed by their toil to change the wilderness into a beautiful and pro- 
ductive country. 

Thomas Selden, jr., from Stamford, Conn., came about 1796, and set- 
tled on half of a 100-acre tract which John Lansing, jr., had leased to 
Jasper French. Mr. Selden was grandfather of the late N. Hyde Lef- 
fingwell, of Rome, and after he had purchased Mr. French's improve- 
ments he returned to Vermont for his family, bringing them and his 
aged parents back into the wilderness in the winter of 1795-6. Thomas 



516 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Selden, sr., the aged father, walked the whole distance, though the 
roads were very -bad, driving cows and oxen; the women and children 
rode in a sleigh. Thomas, jr., built a frame house about 1800 and with 
Roswell Edgerton and John Ely, engaged largely in building and con- 
tracting. It is believed they built the early grist mill of Col. Samuel 
Wardwell at the Ridge, the " red mill " for Mr. Lynch and the factories 
at Factory Village, a suburb of Rome. Roswell Edgerton came from 
the same neighborhood as the Seldens and settled on the road leading 
to Delta. 

Dr. Elijah Clarke was a pioneer physician in the Wright Settlement 
neighborhood, coming as early as 1794; until about 1812 he practiced 
over a large territory. On what is known as Canterbury Hill in that 
neighborhood, other early settlers were Joshua Kirkland, who was liv- 
ing there in 181 1 ; John Butts settled about 1803 ; Col. D. W. Knight 
about 1790; Gideon Butts about 1802 ; Daniel Kirkland, son of Joshua, 
about 1807 ; Zaccheus Abell, Samuel Williams, Asa Colburn, Daniel 
Butts, Samuel and Asa Smith, and Abiather Seekill. Of these Gideon 
Butts was the pioneer on the hill and Grant Wheat was next. The lat- 
ter walked from Connecticut in 1801, carrying his gun and fifty pounds 
in a pack. Several of these settlers took part in the war of 18 12, mostly 
at Sackett's Harbor. 

Joseph Otis came on from Fort Ann, N. Y., in March, 1793, and set- 
tled in the Selden neighborhood ; it will be noted that this locality was 
then in what is now Steuben. With him came Lot and Simeon Fuller. 
The then owners of Fonda's patent were at that time surveying it into 
lots, placing them in market, and offering extra inducements to settlers 
with limited means. Mr. Otis was among those who responded, and 
came on almost entirely without means, a young man, with his second 
wife, a lady but nineteen years of age, and a year old daughter by his 
first wife. About two years before a road had been surveyed, worked, 
and traveled from the Ridge, via what is now "Penny street," northerly 
towards the covered bridge, ending near the present residence of Amos 
M. Potter. In July of the same year (1793) a road was surveyed by 
Moses Wright, intended as a continuation of the above highway, to the 
present covered bridge over the Mohawk, running around the hill and 
nearer to the river than it does at present. The road was changed 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 517 

within a few years. Mr. Otis moved into the dwelling of Willett Ran- 
ney until his own log house could be built. Mr. Otis aided Benjamin 
Wright in making surveys of thousands of acres of land in this part of 
the State and in fixing the boundaries of Oneida, Oswego, Jefferson and 
Lewis counties. Between Mr. Otis and the Fellows mill also settled 
early William Brewster, Daniel Ashby and Dea, Daniel W. Lamb. 

About 1793 David, John and Solomon Williams settled on the Mo- 
hawk a short distance above Ridge Mills. David Williams had served 
in the' Fort Stanwix garrison and like many other soldiers, was doubt- 
less attracted hither by what he had seen of the country at that time. 
John Williams died in 1848, aged ninety; David in 1837, a ged eighty- 
six, and Solomon in 1852, aged ninety-eight. The latter was grand- 
father of the late B. W. Williams, and Jesse Williams, the founder of 
the cheese factory system, was the youngest son of David. 

Roswell Fellows, before named, probably made his settlement as early 
as 1790, at which time there was no road farther north than his loca- 
tion, except the Indian trail. A few years later and before the year 
1800, Mr. Fellows, Hope Smith (a settler in that vicinity) and Luther 
Miller built a grist mill on the Mohawk a mile or more east of Mr. Fel- 
lows's place and opposite what was long known as Barnard's Mills. The 
latter mills were built by Mr. Fellows prior to 1793, on the west side of 
the Mohawk, and near the site of the covered bridge. Later on John 
Barnard, the enterprising Roman, bought the mill, and hence the name. 
A saw mill was also located there and quite a thriving business center 
gathered around in the early years. The pioneers of Wright Settlement 
and its vicinity carried their grain to Whitesboro before the building of 
these mills. 

As early as 1800 Dr. Thomas Hartwell lived on a farm of 100 acres 
on the road to Whitesboro about three miles east of the city. He was 
father of Dr. J. P. Hartwell who practiced, and kept a tavern on the 
road to Delta on the corner of two roads, one of which ran easterly to the 
Mohawk River at the site of the covered bridge. This corner is about 
a mile southerly of Elmer Hill. About 1800 Nathan Peggs settled on 
that corner and kept a tavern. He was father of Deacon Richard Peggs 
of Rome. Timothy Wood was next in this tavern and was followed by 
Josiah Tallmadge. 



518 OUR COUNTY AUD ITS PEOPLE. 

Opposite this corner and before 1800 Roswell Fellows, great-grand- 
father of the late B. W. Williams, of Rome, kept a tavern ; this was the 
second tavern north of Fort Stanwix. 

In the western and southwestern parts of the town early settlers were 
Richard Brown (1801), J. B. Green, Jonathan Williams, Daniel W. Haz- 
ard, Daniel Williams, Amos Scofil, John C. Brewster, Lyman Thayer, 
Richard Brown, jr., Joseph King, Eleazer Dunham, Ephraim Covel, 
and others. 

In tracing the history of Rome village it is necessary to describe 
what is known as the Expense Lot. This was a tract originally em- 
bracing 397 acres and bounded as follows : 

Commencing on the south side of the Mohawk, and not far from Mr. Parry's brick- 
yard ; thence running southwesterly towards the poorhouse, about 240 rods ; then 
northwesterly about a mile, towards Canal Village ; then northeast about 150 rods, 
towards St. Joseph's church, passing south of that building, and crossing the track 
of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad at Henry street, and up that 
street to near the track of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad, where 
Expense street extended would cross it; thence north up that street to a point about 
half-way between Court and Embargo streets ; thence easterly, crossing the blocks 
diagonally, and passing near the house of Mr. Charles Keith, on the corner of Court 
and Washington streets, and so on diagonally across West park to James street ; and 
thence nearly down Park alley, and crossing the Black River Canal.near the bathing- 
house of H. W. Barnes, and soon to the Mohawk; then following that stream down 
to the starting point. 

On the 29th of November, 1875, the agents for the Expense Lot pub- 
lished a notice that on the 9th of January, 1786, they would meet "for 
the purpose of attending to the balloting for, and drawing by lot" the 
several parcels surveyed. At that meeting there were present the com • 
missioners and agents, with Judge Visscher and Jelles Fonda. In the 
drawing made at that time the De Lancey one- fifth was set off to the 
State, one of the parcels thus disposed of being a tract of 960 acres in 
the northwest corner of the patent embracing with other lands the Rome 
cemetery and most of the farm formerly owned by Asa C. Huntington 
and later by Dr. H. H. Pope ; also another parcel of 460 acres east of 
Factory Village. The portion of the city site east of Washington street 
and next north of the Expense Lot. was set off to William Livingston 
and Alida Hoffman, 460 acres, and included the old burying ground, 
the sites of the Presbyterian church, the courthouse, St. Peter's church, 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 519 

the East Park, and Factory Village. The portion west of Washington 
street and north and west of the Expense Lot, including West Rome, 
was set off to those claiming under George Clarke ; and the portion of 
the Rome swamp, south of the Expense Lot, and between that line and 
the county house, was set off to those claiming under Thomas Wenham. 
On March 17, 1786, the Expense Lot was put at auction and bid off by 
Domtnick Lynch, a New York merchant, for 2,250 pounds. This was 
his first purchase in this vicinity— the nucleus of the Lynch estate in 

Rome 

The price paid by Mr. Lynch for the Expense Lot was then consid- 
ered large, but he evidently saw the prospective importance of the 
place. In July, 1786, he added to his purchase the 460 acres set off to 
Livingston and Hoffman, and in the next year he bought of the Com- 
missioners of Forfeiture the 460 acres east of Factory Village which had 
been set off to the State. Other parcels bought by him previous to 
1800 increased his holdings to about 2,000 acres. Mr. Lynch laid out 
the village site as early, probably, as 1796. giving it the name Lynch- 
ville (see map of 1810). The name Rome was not applied to the place 
until some years later and under precisely what circumstances is not 
now known. Mr. Lynch adopted the very objectionable plan of giving 
perpetual leases for his lots, instead of deeds of sale, and in case the 
annual rents were not paid the land was to revert to the owner. On 
July 30, 1796, twenty-eight lots were leased to the following persons: 
Matthew Brown, jr., Michael McGrath, Sheldon Logan (what is now 
the Empire Block), Joshua Hathaway (" Elm Row"), and John Barnard, 
the latter leasing twenty-two lots on Dominick street. Three years 
later, in 1769, the site of the Merrill Block and other premises were 
leased to George Huntington perpetually, at an annual rent of twelve 
bushels of wheat, payable May 1 of each year. It is possible there were 
also other leases in Lynchville where the rent was to be paid in grain. 
It will be remembered that settlement on the site of the village had 
already begun. When Ebenezer Wright came in 1789 there were two 
log houses on the road to NewVille, in one of which lived William Col- 
braith, the first sheriff; a log house near the old arsenal site in which 
Jedediah Phelps lived, and two other log houses ; the only frame house 
stood near the site of the G. N. Bissell residence, and a log house near 



520 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the site of the old St. Peter's church. The Ranney family, Bill Smith 
(before mentioned), and a Dutchman named Dumont, lived near the 
fort. A man named Armstrong lived at the junction of Wood and 
Canada Creeks. These were all the houses then constituting Rome. 
In 1793 John Barnard kept a tavern near the site of the old Baptist 
church, and in the spring of that year George Huntington came to the 
place, bringing a small stock of merchandise which he began selling in 
Barnard's tavern. Mr. Barnard was an enterprising man and secured 
the good will of Mr. Lynch. He engaged quite largely in early build- 
ing operations, but finally became involved, made an assignment and in 
1799 conveyed to Caleb Putnam seventy-two acres of land, most of 
which was composed of the so called " pepper-corn lots." These lots 
lay in the southern and swampy part of Mr. Lynch's purchase, and one 
of them was usually given as a bonus to persons who leased more valu- 
able lots. The rent named for each one was " a pepper- corn payable 
on the first day of May in each year, if lawfully demanded, for the term 
of ten thousand years, and after that twenty cents annually for each lot." 
The land conveyed to Putnam by Barnard is now very valuable, extend- 
ing south from the Erie Canal and including the site of the railroad 
station. On his land Mr. Putnam built the first tannery in this region, 
which did considerable business. Mr. Putnam was killed by an accident 
in 1819 

Soon after his purchase Mr. Lynch began making various improve- 
ments to enhance its value and render it attractive to settlers. In 1804 
he built a dam across the Mohawk above the the dam of the Inland 
Canal, and opened a raceway to the river on such a course that it dis- 
charged its waters into the river at the other side of " the bow " where 
the old red mill was erected in the same year. About 18 10- 12 Mr. 
Lynch built a woolen factory where the soap factory of Brodock & Co. 
stood ; it was burned in 18 17. Previous to 1820 he built a cotton fac- 
tory farther down the race-way, which was burned in 1849. A saw 
mill built in the same vicinity in 1863 and a wrench factory in 1865, 
were both subsequently burned. 

The building occupied by Mr. Lynch as a residence when he was here, 
and by his son James previous to 1810, stood where H. K. White re- 
cently lived. It was a large square frame structure and occupied the 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 521 

space which had been covered by the southeast corner of Fort Stanwix. 
The Lynch dwelling was burned about 1825. Quite early in the cen- 
tury Mr. Lynch built as many as thirty -five tenement houses in the 
village, stores multiplied, taverns were opened and various kinds of shops 
accommodated the inhabitants. Previous to 1800 a public house called 
the Rome Coffee House was built and was kept in that year by Solomon 
Rich; he was succeeded about 1804 by Parker Halleck, who was a 
tailor and worked in his bar room. The Masons had a lodge in the 
upper rooms. In 1839 the lower part of the Coffee House was con- 
verted into stores. What became the site of another hotel of early date 
was first occupied by a two story frame house, the site of the later 
Northern Hotel ; Judge Beardsley lived there about 1820 ; it was burned 
about 1838 and J. M. Orton, a cabinet maker, built on the site a part of 
the structure which was purchased about 1850 by Jacob Stevens and 
converted into a hotel ; after being called by him the Fremont House 
and later the Tremont House, it finally took the name of the Northern 
Hotel. 

Among the prominent early settlers and business men of Rome vill- 
age may be mentioned the following: George and Henry Huntington, 
Alva Mudge, R. S. Doty, P. B. Langford, Frank De Ryther, David 
Utley, C. Grosvenor, Glen Petrie, J. & E. B. Armstrong, Dr. H. H. 
Pope, J. D. Ely, J. B. Bradt, G. N. Bissell, N. H. Leffingwell, B. B. 
Hyde, the Wardwell Brothers, Daniel Cady, Jeptha Matteson, Rufus 
Keeney all of whom were men of character and determination, whose 
capacity for business, united with their public spirit aided in the up- 
building of the place and the development of its resources. 

Water was supplied to the early inhabitants from town wells, one of 
which was situated in the intersection of James and Dominick streets, 
and another at Washington and Dominick ; still another at the corner 
of James and Embargo streets. 

On the site of the later American block, corner of Dominick and 
James streets, was early a three story frame hotel built previous to 1800 ; 
it was transformed into stores about 1843, after having been conducted 
by many different landlords. In 1799 Cicero Gould kept a tavern in a 
building next to the site of the Presbyterian parsonage. 

About the year 1800 John Barnard built a two story hotel on the 



522 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

site of the present Stanwix Hall ; while on the south part of that site 
Nathaniel Mudge, sr., had a grocery as early as 1812. Among those 
who kept the tavern in early years were Benjamin Hyde, sr., Enos Gil- 
bert, Elisha Walsworth, Thomas Ford, John A. Ford, who gave it the 
name, Stanwix Hall, and in 1843 erected a brick building on the Mudge 
premises. Since that time a hotel has always been kept there and has 
passed through various hands. 

On the site of the Merrill block, corner of James and Dominick streets, 
a store was kept as early as 1804 by a Mr. Devereux. Norman Judd 
carried on a pottery as early as 181 3, some distance from the west side 
of James street. George and Henry Huntington operated an ashery in 
early years, and Elijah Worthington built a hat factory about 1822. 

Previous to 1820 there was not a building of any kind south of the 
canal between the New York Central Railroad and the poorho'use, the 
whole space being covered with a swamp. Through it a road had been 
constructed on a causeway. In 18 17 the Legislature granted a charter 
to Jeremiah B. Brainard and Isaac G. Green and their associates to con- 
struct a toll turnpike across the swamp on that route. The road was 
built and began taking tolls October 20, 18 19. In 18 19 Mr. Brainard 
built the tavern long known as the Mansion House, and as other build- 
ings sprang up in that vicinity on account of the opening of the canal, 
the locality became known as Canal Village. The Mansion House was 
the first building erected on the south side of the canal, and the second 
one was built the same year and extended across the canal ; it was 
used as a warehouse (the first one in Rome), and later as a brewery by 
John O'Neil ; it was subsequently burned. The so-called " Canal Cof- 
fee House" was built in 1824 by Daniel Whedon, and in 1826 John 
O'Neil erected a grocery building west of the Mansion House. In the 
same year Hiram Whedon built the first dwelling in that locality. Dur- 
ing the first ten years of the existence of Canal Village its growth was 
slow, but the change in the route of the canal in 1844 called away from 
the locality its Yankee element, and it then immediately and rapidly 
began to fill up with foreign population. The opening of the canal and 
later of the first railroad through the village gave it a marked impetus, 
as seen by the census figures further on. 

The village of Rome was incorporated in 1 8 19, and the first election 



THE TOWN OP ROME. 523 

held on the first Tuesday in June of that year. The following officers 

were elected : 

Trustees, George Huntington, Charles Wylie, Joshua Hathaway, Pliny Darrow, 
Belah C. Hyde; assessors, William Wright, Samuel Beardsley, Arden Seymour; 
clerk, Benjamin P. Johnson; treasurer, Arba Blair; collector, Archibald T. Funk. 

The usual village ordinances were adopted, and the machinery of the 
civil government ran along without serious interruption through the 
later years. 

In 1853 the village was divided into three wards, that portion east of 
James street being the First ward ; and west of James street and south 
of Liberty the Second ward ; and west of James and north of Liberty 
street the Third ward. The village was governed by five trustees until 
1832, after which three trustees were elected for each of the three wards, 
over whom was chosen a president. The presidents from that time until 
the organization of the city were as follows : 

1853, Alanson Bennett ; 1854, B. J. Beach ; 1855, Marquis L. Kenyon ; 1856-63, 
George Barnard ; 1864, David Utley ; 1875, E. B. Armstrong ; 1866, George Barnard, 
jr. ; 1867 and 1868, James Stevens; 1869, Edward L. Stevens. 

Rome was incorporated as a city under an act passed February 23, 
1870. The following is a list of the mayors elected from that time un- 
til the present : 

1870, Calvert Comstock ; 1871 to 1874. George Merrill ; 1875 and 1876, Samuel B. 
Stevens; 1877 and 1878, Edward L. Stevens; 1879 and 1880, George Barnard; 1881 
and 1882, Edward L. Comstock; 1883 and 1884, Frederick E. Mitchell; 1885 and 
1886, Edward -Comstock; 1887 to 1890, James Stevens; 1891 and 1892, E. Stuart 
Williams; 1893 and 1894, Samuel Jillett; 1895 and 1896, W. J. P. Kingsley. 

Following are the principal officers of the city for the year 1896: 

W. J. P. Kingsley, mayor ; Charles Carmichael, recorder. Aldermen : First Ward, 
Edward H. Walworth, Adelbert F. Sayles, James H. McLean; Second Ward, George 
M. McLaughlin, Joseph Reh, Frederick Lewis; Third Ward, Alois Mertz, James H. 
Grogan, William J. Cramond; Fourth Ward, George Erhardt, Henry S. Wetherbee, 
Charles T. Hayden ; Fifth Ward, Lyman A. Martin, Oswald P. Backus, Abram W. 
Honsinger. 

The earliest religious society in Rome was organized in Wright Set- 
tlement at a meeting held September 28, 1800, though a preliminary 
meeting was held a few days earlier at which four persons signed a con- 
fession of faith ; they were Joshua Hathaway, Ebenezer Wright and 
Grace, his wife, and Daniel W. Knight. At the second meeting nine 



524 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

other persons were added to the roll. The little society prospered and 
was incorporated in January, 1802, the first election of trustees taking 
place on January 1 1, resulting as follows : Daniel W. Knight and John 
White, one year ; Benjamin Wright and Oliver Smith, two years ; Clark 
Putnam, three years. The title chosen was " The First Religious Soci- 
ety of Rome." There was no regular pastor over the society for the 
first six years of its existence, but services were held frequently, as 
shown by different subscription lists for the payment of ministers. In 
October, 1807, Rev. Moses Gillett was installed pastor of the church, 
after which year the pulpit was regularly occupied. Down to that time 
services had been mostly held in the school house on the park. In De- 
cember, 1806, a subscription was started to raise money with which to 
build a church edifice. A sufficient fund having thus been assured a 
lot was purchased for $180 on Court street, and there the church was 
erected. In January, 183 1, a second church was organized, which was 
united with the first one in June, 1847. The building of the second 
society stood on Washington street and was sold to the Welsh Metho- 
dists. Rev. Dr. James H. Taylor, the present pastor of this society, 
succeeded Rev. Peter Stryker, D. D. 

The Baptist church was organized at Wright Settlement in December, 
18 10, with seventeen members, and Elder Dyer Starks was the first 
pastor. The corner stone of the present church edifice was laid Sep- 
tember 13, 1826, and the present handsome stone edifice was erected 
in 1872-3. In 1870 Rev. H. H. Peabody assumed the pastorate of the 
church and has occupied the pulpit ever since. 

Zion Episcopal church was organized August 15, 1825, and Rev. 
Algernon S. Hollister took charge of the little flock. The lower story 
of Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and Liberty streets, was leased 
for eight years and there services were held. This lodge room was 
purchased by the church in 1833 and enlarged and fitted up for church 
purposes. It was occupied until 185 1. In 1850 the lot on the corner 
of Liberty and Washington streets was purchased and there on Sep- 
tember 5, 1850, the corner stone of the present church edifice was laid; 
the building was consecrated in September, 1851. The buildirg was 
enlarged in 1867. In 1885 a handsome stone memorial hall was erected 
to the memory of Rev. Mr. Clarke. The latter was succeeded Febru- 
ary 1, 1 88 1, by John H. Egar, the present pastor. 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 525 

St. Peter's Catholic Church was organized and the building of the old 
edifice begun in 1838; the structure was completed in 1840, under the 
labors of Rev. Father William Beecham He remained with the church 
more than forty years and until his death in March, 1876. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Father A. Murphy, and still continues. In 1893 was 
commenced the erection of the magnificent stone edifice on James 
street, which is to cost $150,000. 

St. Mary's Catholic church. — German Catholic priests came to Rome 
in 1845 and after two years' labor took steps toward the erection of a 
church. In 1848 a wooden building was erected on the corner of 
James and De Peyster streets. The first resident pastor was Rev. 
Florian Schwenninger. On May 18, 1871, the corner stone of a brick 
church was laid on the lot on the north side of Liberty street ; this 
building cost over $20,000. 

First M. E. church — The first Methodist class formed in Rome was in 
1799 on the Turin road three miles north of the village. The first 
preacher here was Rev. Jonathan Newman, who came about 1791. In 
1803 the class moved over to the Ridge and joined with the Methodists 
there in worship. In Rome village a class was formed prior to 1820, 
and worshiped in a school room in the American block. In 1824 a 
church building was begun near the court house, which was finally and 
after great effort completed in 1829. It was enlarged in 1850 and there 
the society worshiped forty years The present brick edifice was com- 
pleted in September, 1869, at a cost of about $45,000. The first trus- 
tees of this society were Oliver Greenwood, Preston H. Grover, Joshua 
Hathaway, Stephen White, George Walsworth, Jeremiah Steves, and 
William Penfield. The present pastor is Rev. David S. Pierce. 

The Liberty Street Methodist church was organized in 1863, as the 
Court Street church, with Rev. P. H. Wilds, pastor. In 1879 the 
church property on Court street was exchanged with the Welch Con- 
gregationalists for their Liberty street property. 

A Free Methodist church was organized in about 1870, and occupied 
a building on Embargo street. 

The Welch Calvinistic Methodist church was organized in 1847 an ^ 
formerly occupied a frame building which had been used by the Second 
Congregational Society. A few years since a brick edifice was erected 
on North Washington street. 



526 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

St. Joseph's Protestant Episcopal (German) church was organized by 
the German families living in Canal Village in 1840, under the name of 
St. Mary's church and purchased a lot on the corner of James and De 
Peyster streets. Owing to internal differences over a site for a new 
church another society was organized in 1871 called St Joseph's. A 
site on Ridge street was purchased in April of that year- and the pres- 
ent brick edifice built under the administration of the present pastor, 
Rev. Bernhardt Werner. In December, 1876, the congregation trans- 
ferred their allegiance from the Roman Catholic to the Protestant form. 

Trinity German Lutheran church was organized in 1848, and the 
church edifice erected in 1853. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Wetzel. 
In the spring of 1893 the church was rebuilt at a cost of about $3,400. 

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1869, and 
soon erected their frame church building on North Madison street. 
Rev. Charles A. Wiegel has been pastor for twenty years past. 

The Welsh Congregational church has been alluded to in mentioning 
the Court Street M. E. church. The organization was effected and 
the exchange made for the Court street property in 1879. Rev. M. M. 
Hughes is pastor and services are held in Welsh and English. 

The First Universalist church was organized about 1837 and long 
held meetings in the court house. In 185 1 the Masonic hall, which had 
been fitted for church purposes by the Episcopalians, was purchased. 
Regular preaching has not always been maintained. 

The first public school house in Rome was built on the southeast 
corner of the park, and in it were held some of the early courts, as re- 
lated in Volume I. That building was used for school purposes until 
about 18 19, when it was removed and a frame school house erected on 
the site of Zion church. This was burned some years later and the 
Liberty street school succeeded it. The first schools outside of the vil- 
lage of Rome were in the Wright neighborhood, where a log school 
house was built prior to 1800. About 1816 another school house was 
built on Penny street. Shadrach Hathaway was the first teacher, as 
far as known, in the old school house in the park, within the walls of 
which a number of scholars attended who afterwards became eminent 
men. 

There is no available data from which to compile a detailed history of 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 527 

the schools of Rome from about 1820 down to the incorporation of the 
Rome Academy. This institution was founded in 1835 and was re- 
incorporated by the Regents of the University March 15, 1849. The 
three- story brick structure was built in 1849, an< ^ is still in use. In 
1850 the Liberty street school building was erected. This building was 
extensively improved and enlarged in 1891. In 1853 an appropriation 
of $300 was made for the improvement of the school building in Canal 
Village, which had been meanwhile erected. The present building, 
corner of Ridge and James streets, was built in 1868. 

The free school system was not adopted in Rome until 1869, although 
efforts were made on several occasions in earlier years, beginning with 
1861. The change was finally effected under the following resolution, 
which was adopted at a meeting held July 3, 1869: 

Resolved, That a Union Free School be established within the bounds of school 
district No. 5 in the'town of Rome, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 555 of the 
laws of 1864, and the amendments thereto. 

The old academy was adopted as the academical department of this 
district, and the property was transferred to the Board of Education. 
The academy opened in 1869 with ninety- seven pupils. 

In 1870 the Liberty street school was thoroughly repaired, and in 
September the second and first floors were occupied, the third floor 
having been abandoned as dangerous. In 1891 the building was again 
improved and the top floor fitted up and occupied by the 7th and 8th 
grade scholars ; a fire proof tower was erected by which to reach this 
floor. 

In January, 1871, the Thomas street building was first occupied; it 
was erected in the previous year. In 1872 the academy was thoroughly 
repaired and the seating capacity increased to 200. In the fall of that 
year a reorganization was effected and the advanced pupils of the Lib- 
erty street school were transferred to the academy. 

In 1874 a site was purchased on the east side of South James street, 
on which was a building which was remodeled in the interior and fitted 
up for school purposes. It was opened with a school in the fall of 1874. 
In January, 1875, the new school building on Third street in East Rome 
was opened and the old one on Dominick street was transferred to the 
Common Council for fire purposes. In 1876 the building in West 



528 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Rome was repaired and improved, and the capacity imcreased to eighty 
pupils In 1890 a lot and dwelling were purchased on South James 
street in which a school was opened. 

The present superintendent of schools is W. D. Manro, who assumed 
the office August I, 1893. The Board of Education is Dr. T. M. Flan- 
drau, Edward Comstock, William R. Huntington, Albert H Golley, 
Jerome Graves, William H. Van Wagenen. 

A fire engine was purchased for the village probably in the early 
years of the century, but the exact date is lost in the past. A second 
one was bought in 1825, and on the 6th of June of that year the trus- 
tees of the village appointed twenty citizens members of a fire company. 
Fire company No 2 was formed in May, 1827, comprising fourteen 
members, to which were added twelve more in August. The Rome 
fire department was incorporated by the Legislature April 12, 1855. 
In 1866 the first steam fire engine was purchased which cost, with a 
large supply of hose, etc., about $8,000. Iu 1867 a second steamer 
was purchased. The first of these was sold to the Rome locomotive 
works and in May, 1884, a new steamer was purchased at a cost of 
$3,400. In April, 1896, the other old engine was traded for a new 
Clapp & Jones steamer. The fire and police commissioners for 1896 
are Thomas G. Nock, Willey L. Kingsley, Howard C. Wiggins, T. J. 
Mowry. Leonard Briggs is acting chief of the fire department, and 
Michael Hagerty is chief of police. 

The Rome water works were established in 1872 and are owned by 
the city, bonds having been issued to the amount of about $172,000 for 
the purpose. The plant comprises two horizontal, double action pumps, 
with a capacity of eighty-four gallons per revolution. The usual press- 
ure is about fifty pounds to the square inch, but this can be greatly in- 
creased. The water is elevated sixty- five feet into a reservoir twenty- one 
feet deep and 297 feet in diameter, with capacity of 9,000,000 gallons. 
There are now about 2,000 consumers, and the pressure is such that there 
is very little need for fire engines. The water works are in charge of the 
Water and Sewerage Commission, comprising in 1896, W.J. P. Kings- 
ley, ex-officio, chairman, John S. Baker, H. S. Bedell, A. R. Kessinger, 
and J. S. Haselton. H. S. Wetherbee is superintendent. 

A sewer system has been inaugurated during the past year, under 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 529 

a law passed in 1893 authorizing the issue of bonds to the amount of 
$240,000. 

The post-office in Rome was established about 1798, with Matthew 
Brown, jr., postmaster. He was succeeded by Joshua Hathaway in 
1810, who held the office until his death in 1836. His son, Jay Hatha- 
way, then took the office until 1849, when R- G. Savery was appointed. 
He was succeeded in 1852 by A. J. Rowley, who was followed in 1857 
by Daniel E. Wager. E H. Shelley succeeded him in 1861, who was 
displaced in 1866 by S P. Lewis. Mr. Shelley was reappointed in 
1867, and was succeeded in 1870 by B. Whitman Williams. The next 
postmaster was S. M. Palmer, who was succeeded by James D. Corcoran, 
and he by William E. Scripture. The present official is Charles H. 
Dunning, who succeeded Mr. Scripture, December 1, 1893. 

Rome has in the past possessed excellent and liberal banking facilities. 
The oldest bank now in existence is the First National, which was in- 
corporated as the Rome Exchange Bank in 185 1, and began business in 
August of that year with R. B. Doxtater, president, and F. H. Thomas, 
cashier. It was organized as a national bank in 1865, with a capital of 
$100,000. J. G. Bissell has been president since 1889; William R. 
Huntington, vice-president. 

The Central National Bank was organized in 1854 as the Oneida Cen- 
tral Bank, and changed to a national bank in 1865, with a capital of 
$100,000. It failed in December, 1894, and is now in the hands of Jim 
Stevens, receiver. 

The old Bank of Rome flourished many years prior to 1863, when its 
charter expired and its affairs were closed up. The present Bank of 
Rome was organized under the State law in 1875, with a capital of 
$100,000. W. J. P. Kingsley was elected president and still holds the 
office. R. M. Bingham, the first vice-president, was succeeded by Ed- 
ward Comstock. Samuel Wardwell is cashier. 

The Fort Stanwix National Bank was organized as a State bank in 
1847, aQ d began business with David Utley, president; W. W. Nellis, 
cashier; H. G. Utley, teller. It was changed to a national bank in 1865, 
and after a long and honorable career, was wrecked early in 1896, 
through bad management of its cashier, George Barnard. Its affairs 
are being closed up while this work is in press. 



530 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Rome Savings Bank was organized in 185 1, and has enjoyed 
public confidence and support ever since. Henry Braton was the first 
president ; Andrew C. Betts, vice-president ; B. J. Beach, secretary ; 
Henry D. Spencer, the present president, was elected in 1891 ; Wheeler 
Armstrong, first vice-president ; A. P. Fuller, second vice-president ; 
C. F. Barnard, secretary and treasurer. 

The Oneida County Savings Bank was organized on May 1, 1869, 
with Samuel B, Stevens, president ; Alfred Ethridge, vice-president ; 
G. Harrison Lynch, secretary and treasurer. The present chief officers 
are Owen E. Owens, president ; T. D. Roberts, first vice-president ; 
F. L. Roth, second vice-president ; John R. Edwards, secretary and 
treasurer. 

The first newspaper in Rome was the Columbian Patriotic Gazette, 
which was established in 1799, the first number bearing date August 
17 ; its founders were Thomas Walker and Ebenezer Eaton. The latter 
left the paper early in 1800 and Mr. Walker continued the publication 
until 1804, when he removed it to Utica. (See history of Utica ) 

The second paper in Rome was the Oneida Observer, which was 
founded by E. Dorchester in 1818. He removed hither from Utica, 
where he was publishing the Utica Observer. In 18 19 he returned 
with his paper to Utica, and continued its publication there. 

The Rome Sentinel, one of the best of the interior journals of this 
State, dates its ancestry back to the Rome Republican, which was first 
published in February, 1825, by Lorin Dewey. In June, 1828, a paper 
called The Republican was started by J. P. Van Tice, who later changed 
its name to the Oneida Republican. In 1830 these two papers were 
consolidated, and in 1831 E. Moon became the proprietor and changed 
the name to the Rome Telegraph. After several changes in ownership 
it passed to R. Walby in 1838 who changed its name to the Democratic 
Sentinel, and Calvert Comstock was made editor. In 1840 L. D. Dana 
became editor, and in 1843 H. F. Utley and S. W. Morton became 
owners and changed the name to the Rome Sentinel. In September, 
1846, Mr. Morton sold his share to A. J. Rowley, and in 1847 Mr. 
Utley sold his interest to A. J. Rowley & Co.; the company was Cal- 
vert Comstock, and the editor was Elon Comstock. In 1850 Mr. Rowley 
became sole proprietor. On July 15, 1852, the Daily Sentinel was 



THE TOWN OF ROME. 531 

started by Calvert and Elon Comstock. In October, 1854, C. & E. 
Comstock sold half of the establishment to D. E. Wager and D. C. Row- 
ley. In July, 1 86 1, Wood & Larwill became owners of the establish- 
ment, and continued until December, 1863, when it passed to Warren 
& Beers. In June, 1864, the concern became the property of Franklin 
D. Beers and Augustus C. Kessinger, who have successfully conducted 
it for more than thirty years. The papers are Democratic in politics 
and leaders of the party in this section. 

In July, 1835, a newspaper was established at Vernon, Oneida county, 
called the Vernon Courier. In 1840 it was removed to Rome, and its 
name changed to the Roman Citizen, C. B. Gay editor, and H. N. Bill 
proprietor. J. K. Kenyon, J. P. Fitch, Alfred Sandford, George Scott, 
G. H. Lynch, A. D. Griswold, and A. C. Sandford were successively in- 
terested in its publication. In October, 1854, A. Sandford became sole 
proprietor. In 1855 the office was burned, but Mr. Sandford soon after 
resumed publication. In 1866 E. E. Carr purchased an interest in the 
paper, and the firm of Sandford & Carr continued until February, 1884, 
when the veteran Mr. Sandford sold his interest to Ernest E. Byam, who 
continued as Carr & Byam. In June, 1887, Mr. Carr sold out to Clark 
Briggs. The firm of Byam & Briggs continued to January 1, 1896, 
when Mr. Briggs purchased his partner's interest and has since continued 
sole proprietor. The Citizen is Republican in politics and exerts a 
powerful influence in its district. 

The Rome Republican was founded by J. J. Guernsey in 188 1, as a 
weekly Republican newspaper. It was successful under the energetic 
management of its proprietor and in 1895 a tri-weekly issue was estab- 
lished. E. E. Pavey acted as editor in association with Mr. Guernsey 
until April, 1896, when he was succeeded by J. M. Burke. 

The Harness Gazette is a very successful trade journal which is pub- 
lished monthly by T. J. Mo wry. It was founded in 1886, by T. J. 
Mowry and H. B. Maxwell. January 1, 1889, the Harness Gazette 
Company was incorporated, the entire stock being held by Mr. Mowry. 

Rome has acquired a fair reputation as a manufacturing center and 
has now in successful operation within her borders several very impor- 
tant industries. The Rome Brass and Copper Company is in a sense 
the successor of the Rome Iron Works, which company was established 



532 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in 1866. In 1878 the manufacture of brass was taken up and in 1887 
the working of copper was begun. The name of the company was 
changed to its present title in October, 1891, with S. O. Scudder, presi- 
dent; William R. Huntington, vice-president ; J. S. Haselton, secretary 
and treasurer. Upon the death of Mr. Scudder, Mr. Huntington was 
made president and W. J. P. Kingsley, vice-president. Nearly 400 
hands are employed in making brass, copper and German silver sheets, 
wire, rods, tubes, etc. 

The Rome Merchant Iron Mill was founded in 1870, with John B. 
Jarvis, secretary and treasurer. In 1886 a reorganization was effected 
under the present name and management. The output of the mill is 
about 12,000 tons of merchant iron annually. Jim Stevens is president ; 
Samuel B. Stevens, vice-president; Charles W. Lee, secretary and 
treasurer; Samuel Southall, superintendent. 

The New York Locomotive Works were founded in 1881 and a large 
business was carried on until 1892, when the general depression and 
other causes led to the placing of the works in the hands of a receiver. 
In 1893 a reorganization was effected under the name of The Rome 
Locomotive and Machine Works, with Thomas H. Stryker, president ; 
William B. Isham, vice-president ; Edward Comstock, secretary and 
treasurer. The capital was placed at $150,000 in stock and the same 
sum in first mortgage bonds ; these bonds have been reduced since to 
$75,000. The establishment is still in the receiver's hands, but its 
affairs are being rapidly but in shape for future large operations. 

Other Rome industries which have been instrumental in adding to the 
prosperity of the place are the works of R. M. Wilson, manufacturer of 
solid copper bath tubs, tanks, closets, etc., established in 1891. The 
Adams foundry and machine shops, established in 1835 ; the factories 
of the Rome Textile Company and the Rome Steam Knitting Mills. 
The cot, crib and chair factory of Carpenter & Dyett, established in 
1886. 

There are post-offices in the town of Rome at Ridge Mills, the set- 
tlement of which has been described ; at Green's Corners, about three 
miles west of Rome city, and at Stanwix, on the Erie Canal east of 
Rome. There has been a little mercantile business conducted at these 
points, and a few shops, but most of the trade in late years is diverted 
to Rome. 



THE TOWN OF SANGERFIELD. 533 

The following is a list of the supervisors of the town from 1797 to the 
incorporation of the city: 

1797, Abijah Putnam; 1798 to 1801, .Thomas Gilbert; 1802, Clark Putnam; 1803, 
Henry Hnntington ; 1804, George Huntington ; 1805, Clark Putnam ; 1806-7, Thomas 
Gilbert; 1808, Samuel Dill ; 1809, Henry Huntington; 1810-11, Samuel Dill; 1812-13, 
Bill Smith; 1814, George Huntington; 1815-16, Wheeler Barnes; 1817, George Hunt- 
ington; 1818-20, Samuel Beardsley ; 1821-22, Ruf us Barnes ; 1823-26, Jay Hathaway; 
1827-28, George Brown; 1829-30, Henry A. Foster; 1831-32; Numa Leonard; 1833- 
34, Henry A. Foster; 1835-36, Jesse Armstrong; 1837-38, Harold H. Pope; 1839-40, 
James Merrill ; 1841-42, Adam Van Patten ; 1843-44, Enoch B. Armstrong ; 1845-46, 
Giles Hawley; 1847, John Niles; 1848^19, Alfred Ethridge; 1850, Allen Briggs ; 1851, 
Benjamin N. Huntington; 1852-53, Stephen Van Dresar; 1854, Bradford C. Dean; 
1855-58, Giles Hawley; 1859-60, Alfred Ethridge; 1861-68, Giles Hawley; 1869, 
Enoch B. Armstrong. 



CHAPEER XLIV. 

THE TOWN OF SANGERFIELD. 

This is one of the two southernmost towns in Oneida county, and is 
bounded on the west and south by Madison county. It was formed 
from Paris March 5, 1795, and originally included what is now Bridge- 
water, which was set off March 24, 1797. Sangerfield remained a part 
of Chenango county until April 4, 1804. It includes a greater part of 
what was township No 20 of the Chenango " Twenty Towns." The 
surface is mainly a hilly upland rising from 700 to 800 feet above the 
Mohawk. It is watered by the east branch of the Oriskany and the 
west branch of the Chenango Creeks. Along the latter stream is what 
is known as the Great Swamp, extending from near Waterville to the 
southern border of the town, and averaging a mile or more in width. 
Much of this has been cleared of its forest, drained, and converted into 
meadow. The soil of the valley is a rich alluvium and on the hills is a 
gravelly loam. For many years this town has been noted for its large 
acreage of hops. In the year 1882 the price of hops exceeded a dollar 
a pound. While this brought comparative wealth to many of the in- 
habitants, it was in the main disastrous ; producers thereafter based 



534 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

their calculations to a large extent upon a continuance of such prices, 
and when they were forced to sell in later years for a fraction of that 
sum, much financial distress was caused. It is stated that at one time 
there was only one farm in the town that was not to a greater or lesser 
extent devoted to hop growing. Under the depression and low prices 
of the past three years the acreage has been considerably reduced. The 
town has been noted for the proportionately large number of noted men 
in political, educational and business life that have left its borders. 

This town was surveyed under a law of February, 1789, and within 
the next two years it was purchased of the State upon speculation, 
chiefly by Jedediah Sanger (from whom it takes its name), Michael 
Myers and John J. Morgan ; large parts of it were subsequently leased 
in perpetuity. The price paid for the purchase was a little over three 
shillings per acre. 

The first town meeting was held April 7, 1795, and the following 
officers elected : 

Supervisor, David Morton ; town clerk, Thomas Brown ; assessors, Joseph Farwell, 
Daniel Brown, and Ezra Parker; constables and collectors, Jonathan Porter and 
David Chapin; overseers of the poor, Oliver Norton and Thomas Converse; com- 
missioners of highways, Timothy White, Saul Smith, and Oliver Norton ; pathmas- 
ters, Jonathan Palmer, Eldad Corbet, John W. Brown, James Kenny, Eri Brooks, 
Philip King, Asahel Hunt, Jesse Ives, Roger W. Steele, John Philips, Thomas 
Stephens, Oliver Eagur, Zerah Phelps, Joel Blair, Solomon Williams, Benjamin 
White, John Stone, Joseph Putney, Moses Bush, Elias Montgomery, and Thomas 
Hale; fence viewers, Ezra Parker, Joel Blair, Nathan Gurney, Uri Brooks, and 
David Norton, esq. 

The first settlement in this town was begun by Zerah Phelps, who in 
the fall of 1 79 1 sent a hired man to build a log house on lot 42, of 
which he had previously become the owner. This house stood about 
a mile northeast of Sangerfield Center. Mr. Phelps was from Green- 
woods, Mass. About the 1st of March, 1792, Minivera Hale and his 
wife, and Nathan Gurney and his wife and babe moved into the town 
from New Hartford. They brought in oxen and the snow being very 
deep, their journey in some parts was a very difficult one. They were 
a whole day making the last four miles, driving the oxen tandem. Mr. 
Hale had bought land adjoining Mr. Phelps, and Mr. Gurney bought 
lot 40, on the site of Waterville village ; a part of this lot was later 
owned by Aaron Stafford. They passed a few weeks in the house of 



THE TOWN OP SANGERFIBLD. 535 

Mr. Phelps, until their own log dwellings could be erected. In the 
month of April following Benjamin White settled on a part of lots 30 
and 40, the farm that was later occupied by Amos Osborn. A number 
of other pioneers came in that year. Phineas Owen and Nathan Gur- 
ney's father settled on lot 40 ; other arrivals were Sylvanus Dyer, Asa- 
hel Bellows, Nathaniel Ford, Henry Knowlton. Jonathan Stratton, and 
a Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark had aided in surveying the town in 1789. 
The.se settlers met with disaster the first year through a heavy frost 
which destroyed their corn crop, and also served to keep away other 
settlers. According to the Jones Annals, Mr. Clark had his leg crushed 
by a falling tree in May, 1792, and Mr. Hale started in quest of a phy- 
sician. He found Dr. Guiteau at Old Fort Schuyler, and returned with 
him over the long journey; but the doctor would not treat the injury 
without other medical aid, and Dr. Petrie, of Herkimer, was sent for. 
These two, with Dr. Elmer, of Paris, amputated the injured limb. It 
was an example of the privation and danger under which many pio- 
neers lived on account of their distance from medical aid and the absence 
of roads. In July, 1792, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Phelps, 
which was the first birth of a white child in town. The Phelps family 
soon removed to Batavia. The first male child born was a son of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hale, named Seneca, born January 20, 1793. 

On February 9, 1793, Col. David Norton and his family arrived in 
town from Arlington, Vt. , and he became a leading citizen. He was 
the first supervisor, the first justice of the peace, the first captain of 
militia in the town and later a colonel, and the first postmaster after the 
office was removed to the Center. He was foremost in all good works. 
His daughter Hannah married Sylvanus Dyer, which was the first wed- 
ding in the town ; the date was October 30, 1793. 

With better crops and prospects in 1793, the following year (1794) 
saw a considerable influx of settlers. Daniel Brown, Saul Smith, 
Thomas King, Daniel King, Solomon Williams, Samuel Williams, Jus- 
tus and Ebenezer Hale, and Benjamin Dewey were among the new 
comers. In the same year the two Hales opened the first store in the 
town in their dwelling house, and were also the first to furnish accom- 
modations to travelers. Ebenezer Hale built the second frame house in 
the town, Zera Phelps having erected the first one. In the summer of 




^iuz^y^ y^i^y^ - 



THE TOWN OF SANGBRPIBLD. 537 

were opened and progress was rapid. The settlement of Sylvanus 
Dyer was made in 1799, when he came from the Center and opened 
the first store in a house at the west end of the village and also kept a 
tavern. Two men named Brown and Hewett, who had kept a store on 
the road to Oriskany Falls, opened a store here in 1801, and Robert 
Benedict established the third one soon afterward. 

Amos Osborn came from Fairfield county, Conn., to Waterville in 
1802 and built the first distillery in the place near White's Mills. He 
purchased Mr. White's farm in 18 10, for which he paid $30 an acre ; he 
afterwards bought a second farm near by, paying nine gallons of gin 
per acre. Both of these farms were within the present limits of the 
village corporation, and Mr. White's house was the first frame dwelling 
erected in the village. Mr. Osborn operated his distillery thirteen 
years. 

Justus Tower settled in Waterville in 1802 and built a house and a 
grist mill. In 1803 he built the White Mills and operated both. A 
freshet in April, 1804, carried away all the dams of the place, and Mr. 
Tower and John J. Williams., jr., were drowned. 

The Towers were from the town of Hingham, Plymouth county, 
Mass., and first located in the town of Paris. There were four brothers 
— Jeduthan (grandfather of Reuben and of Charlemagne Tower), Jus- 
tus (father of Horace D. Tower), John and Jotham. John Tower was 
the father of John Tower, at one time proprietor of the Clinton House 
at Clinton. Jotham was the youngest of twelve children. Justus Tower 
was but thirty- seven years of age at the time of his death. He built a 
store in Waterville, and after his death Jotham Tower stocked it with 
goods, repaired the grist mill, which had been badly damaged by the 
freshet, and carried on both in company with Justus Tower's widow. 
Horace D. Tower, son of Justus, lived a long life in Waterville. His 
younger brother, Henry Tower, was for some years in the distilling 
business with J. and R. Bacon, merchants of the place, who purchased 
the stock of goods left by Justus Tower at his decease, and carried on 
the store for thirty years or more. (See biography of Reuben Tower 
in this volume). 

The post-office at Waterville was established in 1806, with Amos 
Muzzy, postmaster ; he was succeeded by Col. John Williams, under 
68 



538 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

whose administration it was removed to the Center, a little over a mile 
southward ; this was done in 1808 and the name changed to Sanger- 
field. It was brought back and opened under its present name in 1823. 
Previous to that time the place had been locally known as " The 
Huddle." In 1802 the settlement had thirty-two dwellings and about 
200 inhabitants. From that time forward the village grew rapidly. 
A tannery was established very early by Col. John Williams, who was 
also an early tavern keeper. Chauncey Buell afterwards became his 
partner in the tannery and finally purchased it and began boot and shoe- 
making in connection with it. The buisness increased in later years 
and a firm was formed under the name of C. Buell, Son & Co., which 
employed at one period nearly 100 hands and sold goods at wholesale 
over a wide extent of territory. Colonel Williams, who started this 
tannery, also established an earlier one in the southwest part of the 
town. 

Amos Osborn established a distillery in 1802, and several others were 
operated for a time in different parts of the town, but generally on a 
small scale. The one just mentioned was used in later years as the 
Cold Spring Brewery. The latter was operated until 1894 when it was 
abandoned. 

The grist mill operated in recent years, was built by Jotham Tower 
about 181 5 on the site of the White Mills. Justus Tower built another 
grist mill in 1802 which was transformed into a paint factory in 1869 
by Terry & Gridley. 

The Sangerfield cotton factory was built in 18 16 by the Sangerfield 
Manufacturing Company. Henry B. Clarke afterwards obtained a con- 
trolling interest and operated it until 1830, when Goodwin & Bacon 
purchased it and changed it to a woolen factory. In 1837 J. A. Ber- 
rill took the building and established a foundry and machine shop, 
afterwards taking his son into partnership. They carried on the busi- 
ness many years. The plant was taken in 1895 by McLean & Co., 
who succeeded Brace Beardsley. Paint mills are made, in connection 
with the other business. 

The Waterville Wooden Novelty Works were established in 1895, 
for the manufacture of various household articles. 

Waterville has had several newspapers, the first one being the Civil 




SQUIRE UTLEY. 



THE TOWN OF SANGERFIELD. 539 

and Religious Intelligencer, started in 1815 by Joseph Tenney ; the 
name was changed in 1825 to the Sangerfield Intelligencer, and ten 
years later it was moved to Fabius, N. Y. The publication of the Oneida 
Standard was commenced in Waterville in 1833, but it was soon after- 
ward removed to Utica. The Waterville Advertiser was begun in 1851 
by R. W. Hathaway. In 1855 the Waterville Journal was started by 
A. P. Fuller & Co., C. B. Wilkinson, editor. It was discontinued in 
March, 1856 In 1857 th e publication of the Waterville Times was 
commenced by McKibbin & Wilkinson, who continued it until i860, 
and sold out to J. H. Yale. On November 8, 1866, the paper passed 
into the hands of R. S. Ballard. James J. Guernsey bought the es- 
tablishment in 1870, and continued to July, 1 881, when he was suc- 
ceedee by Histed & Cutter (William L. Histed, Frank J. Cutter) who 
continued to June, 1882. Mr. Histed then retired and Mr. Cutter con- 
tinued to April, 1887, when W. S. Hawkins & Co., (Dr. Claude Wilson) 
purchased the plant. This firm continued one year when Mr. Hawkins 
bought his partner's interest. In 1884 Patrick Loftus and Milton 
Barnum started a four page weekly called the Reflex. A little later W. 
S Hawkins purchased the paper and in 1887 he consolidated the two 
papers, the name Waterville Times being continued. The paper is an 
excellent representative of progressive country journalism. The 
Waterville Y. M. C. A. is a thriving institution and publishes a small 
weekly called " Waterville's Young Men." 

Some of the early public houses have been mentioned. What became 
the American hotel was built about 1815 by Jonathan Hubbard and 
was afterwards extended and improved. There were three public houses 
in the village before that. The store occupied in 1802 by Robert and 
Hudson Benedict was afterwards converted into a hotel and became 
known as the Park House. M. B. Crossett built the Commercial House 
in 1875. 

The first bank in Waterville was established in 1838 under the State 
law and was changed to a national bank in 1865. Among early stock- 
holders of the old bank were Stanton Park, Josiah Bacon, Amos Osborn, 
Julius Candee, Samuel Goodwin, D. B. Goodwin, Charlemagne Tower, 
Julius Tower, David L. Barton, E. B. Barton, Henry Tower, Horace 
Bigelow, Isaac Hovey. Daniel B. Goodwin was president of the na- 



540 ' OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tional bank until 1888, when he was succeeded by William B. Goodwin. 
The latter was cashier until the above change was made, when he was 
succeeded by Samuel W. Goodwin. William B. Goodwin served as 
president until 1894, when Samuel W. Goodwin was chosen, and W. L. 
Race was made cashier. 

Charles Green & Son established a private bank in 1872, and in 1875 
it was removed to Utica and continued until 1884. The firm was then 
changed to Charles Green, Son & Co., O. W. Kennedy and J. W. Hayes 
joining in the business. In 1891 the bank was removed back to Water- 
ville, and the firm became Charles Green, Son, Brainard & Co., through 
the purchase of the interest of Mr. Hayes by I. D. Brainard. 

Waterville was incorporated April 20, 1870, and at the first charter 
election Daniel B. Goodwin was elected president ; E. H. Lamb, George 
Putnam, E. S. Peck, trustees ; Horace P. Bigelow, treasurer. The suc- 
cessive presidents of the village have been George Putnam, elected 
1872; held the office to 1 877 ; D. Smith Bennett, 1878 ; Reuben Tower, 
to 1883; E. C. Terry, 1884; Reuben Tower, to 1886; A. R. Eastman, 
1886; I. D. Brainard, 1887-88; F. H. Coggeshall, 1889-90; W. W. 
Waldo, to 1896, succeeded by F. H. Coggeshall. The village has an 
excellent fire department, owning a steam fire engine, ample hose and 
apparatus, with a company for both the engine and hose cart. The 
village is on what was the Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley 
Railroad, the opening of which took place in November, 1869, giving a 
marked impetus to the business growth of the place. Among the lead- 
ing business men of the village are the following : O. E. Wood, general 
store, who succeeded C. R. Nash in 1896; P. H. Landers, succeeded W. 
F. O'Connor in 1895 ; S. S. Bissell succeeding W. J. Bissell's Sons, 
drugs; William Jones, succeeded Jones & Marvin in 1893, drugs ; D B. 
Collins, clothing, began in 1890; Beers & Davis, succeeded William D. 
Jones in 1893, wall paper, paints, etc.; E. G. Brown, drugs; A. H. Wilber, 
clothing, and many minor business establishments Many new business 
blocks of modern character have been erected in recent years, and aside 
from the general depression incident upon the low price of hops, the 
village is in a thriving condition. 

One of the largest industries of the kind in the whole country is car- 
ried on here by the New York Hop Extract Company, organized in 




W. P. LOCKE. 



THE TOWN OF SANGERFIELD. 541 

1870. In April, 1873, W. A. Lawrence was elected superintendent. 
J. R. Whiting became sole licensee of the company for extracting from 
hops under patents, and soon afterward become president of the com- 
pany. In 1875-76 the business was removed from New York city to 
Waterville, the center of the hop district. A large plant was erected 
with capacity of extracting 20,000 pounds of hops per day. Here an 
immense product of acknowledged purity is made and finds a market 
throughout the country. 

One of the oldest permanent industries in this county is the drain 
tile and brick manufactory of P. B. Haven & Son, which was founded 
in 1812 by John Haven, who came in from Connecticut From primi- 
tive methods of early times this business has advanced until now it is 
conducted on the most modern and successful lines. In 1836 P. B. 
Haven, son of John, took possession of the works, made many improve- 
ments in methods and about 1855 added the drain tile industry. Two 
years later an iron tile machine was put in and in 1864 A G. Haven, 
son of P. B., became a partner with his father. Horse power brick and 
tile machinery was used until 1880, when a modern outfit driven by a 
forty horse power boiler was introduced. Since then every valuable 
device has been added for the production of brick and tile. Twelve 
hands are employed. 

The schools of this town are in excellent circumstances, there being 
in 1895 twelve districts with school houses, and a prosperous Union 
school in Waterville. The building was erected in 1872 at a cost of 
$20,000. The whole number of children attending the schools of the 
town in 1895 was 790. 

There are now three post-offices in this town ; Waterville, Sanger- 
field and Stockwell, the latter having been established in the'southern 
part of the town, at the place known as Stockwell Settlement, with C. 
D. Marsh, postmaster. The post-office at Sangerfield has been in ex- 
istence since early years, Col. David Norton holding the office of 
postmaster from 1808 to 1829, when he died. There has always been 
a small mercantile business there and a few shops. 

The first church society in Sangerfield was the " Society of Lisbon 
Sangerfield," formed about the beginning of 1796, as the outgrowth of 
efforts made in 1794 to found a Congregational society and secure 



542 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

regular preaching. Services were regularly held from January, 1795, 
to March, 1797, with occasional preaching. The Society of Lisbon 
was formally organized March 15, 1797, with eighteen members; the 
first settled pastor was Rev. James Thompson. A house of worship 
was erected in 1804, on the village green at the Center, the land con- 
stituting the green having been conveyed to the society in October, 
1796, by David Norton, Ebenezer Hale, Justus Hale, and Oliver Nor- 
ton. In 1823 the society divided and about one half organized the 
First Presbyterian church. The church was removed in 1824 a little to 
the north, and in 1846 it was demolished and the present one erected. 
In after years the Congregationalists at the Center attended the church 
at Waterville and the old church was occupied by an Episcopal mission, 
services being held in connection with Stockwell Settlement, Oriskany 
Falls and Augusta Center. 

The Baptist church at Waterville was organized in December, 1798, 
and the first preaching was by Elder Peter P. Roots; the first settled 
pastor was Elder Joel Butler, who began in 1799. In 1800 a church 
was built on the green, the land having been granted by Benjamin 
White. In 1877 the church was extensively improved and its career 
has been one of prosperity. 

The First Presbyterian church at Waterville was organized May 19, 
1823, with twenty persons from the first Sangerfield church, as before 
stated. Rev. Evans Beardsley was the first stated supply, and in 1824 
Rev. Daniel C. Hopkins was installed the first pastor. The first church 
building was erected on the green in 1823 ; it was sold to the Method- 
ists in 1844, and a frame church built on the site now occupied by a 
handsome brick edifice which was erected in 1872, at a cost with the lot 
of $37,000. The church is active and progressive. 

Grace church (Episcopal) Waterville, was orginized in 1840, and 
Rev. Fortune C. Brown was the first rector. In 1842 the church was 
erected which was afterwards transferred to the Welsh Congregational 
society, and in 1854 the present church was built. 

The Methodist Episcopal society at Stockwell was formed in 1843, 
and the old Presbyterian church building was purchased. This was sold 
in 1848. In April, 1847, the second Methodist society was organized 
and the present churchjbuilt at the Settlement. In 1857 Waterville was 



THE TOWN OP STEUBEN. 543 

organized as a separate Methodist society, it having previously been in 
a circuit with other places ; it was made one of three appointments 
under charge of Rev. F. W. Tooke — Waterville, Sangerfield and 
Stockwell. The frame church in Waterville was built in i860. 

The Welsh Congregational church at Waterville was organized in 
1852, and occupied the church sold to them by the Episcopal society. 

St. Bernard's Catholic church in Waterville was organized about 1850 
and has grown to a large congregation, and has a substantial church. 

The town records are incomplete from 1797 to 1800 inclusive; after 
that year the list of supervisors and their years of service is as follows : 

1801, Amos Muzzy; 1802, Oliver Norton; 1803-4, Justus Tower; 1805, Benjamin 
White; 1806-9, Oliver C. Seabury; 1810, John Williams; 1811, O. C. Seabury; 1812, 
Josiah Bacon; 1813, O. C. Seabury; 1814-20, Josiah Bacon; 1821-23, Reuben Bacon; 
1824-27, Samuel M. Mott; 1828, Josiah Bacon; 1829-31, Samuel M. Mott; 1832, Reu- 
ben Bacon; 1833, John Mott, jr.; 1834, Erastus Jeffers; 1835, Levi D. Carpenter; 
1836, Erastus Jeffers ; 1837^0, Horace Bigelow ; 1841-42, Julius Tower; 1843, Horace 
Bigelow: 1844, Otis Webster; 1845, Amos O. Osborn; 1846, Erastus A. Walter; 
1847^8, De Witt C. Tower; 1849, John W. Stafford; 1850-51, George W. Cleveland; 
1852-54, James M. Tower; 1855, Edwin H. Lamb; 1856, Hull Page; 1857-62, Piatt 
Camp; 1863-76, James G. Preston; 1877-80, Marion B. Crossett; 1881, Horace P. 
Bigelow; 1882-84, George W. Cleveland; a special election was held in December, 
1884, and George Beach was elected to succeed Mr. Cleveland, deceased ; 1885, 
George Beach; 1886-90, Reuben Tower; 1891, Lewis D. Edwards; 1892-96, Charles 
M. Felton. 



CHAPTER XLV. 

THE TOWN OF STEUBEN. 

This town was set off from Whitestown on April 10, 1792, and its 
area has been several times slightly changed. The towns of Floyd and 
Rome were taken off in 1796, and Leyden (now in Lewis county) and 
Western in 1797. Small parts of Western and Remsen were annexed 
in 1803, and a small section was set off to Remsen in 1809, leaving the 
town with an area of 26,126 acres. The town takes its name from 
Baron Steuben, the account of whose patent of 16,000 acres is given in 
Chapter X ; the larger portion of that patent is included in this town. 



544 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

with a part of the Holland patent in the southern part, and small sec- 
tions of other tracts in the western part, all shown on the map herein. 
The Cincinnati Creek forms a part of the eastern boundary and the 
town is well watered by several small streams which flow into that creek 
or into the Mohawk or Black Rivers. The soil is a gravelly loam well 
adapted to grazing Stone quarries from which good building stone 
have been taken, have been worked. The surface of the town is the 
highest of any north of the Mohawk and is much broken by lofty hills 
and deep valleys, particularly in the northern part, where hills rise to a 
height of from 800 to 1,200 feet. Starr's Hill, so named from Capt. 
David Starr, an early settler upon it, was long considered the highest 
land in the county, but it is now settled that this distinction belongs to 
an eminence in the southern part. From the top of Starr's Hill most 
beautiful views are obtained, extending over Oneida Lake on the west, 
to Rome and Utica to the southward, and taking in the Black River 
valley on the northeast. Other high points in Steuben are Bowen's 
Hill, so called from a seaman of that name who lived there in early 
years; Dutch Hill, which took its name from the fact that numerous 
Dutch families settled on and around it; and Penn Mount. These with 
their intervening valleys give a variety of picturesque scenery that is 
not excelled in the county. 

As the town of Rome was embraced originally in Steuben, the first 
town meeting was held at Fort Stanwix, " at the house lately occupied 
by Seth Ranney, on the first Tuesday of April, 1793," as given in the 
town records. There the following officers were chosen, the list includ- 
ing several of the pioneers of what is now Steuben, though most of 
them were from near Fort Stanwix : 

Supervisor, Roswell Fellows; town clerk, Jedediah Phelps; assessors, Abijah Put- 
nam, Henry Wager, David I. Andrus, Samuel Sizer, Abel French; commissioners of 
roads, Hezekiah Welles, Daniel W. Knight, Ebenezer Weeks; overseers of the poor, 
Thomas Wright, Reuben Beckwith ; constables, Samuel Dickinson, Edward S. Salis- 
bury, Jasper French; collector for the west side of Mohawk River, Samuel Dickin- 
som; collector for east side of same, Edward S. Salisbury; pathmasters, Clark Put- 
nam, Benjamin Gifford, Alpheus Wheelock, Abiel Kinyon, Lemuel Beckwith, 
Stephen Sheldon, Frederick Sprague, William Walsworth, James Ranney, William 
West, Joseph Biam, Thomas Parker, Ebenezer Bacon, Samuel J. Curtis, Charles 
McLen, Simeon Woodruff. David Starr, Isaac Lathrop; fence-viewers, Jonathan 
Waldo, Bill Smith, Asa Beckwith, Abraham Brooks, Ephraim Potter; poundmaster, 
Thomas Wright, 



THE TOWN OF STEUBEN. 



The second meeting was voted to be held "at the new dwelling house 
of Roswell Fellows." After the subdivision of 1796, setting off Rome 
and Floyd, the town meeting of 1797 was held, according to the records, 
at the "house, of Silas Fowler; that of the late Baron Steuben, Bis- 
ceased." 

The distinguished services of Baron Steuben in the war of the Revo- 
lution are well known and need not be recounted here. In partial 
recognition of such services, the State of New York granted him in 
1786 a tract of 16,000 acres of land, the territory of which constitutes a 
larg« part of what is now the town of Steuben. The baron died No- 
vember 28, 1794. Between the date of the land grant to him and his 
death, he passed his summers on his patent and his winters in New 
York. During this period he leased his lands as he had opportunity, 
usually in 100 acre tracts at from ten to twenty dollars for each hun- 
dred acres, and at the time of his death there were about twenty fami- 
lies residing on the patent. On the 4th of July, 1790, he gave a dinner 
to all the people on his lands and neighboring settlers. It is recorded 
that wherever he found a worthy soldier he would present him with a 
farm of from 40 to 100 acres. It was his purpose to erect a large man- 
sion on his possessions, but his death prevented the consummation of 
his plans, and the building of a log house and other minor improve- 
ments was all that he was able to accomplish. Previous to his death 
he had directed that his remains should be buried in the forest that he 
had begun to love so well. His wish was carried out, and his aide-de-camp 
and adopted son, Colonel Walker, reinterred them where they now re- 
pose and deeded fifty acres of land to the First Baptist Society of Steu- 
ben, on condition that five acres including the grave of the baron, should 
be fenced and kept in a state of nature. In 1824 a plain monument 
was erected over the grave, which was replaced in 1870-71 by the im- 
posing one which now marks the resting place of the patriot. 

The first person to take up a permanent residence in what is now 
Steuben was Samuel Sizer, who about 1789 came in to take charge of 
the improvements contemplated by Baron Steuben. In the spring of 
1792 Capt. Samuel Fuller, a veteran of the Revolution, located on the 
Steuben patent and brought in his family early the following year. He 
was father of Major Russell Fuller, a prominent citizen who several times 



546 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was elected supervisor. Capt. David Starr, also a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, settled on the hill which bears his name, having taken a durable 
lease from Baron Steuben. Several of the early settlers had borne arms 
under Steuben and they naturally sought homes near his own. 

Capt. Joseph Ingham came from the Bermuda Islands and settled in 
Steuben in 1800. The remains of his wife who died January 17, 1804, 
are buried on the top of Starr's Hill, where lie also the remains of Will- 
iam Davies and his wife. Daniel Barnes came to the town in 1794, 
from Middletown, Conn., built a house and made other improvements 
on the farm owned in recent years by John Griffiths on Starr's Hill ; he 
then went back for his family, returning to his settlement in the spring 
of 1795. He was a Revolutionary soldier. Among other settlers in 
the neighborhood of Starr's Hill were Noadiah Fairchild, and Joel and 
Samuel Hubbard, from Middletown, Conn. In 1793 Noadiah Hubbard 
took the contract for constructing the canal locks for the Western In- 
land Navigation Company at Little Falls. He had first settled at 
Whitestown about 1791, where he made the first brick and the first 
lime. He located in Steuben about 1792, and removed to what is now 
Jefferson county in 1798. Elisha Crowell was also an early settler in 
the Starr's Hill neighborhood. 

The first settler at what became Steuben Corners was Stephen Brooks, 
who came from Connecticut about 1791 and located on the place sub- 
sequently owned by his grandson, John W. Brooks. A son of Stephen 
Brooks, named Stephen, jr., born in 1791 or 1792, was probably the 
first white male child born in this town. 

Moses Adams came in from New Marlborough, Mass., and settled in 
1793 on the farm afterwards owned by Allen Clark; he afterwards 
removed to the farm occupied in recent years by Rowland Evans, east 
of Steuben Corners. His son Aaron, born in June, 1796, served in the 
war of 1812, as did also his father. 

Among the very early settlers of the original town of Steuben then 
including Western (see history of Western and Remsen) were repre- 
sentatives of the thrifty Welshmen so many of whom have found homes 
in Oneida county. Prominent among these were the Griffiths families, 
from one of which sprang Griffith O. Griffiths, who was born in Steu- 
ben in 1796, and died in April, 1878. He was a contributor to the 



THE TOWN OP STEUBEN. 547 

press and was well informed on local history, and previous to his de- 
cease he wrote the following interesting account of Welsh settlements : 

In the month of March, 1795, about.twelve families took their leave of their native 
country and embarked on board the noble ship that bore them safely across the 
Atlantic, and they arrived in New York after a passage of fourteen weeks. After a 
short stay in New York, five of the said families, namely, Griffith Rowland, William 
Williams, Evan Owens, Hugh Roberts, and Owen Griffiths, making in all about 
eighteen persons, left the city of New York, and started for some more favorable 
portion of the country, for the purpose of forming a settlement. They embarked 
on board a sloop, and came up the Hudson River to Albany, from there by land to 
Schenectady, where they chartered a bateau, and wended their way up the crooked 
Mohawk, making very slow headway, until at length they arrived at the present city 
of Utica, which then contained one frame building, and eight or ten log cabins. 
The only hotel was kept in a log house located where Bagg's Hotel is now situated. 
During their stay at Utica, they concluded to go to the town of Steuben, in Oneida 
county, which is situated about twenty miles from Utica. In a few days they pre- 
pared for their journey by chartering a wagon drawn by four oxen and a horse to 
lead. Into this wagon they packed all their materials, children, etc., and were soon 
on their way to their new home. Such was the situation of the roads in those days 
that from five to seven miles was all they could make in a day. Leaving Utica early 
in the morning, they reached the foot of Ueerfield hill the first day, where they were 
obliged to stay over night without any accommodation but the great wilderness, and 
the canopy of heaven to cover them, and the rain pouring down during the whole 
night. Each one having to select his own lodging, if they succeeded in getting 
alongside of a log or tree they thought they were doing well. One heroine, with her 
infant, about three weeks old, got under the root of a tree that had turned up by 
force of the wind, where she supposed she was secure from the elements. But when 
daylight came she found, to her surprise, that her infant was richly adorned with 
ringlets formed of the American— not free— soil, which had found its way quite 
plentifully in the ridges formed by the flesh around her neck and arms, etc. 

Next morning, after wringing the water from their clothes, they soon prepared for 
their day's journey. After considerable struggle and toil, they succeeded in reach- 
ing a log shanty that was erected and occupied by some jobbers that were engaged 
in clearing land at a point about one-half mile north from South Trenton. They 
were very kindly received and cared for, when they got a good night's rest after a 
hard day's travel of five miles. The third day they reached Trenton village, four 
miles farther north, where they found some settlers, and were of course accommo- 
dated. The fourth day, 15th September, 1795, they made out to reach their place of 
destination, which is in the vicinity of the yellow store, in the town of Steuben, where 
they found five or six families of Americans, who had preceded them the year pre- 
vious, and who were very kind to them, sharing with them their hospitalities until 
they were able to support themselves. 

Their first object was to select suitable locations, which they did within the range 
of about one-half mile, where they were soon at work felling trees and building 
their log cabins, which were their only recourse for habitations. They had to resort 



548 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

to the elms for a covering for their houses, as well as for a part of their furniture 
such as tables, bedding, etc. Their sofas were made by splitting a basswood log into 
parts, turning the flat side up, and driving four pegs into the round or bottom part, 
which answered for legs. Their French bedsteads were made by driving four posts 
into the ground, laying cross-sticks on to them, then finishing off with elm-bark for 
the bottom. In some instances they would select a building spot where they could 
find a large maple or birch, which they felled, using a part of the body for one side 
of their dwelling, leaving the large stump in the centre, which was used for a table. 
The remainder of their furniture to correspond. During the first years of their resi- 
dence in their new home there was no grist mill nearer than Whitesboro, some 
twenty miles distant, and but one horse in the town, which was owned by the 
Americans, and was used as a common carrier to carry grist to the mill. There being 
no road most of the distance, except a path through the woods, with marked trees 
for guide-boards, the settlers were frequently overtaken by night, and so dark was 
the forest that it was with the greatest difficulty that they found their way out. But 
the old gray was always true to her trust, and so well acquainted with the road they 
gave her the rein and bid her go, the driver holding on her tail behind if there 
chanced to be more than one of the settlers along. Their only chance was to follow 
in the footsteps of their predecessors, thus successfully finding their way out of the 
woods. 

The next summer a grist mill was built and in operation within four miles of the 
settlement, which dispensed with further difficulty of that nature. Owing to the 
great distance they had come, and the many difficulties they had to contend with, 
their limited means had become nearly exhausted. Consequently the men were 
obliged to leave their wives and children to guard their castles, while they were 
seeking employment to obtain means to support themselves and families. During 
their absence the women were frequently annoyed by wild beasts, which were then 
quite numerous. Their howls during the night were fearful, and even in the day- 
time Mr. Bruin would frequently be seen prowling around, seeking whom he might 
devour ; and sometimes would be successful in catching a porker, even in the door- 
yard, and walk off in triumph. 

In the year 1796 the first Welsh child was born in town, or in Oneida county, or 
even west of the Hudson, as far as can be ascertained, who still lives in the vicinity 
with his family. His wife is the infant mentioned as being secured under the roots 
of the upturned tree during the first night of their travel from Utica. 

Thus they remained in their solitary condition without the comforts of life or the 
means of grace, until the latter part of 1798, or early in 1799, when they were joined 
by several others whom they had left at New York. Among them were Deacon 
William C. Jones, William Griffiths, Robert Griffiths, John Parry, William P. Jones, 
etc., most of whom were professors. They soon on their arrival established a prayer 
meeting, which was held at the dwelling-house of William C. Jones. Although 
neither of the first settlers spoken of were professors of religion, still they were 
brought up under the immediate influence of the religion of Jesus Christ, and they 
had become very much attached to it, and were taking quite an interest in the cause. 
As evidence of this fact I would here mention one incident, which some one may 
profit by. At the time the first prayer-meeting was to be held, one of the mothers 



THE TOWN OF STEUBEN. 549 

was living at service eight or nine miles distant from the settlement. Such was her 
attachment to the good cause, and anxiety to be present at the organization of the 
first prayer meeting among the Welsh in their new home, that she walked all the 
way on foot through the wilderness, carrying her infant, who was about four months 
old, in her arms. What a contrast between the past and present ! At the present 
day it is often too much of a task to even cross the street on a dark night to attend 
such meetings. After this they continued to hold their meetings every Sabbath, 
until the year 1801, when there was quite a large immigration into the settlement. 
During the fall of that year Rev. John G. Roberts came from Ebensburg, Pa., and 
settled among them, when he preached the first Welsh sermon to quite an audience 
for a new country, which had convened at the dwelling-house of John Jones, situated 
on a part of the estate of Robert Thomas, deceased. After this they continued to 
assemble every Sabbath to hear the word of God. Also, they held their weekly or 
class meetings regularly, most of the time at the house of William C. Jones, although 
there was not any regular church organization until the year 1804, when they formed 
a union church, with Rev. John G. Roberts for their pastor. A part of the members 
were formerly from the Calvmistic Methodists, and a part from the Congregational 
church. So they remained together, in union and love, for many years, under the, 
pastoral charge of Rev. John G. Roberts and Rev. William G. Pierce. 

During the summer of 1804 they built a log meeting-house on the site of the 
present stone church. It was rather late in the fall of that year before it was com- 
pleted ; perhaps as late as the 1st of November before it was opened. As it was also 
intended for a school-house as well as for spiritual instructions, the school was com- 
menced about the 1st of December, and continued until Christmas night, when, by 
accident, the house was consumed by fire, with all its contents. Nothing daunted, 
the inhabitants went to work in the summer of 1805 and erected a frame building on 
the same location, which was soon finished ready for use. It was used until it was 
removed to give place to the present splendid stone church. 

In the mean time there was quite a settlement in the city of Utica. They also had 
formed a church, which was first under the charge of Rev. Daniel Morris, assisted 
by Revs. Evan Davis, John Roberts, etc. During the summer of 1806, Rev. Howell 
R. Powell visited the Welsh churches at Utica and Steuben, and advised them of 
the advantage of forming an association, or cymanfa; which was done, and their 
first meeting was held at Utioa in September, 1806, and at Steuben the following 
week. The ministers who took part at the first were Daniel Morris, Evan Davis, 
and John G. Roberts, of Steuben, assisted by an English divine, whose name is 
forgotten. Thus commenced the annual conferences of Steuben and Utica, which 
have been kept up with so much zeal to the present day. The following year Rev. 
Howell R. Powell was present, and took conspicuous part in the conference and 
preaching etc., and continued to attend every year with the greatest punctuality 
for twenty-five years. The first Welsh Batpist church was organized in Steuben in 
the year 1806, on the arrival of Rev. Richard Jones from Philadelphia, who had the 
pastoral charge of the said church for many years. Although the first church was 
organized as above, one Morgan Williams had been in the habit of preaching occa- 
sionally to a limited numberin different localities, but there was no constant preaching 
until the year above mentioned. They soon went to work to build a house of wor- 
ship on the site of their present house. 



550 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

About the year 1800 the family of Thomas Thomas, another Welsh- 
man, settled in this town. He had been a sailor and was a victim of 
the British press gangs. He afterwards lost his right leg in an engage- 
ment with a French ship ; this occurred in 1796, and he was taken to 
Halifax, thence to Greenwich Hospilal, and finally married and returned 
to America. He died at the age of eighty- seven years, and was the 
last survivor of the Welsh pioneers of this town. His sons, William 
H., Charles M., Didymus and John T., became prominent citizens of 
Remsen. Daniel Thomas, brother of Thomas Thomas, beeame a set- 
tler in the town about 1806. He was a stone cutter and his son T. D. 
Thomas was a well known farmer in the town. Joel, Chester and Sal- 
mon Porter, brothers, settled in the town about 1808. A daughter of 
Joel became the wife of Daniel Barnes, before mentioned. Chester Por- 
ter was a shoemaker, and many years served as justice of the peace. 
The family of John Roberts came from Wales about 1800, and William 
Francis about 18 18. William Lewis, long a prominent citizen of Steu- 
ben, was born in Utica in 1813, and was a son of William, a native of 
Wales, who immigrated in 1800. The son came into Steuben prior to 
1820, the year in which his father died in New Orleans. Mr. Lewis 
held the office of supervisor thirteen terms, and in the fall of i860 was 
elected to the Assembl}'. Timothy Griffith was an early settler, and 
his son, John R., was born in town in September, 18 17. Both father 
and son became examples of the excellent citizenship of the town. 

On a monument in the cemetery at the stone church is this inscrip- 
tion : 

Rev. Robert Everett, D. D. t was born January 2, 1791, at Cronant, Flintshire, 
North Wales. A minister of the gospel for sixty years, and editor of the Cenhadwr 
for thirty-five years. Died February 25, 1875. 

Dr. Everett lived near Remsen village, but in this town. He had 
acquired considerable literary reputation before coming to this region, 
and came to America in 1823, as pastor of the Welsh Congregational 
church in Utica, where he remained nine years. After terms of preach- 
ing in other places he settled in Steuben in 1838, as pastor of two 
churches, one near where he lived and one four miles away. In Janu- 
ary, 1840, he issued the first number of the Cenhadwr, a religious 
monthly, which he continued to edit till his death. It was printed at 



THE TOWN OF STEUBEN. 551 

first in Utica, later in Remsen and finally at his residence. Several 
books were published by him, and his entire life was given up to good 
works. His wife was Elizabeth Roberts, sister of Henry Roberts, of 
Utica, father of the firm of Henry Roberts's Sons. 

Richard R. Roberts, sr., came to Steuben in 1818. He and his wife 
were natives of Wales. He died in 1842. His son of the same name 
was a well known citizen of the town. Owen Owens, another Welsh 
citizen, settled in town in 1824. His sons, John C. and Charles, were 
among the leading farmers of the town, owning at one time about 1,000 
acres, and carrying on a cheese factory. 

Religious and educational institutions were founded early in this town, 
as would be expecied from the well known character of the pioneers. 
A school was taught before 1800 in the Starr's Hill neighborhood, by 
Dr. Earl Bill, who lived afterwards in Remsen village ; he taught only 
one winter. About 1807 a young man named Smith taught in the 
same neighborhood. Moses Adams taught a school near the site of 
Steuben Corners prior to ] 800, and Aaron Adams was a teacher after 
he reached a proper age. The town was early divided into districts 
and the early log school houses were gradually displaced by better 
frame structures. There were thirteen districts in the town in i860 and 
the number remains the same, with a school house in each. The whole 
number of children attending school in 1894 was 184. 

In Mr. Griffiths's account mention has been made of the early Welsh 
meetings. The Welsh Baptist church was organized in 1800 and was 
in charge at the first of Rev. Morgan Williams and is the society which 
has charge of the lot containing the grave of Baron Steuben, before 
mentioned. 

The Welsh Congregational church, called Pen y mynidd, is an off- 
shoot from an old Union church of early days. About 1816 two Bap- 
tist societies built churches in the town, which they subsequently agreed 
to convert one into a Union church and the other into an academy. 
The latter stood a mile east of Steuben Corners and did not continue 
long. 

The old Union church was occupied for a time by Methodists also, 
but in 1855 the church was built by them at Steuben Corners and the 
society has since kept up its existence. Besides these three churches 



552 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

there are four other Welsh congregations in different parts of the town. 

There has been very little village life in this town. Steuben Corners 
is a hamlet southwest of the center, where a post-office was established 
about 1825 with Aaron Adams postmaster. Previous to this time mail 
was received from the office at Remsen. A small mercantile business 
has always been carried on here, with the usual complement of shops. 
A store is now conducted by Otis Ferguson, and a saw mill operated 
by William Weaver. 

There are two other post-offices in the town, East Steuben in the 
extreme eastern part, and Steuben valley. 

The supervisors of the town of Steuben, from 1794 to 1878 have been 
the following persons, viz. : 

1794-95, Roswell Fellows ; 1796, William Olney; 1797, Samuel Sizer; 1798. Noa- 
diah Hubbard; 1799-1803, Samuel Sizer; 1804, Samuel Potter; 1805, Samuel Sizer; 
1806-12, Thomas H. Hamilton; 1813, Jabez Burchard; 1814-30, Thomas H. Hamil- 
ton; 1831-32, Russell Fuller; 1833, Henry Slocum; 1834-35, Russell Fuller; 1836, 
Henry Slocum; 1837-38, Alfred Gillett; 1839, Russell Fuller; 1840, William N. 
Steuben; 1841, Russell Fuller; 1842, Henry H. Hamilton; 1843, Lester B. Miller; 
1844-47, Russell Fuller; 1848-51, William Lewis; 1852-53, Saul U. Miller; 1854, 
William Lewis ; 1855, Joseph I. Francis ; 1856, William Lewis ; 1857, Alfred H. Gil- 
lett; 1858, Lewis Everett; 1859, Saul U. Miller; 1860-61, David H. Williams; 1862, 
Thomas H. Jones; 1863-66, William Lewis; 1867-68, Lewis Everett; 1869-70, 
Morris W. Morris; 1871-73, William Lewis; 1874-75, Lewis J. Lewis; 1876, Leon- 
ard E. Adsit; 1877-78, John E. Owen. 

After the foregoing list was prepared and before it was completed to 
date, the town records were burned. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 

This town had an existence of one year before Oneida county was 
formed. Trenton was erected from the town of Schuyler, then in Herki- 
mer county, on the 24th of March, 1797. Its 27,292 acres embrace 
almost the whole of the Servis patent and a large tract of the Holland 
patent in the western part ; both of these patents are described in Chap- 



THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 553 

ter X, and the accompanying map shows their boundaries in relation to 
this town. Trenton lies on the eastern side of Oneida county about in 
the center from north to south. West Canada Creek forms a part of its 
eastern boundary, as it does also the boundary of the county at that 
point. Cincinnati Creek flows through the northern part and Nine Mile 
Creek through the southern part. The surface of the town is hilly and 
broken, rising in places from 400 to 600 feet, and the streams have 
many cascades and falls, chief of which is the celebrated Trenton Falls 
on the West Canada Creek. The soil is a sandy and clayey loam ad- 
mirably adapted to grazing. 

The Trenton Falls have acquired more than a local reputation and 
the grand and picturesque scenery in that vicinity is not excelled in 
Central New York. The upper fall is called Prospect Fall, where the 
water has a descent of twenty-four feet. A short distance farther down 
the stream it becomes very narrow and the tumultuous waters plunge 
through the gorge in wild confusion. Into this gorge there is no place 
of easy descent until the Summit House is reached, from which point 
the boiling rapids continue until the so-called Cascade of the Alhambra 
is reached, a waterfall of matchless beauty. Below this the waters 
spread out in foamy level, only to enter another gorge farther down in 
which is the Mill Dam Fall of fourteen feet. Below this the scenery of 
the battlemented rocks and crags, along the feet of which plunges the 
imprisoned stream, is magnificent. The High Fall comes next and is 
not only beautiful in itself, but is surrounded with scenery of the most 
picturesque loveliness and grandeur. Farther down is the beautiful 
Sherman Fall, and below that is the Village Fall, after leaving which 
the waters flow onward in placid peace. The total descent of the five 
separate falls is about 200 feet, within a distance of half a mile. Tren- 
ton Falls is a popular resort and was first prominently brought into 
notice by John Sherman, who conducted the first hotel for visitors, 
erected in 1822, as noticed further on. 

The first town meeting in Trenton was held in the village of Olden 
Barneveld, as Trenton was first named, on the 4th of April, 1797, at 
the house of Thomas Hicks, and the following officers were chosen : 

Supervisor, Adam G. Mappa ; town clerk, John P. Little ; assessors, Thomas Hicks, 
Cheney Garrett, David Williams ; commissioners ot highways, Peter Schuyler, David 
70 



554 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Stafford, William Miller ; overseers of the poor Gerrit Becker, Peter Garrett ; col- 
lector, Daniel Bell; commissioners of schools, Peter Schuyler, John Hicks, David 
Williams; constable, Daniel Bell, Jacob P. Nash, Solomon Gillett; fence-viewers, 
Gerrit Boon, William Johnson, Solomon Gillett; poundmasters, Jacob T. Smits, 
James Holibert ; overseers of highways, on road to Fort Schuyler, Francis Adrian 
Van der Kemp; on road to Steuben, Joseph Brownell; on road to Canada Creek, 
David Corp; on road to Fort Stanwix, Abner Matthews; on road to White's Town, 
Jonathan Graves. 

The first settlement made in this town was by Gerrit Boon, who came 
from Holland, and has already been mentioned in a previous chapter as 
the pioneer to make improvements in the town of Boonville. Mr. Boon 
came into Trenton in 1793 from Old Fort Schuyler, marking trees 
along his route, and halted on the site of the villlage of Trenton. Here 
he foresaw the building up of a thrifty settlement and he gave it the 
name of Olden Barneveld. Mr. Boon came as one of the several agents 
of the great Holland Land Company, which owned vast tracts of land 
in this State. After faithfully serving his employers in this country a 
few years he returned to his native country and died there. He was a 
man of ability and integrity. He built a frame house on the village site, 
which was subsequently removed across the road, was enlarged and still 
stands. John C. Owens occupies it. A stone dwelling was built on 
the Boon place and the property is now owned in the Wicks family. 
Mr. Boon also attempted to build a dam and a stone grist mill on the 
Cincinnati Creek, the ruins of which are still visible; he did not suc- 
ceed in making his dam permanent, and abandoned it for another site 
farther up the stream. Mr. Boon was not practical, apparently, in some 
directions and certainly was not conversant with many features of the 
new world. It is said that when he first saw maple sap flow and sugar 
made from it, he was enthusiastic and resolved to go into the business 
and follow it the year round. 

Col. Adam G. Mappa and his family followed Boon from Holland 
and Mr. Mappa succeeded the latter as agent of the land company. 
Within a year or two Francis Adrian Vanderkemp and his family, also 
from Holland, came here to reside. Mappa and Vanderkemp became 
close friends here, as they had been in Holland. Vanderkemp was im- 
prisoned in Holland for taking part in the revolution of 1786, but was 
ransomed, and on his arrival in this country settled first at Esopus and 
afterwards on an island in Oneida Lake, His son, John J. Vander- 



THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 555 

kemp, was the first clerk in the land company's office here under 
Colonel Mappa, and later became the company's chief agent with 
headquarters in Philadelphia. 

Dr. Luther Guiteau, whose name has been frequently mentioned in 
earlier chapters of this volume, was born in Lanesboro, Mass., and 
settled in Trenton in 1802, where he practiced his profession until his 
death in 1850. He was succeeded in his practice by his son of the 
same name. Their old office is still standing in the village. 

It was in 1802 that Rev. John Taylor visited this part of the coun- 
try and wrote a report of his journey. Under date of August 3 he 
states that " at Trenton, six miles east of Floyd, he put up with Rev. 
Mr. Fish, from New Jersey, who was employed part of the time by the 
people of the town, and rode as a missionary the remainder." The 
next day Mr. Taylor wrote: "Trenton, 17 miles north of Utica. In 
this place there is no church formed. A majority of the people are 
Presbyterians ; the remainder are Baptists and persons of no religion, 
and a few Methodists." He then adds: "I visited a school of 50 chil- 
dren, who have a good instructor." In this early school house the 
people met for religious worship ; the Rev. Mr. Fish mentioned was 
probably the first preacher in the town and the first pastor of the 
church organized at Holland Patent in 1797, as noticed further on. 

About 1803 Rev. John Sherman became pastor of the Unitarian 
church at Trenton, organized in 1803. In 1812 Mr. Sherman founded 
an academy in the village, which he successfully conducted a number of 
years and educated a large number of scholars. He was a finely edu- 
cated man, an eloquent preacher and a writer of ability. He was en- 
raptured over the falls and their surroundings, and believed from the 
first that the locality would eventually become a popular resort. He 
therefore purchased of the Holland Land Company in 1822, sixty acres 
of land including the first fall (which took his name), and built on the 
site of the later hotel a small structure which he called Rural Resort. 
This house was at first only opened for day visitors and guests, but in 
1824 Philip Hone and family, and Dominick Lynch (the pioneer of 
Rome) and his family came from New York and insisted on remaining 
over night. During the'visit Mr. Hone asked the preacher why he did 
not build a larger house and make it known to the public. The answer 



556 OUR COUNTY AlSD ITS PEOPLE. 

was another question whether Mr. Hone ever knew a minister who had 
any money. The result was a tender of a loan to Mr. Sherman by 
Mr. Hone of $5,000, which was accepted and the Trenton Falls House 
was erected. Rev. Isaac B. Pierce succeded Mr. Sherman as pastor of 
the Unitarian church and acceptably served the congregation for twenty- 
five years. 

From a Centennial address delivered in Trenton July 4, 1876, we 
quote the following paragraphs of important early history of this town : 

You have living in your neighborhood a man who was born before any white man 
ventured to think of settling here,— Vincent Tuttle, of Holland Patent. He was 
born in 1790, and now, eighty-six years old, with a firm step and sound memory, 
he is here to celebrate with you this centennial Fourth of July. He came here in 
March, 1804. He tells me that at that time the clearing was only as far as the place 
where the Prospect Railroad Depot now stands; that all north of that, including the 
ground where Prospect Village now is, was covered by a dense forest ; that he 
helped cut the road towards Prospect, in front of Mr. Wm. Perkins' land, in 1807; 
that the village of Prospect was laid out by Colonel Mappa in 1811 , and by him named 
Prospect ; and that when he came here Colonel Adam G. Mappa resided where we 
are now assembled, but in the frame house built by Gerrit Boon; that in 1809, the 
Holland Land Company built, at a cost of $13,000 this stone mansion, which has 
witnessed many assemblages of distinguished people; that in 1804 the stone grist- 
mill on the flat was in good order, but the dam had been carried away by a flood. 
This mill was built by Boon, at the experise of the Holland Company, to save the 
settlers the time and labor and difficulty of walking to Whitesboro' to get flour. The 
location of this dam and mill proving unfortunate, the Holland Land Company 
abandoned it, and built anew grist-mill on the Cincinnati Creek, a few rods below 
the location of Parker's present foundry, at the foot of the first fall below the bridge. 
This company also built a saw mill on the site of the present saw-mill. These mills 
the Holland Land Company sold to Peter Schuyler, who owned and ran them sev- 
eral years, and then sold out to James Parker, an important and early settler, who 
occupied and ran the mills many years, day and night, doing a large business, cus- 
tomers coming from Steuben, Remsen, and Boonville to have their grist ground. 
The farmers then raised their own wheat and had it for sale. But until a grist-mill 
was built here they could obtain no flour without walking from here to Whitesboro. 
The road was impassable in any other way. There was no flour then to be purchased 
at stores. The whole community was intensely excited about the grist-mill. They 
could not run the risk of the old location ; that must be abandoned, and a reliable 
mill built at once. This was done, and thereby a great trade was brought to Tren- 
ton. Tailors and boot and shoe makers had no shops, but went from house to house 
mending and and making up for the year. The women of the county carded by 
hand the fleeces of wool clipped by the farmers. They spun and made yarn, and 
then by hand-looms, such as is worked to day by Mrs. Perkins, at Prospect, they 
wove their own dresses, which lasted for years, and were handed down from the 
mother to the youngest child ; and the farmer sowed flax, and when it was broken 



THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 557 

and made ready for the spinning-wheels, the women took it and made all their linen 
for household uses. 

You can readily imagine, therefore, what a blessing to the women was a carding 
and fulling-mill ; and so there was rejoicing in this land when, in 1806, a man by the 
name of Ensign put up a carding and fulling mill on the Cincinnati Creek, just above 
the foundry. The falls on the creek opposite the Prospect Depot are sometimes 
called Ensign Falls,— after the builder of this carding and fulling mill. He sold out 
to Timothy Powers, who built new and larger works, and did a great deal of busi- 
ness for several years. His carding-mill stood where the present foundry is located. 
The first male child born in the town was a son of James Parker, already mentioned; 
he was named Adam, after Colonel Adam Mappa, although many supposed he was 
called Adam because he was the first man. 

George Parker, another son of James Parker, was the father of Messrs. Parker 
who now own the foundry. ' He was a very ingenious mechanic. He learned his 
trade with Shubael Storrs, a watch-maker in Utica, and then returning to Trenton, 
built a foundry on the Cincinnati Creek, just above the present foundry. This was 
subsequently turned into a grist-mill, which was a short lived affair, and the build- 
ing now remains unoccupied. 

Mr. Tuttle informs me that in the fall of 1804 Captain John Billings and Mr. James 
Douglas, of Westfield, Massachusetts, came to Trenton. They were merchants, and 
by marriage related to one another, and to Dr. Guiteau. They were both Demo- 
crats, and could live in harmony, and they entered into a partnership which lasted 
several years. Mr. Billings was appointed postmaster in 1805, and held his position 
about fifty years, and accounted for every cent of the receipts of his office. He was 
born in 1781, and died in 1863. 

The grandfather of Mr. James Douglas was a native of Scotland. He became a 
planter on the island of Jamaica. He had two children, a son and a daughter. His 
son, Thomas James Douglas, at the age of eighteen, and in the year of 1758, came 
to America, with two servants, landing at Providence, Rhode Island. He engaged 
in the Revolutionary struggle with Great Britain, holding the commission of major 
in the army. He corresponded with General Washington, and also with other offi- 
cers, and this correspondence is still extant. His son, James Douglas, was born at 
Westfield, Mass., in 1778, and, as I have already mentioned, came here in the fall of 
1804, with Captain Billings. They were strongly urged to stop at Utica, but the hill- 
sides about Utica were very wet, while the lowlands were subjectto the overflowings 
of the Mohawk River, and they decided to come here. Mr. Douglas died in 1851, 
leaving a widow and sons and daughters, who survive him. 

Captain Billings held a commission in the war of 1812, and went with his company 
to Sacket's Harbor. For thirty years Mr. Douglas and Captain Billings were asso- 
ciated in business, and when they dissolved partnership the new firm was Douglas & 
Son. About 1810 there were five stores at Trenton, which were carried on by the 
following persons : Mappa & Remsen, Chapman & Cooper, Billings & Douglas, 
Brooks & Mason, and Mr. Griswold. 

At that time there was no village of Prospect. There was Remsen, but no store 
there ; Holland Patent, but no store there ; Russia, but no store there ; and thus the 
trade of that part of Herkimer county, and all this part of Oneida county, was tribu- 
tary to your village, and some of your trade came over from Martinsburg. 



558 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Tuttle states that Colonel Thomas Hicks built the house in which Dr. Guiteau 
now resides. Colone' Hicks was an influential and active citizen, and an earnest 
Federalist. 

The house in which Judge Vanderkemp resided Mr. Tuttle thinks was built by 
him. This is quite likely, but the original poor, thin, cold building cannot now be 
recognized in the pretty and comfortable cottage occupied by Mr. Silsbee. 

From 1816 to 1871 Mr. Tuttle owned 164 acres of land, which included all of Tren- 
ton Falls on the west side of Canada Creek up to Fanning's (now Perkins') south line, 
except the first, or Sherman's Fall. He gave for it, in 1816, from §20 to $25 per acre, 
and sold it, in 1871, to Mr. Moore, for 8100 per acre; but Mr. Moore occupied the 
land twenty years before he purchased it. Mr. Tuttle states that prior to 1832 those 
who wished to see the Falls used to stop at the Backus Hotel, — now Mr. Skinner's 
house, — in your village, and then go to the ravine by a path across the fields and 
through some gates. 

About the year 1822, Joseph Bonaparte, who then lived in New Jersey, gave some 
money to Mr. Backus to blast out some of the rock in the ravine, so as to make a safe 
walk up to the first fall. Bonaparte was delighted with the beauty of the falls, and 
predicted that they would be of great note ; and to-day Mr. Moore's register will show 
the names of visitors from all parts of the world. Among the first settlers, Judge 
John Storrs held the office of supervisor eleven years, Peter Schuyler ten years, and 
William Rollo eighteen years. When we look back upon the early settlers, we wish 
we had the time to give the name and history of every one; but they number be- 
tween two hundred and three hundred as early as 1804. 

Pascal C. J. De Angelis came over from the old country in his boy- 
hood, took part in the naval service of the Revolutionary war, and was 
captured by the British and confined in Dartmoor prison. After the 
war he built and commanded a vessel in the merchant service. Becom- 
ing acquainted with Mr. Johnson, one of the proprietors of the Holland 
patent, 1 he was persuaded by his friend, Mr. Fisk, to join with him and 
and a Mr. Hubbard in the purchase of one-quarter of the Holland 
patent. They all came in during 1797. A receipt dated October 
12, 1797, is for the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars from P. C. 
J. De Angelis for improvements and buildings, and is signed by James 
Hulbert. The building was a log house on land afterwards occupied by 
W. W. De Angelis as a garden. Mr. Fisk built the first frame. house 
and Judge De Angelis the next; the latter was built in 1800. 

The Vincent Tuttle mentioned in the foregoing quotations came with 
his father, Daniel Tuttle, from Long Island to Norway, Herkimer 
county, in 1794 and settled near the site of Prospect village in 1804. 

1 The Holland Patent was named after Lord Holland, and should not be confounded with 
any of the lands of the Holland Land Company. 



THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 559 

The son settled after attaining his majority on a farm between Pros- 
pect and Trenton and there passed most of his life He engaged in 
early years in the distilling business, during which he had a contract for 
producing 250,000 gallons of spirits for the army. He also carried on 
a store at Trenton Falls. 

Thomas G. Hicks, father of Col. Thomas Hicks, came from Rhode 
Island about 1781 and located in Utica. He soon afterward removed 
to Trenton village, where he built the house afterwards occupied by Dr. 
Guiteau, in which he kept the first hotel in the place. A year later he 
rempved to a farm at South Trenton and made improvements. He was 
a- carpenter by trade, and was the first captain of militia from this town 
and was colonel of the 72d Regiment ; he went to Sackett's Harbor 
during the war of 1812. 

Previous to the war of 18 12 the Utica and Remsen turnpike, which 
became better known as the Black River road, was constructed under 
direction of Col. Thomas Hicks Isaac Curry kept a hotel about a 
mile and a half south of South Trenton and there was located a toll 
gate. -Mr. Curry was a leading early citizen and held several offices. 
Cheney Garrett was a partner of Colonel Hicks in building operations. 

According to the Jones Annals, the first settlers in the south part of 
the town were Colonel Hicks. John Garrett and his two sons, Cheney 
and Peter, Edward Hughes and Hugh Thomas; others were Ephraim 
Perkins, John Curry and his two sons, Elias and Isaac, Owen Morris, 
Lemuel Barrows, Jedediah Brownell, Lucas Younglove, and James 
Francis. These settlements were made between 1792 and 18 io John 
Garrett was a soldier of the Revolution and became owner of 104 acres 
from the land company on the north of Nine Mile Creek, for which he 
paid $4 an acre. Hicks bought 200 acres a half mile north of Garrett, 
paying $4.50 an acre. He later built a hotel at Trenton. Peter and 
Cheney Garrett returned to Utica after their father's settlement, but 
about 1802 came back to South Trenton, Cheney locating on his 
father's place and building the house afterwards occupied by his son, 
John P. Garrett. Peter bought a farm three-quarters of a mile south 
from South Trenton, the place later occupied by his son Jedediah. 
John Curry was from Scotland, and married a sister of John Post, the 
Utica pioneer, with whom one of his sons was an early clerk ; it was 



560 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

through the latter's influence that his father moved here from Ballston. He 
purchased IOO acres of the land company at South Trenton, at $5 an acre. 
About 1807 Isaac, the son, built a hotel a mile south of South Trenton, 
which in later years was known as the Joy place. James Francis emigrated 
from South Wales and settled at South Trenton about 1806, where he 
purchased a small farm a half mile northeast of the village and built a 
log house. Edward Hughes came over from Wales about 1802, lived 
in Philadelphia three years and then settled at South Trenton, where he 
bought fifty acres at $8 an acre ; his place was a short distance south 
of the village site. These pioneers were endowed with determination 
and industry and they founded schools and churches, built mills, opened 
stores and shops and laid the foundations for the prosperity that has 
been enjoyed by their posterity. 

A post-office was established at Trenton village about the beginning 
of the century and soon a little settlement gathered about which fore- 
shadowed the later village. Dr. Luther Guiteau was postmaster for a 
time, and was succeeded by John Billings, his brother-in-law, who set- 
tled here in 1804. Taking the office in 1805 he kept it about sixty 
years and at his death was the oldest postmaster in the United States. 
He was succeeded by Griffith Pritchard. Elizur Skinner settled near 
the village about 18 10, removed to South Trenton where he kept a 
public house a year, when he returned to Trenton village during the war 
of 181 2 and kept the tavern four years that was occupied in late years 
by G. L. Skinner. This hotel was built by Judge John Storrs. Peter 
Remsen opened an early store in the village and Douglass & Billings 
another. By the year 1819 a considerable hamlet had grown up and 
on the 19th of April of that year the village was incorporated under the 
original name of Olden Barneveld. Reincorporation was effected April 
26, 1833, under the present name and with slightly different bounda- 
ries ; these boundaries have been twice changed, first in April, 1864, 
and again in April, 1870. The records under the first incorporation are 
not in existence. Previous to 1868 the village was governed simply by 
a board of trustees numbering six in the early years, five for a later 
period, and still later four. Since 1868 a president of the board has 
been chosen, the list embracing the following : 

1868-69, Daniel French; 1870, Hugh H. Jones; 1871, Levi Wheaton; 1872, Daniel 



THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 561 

French; 1873-76, Albert S. Skiff; 1877-79, William Boullian ; 1880, H. S Stanton- 
Ittl' L B ' Watkins; 1882 ' D - French ' J' r - 1 1883, J. B. Watkins; 1884-85, James Reeve- 
1886-8S, John C. Owens; 1889, D. H. Roberts; 1890-91, T. J. Lewis- '892-93 John 
Hughes; 1894-95, D. H. Roberts; 1896, John E. Dublin. 

A library was founded in the village in 1874 under the name of the 
Trenton Library Association, which title was afterward changed to the 
Barneveld Library Association. A subscription was collected of about 
$100 and a number of books, and a room was furnished for the purpose. 
The collection increased until about 240 volumes were gathered when 
on the 17th of March, 1875, the library was burned. A meeting was 
held and a revival of the library determined upon ; another subscription 
was started and so liberally were contributions made that within two 
months 350 volumes were collected and before the close of that year the 
number was increased to more than 1,200 volumes. A building was 
now needed and subscriptions were reeeived for the purchase of a site, 
and the collection of funds was continued until about $1,200 was col- 
lected, when on July 27, 1877, the corner stone of a building was laid. 
The building is of stone and cost with the site about $1,700. 

Some of the former business men of Trenton are Daniel French, still 
living, who came in 1837 and started in the meat market business in 
1842; Billings & Howe, James Douglass & Son, Egert & Pritchard, 
Levi Wheadon and John Evans. The firm of Bevin & Dublin were in 
trade and dissolved, J. E. Dublin opening a store and C. C. Bevin an- 
other; Barker & Plumb started where Mr. Bevin now is, and were 
succeeded by F. F. Potter. Other present merchants are J. J. Lewis, 
Alger & Barker, formerly R. Alger & Son, and before them William 
Robertson; G. H. Skiff, furniture, William Bouillian, many years in the 
drug trade, and E. French & Son, market and grocers. 

The grist mill is operated by F. A. Goodman, formerly by S. R. Sizer 
and still later by Israel Jones. The saw mill about a mile out the vil- 
lage is operated by Austin Mcintosh, and near it in what was the 
Parker foundry, is the fish rod factory owned by George A. Clark & Co. 
of Utica. 

For many years past there have been two hotels in Trenton. The 
Dawson House has been kept for thirteen years by George W. Dawson ; 
it has been a hotel site for a great many years. The Brooklyn House is 
kept by Herbert Griffith. 
7J 



562 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The village of Holland Patent takes its name from the large tract of 
land of more than 20,000 acres, granted to Henry, Lord Holland, by 
the British crown. He sold the tract to Seth Johnson, Horace Johnson, 
and Andrew Craige, who employed Moses Wright to survey it into lots 
of about 100 acres each. Seth Johnson was a native of Middletown, 
Conn., born in 1767, and died while on a visit to Holland Patent De- 
cember 8, 1802; he was the first person buried in the burial ground 
which he had given to the settlers for that purpose. At the time the 
Johnsons came on the patent they found Noah Simons making a sur- 
vey and claiming to be the owner of it. There was some litigation in 
later years to support those claims, but it failed. A few families moved 
upon the tract previous to 1797, having made purchases of Simons ; 
among these are Rowland Briggs, Eliphalet Pierce, Eliphalet Coates, 
Benjamin White, and a few others, who made repurchases of the real 
owners. Soon after the Johnson and Craige survey they sold a quarter 
of the patent to Bezabel Fisk, Pascal C. I. De Angelis, Hezekiah Hul- 
bert, and Isaac Hubbard, who drew shares for their several locations, 
after selecting two lots each. This formed a nucleus for the subsequent 
settlement. Mr. Hulbert died in 1800, and Mr. Fisk died early, both 
deaths occurring in Connecticut. Mr. De Angelis died in Holhind Pat 
ent in 1839, at the age of seventy-six years; and Mr. Hubbard died in 
Ohio at the age of ninety- nine years. The post-office here was estab- 
lished probably about 1805. Hobart Hall Academy was incorporated 
in 1839, w 'th Mr. De Angelis as president, and a building was erected 
and the school commenced. For a number of years it was quite sue 
cessful, but it finally gave way to the graded schools and the building 
was then used for that purpose. In 1876 Watson Williams built the 
large brick hotel called the Clarendon, principally to accommodate the 
many guests that in recent years have sought this quiet and health ■ 
promoting place. This house is now kept by I. D. Thompson. A store 
is kept by John E. Jones (formerly Jones & Owens), and by William 
McClusky (formerly White & McClusky), and M. M. Brown. A grist 
mill between this village and Stittville is operated by Thompson & 
Goodman. 

This village is the home of the author of successful books, writing 
under the nom-de plume of Betsey Bobbett, 




HENRY HAGEDORN. 



THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 563 

The enterprising village of Prospect is situated in the northeast part 
of the town on the West Canada Creek. Its name is said to have been 
given it by Col. Adam G. Mappa, who, with a surveying party, laid 
out the village. Standing upon the eminence overlooking the valley of 
the creek and surrounding scenery, he exclaimed, " What a beautiful 
prospect! " Hence the name. Phineas Watkins was an early settler of 
this town near what has been called Birch Ridge ; his son George opened 
the first store in Prospect, in association with John Owens; this was in 
1823. Mr. Watkins had previously taught school in the village. A 
saw mill was built early on the Herkimer county side of the creek by 
John G. Squires, and another on the Trenton side which was long 
operated by George Watkins. Watkins and Owens continued in part- 
nership until 1830. Mr. Watkins was conspicuous in building up the 
place. Judah Crosby settled about the beginning of the century a mile 
north of Prospect, and there his son, Smith Crosby, was born in July, 
1803. The latter was long a well known citizen and built the Union 
church in the village. George Watkins erected a grist mill after he had 
got his saw mill in operation ; it has been run ever since, with changes 
in its interior. The grist mill here is now operated by Henry Hagedorn ; 
there is no saw mill in operation. The large tannery once carried or 
by Lewis J. Griffith was burned and not rebuilt. 

The post- office at Prospect was established probably as early as 18 15. 
About 1825 Clark Hoyt built what became known as Union Hall, a 
large hotel in the upper part of the village. This property is now the 
property of Henry Hagedorn and is conducted by James Murphy, jr. 
The popular Dodge House is conducted by William Hodge. What 
was formerly known as Goshen Hall, and McMaster's Hall, in the lower 
part of the village, was probably built in early years by Porter Davis; 
it is now owned by James Sherman, and conducted as a hotel by Fred. 
Hubbard. Stores are kept here by C. B. Hodge, Charles Walters, John 
R. Williams and George H. Worden ; the latter has been in trade here 
thirty years, and is a grandson of Isaac Worden, who came here in 1794 
and settled a half mile from the village site. 

The early settlement by the Garretts and others at South Trenton 
has been described. Cheney Garrett kept a public house for twenty 
years in what was later the dwelling of his son ; it was built in 1801. 



6g4 our county and its people. 

The first store in the place was kept by Hugh Williams, a native of 
England. Mr. Garrett built a saw mill on the creek as early as 1797, 
and a grist mill, a clover mill, a flax mill, and a peppermint distillery 
were later put in operation. A brick yard was established about 1837 
by H. W. and J. P. Garrett. The post-office of South Trenton was 
originally established three miles south of the village on the Utica road ; 
the one at the village was opened about 1822 with Daniel Schermer- 
horn as postmaster. A store is kept by E. D. Wheeler where John 
Mallory was formerly in trade and was succeeded by Robert Isaacs. A 
man named Rowley was in trade here as early as 1837. The hotel is 
kept by Lewis Smallenberge , and a small grist mill is run by Charles 
Sypher. 

The first store at Trenton Falls was probably that of Romeo W. Mar- 
shall, who was doubtless the first postmaster also. The store was in 
operation about 1820 and not far from 1825 the post-office was, opened. 
A grist mill was built about 1822 by Henry Conradt, and a saw mill 
was also started in early years. The grist mill is operated by William 
Morgan, and Charles Morgan has a store. The two hotels are owned 
by Mrs. Maria Moore, widow of Michael Moore. 

Gang Mills (post-office, Hinckley) is in the extreme northwest part 
of this town, and has long been a large lumber center. Almost half of 
the hamlet is in Herkimer county. On the Trenton side is the post- 
office, a box factory run by Butts & Co., a large saw mill by the Glens 
Falls Lumber Company; a store by Prentice & Willoughby and an- 
other by Lamb & Smith. 

In the southwest corner of the town is a hamlet called Stittville, which 
has had a post-office since about 185c. William Grant was the first 
postmaster. A small mercantile business has always been conducted 
there, and a few shops. A knitting factory was established in 1878; 
it is now operated by Hackett & Atwood. A store is kept by Fred. 
Gauss and another by Ellis D. Jones. 

The first church in this town, the Presbyterian at Holland Patent, 
founded in 1797, has already been mentioned. A church of this de- 
nomination was also organized at Trenton village at an early date, but 
it finally declined and passed out of existence. Rev. Dr. Harrower 
preached alternately at the two places. The early records of these 



THE TOWN OF TRENTON. 5G5 

churches are lost. In 1812 a Congregational church was formed at 
Holland Patent by Rev. Elijah Norton, to which Dr. Harrower minis- 
tered after a few years. On the 2d of January, 1821, these two churches 
(the Presbyterian and the Congregational) united under the title The 
Church of Christ in Holland Patent. 

A Baptist church was organized at Holland Patent March 26, 18 12, 
with sixteen members, under the pastorate of Elder Joel Butler. A 
small church was built in 1813 This was succeeded in 1840 by the 
stone church. 

The " United Protestant Religious Society " was formed at Trenton 
village in 1803, and dissolved in 181 1. The Christian church was or- 
ganized in March, 1806, with Rev. John Sherman, pastor. These 
organizations were succeeded by the Reformed Christian (or Unitarian) 
Church of Trenton Village. A house of worship was early erected and 
is still in use. A Unitarian congregation was formed early at Holland 
Patent, which was ministered to in connection with the one at Trenton. 
It is not now in existence. 

St. Paul's Episcopal church, Holland Patent, was organized June 21, 
1 82 1, with Rev. Henry Moore Shaw, rector, and James VVetmore, and 
Abraham Diefendorf, wardens; Aaron Savage, Seth Wells, Robert 
McArthur, Samuel Candee, Bryant Yoings, John P. Warner,' Samuel 
White, and Aaron White, vestrymen. 

There are also at Holland Patent a Welsh Methodist and a Welsh 
Congregational church Neither has a large membership nor a regular 
pastor. The pulpit of the former is supplied by Rev. Thomas T. 
Evans. 

The Methodist Episcopal church, Trenton village, was organized as 
1840, and built its frame church in 1847. 

In 1841 a Union Society was formed at Prospect, which built a church 
and dedicated it in January, 1842. The property was afterwards 
deeded to a Methodist society, and the building was used by them and 
the Free Will Baptists many years. The latter society was organized 
in 1857. A society of Close Communion Baptists was organized at 
Prospect about 1820, which afterwards was merged with the Free Will 
society. There is a Welsh Calvanistic church, organized about 1857, 
and a Moriah Welsh Congregational society, organized in 1863, at 
Prospect, both of which have church buildings. 



566 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A Baptist church was formed at Trenton Falls about 1833, with 
thirty- nine members. Besides these there is a Welsh Methodist church 
at South Trenton. 

The supervisors of this town, from 1798 to 1896, inclusive, have been 
as follows, viz. : 

1798-1800, John Storrs; 1801, Peter Schuyler; 1802-10, John Storrs; 1811, Rowland 
Briggs; 1812-29, William Rollo; 1830-32, Ithia Thompson; 1833-39, John Storrs; 
1840, Isaac Currey; 1841, Israel F. Morgan; 1842-45, Henry Rhodes; 1846, Luther 
Guiteau, jr.; 1847. Henry Miller; 1848-49, Aaron White; 1850-51, John N. Billings; 
1852, John Candee; 1853, Reuben W. Fox; 1854, Elam Perkins; 1855-58, Orville 
Combs; 1859-64, Delos A. Crane; 1865-70, Henry Broadwell ; 1871-73, Delos A. 
Crane; 1874-76, J. Robert Moore ; 1877-78, Jacob J. Davis; 1879, Griffith Wheldon ; 
1880, S. B. Atwood ; 1881, Norton Wolcott ; 1882-83-84, Lester G. Wauful ; 1885-86- 
87, Thomas J. Lewis; 1888-89-90, R. R. Isaac; 1891-92-93, George R. Farley; 
1894-95-96, H. A. Pride. 



CHAPTER XLVII. 

THE TOWN OF VERNON. 

This town lies on the southwestern border of the county and was 
formed from parts of Westmoreland and Augusta on Feb. 17. 1802. It 
retained its original area until 1836, when a small part was set off to 
Stockbridge, Madison county, leaving Vernon with an area of 23,710 
acres. Within the limits of the town is included the territory of the 
Van Eps, Wemple, Baschard, Bleecker and Dean patents; the territory 
was within the original Oneida Reservation and a part in the Stock- 
bridge tract; these divisions are shown on the map herein. Oneida 
Creek forms most of the western boundary of the town, and Skanandoa 
Creek flows northward across the town. The surface is rolling and the 
soil an excellent quality of gravelly and clay loam, underlaid with lime- 
stone, waterlime and gypsum No town in the county possesses greater 
fertility than this. 

The first town meeting was held at the house of David Tuttle on the 
first Tuesday in April, 1802, and the usual officers were chosen Sam- 
uel Wetmore was elected supervisor ; Josiah Patten, town clerk. Mr. 



THE TOWN OF VERNON. 567 

Wetmore held the office of supervisor nine years and was succeeded by 
Mr. Patten, who remained in the office until 1819. He was succeeded 
by John P. Sherwood. In 1830 James Kellogg. The town records 
previous to this date are lost. The list of supervisors from 1831 is as 
follows : 

1831-33, Nicholas Dyer; 1834. James Kellogg; 1835-3^, Josiah W. Jenkins; 1837, 
John P. Sherwood; 1838, David Pierson ; 1839-40, John P. Sherwood; 1841, Levi T. 
Marshall; 1842, Austin B. Webber; 1843, Salmon Case; he resigned and Charles 
Kilbourn was elected to the vacancy; 1844, Erastus W. Clark; 1845, Salmon Case; 
1846, Fitch Howes; 1847-48, David Pierson; 1849-50, Hiram D. Tuttle; 1851, Josiah 
Case; 1852-54; Orson Carpenter; 1855, Eusebius W. Dodge; 1856-57, Orson Car- 
penter; 1858-59, Sidney A. Bunce; 1860-63, Henry Wilson; 1864, Sidney A. Bunce; 
1865-66, Henry Wilson; 1867-68, Thomas Butterfield; 1869-70, Edward W. Williams'; 
1871-72, William Marson ; 1873-75, James Markham ; 1876, Orson Carpenter; 1877,' 
A. De V. Townsley; 1878, A. Pierson Case; 1879-80, Charles Scoville; 1881, Orson 
Carpenter; 1882-83, F. A. Cody, jr.; 1884, J. B. Cushman ; 1885-86, Morris S. 
Miller, jr.; 1887-89, Charles H. Phister; 1890, John F. Morrison; 1891-92, Elliot J. 
Norton ; 1893-96, James M. Brown. 

Settlement in Vernon was begun by Josiah Bushnell, who located 
about 1794 on the northwest corner lot of the Bleecker patent, coming 
in from Berkshire county, Mass. He brought with him his wife and 
four children, one son and three daughters ; the youngest daughter 
died in 1795. before the arrival of any other settlers. When the Oneida 
Reservation was sold at auction in August, 1797, and the several pat- 
ents were granted, settlement progressed rapidly, and within two years 
every farm was taken up by sturdy pioneers, mostly from Massachusetts 
and Connecticut. The Baschard patent was by far the larger of those 
within the town and the following is a list of the first settlers thereon : 

Rev. Publius Bogue, Deacons Hill and Bronson, Samuel Wetmore, David Bron- 
son, Levi Bronson, Seth Holmes, Anson Stone, Asahel Gridley, Heman Smith, 
Eliphaz Bissell, Adonijah Foot, Stephen Goodwin, Seth Hills, Eli Frisbie, James 
De Votie, John DeVotie, Samuel Austin, Ezra Stannard, Matthew Griswold, Joseph 
Frisbie, David Alvord, Levi Thrall, Asahel Wilcox, Russell Church, Abijah P. Bron- 
son, Thomas Spencer, Stephen Carter, Benjamin Carter, Levi Marshall, Seth Mar- 
shall, Harvey Marshall, David Tuttle, Huet Hills, Elijah Webber, a Mr. Bush, and 
a Mr. McEwen. 

These settlers were nearly all from the towns of Winchester and Tor 
rington, Conn., and they laid out a plat of six acres in a parallelogram 
which became the site of Vernon Center. Surrounding the Green were 
lots of one acre each, and a number of the settlers located on them. 



568 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Around this Green all P otestant religious organizations were given 
permission to build churches. 

Asahel Gridley, mentioned above, built the first grist mill in the town, 
on the Skanandoa Creek a little west of Vernon Center ; he was father 
of Hon. Philo Gridley, one of the Supreme Court judges of this State. 
The second grist mill was built a little later at Vernon village by Abram 
Van Eps. 

The first settlers on the Sargent patent, which was a mile square and 
a little southwest of Vernon Center, were Rev John Sargent, the 
patentee, Zenas McEwen, Ezra McEwen, and a Mr. Martin. On the 
Oneida Reservation the early settlers were Gideon Skinner, Ariel Law- 
rence, Samuel Shed, Thomas Gratton, William De Land, Nathan 
Carter, Thomas Tryon, a Mr. Spalding, David Moore, Josiah Simons, a 
Mr. Grant, Joseph Doane, Ezra May, a Mr. Kellogg, William Mahan, 
Stephen Page, Ebenezer Ingraham, Sylvester Crocker, Chester May, 
Jonathan Graves, Augustus and Philo Soper, Ashbel Norton, Charles 
Dix, Rufus Vaughan, William Wright, Samuel Cody, a Mr. Kelsey, 
Mr. Raymond, Jacob Hungerford, Joseph Bailey, a Mr. Ailing, Mr. 
Haseltine, Mr. Carpenter, and Jedediah Darling ; these were mainly in 
the eastern part of the town. 

The settlers in the west and southwest part were James Griffith, 
Ebenezer Webster, Elisha Webster, Eli Webster, Russell Webster, 
Allen Webster, a Mr: Freeman, Capt. William Grant, Dr. Samuel 
Frisbie, Joseph Stone, Eliphalet Hotchkiss, Joshua Warren, Calvin 
Youngs, Simon Willard, Andrew Langdon, and EdwarJ Webber. In 
the north part settled Amos Brockway, a Mr. Cole, Moses Upham, 
Aaron Davis, Jonathan Blount, Thaddeus Brookins. Joseph Day, Robert 
Frink, Stephen Campbell, Jonathan Ney, Calvin Huntington, Luther 
Huntington, and a Mr. Cook. 

The early settlers on the Van Eps patent were Abram (or Abraham) 
Van Eps, the patentee, Richard Hubbell, Gershom Hubbell, Benjamin 
Hubbell, Gad Warner, Benjamin Pierson, David Pierson, Josiah Patten, 
William Root, and Elihu Root. Richard and Gershom Hubbell were 
twin brothers, as also were Calvin and Luther Huntington. Richard 
Hubbell was the first settler on the Van Eps patent, locating in 1794-5 
in what is now the north part of Vernon village. 



THE TOWN OF VERNOST. 569 

The first marriage in this town was that of Aaron Davis and Amy, 
daughter of Josiah Busline!]; it occurred before 1798. The first white 
child born in the town was Edward Marshall, son of Levi Marshall, the 
date being April 19, 1799 

The father of Abraham Van Eps was a fur trader at Schenectady. 
After the close of the Revolutionary war he took a lot of valuable 
property to the Canadian shore of Lake Ontario, where he was 
plundered by. Indians and refugees; he never returned and his fate is 
unknown. Abraham was born in Schenectady in 1763, and in the 
spring of 1784 passed through what is now Oneida county before the 
arrival here of either Judge Dean or Judge White, on his way to 
Niagara with fur traders' goods. Returning in the fall he found along 
the old military road through the site of Whitesboro village the begin- 
ning of improvements by Judge White and his sons. Mr. Van Eps 
established a trading station at the mouth of Oriskany Creek in 1785, 
-where he traded till about 1787, when he moved into the town of West- 
moreland and built a log store on Judge Dean's farm. About 1792 he 
erected a building north of the site of Westmoreland furnace in which he 
kept house, having married a Miss Young of Schenectady, and also sold 
goods ; thus he was both the first merchant in the county and in the 
town of Westmoreland. When his patent was granted in Vernon he 
at once built a store in what is now the eastern part of Vernon village. 
In the same building Gershom Hubbell kept a tavern a short time. 
Mr. Van Eps built a dwelling there in 1798, moved into it, opened his 
store and thus became the first merchant in the town of Vernon. He 
was successful, but in 1809 removed to Schenectady. In 1829 he re- 
turned to this town, his wife having died in 1828, and married Miss 
Sarah Underhill. He died in 1841, after a long and very useful life. 

Some of the early roads in this town received local names; for exam- 
ple, a part of the Seneca turnpike east of Oneida Castle was called 
Turkey street, said to have been so named from the fact that some of the 
early settlers went in the night to Oneida Castle and stole some turkeys be- 
longing to the Indians What was called Cooper street runs parallel with 
and a mile or more north of the Seneca turnpike, and was so named from 
the number of early coopers settled there. Hovel, or Webster street, be- 
gins about two miles west of Vernon village and leads southward to 
72 



570 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Sargent's patent. The first title came from the " hovel" style of some 
of the early dwellings along this road, while the residence there of five 
Websters was sufficient to name it Webster street. 

The first school in this town was taught at the Center by a Mr. 
Sessions, in a log school house. The first frame school house was built 
at Vernon village soon after 1798 and was used also as a church for a 
number of years. As the inhabitants increased in numbers, the town 
was subdivided into districts, the number of which in i860 was twelve; 
at the present time there are ten, with school houses. 

The village of Oneida Castle is situated partly in this town and partly 
in the town of Lenox, Madison county. A considerable hamlet gath- 
ered here in early years. The first public house was kept by John 
Otis on the site of the later lower hotel. East of this house previous 
to 1824 Stephen Parkhurst kept a small tavern; in the year named he 
moved the building opposite to the so-called White- House and kept it 
as a hotel eight or ten years. About 1833 he built the White House. 
This is still standing, but is unoccupied. The present hotel of Luke 
H. Coon was built by him in 1887 on the site of an older one which he 
had kept more than ten years. Another hotel is kept by John Don - 
ovan, called the Central, 

The post-office was established prior to 1818 and George Baldwin, 
an early lawyer, was made postmaster; he was succeeded by Stephen 
Parkhurst, who held the office twenty years and was followed by Tim- 
othy Jenkins. 

The first store in this village was that of Andrew Van Alstine, who 
was succeeded by Thomas Hooker.. The stone store was built about 
1834 by Elphalet Hotchkiss, on the site now covered by S. D. Bridge's 
store. Timothy Jenkins, just mentioned, was a prominent citizen, an 
excellent lawyer, and practiced in Vernon village from 1825 to about 
1832, when he removed to Oneida Castle and there passed the remainder 
of his useful life. Stores are now kept by S. D. Bridge and Chester 
Martin. The Brid e store was built by Rufus Peckham. 

The earliest physician in this place was Dr. John Morrison, who sub- 
sequently removed to Wisconsin. Other prominent physicians of the 
place were Drs, Hurlburt G, Wetmore, Martin Cavana, and A. P. 
Dodge. 




TIMOTHY JENKINS. 



THE TOWN OF VERNON. 571 

An academy was started early in the village by one of the Bronson 
family, who taught in it for a time. It declined in later years and 
was merged in the Union school. This school is continued in the 
academy building and is in charge of J. H. Kales, principal, and two 
assistants. A branch of the school is maintained at the Community 
with three teachers. 

Oneida Castle was incorporated May 26, 1841. and the following 
were .elected the first officers : 

Robert Perry, Rufus Peckham, Horatio Stevens, H. G. Wetmore, Nathan F. 
Graves, trustees; James Tomlinson, clerk; Daniel Lamb, collector and treasurer; 
Timothy Jenkins, John Smith, and Stephen Parkhurst, fire wardens. 

A reincorporation was effected under the general State law of 1870 
on che 22d of December, 1872, and the first election under that charter 
was held January 1 1, 1873. The following were elected : 

President, James B. Avery; trustees, John Klock, J. L. Bridge, C. H. Wells; treas- 
urer, H. Luce; collector, L. Budlong; clerk, M. L. Carr. 

The village officers for 1896 are: President, E. B. Beebee; trustees, Amos Joslin, 
James Taylor, Stephen Goodnow; collector, Daniel E. Teale; treasurer, Charles 
Hitchcock; clerk, George R. Morrison. Mr. Morrison is also postmaster. 

Among the past tradesmen of this village were Horatio Stevens, 
Newman Schofield, Van Eps Hotchkiss, and others. 

The village of Vernon began its existence as a hamlet very early in 
the century. The beginning of mercantile business here by Mr. Van 
Eps has been described. A post-office was established early in the 
history of the place. Hezekiah and Asa Ames, brothers, built a card- 
ing and fulling mill early, ard a dwelling which afterwards became 
the Empire House. Samuel Gay kept a tavern probably as early as 
1813 in a building that in later years became the residence of A. 
Judson. A public library was founded in the little village in 1806, 
which continued probably to 181 1. Salmon Case came to the village 
in 1813 and lived here all his life; he died in 187 1. He opened a 
store and long carried on a successful business. He was the first 
cashier of the Bank of Vernon, was twice elected supervisor of the 
town, and was otherwise honored. Benjamin Pierson, who came to the 
place about 1800, and Thomas Williams, sr., were also early and prom- 
inent citizens of the place. The latter operated a large tannery in the 



5?2 OUR COUNTY A]SD ITS PEOPLE. 

southeast part of the village which ultimately burned and was not re- 
built. He also carried oiS- shoe and harness making. 

Vernon village was incorporated on April 6, 1827, and the first 
election of officers was held on the third Tuesday in May of that year, 
resulting as follows : 

John P. Sherwood, Thomas Williams, Luke Hitchcock Salmon Case, Robert 
Richardson, trustees; Henry Y. Stewart, John Stevens and Ira Kirtland, assessors; 
J. H. Collins, treasurer. 

Mr. Sherwood was afterward chosen president of the Board, and 
Timothy Jenkins, clerk. The officers for 1896 are F. Martin, president; 
J. J. Bartholomew, George Lewis, Ard Johnson, trustees. 

The grist mill in this village was built for Mr. Van Eps in early years, 
the first millwright being Robert Richardson. The latter also estab- 
lished a brewery here, and at one time the Granger brothers had a fac- 
tory for making glass bottles A window glass factory was carried on 
at one time by Willett Sherman for a stock company ; both of these 
industries were removed from town. Other past industries were a 
manufactory of scythe rifles and a drain tile factory. The grist mill is 
now operated by J. J. Bartholomew, A canning factory is run by the 
Curtis Canning Company. 

An academy was opened here in 1833 chiefly through the efforts of 
Salmon Case. It was incorporated and started with good prospects. 
Until 1876 the institution had a fair degree of prosperity, but in that 
year it was me — "d into the Union school of the village and its prop- 
erty was trail' "o the trustees. 

Soon after hie incorporation of the village the " Vernon Village Fire 
Company " w^s organized. A small hand engine was already owned, 
which with additions of hose and other apparatus continued in use until 
1833, when a new company was organized and in 1840 a new engine 
was purchased and an engine house erected. This outfit sufficed until 
1872 when another and better engine was bought. It is still in use and 
a fire company and hose company are maintained. 

The Bank of Vernon was organized in 1839 with a capital of $100,- 
OOO. John J. Knox was the first president and Salmon Case, cashier. 
The stone bank building was erected in the same year. In 1865 the 
bank was changed to a national band. Josiah Case succeeded Mr, 



THE TOWN OP VERNON. 573 

Knox as president in 1862, and Salmon Case was succeeded as cashier 
by T. F. Hand, and he by Everett Case in if t;i. The present presi- 
dent is A P. Case, and D. B Case is cashier. 

The founding of the Vernon Courier many years ago and its later 
removal to Rome have been described in another chapter of this vol- 
ume. The village remained without a newspaper until the spring of 
the present year (1896). Rev. H. A. Howard established the Search- 
light, a monthly publication, in December, 1895, and continued it to 
May, 1896, when the Vernon Times succeeded it, with Curry & Mur- 
phy publishers and editors. The Times is a sprightly folio and is re- 
ceiving liberal support. 

Present stores are kept in this village by C. H. Pfister, George P. 
Langford, and a tin and stove store by William Hyden. J. A. Ott is 
postmaster. 

The hotels now in existence are the Vernon House by William Zim- 
mer, the Lewis House by G. H. Lewis, and the West Shore House by 
William Kernan. The old Hubbell tavern (afterwards the Pierson) was 
the first one in the place. In 1878 it was enlarged and improved. 
Samuel Gay kept a hotel as early as 1813 and was succeeded by other 
landlords in the building that subsequently became the residence of A. 
Judson. A hotel formerly known as the Empire House was built for a 
dwelling by Hezekiah and Asa Ames, brothers. Shelburn Ives owned 
and occupied it many years. The Ames Brothers also had a carding 
machine and fulling mill on Scanandoa Creek. 

The laying out of the village plat of Vernon Cc the pioneers 

has already been noticed. A post office was established nere soon after 
the war of 18 12, and Pitt Cody was among the first, if not the first, 
postmaster; he kept the office in his shoe shop. His father was Sam- 
uel Cody, a justice of the peace. Elisha Pettibone kept a hotel, which 
was built early in the history of the place. A second one was built be- 
fore Mr. Pettibone completed the changes which he made in his house, 
on the site of the Methodist parsonage. Mr. Pettibone opened his 
house January 1, 18 18, after which the other house was closed as a 
hotel. Mr. Pettibone also operated a distillery north of the village many 
years. A store was kept as early as 18 18 opposite the hotel by Syl- 
vester Herrick. Other former merchants were Elihu Foot, John Pil- 



574 OUR COUNTS AND ITS PEOPLE. 

cher, Josiah Foot, Alpha Church and Willis Walters. Stores are now 
kept by Elliot Norton, who succeeded his father, Alson Norton, and 
another by George Earl. 

Charles Dix came with his family, a wife and five children, from 
Wethersfield, Conn., to Vernon, in 1802. He purchased a tract of land 
in the extreme south part of the town, a portion of which is still owned 
and occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs Gay Henry Rodemore. His 
new home was in a picturesque, narrow valley, with his lands extending 
up the hills on either side. Adjoining, on the north, was the Oneida 
Indian Reservation, whence formerly a considerable quantity of beads 
were washed down the ravines of the hill side. The Indians were buried 
in shallow graves with their beads and other ornaments The writer 
still has a string of beads that he picked up at this place more than fifty 
years ago. Mr. Dix brought with him sufficient means to give him at 
once an independent financial position. He built a tannery and shoe- 
shop, and later a rope walk and flax mill, and in the early part of the 
century this little valley, where there is now only a lone farm house, 
was a busy place The Indians made almost daily visits, and bread and 
other food was often given them, which they ate, sitting in groups near 
the dwelling of Mr. Dix on the logs that had been drawn for wood to 
be used in the great fireplaces of the time. They were always peaceable 
and friendly, except occasionally when intoxicated by iiquors furnished 
by the whites. 

Charles Dix was born in Wethersfield, Conn., November 8, 1764, and 
died in Vernon, N. Y., July 13, 1850 He was a descendant in the 
fourth generation of Leonard Dix, one of the original settlers of Weth- 
ersfield. He married, March 5, 1786, Prudence Wells, daughter of John 
Wells, a descendant in the fourth generation of Thomas Wells, also one 
of the original settlers of Wethersfield (1635), and the first colonial 
treasurer of Connecticut, and afterwards secretary, deputy governor 
and governor of the colony, and for twenty- three years one of the judges 
of the General Court, and the writer, and one of the enactors, in 1642, 
of the severe statutes that have given rise to the tradition of the exist- 
ence of a criminal code, commonly known as the " Blue Laws." 

Charles Dix removed from Wethersfield to Torrington, Conn., in 
1786 ; where, according to the published history of that town, he built 



THE TOWN OF VERNON. 575 

its first tannery; he returned to Wethersfield in 1795, and moved to 
Vernon, N. Y., in 1802. 

Children of Charles and Prudence (Wells) Dix : 1, Lydia, born April 
6, 1787, in Torrinnton, Conn., died August 27, 1870, in Vernon, N.Y. ; 
2, William, born June 7, 1789, in Torrington, Conn., died March 19, 
1876, in Dover, Mich. ; 3, Erastus, born April 15, 1791, in Torrington, 
Conn., died in 1844, in Ausable Forks, N. Y. ; 4, Ara, born July 14, 
1793, in Torrington, Conn., died September 4, 1826, in Vernon, N. Y. ; 
5, Martha (Patty), 1 born December 12, 1796, in Wethersfield, Conn., 
died December 23, 1863. in New Haven, N. Y. ; 6, Hannah, born De- 
cember 8, 1799, in Wethersfield, Conn., died February 27, 1848, in 
Stafford, N. Y. ; 7, Charles, born May 1, 1802, in Wethersfield, Conn., 
died March 8, 1862, in Le Roy, N. Y. ; 8, Samuel, born July 14 1805, 
in Vernon, N. Y., died March 27, 1807, in same place; 9, Eli Richard, 
born October 6, 1807, in Vernon, N. Y., died August 18, 1852, in same- 
place. 

The first religious society in this town was of the Congregational 
form and was organized at Vernon Center in 1803. It subsequently 
changed to the Presbyterian form and has so remained. Rev. Mr. 
Bogue was the first pastor who was followed by Rev. Calvin Bushnell, 
who preached here and in Vernon village until 1817, when he was set- 
tled at the latter place. The first church building was erected in 1812 
and was rebuilt in 1839. 

The " Mount Vernon Presbyterian Society" was organized at Ver- 
non village in 1805, taking its name from the then commonly used title 
for that village. The frame church was built by subscription in 1815, 
and was extensively improved in later years. Rev. Calvin Bushnell, 
before mentioned, remained with the church until 1829, aad was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Aaron Gunnison. 

The Baptist church at Vernon village, was organized in October, 
1807. The church edifice was built many years ago and is still in use 
in remodeled form. This society has always had a vigorous existence. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at Vernon Center was formed in 

' Martha, daughter of Charles and Prudence (.Wells) Dix, married, in Vernon, N. Y., March 8, 
1S14, Zadok Farman, son o£ Roswell and Abiah (Hutchins) Farman. Their second son, Henry Far- 
man, born March 14, 1833, in New Haven, Oswego county, N. Y., has resided at Knoxboro, Oneida 
county, N. Y-, for over fifty years. (See sketch on another page of this work). 



57G OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1826, and in 1828 the society built its frame edifice. In 1850 the spire 
was demolished by lightning and afterwards rebuilt. 

The Methodist church at Vernon village was organized about 1830, 
and soon afterward built its church in the northwest part of the corpo- 
ration. The building was moved to its later location in 1839, and the 
society has always been active and zealous. 

A Unitarian Congregational society was formed in March, 1841, and 
the church building near the Oneida Community's factories, formerly 
used by the Indians, was removed to the village of Vernon, and dedi- 
cated in September, 1842. The society finally passed out of existence. 

A Presbyterian society was formed at Oneida Castle not long after 
1840, and a church built at a later date, meetings being held at first in 
the school house. The old chujch was used until 1884, when a new 
edifice was erected. 

Oneida Community — The property of this celebrated organization is 
largely in the town of Vernon. The community was founded in 1847— 
8 by a company of so called Religious Perfectionists, under leadership 
of John Humphrey Noyes. 

The lands where the Community settled were fertileand well- watered. 
They bought of the State a part of the Oneida Indian Reservation. 
This land had never been subject to private ownership. The Indians 
held it in common. Near the center of this tract of Indian land, and 
about midway in the mouth of the valley was a beautiful plateau of sev- 
eral acres in extent, near the Oneida Creek, but rising about a dozen 
feet above the adjacent land. It was a natural garden spot. On this 
plateau the Community reared its primitive mansion — a wooden struc- 
ture built mainly of hemlock lumber, cut in the neighborhood and sawed 
in their own mill. Here they afterward built a larger Community home 
of brick, and surrounded it with beautiful lawns and flowers, shrubbery 
and trees. Since 1863 their grounds have been noted as among the 
most beautiful in the State, and have been visited and admired by 
thousands. 

The Community soon after its settlement here began fruitgrowing. 
One of their prominent business men, Henry Thacker, a man with a 
clear head and practical mind, was an enthusiast in this line. He 
brought a stock of fruit trees with him when he joined; he set out 



THE TQWN OF VERNON. 577 

orchards — apple, pear, peach, cherry and plum ; he planted straw- 
berries and raspberries; he imbued the Community with his confidence 
and enthusiasm. The winters of Central New York are cold, with oc- 
casional falls of temperature to 20 or more below zero. The Com- 
munity were obliged after experiments to abandon peach, cherry and 
plum culture as uncertain. In other fruits, especially strawberries, they 
had success. Gradually the farmers around them caught the fruit 
growing fever. They inquired as to the Community methods of culture, 
and put them into practice, and ultimately made the Oneida region 
famous in strawberry growing. 

In 1854 Mr. Thacker began canning and bottling fruits in a small 
way for family use. The art was learned from a member of the North 
American Phalanx in New Jersey. His success led the Community to 
encourage him to further experiments. In 1855 a few dozens of toma- 
toes and plums were canned for the market and sold in Syracuse, Os- 
wego and other neighboring cities. From this small beginning a large 
business grew. 

Other manufacturing businesses also grew up in the Community in 
much the same way, notably the Newhouse Steel Trap business. Sewell 
Newhouse, an accomplished hunter and trapper, and trapmaker joined 
the Community. He soon converted the Community to his own en- 
thusiasm for making Newhouse's superior steel traps, for trapping all 
kinds of fur bearing animals, from the rat and muskrat to the grizzly 
bear. A quantity was made and put on the market. They were in- 
troduced to fur dealers and hardware men, and through them to trap- 
pers all over the country. Demand for them sprang up and grew faster 
than the Commnnity could supply. A great business was the result. 
The whole continent, from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson's Bay, and 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, has for over thirty years been mainly 
supplied with steel traps from the Oneida Community factory. They 
still lead in the business, distancing all competitors, both in quality and 
popularity of their traps. In 1866 a beginning was made in a small 
way in the manufacture of sewing silks and machine twist. This busi- 
ness has also grown to large proportions, and the goods placed on the 
market by them are among the best of American make. In 1877-8 
the manufacture of silver-plated table ware was begun, and is now a 



578 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

leading business. The factories of the trap and silk businesses are 
located at Sherrill, Oneida county, a mile and a quarter north of the 
home buildings, on the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railway. 
The canning factory is near the home buildings. The table ware works 
are at Niagara Falls, N. Y. 

In 1879 the Community receded, in compliance with the wishes of 
the surrounding public, from the practice of their peculiar doctrines of 
Social Communism, and in 1880 it was re-organized as a joint stock 
company, under the name of the Oneida Community, Limited. Their 
social life is now similar to that of surrounding society. The joint stock 
company carries on the leading business of the old Community. The 
large domain of over 500 acres, lying in both Oneida and Madison 
counties, is kept nearly intact. The farm is a beautiful one, under good 
cultivation. The grounds are still well kept. 

The goods put on the market by the Oneida Community had an un- 
rivaled reputation. The Oneida Community, Limited, inherit that 
reputation and aim to increase it. 

In 1879 the Oneida Community, having exhibited for thirty three 
years a harmonious and prosperous form of society in which the private 
ownership of both property and persons was abolished, peaceably re- 
solved itself into a joint stock company The shares in the large prop- 
erty which had been accumulated by their industry were divided, with- 
out any litigation, among the members of the Community, the amount 
allotted to each individual being proportioned to the number of years 
of service. There was no distinction at the settlement. The women 
shared equally with the men and the children born in the Community 
were given an annuity. The five flourishing businesses established by 
the Community have been continued without interruption, and afford 
a profit in dividends which support the original members in comfort. 
The younger people intermarried on the dissolution of the Communistic 
form of society, and have made happy families. Mr. Noyes died in 
1886, and his followers have refrained from any attempt to form small 
Communities. 

The chief agricultural product of Vienna in the past has been hops, 
but in recent years the dairying interest has successfully competed for 
precedence, and with the prospects of prevailing depression in the 




SILAS ADAMS. 



THE TOWN OF VERONA. 579 

hop market, is likely to become the leading industry. Among the 
prominent farmers in the town who have passed away were Nicholas 
"Dyer, Harlem Norton, and J. L. Stone. Some of the leaders of the 
present time are Silas Adams, j. F. Morrison, the Markham brothers, 
Merrick Webber, Neil Duross, and Ira Snell. 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 

THE TOWN OF VERONA. 

The town of Verona is situated on the western border of Oneida 
county, centrally north and south, and originally constituted a part of 
the Oneida Reservation, the territory of which was sold at auction in 
August, 1797. The town was erected February 17, 1802, from West- 
moreland. The western boundary is formed by Oneida Creek and 
Oneida Lake, and its northern boundary by Wood Creek, Other 
smaller streams, among them Stony Creek, are tributary to the two 
larger creeks and lake. The surface south of the Erie Canal is rolling, 
while the northwestern part is level with a slight slope towards the lake, 
by which it was undoubtedly once covered ; the soil here is a rich allu- 
vial and was covered by a dense forest of the ordinary hard woods, with 
some hemlock and cedar. The town has an area of 41,796 acres. 

The Verona Springs, that have attained considerable local celebrity, 
are situated in. the southeast part of the town. This spring was known 
to the Indians, by whom it is said to have been called " the medicine 
spring." The water was used to some extent from the time of the 
early settlements in this region; but it was not until about 1830 that 
the spring was brought into public notice. In 1850 Dr. Seymour Cur- 
tiss established a water cure. Some years later Dr. Nelson Hunt and 
his wife, Mrs. A. A. Hunt, M. D., took the establishment and success- 
fully conducted it. Many boarders, both patients and others, were 
accommodated and many were greatly benefited. The boarding house 
is still open under the supervision of Mrs. Hunt. The analysis of the 
spring water is as follows : 



&80 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Grains. Uncombined Acids or Bases. 

Sulphate of lime 63.189 Grains. 

Carbonate of lime 38.473 Silicic acid 588 

Chloride of calcium. 82.609 Sulphuric acid 37.170' 

Chloride of magnesium 27.109 Chlorine 418.411 

Chloride of sodium. 562.891 Carbonic acid 10.047 

Chloride of potassium 4.057 Hydro sulphuric acid..., 8.870 

Chloride of lithium 2.375 Lime 89.271 

Silicic acid .588 Magnesia 11.424 

Potassa 2. 562 



Grains in one imperial gallon. .781. 291 



Soda 298.487 

Lithia .838 



Total 878.668 

Gases in Solution. — Sulphuretted hydrogen 25.55 cubic inches. 

Settlement began in this town in 1791 with the arrival of George A. 
Smith. He reached Judge Dean's public house in Westmoreland on 
Christmas eve of that year, and on the following day started with his 
family through the deep snow and the dark forest for their wilderness 
home in Verona. They did not reach their destination until January 1, 
1792, although they were within the town limits a few days earlier. 
Mr. Smith was prominent among the early settlers, and died about 
eleven years after his arrival. His daughter, Eve, born March 25, 1795, 
was the first white child born in the town. 

After a considerable interval, the second pioneer arrived in the per- 
son of Asahel Jackson, from Berkshire county, Mass., who came in May, 
1796, and at the mouth of Wood Creek built a dwelling where he kept 
a public house for boatmen Mr. Jackson died about ten years later 
and his widow continued the tavern another ten years, and married a 
man named Eggleston. At the time of Jackson's settlement, Mr. Smith 
was his nearest neighbor, eighteen miles distant. 

In either 1796, or early in 1797, a Frenchman and his bride came 
into the town and located at what became known as Oak Orchard, on 
Wood Creek. His name was La Whiten de Wardenon, and both he 
and his wife, whose name was Celeste, were reputed members of dis- 
tinguished families, while romatic tradition credited them with fleeing 
from their native land to escape opposition to their marriage. Arriving 
in America it is known that De Wardenon, who had invested his for- 
tune in foreign merchandise and brought it over with him, lost most of 
his property and then sought a home in the wilds of Verona. A child 



**M 







DAVID A. WARREN. 



THE TOWN OF VERONA. 5 8i 

was born to the twain, which died in 1797 — the first death in the town. 
The parents were grief stricken and having nothing from which to con- 
struct a coffin, the little one was buried in its cradle. When the work- 
men on the Inland Canal were digging there a few years later, the re- 
mains of the cradle with its skeleton were unearthed. 

The temporary settlement in this town of Jedediah Phelps in 1798 
has been described in an earlier chapter. He had located at Fort Stan- 
wix in 1784. A considerable number of settlers came on in the spring 
of 1798, many of them locating in the southern part of the town where 
they had previously bid off lands at the auction sale of tracts in the 
Oneida Reservation Among the arrivals of that year were the fol- 
lowing: 

Russell Brooks, Martin Larigdon, Noah Langdon, Samuel Avery, Joseph Eames 
John Bosworth, Oliver Pomeroy, Ithamar Day, Eleazer Ellis, Fisher Ellis, Stephen 
Benedict, Jabez Loomis, Jonathan Warren, John Tilden, John R. Todd, Levi Skin- 
ner, Lieutenant Billington, Peter Whelan, Robert Robbins, Rodman Clark, Caleb 
Clark, Solomon Bishop, Moses Brown. The following came in either 1798 or not 
long after: Simeon Parsons, Joseph Couch, Benjamin Blackman, Achus Rathbun 
Artemas Brewer, Nahum Joslin, Elias Cagwin, Daniel B. Cagwin, Dr. Alexander 
Whaley, Joseph Green and Gideon Todd. The first framed house in town was built 
by Robert Robbins. 

Settlement progressed rapidly, excepting in the northern and north- 
western parts. These sections filled up faster after the opening of the 
middle section of the Erie Canal. Among the pioneers living in the 
town in 1802-4, aside from those previously mentioned are the follow- 
ing: 

Eli Whelan, Eleazer Ellis, Alexander Beebe, John Bozworth, Oliver Pomeroy 
Keeler Starr, Dan Bozworth, Noah, Joseph, Martin, and Reuben Langdon Daniel 
Hall, Nathan Ellis, Thaddeus Wilson, Calvin Giddins, Robert Robins, Thomas G 
Day, Ebenezer Loomis, Jabez Loomis, Simeon Parsons, Obed Williams Enoch 
Hitchcock, Richard Brown, Thomas R. Clark, James Bewel, John Gray' Joseph 
Eames; and in 1805, Stephen Clark, Epbraim Robbins, Samuel Pratt, Achus Rath- 
bun, Constant Bozworth, Samuel Whaley, Dr. Alexander Whaley, Elias Cagwin. 

Abel Gillete came from Hartford county, Conn., in 1806 and settled 
on a farm east of the site of Verona village, where his son, Justus E. 
Gillett afterwards resided. Noah Leete settled a mile and a half south 
of Verona village in 1809 and with later members of the family became 
prominent in the town. Solomon Bishop, from Whitingham, Vt., set- 



582 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tied first in Westmoreland in 1797, and moved to Verona in 1803, 
locating finally on the farm where his grandson, Calvin W. Bishop, 
resided in recent years The latter was the youngest of eleven children 
of Calvin Bishop, son of the pioneer and who passed his long life in the 
town. Achus Rathbun, a Quaker, settled in the town in 1802. and 
was father of Wells Rathbun, who passed a long life here. Orville 
Elmer, L. D. Smith, Henry Bissell, Peter Whelan, John Bosworth, 
Alexander Enos, and others who will be mentioned, were prominent 
settlers of this town. Eliphalet Frazee was the first settler on the site 
of Durhamville, in the northwest part of the town, where he located in 
181 1. Shubael Brooks was the first pioneer at Verona village, in the 
fall of 1797, ?nd Dr. Brundage, the first physician in the town, settled 
there very earl}'. Dr. Alexander Whaley. father of Dr. James Whaley 
of Rome, and grandfather of the present Dr. James H. Whaley, also of 
Rome, was an early practitioner in Verona, and was a conspicuous man 
in his profession, and a leading citizen. He lived to the age of nearly 
ninety- two years and died in Rome. Samuel Whaley, brother of Dr. 
Alexander Whaley, was also long a resident in Verona. 

The first town meeting in Verona was held on March 2, 1802, at the 
house of Martin Langdon, half a mile west of the site of Verona village, 
and the following officers were elected : 

Supervisor, Jedediah Phelps; town clerk, Eleazer Ellis; assessors, Martin Lang- 
don, Peter Whelan, Caleb Clark; collector, Stephen Benedict; poormasters, Jonathan 
Warren, Noah Langdon; commissioners of roads, Isaac Weld, John Bosworth, Alex- 
ander Enos; constable, Stephen Benedict ; overseers of highways, Reuben Langdon, 
David Shed, George Seton, Simeon Parsons, Isaac Weld, Thomas R. Clark, Eleazer 
Ellis, Squier Holmes, Eliel Nichols, Park Adams; fence viewers, Jedediah Phelps, 
Caleb Clark, Jabez Loomis; poundkeeper, Joseph Eames. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of this tow n from 1803 to the 
present time : 

1803-6, Jedediah Phelps; 1807-19, Stephen Benedict; 1820, Joseph Grant ; 1821, 
Stephen Benedict; 1822-23, Joseph Grant; 1824-25, Stephen Benedict; 1826, Alex 
ander Whaley, M. D. ; 1827-31, Nathaniel Fitch; 1832, Ichabod Hand; 1833, Alfred 
Patten; 1834-37, James J. Carley; 1838, De Witt C. Stevens; 1839, James O. Gates; 
1840-41, Justus E. Gillett; 1842-43, Alfred Patten; 1844, no record; 1845-46, James 
S. Whaley; 1847, Willet Stillman ; 1848-49, Thomas G. Halley; 1850, Archibald Hass; 
1851, James S. Whaley: 1852, no record; 1853, Solomon P. Smith; 1854, Calvin 
Bishop; 1855, no record; 1856, Martin Tipple; 1857-58, Orson Foote; 1859-60, Sal- 
mon Tuttle; 1861-6 i, George Benedict; 1863-64, J. Piatt Goodsell; 1865-66, George 




AMOS F. BREWSTER. 



THE TOWN OF VERONA. 583 

H. Sanford; 1867-69, Henry S. Stark; 1870, Willard H. Bennett; 1871-73, Henry S. 
Stark; 1874, Delford Patten ; 1875-76, William Williams; 1877-78, Henry S. Stark; 
1879-83, Gottlieb Merry ; 1884-85, Jacob F. Gettman ; 1886-89, Carl T. Siebel; 1890- 
91, Joseph M. Palms; 1892-95, H H. Miller; 1896, Hugo Keller. 

Records of the early schools of the town are not in existence, but it 
is probable that the first ones were taught on or near the site of Verona 
village. One of the very early ones was at Blackman's Corners and 
another at what is now Verona Station. A select school was kept sev- 
eral years near what was known at the Bishop place, first by a Mr. 
Ayres and afterwards by Miss Phelps. The town has now twenty- six 
school districts that have school houses in the county. Verona village 
constitutes a Union Free School district, for which a handsome school 
building was erected in 1895 at a cost of $4,500. A principal and three 
teachers are employed. There is also a Union Free School at New 
London, a hamlet on the canal in the eastern part of the town, where a 
neat two story brick school building was erected more than twenty 
years ago. The village of Durhamville constitutes a Union Free School 
district and has a good graded school. 

As an agricultural district Verona has always ranked high among the 
towns of Oneida county. Miscellaneous crops were grown in the early 
years, and later hops were largely cultivated. In more recent years, 
dairying has come into greater prominence and at the present time may 
be considered the leading industry. There are eight cheese factories 
in the town, which take the milk of about 3,500 cows and manufacture 
200,000 pounds of cheese annually. Among the prominent farmers of 
Verona, past and present, may be mentioned E. E. Brewer, Charles A. 
Pratt, Charles P. Frisbie, I. L. Amann, J.J Loomis, D. Patten, William 
M. Peckham, Charles H. Warren, W. B. Osgood, R. H. Barber, J. H. 
and Thomas Dunn, Martin Stevens, G. W. Frisbie, and others. 

The first settlement of the site of Verona village in 1797 has been 
described. The place is situated on the road from Rome to Oneida 
Castle, and was known in early years as Hand's Village, taking that name 
from Capt. Ichabod Hand, who long kept a popular public house here. 
A hotel was built on the corner in 1830 by Calvin and Harrison Bishop, 
brothers. There was an earlier hotel built and conducted by James 
Clark. His brother, George Clark, owned the first store in the village ; 
this was in the first decade of the century. The post-office was estab- 



584 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

lished very early and one of the pioneer postmasters was a tailor named 
Hess, who kept the office in his shop in the western part of the village. 
There are at the present time two hotels here, kept respectively by A. 
Hinman and F. C. Phelps. The present merchants are C. E. Crandall 
& Son, who have been in business many years. H. M. Leete bought 
out the store of A. B. Webber in 1842, conducted it successfully many 
years and was succeeded by his son, R. B. Leete; the present firm is 
R. B. Leete & Son. W. H. Kline deals in agricultural implements. 
Gottlieb Merry is the present postmaster. The Oneida Canning Com- 
pany has a canning factory on the railroad near the station. Verona 
Station is a little westward from the village, where a small business has 
been carried on since the opening of the railroad. H. H. Miller is the 
present merchant and postmaster here and H. C. Arnott conducts a 
hotel. 

The village of Durhamville is situated in the southeast part of the 
town and is a station on the Midland railroad. The canal passes through 
it, and in former years it was a place of considerable business impor- 
tance. In 1 8 1 1 Eliphalet Frazer made the first settlement here. The 
village took its name from Eber Durham, who located here in 1826, 
coming from Manlius. There were then only fo-ur log houses on the 
site of the village, indicating that its later growth was due largely to 
the canal. Mr. Durham leased the surplus water from the canal and 
used it for power purposes. This right was abolished some years later. 
A tannery was early operated here, a foundry, and several mills, all of 
which have disappeared. 

In 1845 De Witt C. Stephens built a glass factory at Durhamville 
and operated it a few months, when it passed to Fox, Gregory & Co., 
who had a factory at Sand Lake, N. Y. The firm became Fox & Son, 
who successfully carried on the business many years. During one 
period sixty to seventy hands were employed, 15,000 to 20,000 bushels 
of sand, 1,000 bushels of salt, 100,000 pounds of German clay and 
20,000 pounds of Jersey clay, and 2,500 tons of coal and 1,500 cords 
of wood were used annually in these works. After the formation of 
the United Glass Company, which controls most of the glass works of 
the country, this factory passed under its control and in pursuance of 
the policy of restriction of product, was closed down in 1890. 




CALVIN BROWN. 



THE TOWN OF VERONA. 585 

A pipe factory was established here in 1877 by E. N. & G. F. Kelsey, 
which was successfully operated about ten years. The village suffered 
severely from fire in 1886 and again in 1888, and this factory was part 
of the property destroyed. It was not rebuilt. There is now no 
manufacturing in the place aside from a steam grist mill built in 1893 
by Hugo Keller, who also conducts one of the two stores in the place. 
The other is kept by Maher & Son. Hotels are kept by Albert Felts, 
Dennis Megan, and Jacob Schwartz. 

What are known as the Dumbarton Glass Works are situated on the 
canal about four miles northerly from Durhamville. This was also at 
one time an extensive establishment, employing over fifty hands and 
turning out 30.000 boxes of glass annually. It went under control of 
the United Glass Company and was closed down in 1890. There is a 
post-office, but no business at Dunbarton. 

The hamlet of New London is situated on the canal in the eastern 
part of the town, where Ambrose Jones was the first settler in 1824. 
He afterwards removed to Vienna. A post-office was established about 
1825. Boat building was formerly extensively carried on here and it 
was a shipping point of importance. A store is kept by R. B. Wright 
& Son and hotels by Thomas Drummond and George P. Wright. 

Rathbunville, better known in later years as Verona Mills, which is 
the name of the post-office, is in the extreme eastern part of the town, 
where settlement was commenced in 1802 by Achus Rathbun, a 
Quaker. He was a worthy citizen, as also were later members of his 
family. His son. Solomon Rathbun, became proprietor of extensive 
business establishments, including a large flouring mill, a store, and a 
woolen factory. The grist mill was burned, and the present one has 
been owned and operated many years by Williams & Bennett A 
store is kept by E. Lea. 

Higginsville is a postal hamlet, George B. Fitch, postmaster, on the 
canal a little northerly from Durhamville, and was built up on the 
strength of canal traffic. A small mercantile business has been con- 
ducted there and stores are now kept by Frederick Wendt and Charles 
Ackerman. One of the cheese factories is also located here. A hotel 
is kept by Anthony Berical. 

State Bridge is a post-office on the canal near Durhamville. A store 

74 



586 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

is kept by Webb Potter and a hotel by Michael Dunn. Other hamlets 
in the town are Tilden Hill in the northeast part, where Merritt Clark 
settled in 1798 and kept a small store. John Tilden, from whom the 
locality took its name, came in 1800. It is now no more than a farm 
neighborhood. Sconondoa, in the extreme northwest corner, on the 
creek of that name, was the site of an early cotton factory, operated 
by Samuel S. Breese, and discontinued about 1845. Fish Creek is a 
post-office and hamlet on the Midland Railroad near the shore of Oneida 
Lake, with a small collection of houses and shops. A store is kept by 
John Roberts 

Stacy's Barn is a postal hamlet on the canal where Ephraim Jordan 
and Thomas Jordan are residents, and near by Captain Weismantel 
and Henry Leight carry on mercantile business. 

A Congregational society was formed in this town August 5, 1803, 
by Revs. Peter Fish and Timothy Cooley, missionaries, one of whom 
was of the Congregational and the other of the Presbyterian faith. The 
number of members of this society was twenty- three. In November, 
1806, a religious society was organized "to provide the privileges of 
the gospel for themselves and families," and sixty five heads of families 
signed the agreement. In the fall of 1805 a Methodist preacher held a 
revival at Lowell, in Westmoreland, which spread over into this town 
and about forty were added to this church. The first pastor was Rev. 
Israel Brainard, installed September 23, 1807. A church was built 
early two miles east of Verona village, and in 1828 the society divided 
and a second Congregational church was formed, which built a house of 
worship in the village. This condition continued until 1837, when the 
two societies reunited and thereafter occupied the church in the village. 
The building has been at various times improved, and the congregation 
now worship in the Presbyterian faith. 

The Methodist church at Verona village was organized as a separate 
station in 1833. Previous to that time it was connected with the old 
Westmoreland Circuit, for which a church was erected in 1830. Since 
that time it has been extensively improved, especially between 1868 
and 1870. The society also owns a parsonage and has a vigorous ex- 
istence. 

The first church organized on or near the site of Duarhamville was 



THE TOWN OF VERONA. 587 

the Baptist. In 1812 Eliphalet Frazee, the first settler there, joined 
with Benjamin Newcomb, Dyer D. Ransom, Roswell Barker and a few 
others, and began public religious worship; this was continued to 1815, 
when they organized a church with twelve members. Mr. Newcomb 
was the preacher most of the time until 18 19, and in that year was 
ordained the pastor. In 1883 a church was erected which is still in use, 
but has been much improved in later years. 

Durhamville was many years ago a missionary station of the Episco- 
pal church, and meetings were held between i860 and 1880 in the old 
Presbyterian church building, that society having declined and ceased 
to hold services. This building was taken down in 1886, removed to 
State Bridge by the Methodists in that vicinity and there rebuilt. It is 
still used by that society. The Episcopals built their present church 
on the Presbyterian site in the year last named. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at New London, was in existence 
prior to 1843, in which year they purchased a building moved it and 
fitted it for worship. This was used until 1888, when the society bought 
of the Lutherans in the Churchville neighborhood near Verona Mills, a 
church building and removed it to New London, near the site of the 
former one. The adherents of the Lutheran faith had erected two 
buildings near Verona Mills, one of which is now used by them and the 
Baptists in union. 

A Methodist society was organized at Durhamville prior to 1850, and 
is still in existence. 

The church of the Franciscans, near Durhamville, was erected nearly 
or quite forty years ago, soon after the organization of the society. The 
church was placed in charge of the Franciscan Fathers of Syracuse. 

In 1808 the families of Daniel Williams and his brother Joshua, num- 
bering about twenty- four persons, and living near Rathbunville, but in 
the town of Rome, formed themselves into an organization " for re- 
ligious improvement and Sabbath worship ;" this association was the 
nucleus of the later Seventh Day Baptist organization, which was formed 
in 1820 with fifty-one members. A reorganization was effected in 1828 
as the "First Seventh Day Baptist Society of Rome and Verona." A 
house of worship was erected in the next year. Services continued un- 
til 1837, when the Second Seventh Day Baptist church of Verona was 



588 OUR COUNTY AlND ITS PEOPLE. 

organized at Uurhamville with forty- one members. They built a church 
a mile east of Durhamville in 1850. 

In 1879-80 a church was erected near Higginsville and dedicated in 
January, 1880, as a Presbyterian church. It is now used as a Union 
church. 

There was formerly a Baptist church at Higginsville and another at 
Verona depot. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

THE TOWN OF VIENNA. 

The town of Vienna is situated on the western border of Oneida 
county, upon the north shore of the eastern end of Oneida Lake. The 
east branch of Fish Creek forms part of the eastern boundary, and Wood 
Creek a part of the southern. Other smaller streams are numerous, 
some of which have supplied good water power. In the southern part 
the surface is comparatively level, and some of it low and marshy ; in 
the northern part it is broken and hilly. The soil is generally sandy, 
with alluvium along Fish Creek Good buuJing stone have been 
quarried in the east part and bog ore has been found in the marshy 
section along the lake. The original pine and hemlock forest that 
covered much of the territory developed a large lumber interest in early 
years. 

Vienna was formed from Camden April 3, 1807, with the name of 
"Orange." On the 6th of April, 1808, the name was changed to 
" Bengal," which title was retained until April 12, 1816, when the present 
name was adopted. A part of Annsville was set off in 1823, leaving 
Vienna with an area of 38,102 acres. The town includes what were 
townships 9 and 10 of Scriba's patent and is part of the Nicholas Roose- 
velt grant ; the latter not complying with the terms of sale, a large 
share of his purchase was resold to George Scriba, and the remainder, 
which included the territory of this town, was acquired under chancery 
proceedings by Gen. Alexander Hamilton, John Lawrence, and John 



THE TOWN OF VIENNA. 



B. Church. The early records of the town are lost, depriving us of 
much of its history down to 187 1. 

The first settler in the town was Ephraim Church, who located prob- 
ably in 1797 on the farm owned in recent years by William Bailey and 
John Humaston. He afterwards sold out to a Mr. Jarvis Isaac Cook 
came probably in the same year with Church, and Timothy Halstead 
the third settler, in 1 798 or 1 799. The latter built the first frame house' 
and was the father of Henry N. Halstead who passed his life in the 
town. Mr. Halstead was from the town of Trenton, and the next year 
after his removal from there to Vienna he was followed by Eliphalet 
P.erce from the same town. Others who came into the town about the 
beginning of the century were Luther Fisher, Alexander and Jonathan 
Graves, John Tully, Peter Gibbons, Isaac Babcock, a Mr. Kilbourne 
and a Mr. Sm.th, a blacksmith. Two children of Luther Fisher were 
about the first to die in the town and Alexander Graves was killed very 
early in a saw mill at McConnellsville. Mr. Gibbons settled about ,80^ 
half a mile below McConnellsville, on a farm afterwards owned by 
Alanson Tuttle. Jonathan Graves built the first frame barn and Mr 
Gibbons the second on this farm. Luther Pike settled in 1815 on the 
road between McConnellsville and North Bay; he was father of David 
Pike. Andrew Palms located above McConnellsville prior to 1812 and 
took part in that war... Oramon Tuttle, who settled first in Camden re 
moved to this town in 181 5 and settled a mile above McConnellssville 
where his son afterwards lived. John Wheelock, who served 
seven years in the Revolutionary war, father of Otis Wheelock 
settled in 1813 near Fish Creek, where his son subsequently lived ■ the 
latter came into the town in 1 8 14 with his brother Curtis. At the'time 
of his arrival the settlers were few and nearly the whole town was 
covered with a heavy growth of hemlock. At that time George 
Haskins, the first settler on Fish Creek in that vicinity; Roswell 
Seeley, next above the the Wheelock place, Enoch Strong Elisha 
R.sley, and possibly a few others were living in the southeast part* Samuel 
Sawyer lived near Otis Wheelock's late residence and was the first 
settler west of the Humaston place ; the latter kept a tavern on the 
main road to Rome near the bridge over Fish Creek. William and 
John Paddock were early settlers just above Vienna post-office or 



590 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

"South Corners," as it has been called. This place in 1813 had a tavern 
kept by Rufus Kinne, and quite a settlement gathered about it. 
Eliakim Stoddard, who had settled in Camden in 1799, removed there 
in 1803 and lived five years on the site of the present tavern, which is 
opposite the old stand. He was the first supervisor of this town, but 
returned to Camden in 1808. Silas Jewell settled in the southwest 
part of the town in 1817 ; he came from Massachusetts. Later he lived 
at West Vienna village. 

These pioneers and others mentioned further on and in Part III of 
this volume, were instrumental in transforming the wilderness into the 
succeeding prosperous farming region. The clearing of the forest gave 
them and many others an ample field of toil for many years. Saw mills 
were built at every available point and at one time there were thirty- 
seven in operation in the town. Most of these have disappeared and it 
is now almost impossible to locate them. Wild beasts were numerous 
and very troublesome in early years, and many stories have come down 
of encounters with them. Wolves were " thick as blackbirds," as one 
old resident stated, down to the time when the canal was finished, and 
sheep suffered. The following anecdotes of early hunting experiences 
are from Jones's Annals, the Halstead referred to being the late Henry 
N. Halstead : 

Messrs. Halstead and Fisher, on a certain occasion, were hunting bears. They 
started one in a swamp on the lake shore, and after following it a short distance, 
and in passing a place made hollow by the roots of a tree partly turned over, Mr. 
Halstead broke through to his armpits, when out sprang the bear. They succeeded 
in killing it and left, but had not proceeded more than eighty rods when they found 
where the she bear and two small cubs resided, under the roots of another fallen 
tree. They effected a dislodgment of the old one, who shared the same fate as its 
mate, and secured the two little, now orphan, cubs. It was a very cold day, and to 
preserve the lives of the little fellows Halstead placed one in his bosom, and Fisher 
the other in his pocket. They were, however, so little inured to the cold, that be- 
fore the hunters reached home they were both dead. Our hunters, however, con- 
soled themselves with the reflection that they had four less of those troublesome 
neighbors than in the morning. 

After Mr. Eliakim Stoddard had removed to Camden, he and one of his neighbors 
started to go to the widow Jackson's for salt, each with a yoke of oxen and a sled, as 
it required this amount of team to draw through the woods, where there was no road 
or track, their supply of this necessary article, — a barrel each. The}' struck the lake 
shore, and while making their way on the beach saw, directly in their path, as they 
supposed, a fine greyhound. As they neared the animal they discovered that, in 



THE TOWN OF VIENNA.. 591 

stead of a hound, it was a wolf, which, from its famished appearance and the dispo- 
sition it showed to stand its ground, they concluded intended to satisfy its craving 
appetite at their expense. All the weapons they had, offensive or defensive, were 
those necessary accompaniments of all .woodsmen — their axes. After a consultation 
it was decided to proceed, and try titles to the right of way with the wolf, and fur- 
ther, that upon no consideration was either to throw his axe, but to retain his hold 
on it at all events. As they came nearer the wolf it commenced an angry growl, 
and was evidently at the point of springing on them when the neighbor let fly his 
axe, without at all disabling the animal, and the only perceptible effect was to ren- 
der it> more savage. Mr. Stoddard, now seeing that he must rely solely on his own 
resources, stood on the defensive until the wolf had got within striking distance, 
when, with a well-aimed blow, he laid his adversary at his feet, and by a quick repe- 
tition deprived him of life. 

In 1800 a Frenchman from New York came to this town on a hunting expedition. 
He was possessed of the two most necessary articles to the hunter, a valuable dog 
and a good gun. He stopped at Barnard's Bay, and his first essay was in hunting 
deer. He went into the woods, and had not proceeded far before his dog discovered 
what Monsr. Crapeau supposed to be a fine deer in a tree-top. He shot at the ani- 
mal, wounding but not disabling it. It leaped from the tree, and on reaching the 
ground was grappled by the dog. A furious fight ensued, but the dog was, how- 
ever, soon put hors du combat, when our hunter thought it time to interfere to save 
the life of his favorite. He had nothing but his unloaded gun, and valuable as it 
was it did not come in competition with the life of the hound. The first blow broke 
it in two at the breech, without in the least stunning the doubly infuriated animal 
now disposed to make fight with both master and dog. Our hero, naught intimi- 
dated, and having a good club in the breechless gun barrel, gave a lucky blow which 
broke the " critter's " back. This rendered the contest far less doubtful, and the 
deer' s life was soon taken by repeated blows. The Frenchman now started for his 
boarding-house to tell his wonderful feat in deer killing, while poor Tray, too badly 
wounded to accompany him, was left with his fallen foe. Arriving at his home, the 
hunter soon spread the news of his good fortune, when all hands repaired to the 
woods to assist in bringing home the venison. At the place of the exploit, instead 
of a deer, a monstrous panther, measuring nine feet from " tis to tip," lay stretched 
before them, while the leaves and bushes gave indubitable proof of the fierceness of 
the death struggle. 

The first school in this town was taught by Lyman Mathers in 1 803-4 
a short distance below McConnellsville, in a log house then owned by 
Isaac Cook. In the neighborhood of Fish Creek Landing an early 
school was taught by Phebe Barker, in a log house built by a Mr. 
Graves, which was afterwards in 1807 purchased by William Covell, 
who had built anew house while the school was in progress in the 
other. In 1815-16 Otis Wheelock taught a school in a log house that 
stood near his late residence. A few years earlier than this a brick 



592 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

school house was built at the " South Corners," and there were a few 
other log school houses in the town. In i860 the town had nineteen 
districts; the number at the present time is nineteen, with a school 
house in each 

The village of North Bay is situated on a beautiful site on the north 
shore of OneiJa Lake. It is a station on the former Midland Railroad 
and has become well known as a summer resort. One of the most act- 
ive founders of the place was Henry J. Myer, who erected the first hotel 
there on the site of the late Phalen House. This hotel was burned. He 
also built the later Tremont House and many other of the early struct- 
ures in the pla e. The Myer hotel was changed to the Frisbie House 
and susbsequently burned. James A. Wooden built the Phalen House in 
1873. Alexander Rae was also one of the early and active promoters 
of the visage, and also his brother James. The first store in the place 
was opened by Jame*s Louden, whose brother Joseph carried on busi- 
ness at a later date. Other prominent merchants have been Dexter 
Nichols, who was in trade many years, and John Thompson Henry 
Woodward, now in business, is an old merchant and the present post- 
master. The post-office was established about 1840, previous to which 
the mail for the village was obtained at Vienna. The first postmaster 
was Hiram Higby who opened a store where Joseph Louden was in 
trade. After the opening of the Black River Canal in 1851 the village 
grew rapidly and became a shipping point of considerable importance. 
Canal boat building was also carried on extensively. The saw mill now 
run by Aaron Bushnell stands about where one has been in existence 
many years. The grist mill is now owned by Mrs. De Long. 

The present North Bay Hotel was built by Josiah Cleveland and is 
owned and kept by Peter Cole. The property was in the Cleveland 
family many years. Since this place has become somewhat noted as a 
summer resort, a number of hotels have been built at the beach. Among 
these are the Butler House, built and kept by George Butler; the 
Brayton House, by Michael Brayton, and a house kept by John Fiddler. 

Vienna village is situated in the eastern part of the town and is a sta- 
tion on the railroad. It was early known as Parker's Corners, and later 
as South Corners A tannery was established here at an early day by 
Rufus Kinne who operated it many years and sold to Rufus Sawyer, 



THE TOWN OF VIENNA. 593 

from whom it passed to Walter K Cook. The business has been aban- 
doned. Elias Humaston built a carding -mill here about 1816, operated 
it a number of years and was succeeded by several others; the business 
was finally abandoned. Mr. Humaston also built a small grist mill near 
the village at an early day. The only grist mill now is a small feed mill 
by Kinney & Meays. J. H. Meays runs the saw mill and also a store. 
Another store is kept by Mrs. J. C. Brick. One of the earliest saw mills 
here was built by James Cook, who sold it to his brother Walter A 
hotel has always been maintained here and is now kept by M. J* Bailey. 
The post-office was established prior to 18 13 and a Mr. Parker carried 
the mail through from Utica on horseback and later with a wagon. 
Rufus Kinne was one of the early postmasters and perhaps the first. 

The village of McConnellsville is situated in the north part of the 
town on Fish Creek. It takes its name from Joseph McConnell, an early 
settler at this point. A post-office was established here about 1812, in 
which William Smith was probably the first postmaster; he was suc- 
ceeded previous to 1814 by Friend Morse. Joseph McConnell became 
a settler in October, 18 14, and was also one of the early postmasters, 
as was also Dean Wood. Isaac Cook built the first tavern in the vil- 
lage, which he sold to Ambrose Jones. Mr. Cook also sold goods in 
the early history of the place, but the first merchant of much impor- 
tance was Harvey Smith ; another was a Mr. Brookins. A store is 
now kept by Lansing Tuttle. The old Cook tavern was a double log 
building and long ago disappeared. The hotel on the old site is now 
kept by Theodore Christian. A saw mill was built here in 1801 which 
was owned by a company composed of William Smith, Timothy Hal- 
stead and others The mill was erected by Mr. Hammill, who also 
built the next year the bridge over Fish Creek on the Rome road. 
William Smith built a grist mill about 1804. The saw mill is now oper- 
ated by Charles Harden and has been for many years. Another saw 
mill near by is carried on by Hubbard Bros., on a site where there has 
been a mill many years. It was and now is operated by Lansing Tuttle. 

A small wintergreen distillery was established here more than twenty 
years ago, which is now operated by Theodore Christian, who is also 
postmaster. A large chair factory was established here about ten years 
ago by C. Harden & Son, and is now operated by the son, F. S. Har- 
den. Nearly forty hands are employed, 
75 



5<J4 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

A canning factory was established many years ago by Lansing Tuttle. 
A large one of later years is carried on by Theodore Christian. 

West Vienna village is situated on the north shore of Oneida Lake in 
the southwest part of the town, and is a station on the Midland Railroad. 
Silas Jewell was one of the first settlers here, coming in about 1822, and 
built the hotel; it is now closed. John Bedell came here from Greene 
county, N. Y., and settled on a farm. He built the first store in the 
place in 1838, in the building afterwards occupied as a dwelling by 
Jacob King. There is only one store, which has been kept many 
years by Zenas J. White. Eliphalet Jewell was an early settler at this 
point and built a grist mill before 18 17, and a man named Merrill soon 
afterward built the saw mill. The newer grist mill was built by J. H. 
Bedell and with the saw mill is now operated by J. C. Mace. The old 
grist mill is now the property of Le Roy Page, son of Ira Page. 

Fish Creek Landing is a hamlet to the southward of Vienna village, 
which was in former years a place of considerable importance as a ship- 
ping point for lumber, etc. Before the railroad was opened through this 
town most of the lumber from a large section was brought here for 
shipment by boats on the lake. George Covell was one of the earliest 
settlers in this vicinity, coming in 1807 from Berkshire county, Mass. 
He was accompanied by his brother William. In the succeeding June 
John Babbitt, a Revolutionary soldier and father of Mrs. George Covell, 
came in and settled. At that time there were only three other families 
in that vicinity — Elisha Freeman, a Mr. Buell and Mr. Graves. The 
latter sold out to William Covell, while Buell sold to John Babbitt. All 
the business at this point long ago disappeared. 

Sylvan Beach, the noted summer resort which is partly in this town 
and partly in Verona, has gained a wide reputation within the past 
fifteen years. It is located at the east end of Oneida Lake. Many 
years ago some of the members of the Oneida Community went there 
for the summer, leased some land and erected temporary buildings ; 
this was the inception of the settlement there. L. C. Spencer at a later 
date opened a small grocery for the accommodation of fishermen and 
hunters who began to visit the locality. At a still later date a citizen 
of Oneida purchased the most desirable tract of about two acres which 
he sold within a few years for $3,200, clearing $3,000. L. C. Spencer 





JAMES D. SPENCER. 



THE TOWN OF VIENNA. 595 

built the public house called Forest Home which is now kept by his 
son-in-law, F. B. Randall. Other hotels that have rapidly come into 
use to accommodate the crowds of summer patrons are the Algonquin, 
built by Stoddard & Garvin; the Hotel Oneida, the Sylvan Beach Ho- 
tel, the Oneida Lake Hotel, the Lake Beach Hotel, the Riverside Hotel, 
and the Sportsman's Home, built in 1895. Several small steamers are 
kept busy at the place during summer months, and C. C. Clifford keeps 
a store and is postmaster. 

Some of the prominent farmers of this town, past and present, are : 

Joseph Halstead, father of John, Chauncey and George Brodock, Lansing and 
Isaac Seeley, Otis Wheelock, Lansing Baker, Peter Coats, son of James, John and 
Allen Nichols, the Yager family, James Brown Daniel and William Bagnell, George 
W. Matthews, William Wright, John B. Dixou, Nathan Auchard, Henry Nash, 
Lucius Haskins, Edward McCormick, William Rae, John Hall, Eaton Beach, J. J. 
Dickinson, George Myers, Henry Manchester, Joshua Parker, and others. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at McConnellsville was the out- 
growth of preaching, in early years by Revs. Stoddard and Westcott, 
and the formation of a class ; the services were held in the school house. 
The present frame church was built in 1832, and the timbers for it were 
hewn by David Pike. It was thoroughly rebuilt in the interior and 
much improved on the outside in 1881. 

The Baptist church at North Bay was formed not long prior to 1840 
and was admitted into the Oneida Baptist Association in September, 
1841. The first pastor was Elder Samuel Bloss. The frame church 
was built not long after the organization of the society. The building 
was considerably improved in 1895. 

The Methodist church at North Bay was in the West Vienna circuit 
in 1858, and there was a small organization previous to that date at 
which time Rev. J. H. Buck was in charge. In later years the society 
became a separate charge. The frame church which has been in use 
many years was improved and repaired in 1894. There is also a Meth- 
odist church at Elpis, in the northwest part of the town, which has at 
times been served by the pastor of this church. 

St. John's Catholic church at North Bay was organized in 1837 by 
Rev. Father Beecham of Rome, and the frame church was built at 
about the same time. The society has had an active existence ever 
since. 



596 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The supervisors of this town from 1871 are as follows: 

1871, Eri Kinne; 1872, Zeno Dorland; 1873-4, Henry Nicholas; 1875, S. A. Covell, 
jr.; 1876, John H. Meays; 1877-78, S. A. Covell; 1879-80, John H. Bedell; 1881-82, 
John P. Mattoon; 1883-84, Charles Harden; 1885-88, James H. Flanagan: 1889 
Albert L. Covell; 1890-95, James H. Flanagan; 1896, Albert S. Annis. 



CHAPTER L. 

THE TOWN OF WESTERN. 

This town is situated north of the center of Oneida county, and con- 
tained within its territory a part of the Fonda patent of 40,000 acres, 
which was purchased of Jelles Fonda, the patentee, by John Lansing, 
jr., George Clinton, William Floyd and Stephen Lush, and also part of 
the Oothoudt, Banyar and Machin patents, as shown on the map in this 
volume, The town is well watered by the Mohawk, the Lansing Kill, 
Stringer's Creek, Big Brook and other small streams. Aside from the 
valley of the Mohawk and small tracts on some of the other streams, the 
surface of the town is very hilly. The soil of the valley is a fertile al- 
luvium, which is very productive, while on the highlands it is loam and 
very stony in places, but good for grains and grazing. 

The town of Western was settled several years before it was set off 
from Steuben, and the pioneers were much hampered, as they were in 
other localities, through their inability to buy and secure permanent 
titles to the land. The patentees adopted the pernicious plan of leas- 
ing the land either in perpetuity or for three lives, receiving certain an- 
nual rentals. 

Western was erected from Steuben, March io, 1797. It then in- 
cluded what is now the town of Lee, which was set off in 181 1. The 
first town meeting was held at the house of E. (probably Ezekiel) Shel- 
don, on the 4th day of April, 1797, and the following officers elected : 

Supervisor, John Hall; town clerk, George Brayton; assessors, Asa Beckwith, jr., 
Daniel Spinning, Charles Offord ; collector, William Satchell ; poormasters, Joshua 
Wells, Nathan Barlow; commissioners of highways, John West, Daniel Reynolds, 
Daniel Eames; constables, William Satchell, Richard Smith;. fence-viewers Lemuel 



THE TOWN OP WESTERN. 597 

Beckwith, Ezekiel Cleveland, Martin Miller; poundmaster, Jonathan Swan- com- 
missioners of schools, Isaac Aldin, Edward S. Salisbury, Jonathan Swan. 

The supervisors of this town since 1798 have been the following per- 
sons, viz.: 

1798-99, John Hall; 1800-24, Henry Wager, esq. ; 1825-31, Benjamin Rudd ■ 1832- 
33, Arnon Comstock; 1834, Hervey Brayton ; 1835-39, David Utley 1840 Henry 
Wager, jr., 1841-48, David Utley; 1849-51, George Hawkins; 1852-54 Griffith W 
Jones; 1855-57, John Hawkins; 1858-60, Squire Utley; 1861-62 Squire W Hill'- 
1863.69, Nathaniel D. Bronson; 1870, Joseph French; 1871, Nathaniel D Bronson' 
1872-73, Joseph French; 1874-75, Ephraim Dillenbeck; 1876-77, Joseph French- 
1878, J. V. Gue; 1879-80, Seymour Jones; 1881-82, Frank White; 1883-84 John o' 
Jones; 1885, Seth Cornish; 1886-87, R. H. Hews; 1888-89, W. F Pillmor e : 1890 d' 
E. Dillenbeck; 1891, W. C. Merrick; 1892, D. E. Dillenbeck; 1893, Williom F Pill' 
more; 1894-96, C. Frank Floyd. 

This list contains the names of several of the pioneers. The first per- 
manent settlers in the town were Asa Beckwith and his four sons, Asa 
jr., Reuben, Wolcott and Samuel. They located on the Mohawk River 
and were the first settlers in this county north of the Mohawk their 
nearest neighbors being for some time at Fort Stanwix. But they were 
not long alone. The fertile lands along the Mohawk were attractive 
and other settlers came in rapidly. Henry Wager followed closely upon 
the first settlers and became a prominent citizen ; held the office of su- 
pervisor twenty- four years, and was otherwise honored by his towns- 
men. George Brayton and Jonathan Swan (the latter an uncle of Gus- 
tavus Swan, now of Westernville), settled on the site of the village of 
Westernville, and opened tlje first store in town, on the site where mer- 
cantile business has been carried on ever since. Mr. Swan afterwards 
removed to Aurora, N. Y., and the Braytons continued in business, as 
described further on. 

David Utley was the first permanent settler on the site of North 
Western (three miles north of Westernville), where he purchased 200 
acres of land about 1795. It was the farm afterwards occupied by his 
son, Squire Utley. (See biography in this volume.) A man named 
John Clear had squatted on a part of this farm about a year before Mr 
Utley came in. He had no title and Mr. Utley permitted him to retain' 
and remain on, fifty acres of land, so that he might get a start and at 
a later date Mr. Utley purchased the land back from him. 

Jonathan Waldo built a saw mill here in 1800 and a little settlement 



598 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE). 

gathered about. One of the earliest settlers in the Hillside section 
(now Leila post-office) was a Mr. Gillett ; and David Sweet settled there 
at an early day, and kept a tavern in 1 805-6. 

In the neighborhood known as Frenchville, between Westernville and 
North Western, the first settlers were Jonah and Hezekiah Wells, father 
and son, who located previous to 1795. The neighborhood took its 
name from a family named French who settled there ; among them was 
David French. 

David Hill settled in Western about 1800, bought a farm, and took 
part in the war of 18 12 at Sackett's Harbor. His son, Henry R Hill, 
was born in Western, February 11, 1814, and became a prominent 
citizen, and operated the third cheese factory in Oneida county. 

Levi White, with his son Otis, came into Oneida county from Con- 
necticut in 1795. Moses Y. White, son of Otis, was born in Western 
in 1796, and passed a long and useful life there; he was a deacon of 
the Presbyterian church for twenty years. , 

The Halleck (formerly Hallock) family has been prominent in the 
town of Western. The ancestor of the family was Peter Hallock, who 
emigrated from England to New Haven, Conn., in 1640. Deacon 
Jabez Halleck (spelled with an " e ") was born on Long Island in March, 
1 761. Through the influence of General Floyd, he settled in Western 
in 1799. He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in 
Westernville in 18 18, and lived to the great age of 102 years, dying 
September 17, 1863. 

Joseph Halleck was the oldest son oi Deacon Jabez, and came to 
Oneida county with his father. He married Catherine, daughter of 
Henry Wager, the pioneer, and they had thirteen children. He served 
as lieutenant in the war of 18 12, served as magistrate thirty years, and 
was member of assembly in 1841. He died June 22, 1857. Among 
their children was Henry Wager Halleck. the distinguished general in 
the Civil war, who was born in Western, January 16, [814. He at- 
tended Union College and in 1835 went to West Point Military School, 
where he graduated in 1839. His later career in the service of the 
government is familiar. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he was ap- 
pointed major general, and placed in command of the Western Depart- 
ment. In July, 1862, he was appointed general- in- chief of the United 



THE TOWN OF WESTERN. 599 

States army, succeeding General McClellan. He served in that capacity 
until March, 1864. I" April, 1865, he was placed in command of the 
Military Department of the James, with headquarters at Richmond. 
The following August he was transferred to the Pacific coast and in 
March, 1868, to Louisville, where he died January 9, 1872. 

Gen. William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and a large land owner in Western, settled here in 1803. He 
was, born in Long Island, December 17, 1734. He was a member of 
the Provincial Assembly, and in 1774 was a delegate from this province 
to the first Continental Congress. In 1777 he was elected senator. In 
October, 1778, he was elected member of congress by the State Legis- 
lator and reappointed in 1789. The British victory on Long Island 
caused the family to flee to Connecticut, where they remained nearly 
seven years. He was of course a conspicuous figure in the early his- 
tory of the town, and many anecdotes are preserved in the Jones Annals 
and elsewhere of his career. He died August 24, 1821. 

William Floyd, grandson of the general, was born in New York city 
and removed to Western in 18 16, where he attended to his grand- 
father's affairs until the death of the latter. He was for a time in a 
store at Westernville, and passed the remainder of his long life there. 
General Floyd built a large frame house in extensive grounds, which 
was completed in 1804, and is still in good condition, and now occupied 
by Julia Floyd, daughter of the grandson of the general. 

Other early settlers of this town were John Hall, Benjamin Rudd, 
Arnon Comstock, David Brill, Jeptha Brainard, Chester W. and Joel 
Porter. 

Westernville is the principal village in this town. Mercantile business 
was carried on here, succeeding the old firm of Brayton & Swan, by 
H. M. & G. Brayton, sons of the Hon. George Brayton. This was for 
many years the only store of note between Rome and Boonville. 
Brayton & Ely were later merchants on that site, the latter of whom 
(Erastus Ely) is still living. Still later the establishment was conducted 
as a union store, and is now occupied by Thomas R. Rees. A second 
store is kept by John O. Jones & Son. 

The hotel at the lower end of the village, on the site of a still earlier 
one, was rebuilt by George Hawkins, who had then kept it for some 



600 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

years. After his death it was kept for a time by his widow. It is now 
in the hands of T. L. Crill. The Westernville Hotel at the upper end 
of the village lias been kept for sixteen years by Charles Bork, who suc- 
ceeded Charles Wentworth, son of Eliphalet Wentworth, who had also 
kept it. The post-office was established as early as 1812, with George 
Brayton, postmaster. He officiated a long time, and his sons, Henry 
and Milton, were also in charge of the office in later periods. 

The little village of North Western was partially, at least, an out- 
growth of the Black River Canal, although a small hamlet had gathered 
about the grist mill and saw mill of Jonathan Waldo already described. 
The present mill is on the site of the former one, and was built about 
1840 by Paul Macomber. It is now operated by Thomas Candee. 
Abram Horton runs a saw mill which is owned by John O. Jones, and 
another is operated by Jerome V. Gue. who has also manufactured 
cheese boxes, etc. While the canal was being constructed, one of the 
Bissells of Rome opened a small store here for the benefit. of the labor- 
ers. David Brill kept the first store of importance. He settled on a 
farm in 183 1, managed the second cheese dairy in the town, the first 
one having been owned by Robert Michel. Mr. Brill eventually pur- 
chased most of the land formerly owned by David Utley (including the 
village site), moved upon it in 1844, and laid out village streets. He 
also built the Half Way House about 1850, the first hotel in the village, 
which was subsequently burned. In the same year Ira Waldo built the 
Northern Hotel. Charles Wauful is the present landlord ; two other 
small houses are kept here. A tannery was in existence many years 
ago, but it was abandoned and burned. 

The neighborhood called Frenchville had a shoe peg factory and a 
saw mill in former years, established by a man named French ; but at 
the present time no business of any kind is carried on here. 

Hillside (now the post-office of Leila) is situated on the Mohawk 
above North Western The grist mill which has existed here many 
years is now a part of the estate of Michael Hogan who previously op- 
erated it. A store is kept by Walter Cummings. There are two other 
post-offices in the town — Big Brook and Dun Brook. 

What was probably the first regular school in the town was taught in 
Westernville at about the beginning of the century. As early as 1805-6 



THE TOWN OF WESTERN. 601 

Amy Williams taught here in a frame school house. A change was 
made in the district and a later school was taught near the residence of 
Henry Wager. Westernville village is now Union Free School District 
No. 12, the principal of which is Harmon Van Arman ; he has one as- 
sistant. 

Anong the prominent farmers of this town past and present, may be 
mentioned Henry Wager, Francis and Stewart Van Dresar, sons of Ezra 
Van.Dresar, John W. Harris, Samuel Aukin, S. M. Nisbet, son of Robert 
Nisbet, John Warcup, Jimes Boyd, James Olney, Asa Beckwith, David 
and Lemuel French, Asa Carmichael and the Wells family. Under the 
management of the many excellent farmers of this town, the dairying 
interest has in recent years, become a prominent industry. At the 
present time there are four cheese factories in operation. 

In the old cemetery in the rear of the Presbyterian church at West- 
ernville, among the many memorials of the dead are those bearing rec- 
ords of the following : 

William Martindale of Petersham, Mass., came to Oneida County in 1817; died 
Feb. 12, 1870, aged 92. 

Lydia, his wife, died Jan. 12, 1851, aged 74. 
Henry Wager, died Aug. 9, 1840, aged 76. 

He was one of the first settlers of this county, having lived on the farm where he died over 
fifty years. — Inscription. 

Letitia, his wife, died March 29, 1839, aged 74. 

John Hawkins, died 1810, aged 40. 

Bridget, his wife, died March 19, 1853, aged 71. 
Joseph Halleck, Esq., died June 23, 1857, aged 73. 

The above Joseph Halleck, son of Jabez Halleck, and grandson of Major Peter Halleck, o£ 
Southold, Long Island, N. Y , was born at Southold, October 16, 1784, and emigrated to Oneida 
County, with his father, in the fourteenth year of his age. — Inscription. 

Catherine Wager, "his wife, died Feb. 20, 1868, aged 73. 
Rev. John Arnold, died April 24, 1872, aged 91. 
Deacon Jabez Halleck, died Sept. 17, 1863, aged 103. 
Sarah, his wife, died Nov. 29, 1834, aged 72. 
Rebecca, his wife, died April 10, 1861, aged 89. 
Jabez Halleck, jr., died Aug. 20, 1873, aged 74. 
Achsa, his wife, died Feb. 21, 1841, aged 42. 
Joseph Parke, died. Feb. 6, 1833, aged 87. 
William Cleveland, died July 24, 1833, aged 67. 
Elizabeth, his wife, died Nov. 8, 1832, aged 61. 
Ezra Clark, died Aug. 21, 1867, aged 84. 
Lydia Parke, his wife, died Feb. 21, 1862, aged 73. 
76 



602 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Jacob Wiggins, died Sept. 30, 1839, aged 79. 

Freelove, his wife, died June 8, 1827, aged 56, 

John Smith, died Sept. 14, 1873, aged 91. 

Mary, his wife, died Oct. 5, 1849, aged 62. 

David Hill, died July 11, 1856, aged 77. 

Laura, his wife, died Dec. 30, 1866, aged 78. 

Orange Hayden, died July 31, 1872, aged 79. 

Polly, his wife, died Aug. 31, 1849, aged 56. 

Ephraim Potter, died Aug. 16, 1832, aged 72. 

Elizabeth, his wife died April 29, 1830, aged 66. 

John Paddock, died Dec. 28, 1866, aged 82. 

Polly, his wife, died April 21, 1840, aged 52. 

David Fanning, died June 17, 1826, aged 49. 

Elizabeth, his wife, died May 24, 1830, aged 58. 

James Boyd, died Sept. 2, 1870, aged 90. 

Mahetable, his wife, died March 21, 1833, aged 50, 

John Ely, native of New Jersey, died April 14, 1842, aged 66. 

George Brayton, died March 5, 1837, aged 65. 

Sarah, his wife, died May 8, 1841, aged 64. 

John Swan, died June 12, 1849, aged 82. 

Mary, his wife, died Jan. 26, 1859, aged 86. 

John Harris, who was an elder in the Presbyterian church from 1826, died August 

10, 1860, aged 75. 
James Olney, died Feb. 22, 1862, aged 78. 
Lucy, his wife, died June 4, 1876, aged 86. 
William Olney, esq., died Dec. 22, 1846, aged .90. 
Mary, his wife, died Dec. 13, 1818, aged 57. 
Aaron Ismond, died April 7, 1813, aged 51. 
Nathaniel Turner, died June 8, 1830, aged 84. 
Mary, his wife, died Sept. 23, 1826, aged 78. 
Seth Church, died Dec. 20, 1852, aged 73. 
Clarissa, his wife, died Dec. 28, 1850, aged 65. 
Ruth Park, died May 6, 1873, aged 93. 

The first religious organization in the town of Western, was formed 
in 1798 by the Baptist denomination, with about sixty members. It 
was in existence many years, but never had a regular settled pastor, 
and finally became extinct. 

Succeeding this organization the Methodists formed a society and 
have established several churehes. Two of these were near " Big 
Brook" post-office, each with a small membership. The Methodist 
Episcopal church at North Western was built about 1839, the organiza- 
tion of the society having taken place at the same time. 

At Westernville a Methodist church was built about 1855, which was 



THE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND. 603 

extensively improved within a few years past. It has maintained a 
progress of interest. 

A Welsh Methodist society was formed in the northwest corner of 
the town in early years and a frame church was built in 1877. 

The Presbyterian society in Westernville was incorporated in [ 8 1 8, 
the organization having been effected on August 15 of that year. The 
old union church built in 1817 had then a large debt laying over it, and 
the property including the old cemetery in the rear was purchased by 
George Brayton, who deeded it to the society. That church has been 
in use ever since, but has undergone extensive changes, remodeling 
and other improvements. The original membership of this society was 
fifteen For three-quarters of a century past this society has had a 
prosperous existence. 



CHAPTER LI. 

THE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND. 

The town of Westmoreland lies south of the center of Oneida county, 
and was set off from Whitestown on April 10, 1792. When Oneida 
county was organized in 178S, a small portion of Whitestown was added 
to Westmoreland ; this originally included the town of Verona and a 
part of Vernon, both of which were taken off in 1802. A small tract 
was set off to the town of Kirkland in 1855, leaving Westmoreland with 
its present area of 25,741 acres. The western part of the town was in- 
cluded in the original Oneida Reservotion, from which tracts were 
granted to Dean, Bleecker, Wemple, and others. The eastern part of 
the town is in the Coxe patent and a small portion of the Oriskany pat- 
ent lies in the northeast corner of the town, as shown on the map here- 
in. James Dean located his tract in the fall of 1786, taking a deed of 
it from the Indians. After naming the Indians who signed the deed, 
the document proceeds as follows : 

Sachems and Chief Warriors of the Oneida Nation — By and with the advice and 
consent of the said Nation, in Consideration of the great and important Services 



604 OUR COUNTY AlND ITS PEOPLE. 

rendered to us by Mr. James Dean, our Friend and Brother, and as a Token of our 
Esteem and Affection for him, have given and granted, etc. 

This deed was confirmed by the State on the 6th of February, 1787, 
according to an act passed May 5, 1786. By this same act, also, 
Wetnple's patent was granted, comprising one mile square of land, to 
be located south of Dean's. 

It will be noticed that Mr. Dean settled on his patent before the sale 
was ratified by his deed. He was confident, doubtless, that this would 
be done, and accordingly set forth with his brother, Jonathan Dean and 
the wife and children of the latter, for their new home. That woman, 
Mrs. Eunice Dean, was the first white woman to settle in the town of 
Westmoreland. They of course encountered many hardships and it is 
recorded that for six weeks, neither she nor her family tasted bread. 
Their principal food was meat and fish, which were plenty. Imme- 
diately after James Dean's marriage he returned with his wife and began 
housekeeping. The old Dean homestead was occupied in recent years 
by John L. Dean, son of Luke C. Dean, and grandson of the judge. 
Another son of the judge, John Dean, lived a short distance south of 
the homestead, on the farm afterwards owned by his son George. Judge 
Dean's daughter, Electa, became the wife of Joshua A. Spencer, the 
early and eminent Oneida county lawyer and judge. 

Soon after his arrival Judge Dean constructed a hand grist mill on 
the creek, to which he attached a small water wheel, which saved sub • 
sequent hand labor. Although it was a small affair, it was probably 
the first example of a grist mill in Oneida county. 

Silas Phelps came into this town in the fall of 1786 and built a log 
cabin on the lot adjoining Jonathan Dean's on the east. He came from 
New Marlborough, Mass., and was followed in January, 1787, by 
Eohraim Blackmer and Nehemiah Jones. 

The general surface of the town of Westmoreland is rolling or hilly, 
and the soil is very fertile. It is watered by the Oriskany, Dean's 
Creek and other small tributaries to these creeks and the Mohawk. Iron 
ore has been found within the town in considerable quantities, and used 
in the numerous furnaces that have been operated in that vincinity 

The minutes of the first town meeting are lost, but it known that 
Capt. Isaac Jones was chosen supervisor and Alexander Parkman, town 




ARTHUR D. LEE. 



THE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND. 605 

clerk. The following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its 
organization to the present time: 

1794, Captain Isaac Jones; 1795 James Dean; 1796, not given; 1797, Dan Chap- 
man; 1798-99, James Dean; 1800-1803, Joseph Jones; 1804-1805, Jared Chittenden ; 
1806-15, Roderick Morrison ; 1816-17, Thomas Holbert, jr. ; 1818, Roderick Morrison ; 
1819, Thomas Holbert, jr.; 1820-23, Roderick Morrison; 1824-33, Truman Enos; 
1834-35, Warren Converse; 1836-38, Parker Halleck; 1839-40, James B. Drummond; 
1841, John Nicholson; 1842-43, Pomroy Jones; 1844, Almon Beardsley ; 1845-46, 
Warren Converse; 1847-48, James J. Curtiss; 1849, John Park; 1850-51, Zenas M. 
Howes; 1852, Jonathan Rose; 1853-54, John Wylie; 1855, Jeptha Skinner; 1856, 
Abel B. Buell; 1857, Arthur F. Brown; 1858, Joseph L. Mansfield; 1859. Grant 
Adams; 1860, Morris W. Halleck; 1861, John Wylie; 1862, John B. Nicholson; 1863, 
Nehemiah F. Metcalf; 1864, Jacob J. Massy; 1865, Nehemiah F. Metcalf; 1866-68, 
John L. Dean; 1869-71, Philander Shedd; 1872-76, Joseph K. Schuyler; 1877-79,' 
William S. Fuller; 1880-82, William Brill; 1883-85, Ezra A Knapp; 1886-89, Thomas 
J. Olney; 1890-91, Fred S. Brill; 1892-93, Hiram S. Kellogg; 1894 (elected for two 
years), Arthur D. Lee ; 1896-98, Andrew J. Pine. 

Relative to the settlement of Judge James Dean, the following is 
quoted from the Annals of Oneida County : 

James Dean, the first settler of Westmoreland, was born at Groton, Connecticut, 
in the month of August, 1748. Of his early youth nothing is known, excepting that 
he was destined as a missionary to the Indians, and at the age of twelve years was 
sent to reside at Oquago, on the Susquehanna, with an Indian missionary named 
Mosely, who was then laboring with a branch of the Oneida tribe, located at that 
place. He soon became master of the Oneida tongue, and was adopted by a female 
native as her son. To this mother he ever manifested an ardent attachment. His 
acquisition of the language was of great use to hiiir and his country in after life. 
Learning it when thus young, while the organs of speech were flexible, he was en- 
abled to speak the language most fluently. The Oneidas said he was the only white 
person whom they had ever known who could speak their language so perfectly that 
they could not at once detect him, although he might be hid from view, but him they 
could not detect. How long he resided in Oquago is unknown, but in those few- 
years, under the instruction of Mr. Mosely, he fitted himself to enter college. He 
was a member of the first class which formed and graduated at Dartmouth. His 
freshman year in that institution was before the completion of a building for the use 
of the students, and the class used to study and recite in a rude shelter formed by 
placing slabs against the trunk of a large prostrate pine. In this poor apology for 
a college dormitory young Mr. Dean studied and slept the first summer he spent in 
his collegiate course. He graduated just previously to the commencement of the 
war of the Revolution. 

In 1774 the leading citizens of each colony were endeavoring to ascertain the sen- 
timents of all classes of people relative to the portending contest; and the peculiar 
fitness and qualifications of Mr. Dean recommended him to the Continental Congress, 
then just assembled, as a suitable person to ascertain those of the Indians in New 



606 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

York and Canada, and the part they would probably take in the event of a war with 
the mother country. In order to disguise the object of his mission, it was arranged 
that he should assume the character of an Indian trader, and he was accordingly 
furnished with such goods as were then carried into the Indian country for the pur- 
poses of trade. He was also for that purpose furnished with letters, invoices, and 
other papers from a well-known house in Boston, then engaged in the Indian trade. 
Thus fitted out, he commenced his expedition to the Six Nations and their branches, 
and the tribes connected with them, living in Canada. In the course of his travels' 
in Lower Canada, he was arrested by the British authorities as a spy, and taken to 
Quebec, where he underwent a most rigid examination. His self possession was 
equal to the crisis, and aided by his papers he secured his release. 

For his services the Oneidas gave Mr. Dean a tract of land two miles square, the 
title to be confirmed and ratified by the State. This was probably in 1783. He chose 
for its location a tract upon the north side of Wood Creek, in the present town of 
Vienna. In the spring of 1784 he left Connecticut, in company with Jedediah Phelps 
and Andrew Blanchard, to commence the settlement of his land. The day of start- 
ing is not known, but they left Schenectady the 3d of May, and arrived at Wood 
Creek the 13th. Without knowing it, they undoubtedly passed Judge White while 
he and his son were engaged upon the Shoemaker farm in planting their crop of corn. 
After Mr. Dean and his party arrived at Wood Creek, they built a log house and a 
shop for Mr. Phelps, who was a brass founder and silversmith, and intended to work 
for the Indians. During the summer they made a small clearing, and although now 
covered with a second growth of timber, it still retains its name of " Dean's place.' 
In the spring of 1785 the place became inundated to such an extent that for three 
weeks they were obliged to live in the garret of their log cabin, and for the purpose 
of cooking their meals they descended from their loft into a canoe by a ladder, and 
then rowing to the shop, used the forge as their only fireplace above high-water 
mark. On the subsiding of the water the party were fully satisfied that the selection 
was an unfortunate one, and unfit forthe commencement of a settlement. Mr. Dean 
stating this to the Indians, they agreed he might change the location to any point 
upon the west side of the " line of property," between Brothertown upon the Oris- 
kany and the Wood Creek. He selected his land so as to include the falls of the 
creek, since known as Dean's Creek. To render such location certain, the survey — 
as appears from the description of his patent — of the east line of the patent com- 
menced in the creek, and thence ran north and south to the north and south bounds 
of the tract. He located his patent in the fall of 1785, and settled upon it in Febru- 
ary, 1786. At this time he was unmarried, but in the fall of that year he visited 
Connecticut, and was married to Miss Lydia Camp on the 11th of October. 

Mr. Dean's energies were now directed to clearing a farm, inducing settlers to re- 
move to his patent, and in building mills for their accommodation. Success crowned 
his efforts, and it was but a few years before every lot offered for sale was " taken 
up " by an actual settler. 

In January, 1787, Ephraim Blackmer, esq., and Captain Nehemiah Jones removed 
from Berkshire Co., Mass., to Dean's Patent. Esquire Blackmer came in advance, 
with a horse-team, bringing the families, consisting of their wives, Esquire Black- 
mer's two children, and Captain Jones' one, some beds, bedding, and clothing, while 
Captain Jones followed more slowly with an ox team, with such furniture and pro- 



THE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND. 607 

visions as were supposed necessary to commence housekeeping among the Indians, 
as their New England friends were pleased to term the location of the settlers in 
Deansville. Esquire Blackmer stayed the last night of his journey at Oriskany, a 
distance of about ten miles from Judge Dean's. The next morning he took, to use 
the teamster's phrase, an early start, that is, before sunrise, well knowing it would 
consume the whole day to travel the distance, and wishing to get through before 
dark. Probably they would have looked incredulously at the idea of a railroad's 
being constructed in the then next half-century, over a part of their route, carrying 
passengers at the rate of fifteen, twenty, and even thirty miles per hour. 1 There 
was no road on any part of the distance, nor track, except that of the Indian snow 
shoe, which rather impeded their progress than otherwise. It was a bitter cold day, 
the snow about eighteen inches deep. By dint of untiringperseverance our travelers 
had, by a little past the middle of the day, kenned their way to the spot near where 
the village of Hampton now stands. In crossing the creek a little north of said 
village, the stream being but partially frozen, the sleigh unluckily turned over, turn- 
ing the women and children into the water, the youngest, a child of Mrs. Jones, less 
than one year of age, going completely under water. Happily, the water was not 
deep enough to endanger them from drowning. In a few minutes they were all safe 
on shore, but in such a plight ! or, I might have said, "in such a pickle !" the women 
and children to a considerable extent drenched in water, without a shelter or fire 
nearer than Judge Dean's, a distance of about four miles, which would cost more 
than that number of hours to reach, with the thermometer, if one could have been 
consulted, ranging near zero. Would not our modern delicate females rather shud- 
der at the thought of being placed in such a situation, and under such circumstances? 
But our settlers had no idea of being disheartened or discouraged. "Necessity is 
the mother of invention." Fortunately the chest of bedclothes had escaped the 
drenching. The seats were removed from the sleigh, and dry clothes spread over 
the bottom of it. The women and children then placed themselves on them, the 
brandy-jug was then introduced, and each one drank what he could bear, without 
being too far intoxicated, and some two quarts of it sprinkled over them. In those 
days alcohol was used to keep people warm in winter and cool in summer. A large 
amount of dry bedding spread over them completed their arrangements for the rest 
of their journey. After the firsthalf-hour all fear of freezing gave way to the equally 
disagreeable one of suffocation. First the water, and then the brandy, caused such 
a profuse perspiration that our travelers could not liken the appearance of their 
sleigh to anything more appropriate than a traveling coalpit. To conclude, they all 
safely arrived at Judge Dean's a little before dark. 

This Capt. Nehemiah Jones had been a soldier in the Revolutionary- 
army, lived to the age of seventy- nine years, and died December 19, 
1838. He was father of the Hon. Pomroy Jones, who passed his long 
life in Oneida county. The latter was one of a company of soldiers 
who served in the war of 1812 and has honorably perpetuated his name 
through the authorship of the well known Annals of Oneida County. 

1 Sixty to seventy miles an hour in 1896. 



608 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The Ephraim Blackmer before mentioned married Mary, sister of 
Captain Jones. Mr. Blackmer died in February, 1796, and his was the 
first Masonic funeral ever held in this county. 

Not long after 1787 Isaac Jones, who had been engaged during most 
of the Revolutionary period in transporting military stores, located in 
Clinton, and moved soon afterwards to Westmoreland. He died in the 
town of Vernon in 1808, and was the first supervisor of this town. His 
brother, Joseph Jones, came to Westmoreland in the spring of 1787, 
and lived for many years at Lairdsville. He was supervisor four years, 
justice of the peace more than twenty years, and postmaster and town 
clerk. He died in Vernon in 1835. 

Another veteran of the Revolution who settled in this town in 1790 
was Capt. Stephen Brigham ; still another who settled in the same year 
in the southwest part of the town was John Townsend, from whom the 
level lands in that locality were called the Townsend Flats. 

Joseph Blackmer, sr., was father of Ephraim. already mentioned, and 
of Joseph, jr.; the latter removed from this town in 1808 and died in 
Monroe county in 1848 

Roderick Morrison, a Revolutionary soldier and a native of Hebron, 
Conn., came to Westmoreland in 1797. For fifty years he was a 
prominent citizen, held the office of supervisor fifteen years; was many 
years a justice of the peace and member of assembly in 1816 He died 
in 1843. 

William Dean, a younger brother of Judge Dean, came into the 
town probably in the spring of 1787 with a large family. In 1788 
Samuel Laird came from New Marlborough, Mass., and settled on the 
site of Lairdsville, and soon afterwards opened a public house in his 
log building. For some years this was one the most noted taverns 
west of Albany. In that year also came Pelatiah Rawson and Deacon 
John Blair ; the latter was the first to settle in the town outside of 
Dean's patent 

Several years previous to 1800, Jared Chitenden, a native of Con- 
necticut, and a Revolutionary soldier, settled in Whitestown. A few 
years later, and previous to 1800, he located in Westmoreland, where 
he became prominent. He held the offices of supervisor and justice of 
the peace. Capt. Phineas Bell, another Revolutionary veteran, and 



THE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND. 609 

one of those who suffered in the Sugar House prison on Long Island, 
became a settler. He died May 13, 1845. 

Other arrivals of the year 1789 were Nathaniel Townsend, Benjamin 
Blackman, Capt. John Vaughan, Josiah Stillman, Nathan Loomis, 
Adonijah Strong (Mr. Strong bought his place of Nathan Loomis, built 
a house and barn and afterwards sold it to Captain Peabody. The 
transaction was the cause of a long and lengthy litigation). Joshua 
Green, John Morse, Daniel Seeley, and a Mr. Blodgett came also in 
1789. The latter was the first settler on the site of Hampton (West- 
moreland) village, where Elijah Smith and Samuel Starr also were set- 
tlers Such distinguished men as Gov. George Clinton and Gen. 
George Washington were large land owners in this town, and a num- 
ber of deeds are in existence transferring their lands to purchasers. 
Some of these were given to John Baxter, Joseph Blodgett, Daniel 
Babcock, Asa Turner, Stephen Hutchinson, John Babcock and Ebe- 
nezer R. Fitch, all in Westmoreland. 

The first settler on McKesson's patent in the north part of the town, 
including the site of Lowell village, was Stephen Stilson, who located 
in 1802. Doddridge Loomis, John Turtle, whose farm included the site 

of Lowell, Zebulon Tuttle, Caleb Thurston, Adams and David 

Stilson, all probably came in that year, 1802. In the following year 
Sullivan and Abel Brigham, Silas Rice, Isaiah Shedd, Joseph Perkins, 
Ezekiel Miller, James Hempstead, Amos Smith, Nathan and Park 
Adams, all settled in that section in 1803. 

In the northeastern part of the town the early settlers were Sherman 
Patterson and his sons Thomas and Josiah, Isaac Goodsell, William and 
Ebenezer Cheever, George and Consider Law, Elijah Waters, Thomas 
Barnum, Ebenezer, Ephraim and Haman Besse, George Williams, Al- 
fred Richardson, Samuel Bailey, John Nicholson, Henry Hallock, Peter 
Doolittle, Captains Lay and Lee, and the Peckham, Bicknell and Barker 
families, all of whom came in the last years of the last century and the 
early years of the present one. On and near the road between Hamp- 
ton and Hecla Furnace, Walter Cone, William, Josiah and Jonathan 
Patton, John Bowen, Stephen Hutchinson, Stephen Brigham and 
Daniel Babcock were the early settlers. East of Hampton the first 
comers were Chester Stillman, Samuel Collins, Benjamin Waters, 
Nathan Thompson, and John Baxter. 

77 



610 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Judge Dean built the first saw mill in town in 1787 or '88, and a 
grist mill a year later. These mills succeeded the hand mill before de- 
scribed. The first run of stones used in the grist mill were made from 
a large granite rock found near Samuel Laird's dwelling by Edward 
Higbee. Mr Higbee soon afterwards built another grist mill on the 
same stream in the eastern part of the town. 

The first death in this town was that of Orin Jones, an infant son 
of Capt. Nehemiah Jones, who died March 20, 1778. As no coffin 
could be procured it was buried in the sleigh box, in which they had 
removed from Massachusetts, Esquire Ephraim Blackmer making out 
of it a very decent coffin. The first death of an adult was that of 
Peletiah Rawson, who resided about half a mile east of the Hecla Works, 
who died very suddenly in the summer of 1789. The first marriage 
was that of Samuel Hubbard, of Clinton, and Miss Mary Blair, eldest 
daughter of Deacon John Blair, who has been mentioned. The cere 
mony was performed by Rev. John Sargeant, the Indian missionary, 
March 25, 1790, in the log cabin of the settler, which stood near the 
first frame house, on the Hampton road. After the Rev. Mr. Bradley 
was settled he married the following persons at the dates given : Octo- 
ber 17, 1793, Mather Bosworth and Bathsheba Deming; February 24, 
1794, Daniel Williams and Levina Hovey ; May 8, 1794, Peter Pratt 
and Dolly Smith; August 17, 1794, Samuel Cornwell and Hannah 
Finney; November 12, 1794, Asahel Porter and Abigail Srhith. Very 
probably these were the only marriages in the town during the first 
eight years of its settlement. 

Westmoreland village is situated in the eastern part of the town, and 
for many years was called Hampton. Confusion arising from the fact 
that there was another post office of that name in this State, the name 
of the post- office was changed to correspond with that of the town. A. 
L Fitch is postmaster. Some of the former merchants and tradesmen 
of the village were W. J. Brockett (now of Rome), Benjamin Stevenson 
and J. L. Clyde (firm of Stevenson & Clyde), N. F. Metcalf, tinner, Dr. 
Beckwith, drugs, etc. Thomas Hughes has a general store which he 
lias conducted for over twenty years, succeeding A. F. Brown ; Nathan 
F. Graves and E. J. Carr also have general stores. Arthur D. McEntee 
carries a hardware stock on the site formerly occupied by Townsend & 
Bliss and later by Smith Brothers. 



THE TOWN OF WESTMORELAND. 611 

The old hotel which was kept many years by various landlords was 
closed April I, 1S96 The only hotel is the Monroe House, kept by 
John Monroe. 

There has been little manufacturing here, aside from the early saw 
mills in the vicinity, until the establishment of the Westmoreland 
Malleable Iron Company. In 1850 Smith, Buell & Co., erected and 
started this plant and continued its successful operation. In 1857 Mr. 
Buejl withdrew and removed to Oriskany, and James M. Clark became 
president of the company. Several changes took place in the constitu- 
tion of the company and in the spring of 1896, F. M. Metcalf and E. 
C Metcalf purchased all the stock of the company not already held by 
them and are sole owners. From seventy- five to 100 hands are em- 
ployed on general malleable iron production 

Schuyler & Lattimore (J. K. Schuyler, a former successful farmer 
and cheesemaker and Fred. Lattimore) carry on a large coal and lum- 
ber trade. Mr. Lattimore is town clerk and station agent on the rail- 
road. 

Lairdsville, the site of the early settlement of Samuel Laird, is a ham- 
let and post-office in the northern part of the town. Laird's log hotel 
and a later one kept by Isaac Jones gave this little place considerable 
prominence in the days of the old stages. The post office was estab- 
lished about 1820 through the efforts of Judge Dean and Pomroy Jones. 
The first postmaster was probably Salmon Cushman, who was then 
landlord of a public house. With the building of canals and railroads, 
the activity of the place declined, and the only business of the place is 
a store kept by George Steele. 

What has been known as Hecla Works is situated in the northern 
part of the town. Here the Westmoreland Furnace was estab- 
lished in 1800, by Russell Clark, Joel Bradley, Bradford Seymour, Asa 
Seymour, Isaac Seymour (brothers) and George Langford. Ore was 
used that was found in that vicinity, but its quality did not prove as 
good as had been anticipated, and in later years it was brought from 
Verona and elsewhere. The business finally declined through competi- 
tion and the foundry was converted into a grist mill and saw mill. These 
are now operated by T. J, Olney. Frank Wilson is postmaster and 
conducts a general store. The post-office was opened in 185 1. 



612 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Lowell is a hamlet in the northern part of the town, with stage con- 
nection with Rome. The post-office was established many years ago 
under the name of Republican, and the hamlet was long called Andover. 
There has always been a small mercantile business here and a store is 
now kept by Charles Cleveland. A fire in September, 1875, burned a 
store and the old brick Union Hotel. 

Bartlett is a post-office, with Mark Cheney, postmaster, and a station 
on the Rome & Clinton Railroad The post office was opened in 1871 
and the place was named from the then president of the railroad. 

Dix post-office is also situated on the railroad, but has no business 
interests. 

The town of Westmoreland comprises an excellent agricultural dis- 
trict. Hops have been extensively raised in past years, but the great 
depression in prices of this product has already caused a decline in the 
quantity grown. Dairying is a prominent industry and will be further 
developed. Among the leading farmers of this town may be mentioned 
A. D. Groves, Amos Barnes, David Parks, Halsey Stillman, all deceased, 
and David Bryden, H. H. Tyler, C. H. Tyler, Malachi Ellis, C. S. 
Lyman, William Poyle, S. P. Graves, Samuel G. Smith, William Jones, 
A. L. Fitch and others. 

The first school in this town was taught in a log school house which 
was built as early 1792, a short distance west of the site of Lairdsville. 
The teacher was Calvin Butler. An aunt of Pomroy Jones also taught 
there. 

From the Jones Annals the following is taken : 

In 1793 a log school house was built in Lairdsville, and some time in 1794 a teacher 
was hired for a year. He was competent, and his pupils advanced rapidly, but after 
seven or eight months of his year had elapsed it was discovered that he was intem- 
perate, and that he was occasionally partially intoxicated in school hours. For sev- 
eral days, upon one occasion, he carried about one of his eyes all the hues of the 
rainbow, received in a drunken brawl at a neighboring public house. In the spring 
of 1795, a number of the patrons of the school believing that such examples to their 
children should be no longer tolerated, a meeting was notified to take the matter 
into consideration. The meeting was a protracted one, part of the district strongly 
advocating the continuance of the school, while the other part were tenacious for 
dismissing a teacher whose walk before his pupils was so irregular. The arguments 
pro and con having been exhausted, it was found upon taking the vote upon the mo- 
tion for dismissal that there was a tie. The vote not being carried to dismiss the 
teacher, the advocates for continuing the school moved an adjournment, which was 



THE TOWN OP WESTMORELAND. 613 

carried, and they dispersed to their homes. Not so with the opponents of the school. 
Some of the leading spirits passed round the word to their friends to remain after 
the adjournment. They did so, and, after the teacher's friends had all left and were 
out of sight, they carried out the books and stationery to a secure place, and then 
kindled a fire in the building, and did not retire until the destroying element had so 
far progressed as to preclude all possibility of its being quenched, thus most effectu- 
ally dismissing the drunken school teacher. 

In the winter of 1819-20 school was first taught in the neighborhood 
of the Friends' settlement — their meeting-house, completed that fall, 
being used as a school house, and the teacher being one of their society 
— Abigail Tucker. Daniel Peckham now living in the vicinity, then 
nineteen years of age, attended that school. 

East of this, at " Nicholson's Corners," a school was taught shortly 
before or soon after; another had been kept at Bartlett previous to 
either of these. 

In Hampton village a school house was built between July and Oc- 
tober, 181 1, which was the second one in the place. It stood, accord- 
ing to the records, " between the meeting house and the northwest cor- 
ner of the green ; the north side of said house on the line of James Lee- 
worthy's south fence, partly standing on the green, remainder on Lee- 
worthy." 

There are now seventeen districts in the town with a school house in 
each. 

A "society for the maintenance of the ordinances of the gospel" was 
organized in this town on September 5, 1 791, probably through the 
efforts of Revs. Bingham and William Bradford, missionaries from Con- 
necticut. That society had fifty-five members and January 28, 1792, 
elected Josiah Stillman, Isaac Jones, John Blair, Stephen Bingham, 
Samuel Collins, Silas Phelps and George Langford, trustees. A new 
covenant was adopted January 17, 1793, to which were signed eighty- 
one names. A dispute having arisen over a site for a church edifice, 
two were built, one at "Hampton," (as the village was long known), and 
the other on South street in the northern part of the town. The former 
was erected in 1798 and the other within a short time, and was sold in 
1803 to the Methodists. 

The First Congregational church of Westmoreland was organized in 
September, 1792, and celebrated its centennial anniversary in 1892. 



614 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

For more than a hundred years it has maintained an active existence. 
An Independent Congregational society was formed at Lowell about 
1820 and a church built about 1824. After a few years of activity the 
numbers declined and in 1850 the building was sold and taken down. 

A Methodist Episcopal Society was organized soon after 1795, and 
services were held at intervals by itinerant preachers, meeting in private 
houses until 1803, when they purchased the South street church as be- 
fore stated. This was used until 1835, when an edifice was erected at 
Westmoreland village and another at Lairdsville. Both of these socie- 
ties are still in existence. 

A Baptist church was organized March 17, 1803, the fifth one of this 
denomination in Oneida county, its predecessors being at Whitestown, 
Deerfield, Paris and Sangerfield. From the old society sprang in later 
years, the Second Westmoreland church, and those at Vernon, Vienna, 
and Clinton. Ora Butler was the first pastor of the old s- ciety, begin- 
ning in 1804. It finally became extinct The Second Baptist church 
was organized February 21, 1818, and is located at Bartlett. A small 
church was built in 18 19. In 1836 some of the members of this society 
withdrew and organized the Old School Baptist church, north of Bart- 
lett, which buik a frame church. This society went out of existence, 
but the former one continues. 

Getbsemane Episcopal church, Westmoreland, was organized in 1842, 
and for a time was supplied with preaching by Rev. Stephen McHugh, 
of Oriskany Rev. Mr. Spaulding was a late pastor and had charge of 
the De Lancey Institute, a school near Westmoreland mineral spring. 
The church of this society was erected in Westmoreland in 1858. 

A Methodist society was organized at Lowell many years ago, and 
built a modest frame church. This was in use until 1895, when the 
present new edifice was erected. 

What is known as the Friends' Meeting House was built in 18 19, 
soon after the organization of a society by John Wright, Lawton 
Barker (who were the first settlers in that neighborhood) and the family 
of Nathan Peckham. Alfred Richardson and wife settled there early. 
In 1852 Mary A. Peckham, wife of Daniel Peckham, was settled as the 
first " recommended minister." The first frame meeting house was in 
use until 1872, when the present one was erected. 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 615 



CHAPTER LII. 

THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 

This town was formed by an act of the Legislature passed March 7, 
1788, with the following boundary: 

Easterly by a line running north and south to the north and south bounds of the 
State, and crossing the Mohawk river at the ford near, and on the east side of the 
house of William Cunningham, and which line was the western boundary of the 
towns of Herkimer, German Flats and Otsego ; southerly by the State of Pennsyl- 
vania, and west and north by the bounds of the State. 

William Cunningham's house was situated on the west side of Gene- 
see street Utica and near its foot. These boundaries therefore show that 
the original Whitestown comprised nearly half of the area of the State, 
and that it is eminently entitled to the appellation of the mother of towns. 
Upon the formation of Oneida county in 1798 the limits of Wh testown 
were extended eastward about two miles to the present line of Herkimer 
county. Meanwhile the town was divided in April, 1792, and the 
towns of Westmoreland, Steuben, Paris, Mexico, and Peru erected. 
On March 5, 1 795, parts of Whitestown and Paris were taken to form 
the ne.w town of Cazenovia, and when Oneida county was formed that 
part of the town of Frankfort which came within its limits was annexed 
to Whitestown From this territory Augusta was formed and the re- 
mainder of Whitestown within the Oneida Reservation was annexed to 
Westmoreland. On April 7, 1 8 17, the town of Utica was erected from 
Whitestown, and on April 12, 1827, the town of New Hartford was 
formed from it, leaving Whitestown with an area of about thirty square 
miles 

The Mohawk River forms the northeastern boundary of the town, 
and into it flow the Oriskany Creek across the central part of the town, 
and the Sauquoit Creek across the southeast corner ; other smaller 
streams give the town good drainage Southwesterly from the Mohawk 
extends abroad and level intervale, from which the surface of the town 



616 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

rises perhaps a hundred feet and stretches back in a rolling upland, fer- 
tile and picturesque. 

The reader has learned in early chapters of this volume of the stirring 
and tragic events which took place far back in the past on the territory 
of this town, giving it historical importance greater than almost any 
other locality in Central New York. The battle of Oriskany alone, 
considered by many as the turning point in the great struggle of which 
it was a part, and the scene of which is now marked by an imposing 
shaft, was sufficient to give the region an immortal name. In this con- 
nection it will surprise some to learn that an attempt was made long be- 
fore permanent settlement was begun in the town to manufacture salt 
here. The journal of the Committee of Safety of this State records 
under date of February 7, 1777, that a committee was appointed to 
take steps towards starting the manufacture of the great necessity, a 
sample of which was furnished them. 

Of the water of certain springs at Oriskie, about ten miles to the eastward of Fort 
Schuyler (Stanwix), and reported that, from information, it appears to the committee 
that nine gallons of water will make two quarts of salt. 

Resolved, That said committee devise ways and means to make further experi- 
ments in order to ascertain the quality of said water at Oriskie; and if they are of 
the opinion that salt can be manufactured to advantage, that they proceed, without 
delay, to procure materials and employ proper persons to carry on the same. 

It is probable nothing was ever accomplished in this direction. 

It is a notable fact that the first permanent settlement in this State 
west of the German settlements on the Mohawk River, v/as made on 
the present territory of Whitestown. The fame of the beauty of this 
region and the fertility of its soil had been carried eastward by the offi- 
cers and soldiers of the British army in the old French and Indian war, 
as well as by those of the Revolution, and early turned the attention of 
hardy pioneers in this direction. The first permanent settler was Hugh 
White and we can do no better than quote the following story of his 
coming from the Jones Annals: 

Hugh White removed from Middletown, Connecticut, in May, 1784, and arrived in 
what is now Whitestown on the 5th of June. He came by water to Albany, crossed 
by land to Schenectady, where he purchased a bateau, in which he made passage up 
the Mohawk River to the mouth of the Sauquoit Creek. His four sons, a daughter, 
and daughter-in-law accompanied him. When he left Middletown he sent one of his 
sons with two yokes of oxen by land to Albany, who arrived there about the same 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 617 

time as did his father. As the family proceeded up the Mohawk in the boat their 
teams kept even pace by land, and when they arrived at Shoemaker's, a few miles 
below Utica, on the south side of the river, they found many of the farms in that 
vicinity unoccupied, and the charred remains of dwelling houses and outbuildings 
told a fearful tale of the ravages committed by the Tories and savages. Judge 
White, looking to the means for the future subsistence of his household, stopped at 
this place, tilled one of the vacated fields, and planted it with corn. At the proper 
season the father and sons returned from their new home at the mouth of the Sau- 
quoit and hoed this field of corn, and in the fall they were repaid for their labor with 
a bountiful crop. It was harvested and brought up in their boat. 

Judge White was born February 15, 1733, making him fifty-one years of age at the 
time of his removal. It was not, therefore, the ardor and restlessness of youth that 
induced him to emigrate, but that spirit of enterprise and perseverance which looked 
forward to the future prosperity of himself and family. The precise time at which 
he arrived at the place where the field of corn was planted cannot now be ascertained, 
but it was just before "pinkster" (Whitsunday), a movable feast which comes six 
weeks after "paas," or "poss," — z. e., Easter day, — which would bring his arrival 
there at about the 20th of May. 

Immediately after the Revolution Judge White became one of the purchasers of 
Sadaqueda Patent, jointly with Zephaniah Piatt, the father of the late Judge Jonas 
Piatt, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and Melancthon Smith. By an agreement between the 
proprietors it was agreed that the}' should meet on the land in the summer of 1784, 
and make a survey and partition. Upon the arrival of Judge White at the mouth of 
the Sauquoit, a bark shanty was erected for a temporary residence. During the 
summer the patent was surveyed into four sections, and the particular section of 
each owner was decided by lot. The section drawn by Judge White being all inter- 
vale, he purchased of Smith the lot drawn by him in its rear, which extended to the 
south line of the patent upon the hill. By this last purchase the judge became the 
owner in all of about fifteen hundred acres, comprehending all the land on both sides 
of Sauquoit Creek, from the corner formed by the road to the Oneida factories, and 
the Utica Road where Lewis Berry resided for many years in Whitesboro', and ex- 
tending back on the hills more than a mile from the village. 

After the judge had obtained this division and purchase, he at once proceeded to 
locate a site for a dwelling. The place selected was upon the bank which forms the 
eastern termination of the village green in Whitesboro', and about six rods southerly 
from the Utica road. The house erected was peculiar. He dug into the bank so 
that the lower story was underground, and then the upper was built in true primi- 
tive log house style. The ridge pole for the support of the roof was upheld by forked 
trees, cut and set in the ground, and the roof was composed of slabs, split for that 
purpose from logs. This was the first house erected on the Indian and military road 
between Old Fort Schuyler (Utica) and Fort Stanwix. 

With the arrival, of several relatives of Mr. White, from Middletown, 
with others who were induced to come on, the new settlement of 
Whitestown soon became a stirring neighborhood and the central des- 
tination and stopping place of most of the later New England pioneers 

78 



618 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

to the west. They were a hardy and a fearless band, and faced the 
hardships and dangers of their wilderness home with fortitude and hero- 
ism. The nearest mill was then at Palatine, forty miles away ; the for- 
ests were overrun by wild animals, and danger from the Indians at the 
close of the Revolution was feared and with reason. But Mr. White's 
sagacity and his fair treatment of the natives soon made them his 
firm friends. On one occasion, it is recorded, a chief demanded of him 
as a test of his confidence, that he would permit the chief to carry to 
his wigwam a little granddaughter then playing about the house and 
keep her until the next day. The child was entrusted to him, and tow- 
ards the close of the following day, when the mother had become al- 
most frantic with fears of treachery, the little one was safely returned 
decked out with Indian ornaments and garments. This incident is said 
to have been instrumental in creating friendship and confidence be- 
tween the settlers and the natives. In any event Judge White himself 
became extremely popular with the Indians and after much solicitation 
on their part, they made him a member of the Oneida nation. This 
carried with it a share of the salmon caught at the first fishing of the 
season at Fish Creek. The judge and several of his sons were duly 
notified in the spring following his adoption and attended the fishing, 
where he and each member of the family received their share of the 
salmon. 

It will be seen that very much of the food of these pioneers was for a 
time the fish of the streams and the game of the forest The Indians 
and tories had destroyed all stock, and grain had not yet been grown. 
But these conditions did not long continue, and many new settlers were 
induced to migrate by the samples of wheat, corn and oats sent east by 
Judge White, and by his enthusiastic commendation of the Mohawk 
valley. The grain early grown by the community was much of it 
pounded in the well known stump mortar, rather than carry it the long 
journey to mill. 

After a long and useful life Judge White died April 17, 1812, at the 
age of seventy-nine years. His familiar title was acquired through his 
appointment to the orifice of judge upon the formation of Herkimer 
county, and he held the position also in Oneida county. He was twice 
married, but his ten children were all by his first wife. His eldest son, 



THE TOWN OF WHITBSTOWN. G19 

Col. Daniel Clark White, accompanied his father to Whitestown and 
was father of the first white female child born in Oneida county ; she 
was Esther White, born March 15, 178s. She became the wife of 
Henry R. Storrs, an eminent attorney of this county, a judge and mem- 
ber of congress. (See biography of White Family in Part II). 

Hugh White, jr., third son of the judge, served honorably in the 
Revolution, accompanied his father to Whitestown, but removed to 
Shrewsbury, N. J., and there died. The fifth son, Philo White, was a 
merchant in Whitestown and at Tioga Point. 

Fortune Clark White, son of Daniel C. White and grandson of the 
judge, was born in Whitestown July 10, 1787. He became a lawyer 
and was five years first judge of Oneida county. He died in 1866. 
Canvass White, son of Hugh White, jr., served in the army in the war 
of 18 12, was one of the early engineers on the Erie Canal; he died in 
Florida. 

Philo White, LL.D., son of Philo and grandson of the judge, was born 
in Whitesboro June 23, 1799. He was liberally educated and worked 
a few years in the office of Columbian Gazette in Utica. In 1 820 he went 
to North Carolina where he was editor and owner of the Western Caro- 
linian, and later of the North Carolina Standard in Raleigh. From 1837 
to 1844 he was paymaster in the U. S. navy. He removed to Wiscon- 
sin early in its territorial existence, where he held high political station. 
In 1854 he was made minister to Ecuador, where he remained until 
1858. He died in Whitesboro. 

Jonas Piatt was an early settler in Whitestown, settling at Whitesboro 
prior to 1 79 1, in which year he was appointed clerk of Herkimer county. 
Upon the organization of Oneida county he was made the first clerk ■ 
was elected to the State Senate in 1809, and in 18 14 was appointed 
judge of the Supreme Court of New York. As a lawyer and judge he 
gained high repute. He finally removed to Plattsburg and died there. 

Gen. George Doolittle was among the Whitestown pioneers. He had 
served in the Continental army in the Revolution and was a shoemaker 
by trade. Locating in Whitestown in 1786, he engaged in tanning, 
currying and shoemaking. He was the first brigadier-general of militia 
in Oneida county, was supervisor of the town more than twenty years 
and served in the State Legislature. He died in 1825. 



020 OUR COUNTY AlND ITS PEOPLE. 

Thomas R. Gold was a very early comer to Whitesboro, and for 
many years stood among the first lawyers in Central New York. He 
represented this district in Congress six years and from 1796 to 1800 
was in the State Senate. He was prominently identified with the found- 
ing of the First Presbyterian church. 

Reuben Wilcox, a veteran of the Revolution, came from Middletown, 
Conn., about 1 791 , and settled in the neighborhood of Whitesboro. He 
purchased a farm a mile west of Jeptha Brainard, paying two shillings 
an acre. His wife and two daughters came on with him, their slender 
store of goods being drawn by an ox team. They were the parents of 
Reuben and Morris Wilcox, both of whom passed long lives in the 
town. 

Col. Gerrit G. Lansing, who served with distinction in the Revolution, 
came into the town in 1802 and purchased 400 acres, including the site 
of Oriskany village, the early existence of which was largely due to 
him. 

Among other settlers in the town may be mentioned William G. 
Tracy, Seth Capron, John Green (who purchased 400 acres on the south- 
east side of the creek at Oriskany and was father of a family of several 
sons), William M. Cheever, Benjamin S. Walcott and his family, Capt. 
Needham Maynard, Dr. Elizur Moseley, Alvan Bradley, Uriah Stevens, 
and many others of whom sketches are found in Part III of this volume, 

The poll of the first general election for Whitestown was opened at 
Cayuga, and adjourned from there to Salina villege, thence to Rome, 
and closed at Whitestown. These adjournments were necessary to ac- 
commodate the voters who were scattered over the great town. As the 
town records were burned on Tuesday, December 17, 1861, we can only 
adopt the" language of the Jones Annals in describing the proceedings 
of the first town meeting, as follows : 

The first town meeting held in the district (town) of Whitestown was convened 
at the house of Capt. Daniel C. White, in said district, on Tuesday, the 7th day of 
April, 1789, "agreeable to warning," and "it being more convenient," the meeting 
adjourned to the barn of Hugh White, esq., at which time and place they " pro- 
ceeded as followeth: 1st, chose Col. Jedediah Sanger supervisor; 2d, chose Elijah 
Blodget town clerk; 3d, chose Amos Wetmore first assessor; 4th, chose James Bron- 
son second assessor ; 5th, chose Ephraim Blackmer, third assessor ; 6th, chose Oliver 
Collins collector; 7th, chose Hugh White, esq., and Capt. Moses Fort poormasters; 
8th, chose George Doolittle, Jedediah Sanger, and Ephraim Blackmer commissioners 



THE TOWN OP WHITESTOWN. 621 

of highways; 9th, chose Jedediah Phelps, Joseph Sowle, Salmon Butler, Amos 
Kellogg, Nehemiah Jones, and Alexander Parkman constables; 10th, chose Major 
Gilbert Willett, Amos Ives, Ebenezer Butler, jr., Alexander Parkman, Joseph Jones, 
Joseph Jennings, overseers of roads; 11th, chose Lemuel Levenworth, Rice Haw- 
ley, Lemuel Cook, Seth Ranney, Barnabas Pond, fence-viewers ; 12th, chose Ebe- 
nezer Butler, jr., Daniel C. White, poundkeepers; 13th, voted to let swine run at 
large, yoaked and ringed ; 14th, voted that the supervisor appoint the place for hold- 
ing the next annual meeting. Then that said meeting be dissolved." 

. The second town meeting in Whitestown was held at the barn of 
Captain Needham Maynard, on the road leading from Whitesboro to 
Middle Settlement, April 6, 1790. 

The following persons were elected: Major William Colbraith, supervisor; Elijah 
Blodget, town clerk ; Joshua Morse, Capt. Daniel C. White, Lieut. Isaac Jones, Col. 
Jedediah Sanger, Rozel Fellows, assessors; Oliver Collins, collector; Capt. Amos. 
Wetmore, Capt. James Cassety, overseers of the poor; Capt. Moses Foot, James 
Dean, esq., George Doolittle, commissioners of highways; Samuel Ensign, Bill 
Smith, Rufus Blodget, Solomon Kellogg, Joseph Jones, constables; Silas Phelps, 
S-emuel Laird, Raphael Porter, Samuel Wells, Samuel Winch, Ashbel Beach, 
Amok Miller, William Satchel, Darius Sayles, Jedediah Phelps, overseers of high- 
ways; John Tillotson, John Barsley, George Langford, Aaron Kellogg, fence- 
viewers; Lemuel Levenworth, Barnabas Pond, pound-keepers. 

' ' Voted to reconsider the whole votes that have been received as null and void, 
when the inspectors adjourned the meeting till tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock." 
"Wednesday morning at ten o'clock April 7, 1790, met according to adjournment. 
Chose first, Jedediah Sanger, supervisor; second, Ashbel Beach, town clerk; third, 
Joshua Morse, Capt. Daniel C. White, Lieut. Isaac Jones, Ensign John Tillotson, 
and Ebenezer Wright, assessors; fourth, Oliver Collins, collector; Capt. Amos Wet- 
more and James Bronson, overseers of the poor; James Dean, George Doolittle, 
John Tillotson, commissioners of highways; Samuel Ensign, Bill Smith, John Bullen, 
Hezekiah Rice, Joseph Jones, Nathaniel Townsend, constables; Silas Phelps, 
Samuel Laird, John Young, Joseph Farewell, Samuel Wells, Samuel Winch, Jason 
Parker, Ashbel Beach, William Clarey, Amok Miller, Seth Steel, William Satchel, 
overseers of highways: John Barsley, Lemuel Levenworth, Barnabas Pond, pound- 
keepers." 

It is of course impossible now to say how many of these early officers 
were resident in what is now Whitestown, but many of them were. At 
the town meeting in 1791 Colonel Sanger was elected supervisor; Ash- 
bel Beach, town clerk; Ebenezer Butler, collector; James Wadsworth, 
Trueworthy Cook, Jeremiah Gould, and some others, overseers of high- 
ways. On account of the burning of the records, we can give the list 
of supervisors back to 1862 only, as follows: 

1862, George Graham: 1863-64, Samuel Campbell; 1865-66, George Graham; 



622 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1867-68, Robert B.Soules; 1869, George Graham; 1870, R. B. Soules; 1871, George 
Graham; 1872, Charles L. Balis; 1873, George Graham; 1874, Charles L Balis; 
1875-76, Lyman L. Wight; 1877-80, Seward W. Baker; 1881, Edward Kernan; 
1882-83, Joseph Ackroyd ; 1884-88, Robert A Jones; 1889, William S. Reeder; 1890, 
R. A. Jones; 1891-92, Robert Jamison ; 1893, Federick L. Black; 1894-96, George H. 
Graham. 

One of the first important duties of Judge White and some of his 
associates was to provide mills for the new community, which would 
save them from the necessity of long journeys or laborious pounding of 
grain in a stump mortar. The first mill in Oneida county was built in 
1788 on Sauquoit Creek, on the Whitesboro and Utica road. Judge 
White, Amos Wetmore and John Beardsley were associated in its erec- 
tion and it was long known as Wetmore's mill. It was a great boon to 
the pioneers. A saw mill was built in the same year. 

A military spirit was manifested early by the citizens of the town, 
and within a few years from the arrival of Judge White it was deemed 
expedient to raise a company of militia. Gov. George Clinton was ap- 
plied to for commissions for the necessary officers, and he informed 
them that if a company of thirty men was enrolled the commissions 
should be forthcoming. The names were soon procured, and the 
names of the prospective officers were forwarded by the advice of Colo- 
nel Staring, who commanded the regiment to which the company was 
attached. William . Colbraith, the first sheriff of Oneida county, was 
chosen captain, and Daniel Clark White, ensign. Both of these officers 
rose to higher stations in the militia. Whitesboro was an important 
point until after the war of 1812, and a number of citizens joined the 
army and navy. Among thpse who received appointments as midship- 
men in that war from this town were Samuel Breese, William Inman, 
Antle Lansing and Edward and Benjamin Carpenter. 

A religious society was formed in Whitestown in 1786, and a minister 
was employed in the person of Rev. Dr. Hillyer, of Orange, N. J. This 
was the first religious society formed in the State west of Albany. The 
first regular church was of the Presbyterian faith and was organized at 
a meeting held April 1, 1793, in Judge White's barn. A constitution 
was drawn by Thomas R. Gold, Aaron Clark, George Doohttle, Jonas 
Piatt, Stephen Potter, Joseph Root, Reuben Wilcox, and David Will- 
iams. The name adopted was "The United Presbyterian Societies of 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 623 

Whitestown and Old Fort Schuyler." The society was soon incorpo- 
rated with the following trustees: Jonas Piatt, Joseph Root, Thomas R. 
Gold, Amos Wetmore, David Williams, John Post, Elizur Mosely, 
Stephen Potter, Enoch Story, Reuben Wilcox, Arthur Breese, Erastus 
Clark, and Silas Clark. Of these Messrs. Post, Potter, and perhaps 
others, resided at Old Fort Schuyler (Utica), and the others in Whites- 
town. Rev Bethuel Dodd was the first settled pastor and preached his 
first sermon in the public house of Col. .Daniel C. White, on August 20, 
1794. Mr. Dodd died here April 12, 1804, and his funeral was held in 
the new church which was built in 1803 and dedicated a short time be- 
fore his death. Prior to that time for ten years meetings were held in 
houses, barns and schools houses. The second pastor was Rev. James 
Carnahan, who continued until October, 18 12 The old church was dis- 
placed by the present brick edifice in 1834, which has been extensively 
improved. The society was divided in 18 13, fifty-seven members going 
with the Utica society In March, 1830, forty-four members were dis- 
missed to form a church at New York Mills, and in 1832 the organization 
of the Oriskany society took away fifty members. In December, 1837, 
fifty-nine withdrew and formed a Congregational society in Whitesboro. 

The village of Whitesboro increased rapidly in population during the 
first ten years after the first settlement, and for a considerable period it 
was a rival of Utica and of Rome. One of the earliest merchants of 
importance was William G Tracy, who carried on a large business and 
bore the reputation of being an honest man. 

In January, 1794, the Western Centinel was founded in Whitesboro 
by Oliver P. Eaton ; it was the first newspaper in Oneida county and 
lived about six years. It is further described in another chapter of this 
volume. 

On the 9th of April, :8n, was passed an act incorporating the 
" Village of Whitehall Landing." This name, however, did not seem to 
suit a majority of the citizens of the place, and, after further discussion 
of the subject, an act was passed March 26, 1813, entitled " An Act to 
vest certain powers in the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Village of 
Whitesborough, and for other purposes." The bounds of the village 
were fixed, and Section 1 read as follows : 

Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and 
Assembly, that the district of country comprehended within the following bounds, 



624 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

to-wit: Beginning on the south bank of the Mohawk River, at the mouth of the 
Sadaqueda Creek; thence running southerly on the west line of Cosby's Manor to a 
point opposite the southerly line of the lot on which stands the Oneida Cotton 
Factory; thence northwesterly along said line, and to the southwest corner of the 
house-lot of Arthur Breese; from thence northerly to the intersection of the road 
leading from the house of Jesse Dodge to the old Genesee road; from thence 
northerly until the line strikes a point on the west side of the main road leading from 
Whitesboro' to Rome, where the west line of the Sadaqueda Patent intersects said 
road; thence northerly on the line of said point to the Mohawk River; thence down 
said river to the place of beginning, shall continue to be known and distinguished as 
the Village of Whitesborough. 

No trustees were chosen under this act, and that having been deemed 
just reason for the act becoming invalid, a third act was passed February 
23, 1821. reviving the old charter, and reincorporating the " village of 
Whitesborough." The Erie Canal was then just completed through the 
village. A fourth act was passed April 23, 1829, amending the previous 
charter, no village officers having been in the mean while elected. May 
1, 1847, an act was passed amending the eastern boundary of the vil- 
lage — changing it to Sauquoit Creek. 

The first village officers, elected June 15, 1829, were the following, 
viz : Trustees, S. Newton Dexter, Benjamin S. Walcott, Alvan Brad- 
ley, Willard Camp, William Eels ; treasurer, Jesse C. Wetmore ; col- 
lector, Samuel B. Ferguson. 

S. Newton Dexter was appointed president, John Stryker village 
clerk, and Lewis Berry street commissioner. At a meeting of the board, 
June 26, 1829, a code of by-laws was read and adopted. 

It has already been noted that in early years, from 1802 to 1850, 
Whitestown was one of the two half shires of Oneida county, and in 
1802 and thereafter courts were held alternately at the two places. 
The building of the court house and jail has been fully described. The 
jail was finished in 1801 and the court minutes for December of that 
year contain the following entry : 

Charles C. Brodhead, sheriff of this county, having informed the court that in pur- 
suance of a law passed the last session he had accepted of and actually removed his 
prisoners to the gaol lately built for the county in the village of Whitesboro', it is 
therefore ordered that from and after the second day of January, one thousand eight 
hundred and two, instead of the present liberties of the gaol in and for the county 
of Oneida, as established by the rules of this court, the following shall be and are 
hereby established for the liberties of the gaol of said county, to wit; (here follow 
the boundaries) containing three acres of land, agreeable to a map thereof on file, 
and made by Robert Bordwell. 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 625 

The lot in the village on which the court house and jail were built 
was donated for that purpose by Hugh White, the original proprietary 
settler, on the condition that the realty should revert to him or his heirs 
in the event of a removal of the county seat from the village. The con- 
tingency finally occurred, and in the absence of Philo White, later a re- 
sident of the village, the buildings were sold under a decree in chancery 
for partition among the heirs. On the return of Mr. White in 1859, 
at which time he took up his permanent residence there, the case was 
laid before him. As it was evident that his grandfather's intention had 
been that the donation of the ground to the public should be irrevoc- 
able, Mr. White took the necessary steps to secure the property, and 
in i860 donated it to the town and village for their use as a town hall 
and council chamber. The conditions of this conveyance provided that 
the portion of the Public Green in front of the edifice should be improved 
and taken care of, and afterwards Mr. White donated the remainder of 
this Green, on condition that the municipal authorities should improve 
it by laying out walks, etc., and make it a park for the free admission of 
promenaders, " and the exclusion of all cattle, and the like." He after- 
wards erected a neat fence around the open portion of the lot, and re- 
served the right to keep the plat free from weeds and rubbish. The 
corporate authorities inclosed the Green with a neat and substantial 
fence which was subsequently removed, and the present park, with its 
shade- trees and grass-plats, adds much to the natural beauty of the 
village. The early settlers planted shade-trees along both sides of the 
main street of the village, and these, grown tall and large, their branches 
almost interlocking, are stately sentinels along the broad way, which is 
lined with elegant dwellings and beautiful lawns. The " Old Court 
House " has been repaired to a considerable extent, and, aside from its 
uses as a town and village hall, it is the place of many public meetings 
and social gatherings. Whitesboro was a place of much business when 
the settlement at Old Fort Schuyler (now Utica) was scarcely worthy 
of notice ; but by subsequent enterprises being established at the latter 
place, and from various causes which helped to build it up, Whites- 
boro became finally a beautiful suburb of the flourishing city of Utica. 

The first post office was named Whitestown and was established as 
early as 1796. Dr. Elizur Moseley was the first postmaster and held 



626 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the office many years. He was probably the first physician to perma- 
nently settle in the village. In 1798 he was appointed sheriff of the 
county, and later, he was an assistant justice. Some of those who 
held the office of postmaster in later years were W. A. Hobby, Dr. 
Whiting Smith, Wm. C. Champlin, Alvin Bradley, William O. Merrill, 
John G. Crain, Charles E. Smith, Ellis Ellis, and others. The present 
postmaster is Edward Kernan. 

Whitesboro has had a fire department since 183 1, if not before, and 
two years later there is record of the purchase of an engine of some de 
scription which cost $150. An engine was also kept at Yorkville, 
which was used at Whitesboro as occasion demanded and it was finally 
purchased by the latter village Other apparatus was bought from time 
to time, and in 1876 a Silsby rotary steam fire engine was purchased 
at a cost of about $1,200. This with hook and ladder apparatus are 
still in use. 

There is very little existing record from which to compile an account 
of the schools of this town. The destruction of the town records ren- 
ders the task an impossible one. For many years the town was divided 
into thirteen districts, with a school house in each. Twelve districts 
are now reported, with a union free school in both Whitesboro and 
Oriskany. 

The following fragment was written some years ago by Leander S. 
Wood, of New York Mills, and is worthy of preservation: 

The strip of land lying on the east bank of the Sadaqueda Creek, from its mouth 
to the distance of three miles, was settled immediately after the settlement of Whites- 
boro, by the Wetmores and Leavenworths. Within its limits are now included the 
villages of Yorkville and New York Mills, the upper part of the latter being in the 
township of New Hartford. Very soon after the settlement was made a school dis- 
trict was organized, embracing the whole of the above and some adjacent territory, 
and a school opened. Soon another district was organized, embracing the extreme 
southern portion of this, with some more adjoining territory, which now forms the 
flourishing district at the Upper Mills — that is Nos. 3 and 4 in New Hartford. In 
1826 the New York Mills district, or No. 4 District of Whitestown, was taken 
from the original district, and some twenty 5-ears after the Yorkville district, or Dis- 
trict No. 6, of Whitestown, was taken off, thus leaving the original district, No. 3, 
of Whitestown, with about 100 children of school age. This includes New York 
Mills, No. 1. There are now flourishing schools in all four districts, employing 
regularly six teachers. 

Whitesboro Union Free School has been under the care of the 




ROBERT ABLETT. 



THE TOWN OP WHITESTOWN. 627 

Regents since December, 1891. The principal is Frank B. Van Or- 
mun, under whom are six teachers. The trustees are Rev. M. E. Dun- 
ham, George H. Haynes and William Gates. 

Among the early manufactures of Whitesboro was a tub and churn 
factory established in 1824 by Watkins & Griswold in the upper part 
of the village. It was transferred to Ellis & Co. in 1840, and was 
burned in 1844. A new factory was built in the lower portion of the 
village and the business was carried on by Watson, Ellis & Co. until 
1873, when the firm again became Ellis & Co. The business was 
abandoned some years ago. 

The manufacture of weaver's reeds was begun here in 1858 by James 
Brierly, and is still continued by his sons, William and Gilbert. 

Several tanneries have had an existence in or near the village, but 
they have all disappeared with the failure of the bark supply. The last 
one was established by William Benedict in 1850. 

A saw and planing mill was started in 1869 by Williams & Co., who 
carried on a successful business many years in the manufacture of sash, 
doors, blinds and specialties. The mill finally passed to Denton & 
Waterbury, who are now operating it. 

Sutton & Quigley began the manufacture of furniture more than 
twenty years ago. The firm soon became W. B. Quigley & Co. The 
business was continued on a large scale until the present year, when 
the concern went into the hands of a receiver. Business is now con- 
ducted under the name of the Quigley Furniture Company. 

B. T. Babbitt's Whitesboro Iron Works were established in i87i,and 
extensive brick buildings erected. A general foundry and machine 
business was carried on and about one hundred hands were employed 
for a time. John Leroy Babbitt accepted the superintendency of the 
of the works in 1874, which position he has since retained. He has 
served the village several terms as trustee and one term as president. 

The Anchor Knitting Mill was started in 1890 by Robert Ablett, in 
the old seminary building, which he purchased of the Ellis estate. The 
business has been very successful, and large additions have been made 
to the building. The product is knit underwear in cotton and wool 
and about 250 hands are employed. 

General stores are kept in Whitesboro by G. A. Kirkland and H. H. 



628 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Victory. Edward Pickett is in the hardware trade, and James Kelly 
sells boots and shoes. 

The two hotels are the Central, kept by John Moehle, and the Park 
House, kept by Corbitt & Goodwin. 

The hamlet and post-office of Yorkville lies between Whitesboro and 
New York Mills and is substantially a continuation of the latter. It 
was here that the first grist mill was built, as before noted, but it long 
ago disappeared. There has always been a small mercantile business 
done here, and at the present time John N. Cole carries on an extensive 
business. Robert Cooper has a general store, Charles P. Stone con- 
ducts a millinery business, and G. M. Relyea a hardware store. 

The village of New York Mills is known throughout the State as the 
site of the celebrated cotton mills bearing that name. Benjamin Stuart 
Walcott was a native of Cumberland, R. L, and was a descendant in the 
fifth generation from Capt. Jonathan Walcott who resided in Salem from 
1655 to 1669. Benjamin Stuart Walcott was born July 27, 1755, and 
became engaged in the erection of cotton mills for himself and others. 
Early in 1808 he was invited by Dr. Scott Capron, who with others 
contemplated the erection of mills in Whitestown, Oneida county, to 
come here and superintend the work. Mr. Walcott was at that time 
one of the proprietors of the mill in his native place and also of the mill 
at Rehoboth, and was personally engaged in managing the mill at Cen- 
tral Falls. Associated with him was his son Benjamin S. Walcott, jr., 
who was left in charge of the latt«r mill while the father came on to 
Whitestown. Arriving here in May, 1808, a partnership was at once 
formed under the name of Walcott & Company. Mr. Walcott returned 
to Rhode Island in 1809, his place in Whitestown being occupied by 
his son, Benjamin S. Walcott, jr. The father was a man of excellent 
natural abilities, with inventive genius of a high order. He died in 
Seekonk, Mass., May 15, 1824. His son, just mentioned, was born in 
Cumberland, R. I., September 29, 1786. By act of the Legislature 
March 17, 1809, the factory in Whitestown had its agents, superintend- 
ents and workmen exempted from serving as jurors ; this is probably 
the only instance where such action was taken by the Legislature. This 
cotton factory was the first one established in this State. On the 9th 
of March, 18 10, the members of the firm of Walcott & Company were 
incorporated under the title of the Oneida Manufacturing Society. 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 629 

From 1808 to 1825 there was no communication with Albany except 
by team, and in winter cotton and supplies were hauled from New York 
at a cost of one dollar per hundred pounds. After the opening of the 
canal a boat owned by this company transported for years goods to 
Albany and returned with cotton and supplies. In 18 13 Benjamin S 
Walcott, jr., in connection with Gen George Doolittle, whose daughter 
lie married, organized the Whitestown Cotton and Woolen Mill. *This 
company at once occupied the grist mill known as the Buhr Stone Fac- 
tory, which was in operation until 1878, when it was taken down. In 
1839-40 there was erected near this building a mill of stone, now known 
as Mill No. 3. In 1825 Mr. Walcott still further extended his opera- 
tions by forming a partnership with Benjamin Marshall, a wealthy mer- 
chant of New York, under the style of Marshall & Walcott. In this 
year another factory was erected which now forms part of the group of 
the New York Mills. On the 1st of June, 1839, Mr. Marshall sold to 
Benjamin S. and William D. Walcott part of his interest in the middle 
and upper group of mills, the lower group being owned and operated 
by them and for about forty five years afterwards by the Oneida Man- 
ufacturing Society. On the 1st of January, 1847, Mr. Marshall con- 
veyed his entire remaining interest in the mills and business to Benja 
min S. and William D. Walcott. On the same date Benjamin S Wal- 
cott conveyed a part of his interest to his second son, Charles D Wal 
cott, and at the same time William D. and Charles D. conveyed a part 
of their interest to Samuel Campbell, the firm at that time consisting of 
Benjamin S., William D„ and Charles D. Walcott and Samuel Camp- 
bell. Its style was the New York Mills. Charles Doolittle Walcott was 
born in Whitestown September i 4) 18 18. He was placed in charge of 
the upper mill and thus continued until his death September 15 ^852 
On the .st of May, 1856, Benjamin S. Walcott sold his interest' in the 
upper mill to William D. Walcott and Samuel Campbell and on the 
same day they formed a new copartnership under the style of Walcott 
& Campbell, but retaining as the trade mark of their fabrics, the New 
York Mills. On the 12th day of May, 1856, Benjamin S. Walcott 
William D. Walcott and Samuel Campbell, executors under the will of 
Charles D. Walcott, deceased, conveyed the interest of his estate to Will- 
iam D. Walcott and Samuel Campbell. Benjamin S. Walcott died Jan- 



630 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

uary 12, 1862, in his seventy-sixth year, leaving a high reputation for 
business ability and lofty moral principles. 

In 1870 Samuel R. Campbell and W. Stuart Walcott, sons of the two 
members of the firm, received each an interest in the business. Samuel 
Robert Campbell, son of Samuel Campbell, was born in New York Mills 
village May 27, 1838. He was well educated and at the age of eight- 
een years entered the machine shop of the New York Mills to learn the 
machinist's trade. After becoming thoroughly familiar with the con- 
struction and operation of cotton machinery he was successively placed 
in charge of different departments of work and in i860 was appointed 
superintendent of the middle gioup of mills now known as Mill No. 2. 
In 1865 by the advice of his father he went to Europe for about four 
years. He was United States consul at Geneva, Switzerland and, at 
Munich, Bavaria, and learned to speak French, Spanish and German 
with facility. After traveling extensively he returned and resumed his 
active connection with the business. 

William Stuart Walcott, son of William D. Walcott, was born at New 
York Mills February 1 1, 1843. He was liberally educated and at the 
outbreak of the Civil war he volunteered in the 76th Regiment and was 
commissioned second lieutenant of Co. B. Inconsequence of illness he 
resigned after one year of service and returned home. In the upper 
group of mills he worked in the different departments until he was fitted 
for the active business of cotton manufacturing. In 1865 he was ap- 
pointed superintendent of that group of mills. The business of the 
upper two groups of mills was continued under the style of Walcott & 
Campbell nearly twenty-eight years. During the same period that of 
the lower group was conducted as the separate interest of the Oneida 
Manufacturing Society, by the same men as trustees. On the 12th of 
February, 1884, a charter having been obtained January 22, 1884, to a 
corporation under the style of The New York Mills, the whole property 
pertaining to the three establishments was conveyed to the said corpor- 
ation by one deed, the grantors being William D. Walcott, and Samuel 
Campbell, owners of the upper two groups of mills, and the Oneida 
Manufacturing Society by its surviving trustees, W. D. Walcott and 
S. Campbell. The corporation was organized by the election of Will- 
iam D. Walcott, president ; Samuel Campbell, treasurer ; Samuel R. 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 631 

Campbell and W. Stuart Walcott, secretaries. Mr. Campbell was at 
one period greatly interested in raising blooded cattle and with W. D. 
Walcott was the owner of the finest herd of short horn cattle in the 
world. Samuel Campbell died' September 22, 1885. He was dis 
tinguished as a manufacturer, an efficiect promoter of all good works. 
He served in the State Senate with ability and credit ; his mental qualifi 
cations were -unusual and his manhood true on all occasions. He was 
sympathetic, hospitable, and firm in his friendships. He was the natural 
leader of the community, beloved and trusted by all. 

On the death of Mr. Campbell his son, Samuel R., was elected treas- 
urer of the New York Mills and continues in the office. The business 
of this great company continued without other notable event until the 
death of the president, William D. Walcott, which took place April 1, 
1890. The Utica Herald spoke of him as follows: 

He was ever the true friend of the educational interests of this section, he appre- 
ciated the influence of educated minds, and was ever ready to contribute to any 
cause which had for its object the culture of the people. During the war for the 
Union his patriotism was manifested in liberal contributions to the equipment of the 
officers and men who volunteered and in assisting and caring for their families. In 
1881 the beautiful Walcott Memorial Presbyterian church was erected. In 1862 his 
father left 810,000 for building a church and the son contributed S20.000 to complete 
the edifice. Mr. Walcott was superintendent of the Sunday school and had been a 
member of it more than sixty years. He was a notable type of the Christian gentle- 
man. His abilities were large, he had the power to grasp the details of a great busi- 
ness, so that his judgment was unerring upon all questions that came before him in 
relation to it. 

W. Stuart Walcott was elected president of the corporation upon the 
death of his father, in which office he still continues. As heretofore in- 
dicated these mills are in three groups. Mill No 1, the lowest down 
on the stream is nearly on the site of the original Oneida Mill. That 
structure was of wood and 65 by 35 feet in size, three stories high. It 
was burned about the year 1813, and a larger and more substantial 
structure of stone erected on the site. In 1879 it was determined to 
replace it with a mill better adapted to modern machinery. In order 
that business might not be interrupted the new mill was erected in rear 
of the old one ; it was finished in 1 880, and fully equipped with the best 
of machinery. Its product is standard shirtings a yard wide. 

The original New York Mill was extended northward in 1852, uni- 
form in height with the old structure. In 1884 another extension was 



632 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

made in th: same direction The mill, or range of mills, now known 
as No. 2 has an aggregate length of 512 feet, and is still devoted to the 
manufacture of fine shirtings. 

The original mill of the Whitestown Cotton und Woolen Manufactur- 
ing Company was superseded in 1840 by a mill of stone 220 feet long 
and 40 feet wide, three stories; it is now known as Mill No. 3, and its 
product is cottonades and similar fabrics. Adjoining this on the north 
is Mill No 4, erected of brick in 1870, 250 by 67 feet, five stories and 
attic. In it are manufactured sheetings of all widths and superior 
quality. 

The village that has grown up around these mills is a community of 
employees, and is a model of temperate and thrifty prosperity. No 
where in the United States can be found a factory village which excels 
New York Mills in the quality of its homes, the excellence of its schools, 
the prosperity of its churches or the contented intelligence of its people. 

John P. Campbell, oldest son of Samuel R. Campbell, is superin- 
tendent of the middle group of mills. He took a course in mechanical 
engineering at Cornell and afterwards made a tour of Europe. Return- 
ing he worked in the various dedartments of the mill to gain a thorough 
mastery of the business. 

The oldest son of W. Stuart Walcott is Frederick C. Walcott, who is 
superintendent of the upper group of mills. He graduated from Yale 
University in 1891 and after a foreign tour returned and took a course 
of practical work in all departments of the mill, according to the tra- 
ditions of the family for five generations. 

George H. Warner, son-in law of the late Samuel Campbell, is su- 
perintendent of the lower group of mills and the bleachery. 

General stores are now kept in the village. by E. W. Jones and John 
J. Langdon. Reese & Williams, Joseph Hepworth, Joseph Ackroyd, 
Paul Wagner and A. McCarthy conduct groceries; Robert Fraser is 
dealer in dry goods and M. E. Hastings in hardware. 

The founding of the village of Oriskany by Col. Gerritt G. Lansing 
has been noted. Born in Albany December 11, 1760, Colonel Lansing 
entered the army, at the beginning of the war, and served until its 
close ; was present at several important battles, and at Yorktown, under 
Colonel Hamilton, he led the forlorn hope as lieutenant. In 1802 this 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWJ5T. 633 

gallant soldier and true gentleman of the old school settled at Oriskany, 
and lived there on his pension and his patrimony until his death, on the 
27th of May, 1831. Both in the army and after his removal to Oneida 
county, Colonel Lansing was distinguished for his high integrity and 
his patriotism, as well as for his ability and his enterprise. His wife 
was a daughter of Col. Edward Antill, an Englishman by birth, but an 
officer of the Revolutionary army high in the confidence of General 
Washington. After her husband's death, she lived in Utica until her 
own death, on the 24th of August, 1834. She possessed in an emi- 
nent degree the qualities that adorn true womanhood. 

Colonel Lansing purchased 400 acres of land extending southwest 
from the Mohawk and on the northeast side of Oriskany Creek. About 
1 8 10 he erected a grist mill on the site of the later mill and near by 
built a saw mill. This property afterwards passed to the Bleeckers, who 
built the stone mill. The machinery was put in by B. E. Williams of 
Oriskany, whose brother was agent for the Bleeckers at the time. These 
mills were ultimately burned. 

An early manufacturing industry at this place was the factory of the 
Oriskany Manufacturing Company, which was incorporated in 181 1. It 
was established to aid in rendering " this country independent of Eng- 
land for a supply of clothing." consequent upon the scarcity occasioned 
by the war of 18 12. Among those who were identified with the under- 
taking were Seth Capron, Jonas Piatt, Thomas R. Gold, Newton Mann, 
Theodore Sill, Nathan Williams, William G. Tracy, De Witt Clinton, 
Ambrose Spencer, John Taylor and Stephen Van Rensselaer. Gerritt 
G. Lansing was made president of the company. Buildings were 
promptly erected, and according to the Annals of Judge Jones " the 
satinetts made by this company sold readily at $4 a yard, and their 
broadcloths. from $10 to $12 a yard ; but to counterbalance these prices, 
for the first four years after they commenced operations they paid an 
average of $1.12 per pound for their wool." Over 100 hands were em- 
ployed and the product reached 100,000 yards annually. After various 
successes and periods of reverse the company closed its business in 1854, 
after which the buildings were purchased by A. B. Buell and adapted 
for a furnace. After carrying on this business for a time he put in cot- 
ton machinery. This factory passed to Thomas Wood and eventually 



634 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the machinery was taken out. The firm of H. Waterbury & Sons was 
formed in 1880 and was later incorporated under the style of the H. 
Waterbury & Sons Company, for the manufacture of paper makers' 
felts. They bought the property above described of the Wood estate ; 
a part of the buildings had been temporarily occupied by the Oriskany 
Malleable Iron works (which see). The business of the Waterbury com- 
pany is large and successful. 

The Oriskany Malleable Iron Company, limited, originated with H. 

C. Buell and a Mr. Merriman, who began business in the old factory 
above described Later the company built their present large works 
on the canal. The company was incorporated in 1879; George Gra- 
ham, president ; W. P. Locke, vice president ; George H. Graham, sec- 
retary and treasurer. The capital is $41,000. About 125 hands are 
employed. 

T. F. Walbran established a knitting mill in 189 1, for the manufac- 
ture of men's half hose ; twenty hands are employed. 

The post office in Oriskany was established prior to 182 1, with 
Colonel Lansing, postmaster ; the present official is George A. Baer. 
A frame school house was erected here about 1812, where school was 
taught in 18 16 by David Wood. The village now comprises Union 
Free School District No. 1, with R. W. Hoffman, principal; he has 
three assistants. The present school building, erected in 1892, cost 
over $13,000 and stands on the old school site. 

The mercantile firm of Sweet & Baer is composed of Herman Sweet 
and George Baer, who carry a general stock. Another store is kept by 
M. M. Carbitt. S. D. Jones has an excellent drug store, and Leonard 
Cross a hardware store. 

There are three hotels in Oriskany, kept respectively by M. N. Carr, 

D. G. Snyder, and Skelly Brothers. 

Walesville is a hamlet in the southwest part of the town, on Oriskany 
Creek, where considerable manufacturing has been carried on. A cot- 
ton mill was formerly operated here by the Clark Mills Cotton Com- 
pany, which was many years ago stripped of its machinery and aban- 
doned. A paper mill was established many years ago and has been 
operated most of the time since ; it is now in the hands of Hoffman 
& Thompson, who are doing a large business principally in the manu- 



THE TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. 635 

facture of different grades of manila paper. The hotel is kept by C. 
W. Snyder, and a small store by J. Hall. A wadding mill was formerly 
operated here, but was burned many years ago. 

Coleman's Mills is a hamlet on Oriskany Creek near the center of the 
town, where a saw and grist mill are operated by William S. Reeder, 
who also has a store. A small shoddy mill is carried on by W. N. 
Chrisman. 

At what was known as Pleasant Valley, a mile above Oriskany, was 
formerly the woolen factory of the Dexter Manufacturing Company. 
It was a large establishment and began operations in 1832. F"ine 
grades of cloth and shawls were made. It was burned many years 
ago and not rebuilt. 

The first Baptist minister to visit this town was Rev. Stephen Par- 
sons, who came from Connecticut early in 1796. In June of that year 
he came again and on the 1 8th of that month organized the First 
Baptist society with seven members. Caleb Douglass was chosen the 
first clerk and deacon and was, in January, 1802, ordained elder and 
the second pastor of the church. In March, 1803, six members were 
dismissed to form a church at Westmoreland This society has ever 
since maintained an active and vigorous existence and celebrates its cen- 
tennial this year. The church edifice has recently been furnished with 
with new windows and otherwise improved. 

St John's Episcopal church of Whitestown was organized chiefly 
through efforts of S. Newton Dexter, and Rev. Benjamin W. Whitcher 
was appointed the first deacon in 1844. In 1853 Philo White, then 
residing in Wisconsin, met in New York city Rev. William A. Matson, 
who solicited him for aid to build a church in his native village. Mr. 
White made a liberal subscription and the corner stone of the edifice 
was laid June 19, 1855. St. John's parish was organized August 1, 
1844. The society has continued its existence to the present time. 

A Methodist class was formed in Whitesboro in connection with New 
York Mills in November, 1876. The legal organization was effected in 
December following with about forty members. A building was pur 
chased and fitted up for services. The present beautiful brick edifice 
was erected in 189 1. 

The Methodist church of New York Mils was first organized in 1826, 



636 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

meetings having been previously held in various places in the village. 
It was the outgrowth of a class formed in the previous year by Rev. 
William N. Pearne, who was then bookkeeper in the mills. The hand- 
some brick church was built about 1872, its predecessor having been 
burned in the previous year. The society is prosperous. 

As early as 1 8 1 8 a Presbyterian Sabbath school was started in New 
York Mills by Ezra Wood, a member of the Presbyterian church at 
Whitesboro. Benjamin S. Walcott took an active interest in the wel- 
fare of the school and the succeeding church, as before related. The 
Presbyterian society was formed in March, 1830, with forty-four mem- 
bers from the church at Whitesboro. The first elders were Benjamin 
S. Wolcott Ambrose Coan and Ezra Wood. The first pastor was Rev. 
George Foote, installed March 23, 1831. A frame church was built 
about that time and was burned in February, 1834. A brick building 
was erected on the site. The erection of the present memorial church 
occurred in 188 1. 

The Welsh Congregational church at New York Mills was formed 
about 1852, and a frame church erected in the north part of the village. 

St. Peter's Episcopal church, Oriskany, was incorporated in May, 
1830, under the administration of Rev. Marcus A. Perry. The brick 
church was erected in 1833—4 and has several times been remodeled 
and improved, the last time about ten years ago. 

The Presbyterian church, Oriskany, was organized August 14, 1831, 
with thirteen members. A frame church was finished and dedicated 
December 30, 1835. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Wells, who was 
installed March 9, 1836. 

A Methodist church was formed at Oriskany in early years and a 
frame edifice built by them ; this was afterwards used by a Welsh 
Methodist society. The former organization is still in active existence. 

A Methodist church had an early existence at Coleman's Mills, but is 
now extinct. A Baptist church was formed at Walesville in 1850, with 
Elder John M. Shotwell in charge A small church was erected soon 
after the organization. The society is still active. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



EDMUND MUNSON. 

The original American ancestor of the subject of this memoir, and the founder 
of th3 family in the New World, was Thomas Munson, a carpenter by trade, 
who became a resident of Hartford, New Haven, Conn., as early as 1637, in 
which year he participated with Mason's army in the Pequot war. He was subse- 
quently commissioned as a lieutenant, and in recognition of his services was granted 
100 acres of land in the present city of Hartford. He became a prominent member 
of the colony, serving as selectman, as deputy to the General Assembly, as town 
treasurer, as captain, etc., of the militia, as adjuster of estates, etc. He died May 7, 
1685, aged seventy-three. His only son, Samuel, was one of the founders of Walling- 
ford, served as selectman, as rector of the Hopkins Grammar School, as town treas- 
urer, as an officer in the militia, etc. He died in 1693, being the father of ten 
children. He had a son Samuel, who had a son Waitstill, who had Samuel, who had 
Ephraim, who had Samuel, who was the father of the subject of this sketch. 
Ephraim enlisted in the Revolutionary army, but served only a few months, and was 
a carpenter, millwright, and mill owner, residing in Barkhamsted, Conn. Samuel, 
the eldest son of Ephraim, was born August 17, 1777, resided in Barkhamsted, and 
died May 20, 1844. He owned a grist mill, a saw mill, and a large farm, represented 
his town in the General Court five sessions, being in the Legislature in 1816, when 
the Blue Laws were abolished, and served as justice of the peace in 1824 and 1825. 
November 13, 1800, he married Hannah, daughter of Whitehead Howe, of Center 
Hill, Conn., who died February 9, 1854. Their children were Ephraim, born August 
22, 1801, who assisted his uncle in Utica in the manufacture of millstones, married 
Phebe daughter of Rev. Ozias Eells, first pastor at Barkhamsted, and died December 
7, 1826; Edmund, the subject of this memoir; Laura (Mrs. Owen Case), born July 14, 
1808, died March 12, 1871 ; Hannah (first the wife of Dr. David Phelps and afterward 
Mrs. Ezekiel Hosford), born in 1816, died February 12, 1858; and Whitfield Talley- 
rand, born May 6, 1812, died May 22, 1883. 

Edmund Munson was born in Barkhamsted, Conn., May 2, 1805, and during a few 
years of his youth received the slight advantage of a district school education. At 
the early age of fifteen he entered his father's mill, where he received the rudiment- 
ary instructions which laid the foundation of his subsequent usefulness and success 
in business life. In 1829 he built a flouring mill in his native village comprising 
four runs of stone, which he made. Six years later he left Connecticut with the in- 



4 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

tention of moving to Peoria, 111., but upon reaching Utica, then a most prosperous 
community, decided to remain and become a permanent resident. This was in 1835. 
His uncle, Alfreu. M>nson, had settled in Utica in 1823, and established the first 
FreDch buhr-millstone manufactory in this country. Edmund Munson was made 
superintendent of this establishment, which at this time had developed into exten- 
sive proportions. In the spring of 1842 he removed to Brownville, Jefferson county, 
where he supervised the erection of a large flouring mill, equipped with six sets of 
stone, which was then considered one of the best mills in the State. Returning to 
Utica in the spring of 1847 he formed a partnership with A. C. Hart and engaged in 
the mill-furnishing business, which became one of the largest enterprises of the kind 
in the country. August 7, 1849, he received letters-patent for a turn-table for 
balancing and finishing millstones, and July 19, 1853, he was granted letters-patent 
for an improvement in hangings for millstones, known as Munson's patent eye-driver 
and spindle. Both these appliances proved inestimably valuable, and their necessity 
has ever since been universally conceded. An extension of the latter patent was 
obtained July 18, 1867. April 3, 1860, he had patented a portable mill, which is 
recognized as one of the best inventions achieved for the milling public. The suc- 
cess of this appliance is attributed to the fact that in its construction Mr. Munson 
had in view a mill which would grind all sorts of grain, plaster, starch, hydraulic 
cements, etc. 

The firm of Hart & Munson was dissolved in 1869, and Mr. Munson associated 
with himself in the mill-furnishing business, his three sons, Edmund, jr., Alfred H., 
and Counteil, under the style of Munson Brothers. This firm has ever since con- 
ducted a large and prosperous business. The extensive works on Broadway include 
a millstone manufactory and a machine shop, both well arranged and commodious. 

As a manufacturer and inventor Mr. Munson made it a life study to attain 
the highest possible perfection in mill machinery, and whatever point he aimed at 
was invariably reached. He was pre-eminently practical, but also manifested a keen 
enthusiasm in his plans and experiments, and the two qualities won for him his great 
success. The perfection and durability of the manufactured article were equally a 
theme of admiration. In stature he was well proportioned and of venerable appear- 
ance, his large, noble-looking head, his regularly formed and highly expressive 
features, indicating that natural intelligence and force of character which dis- 
tinguished the man. He was a critical observer of events, thoroughly informed in 
business, courteous in all his intercourse, and ranked among the foremost of our 
American manufacturers. He was kind, considerate, hospitable, and enterprising, 
charitable towards all, and an enemy of none. No man ever won a fairer reputa- 
tion. During a long and successful business life he accumulated a handsome com- 
petency, but left to the community a better heritage than wealth in the record of an 
honorable career. He was an earnest believer in the faith of the Universalist 
church, a constant attendant upon its public service, and died in Utica on the 14th of 
March, 1872. 

Mr. Munson married, first, May 10, 1829, Miss Elizabeth Stuart, who was born 
July 24, 1812, and who died July 20, 1837. She was a granddaughter of Waitstill 
Munson, a grandson of the Waitstill mentioned in the beginning of this article. 
They had three children: Henry E., born July 28, 1830, died October 30, 1837; 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 5 

Ephraim, born June 2, 1833, died August 31, 1837; and Hannah Wetmore, born 
September 10, 183!, who married June 9, 1849, Edward Wendell Crosby, a manufac- 
turer of Albany, N. Y. October 13, 1838, Mr. Munson married, „jcond, Miss Sarah 
Gardner, who died November 25, 1872. They had five children ; Helen Elizabeth, 
born November 30, 1840, died April 15; 1862; Sarah L., born February 20, 1842, who 
married Dr. W. G. Tucker, of Cooperstown, N. Y., and, second, William H. Blodgett, 
of the Treasury Department at Washington ; Edmund, born December 26, 1844, in 
Brownville, N. Y. ; Alfred Hooper, born February 14, 1846; and Counteil, born Feb 
ruary 22, 1849. 



EDWARD NORTH. 

Edward North, fourth son of Reuben and Huldah (Wilcox) North, was born in 
Berlin, Conn., March 9, 1820, and belongs to the eighth generation from John North, 
one of the original proprietors and settlers of Farmington, Conn., in 1653. He 
united with the Second Congregational church of Berlin, December 4, 1831. His 
preparation for college began with Principal Ariel Parish, of the Worthington Acad- 
emy in Berlin, and was completed in 1837 with Rev. Salmon Strong, principal of the 
Clinton Grammar School. He was graduated from Hamilton College in 1841, with 
the Valedictory Oration. He began the work of a teacher as principal of the Clin- 
ton Grammar School, and was one year a private tutor in the family of Roswell 
Colt, of Paterson, N. J. In December, 1843, he was elected Dexter professor of 
Greek and Latin in Hamilton College, as the successor of Professor J. Finley Smith. 
In 1862 he was elected professor of the Greek language and literature, and Rev. 
William N. McHarg was elected professor of the Latin language and literature. In 
1869 the resignation of Professor McHarg was followed by the election of Rev. Abel 
G. Hopkins, who still occupies the Latin chair. In 1844 Professor North received 
the degree of A.M. from the trustees of Brown University; in 1869 the degree of 
L. H. D. from the Regents of the University of the State of New York; and in 1887 
the degree of LL. D. from the trustees of Madison (now Colgate) University. 

Since 1852 Professor North has been one of the five trustees of the Clinton Gram- 
mar School; since 1855 a trustee of the Clinton Cemetery Association, and necrolo- 
gist of the Society of Hamilton Alumni. He has edited a dozen editions of the " Cat- 
alogus Collegii Hamiltonensis" and has had charge of the department of " Alum- 
niana" in the Hamilton Literary Monthly, since that periodical was founded in 1866 
In 1865 he was president of the New York State Teachers' Association ; in 1865 he 
was elected one of the nine ruling elders in the Presbyterian church in Clinton, and 
has been twice sent to the General Assembly as a commissioner from the LTtica Pres- 
bytery, viz. : in 1870 and 1876. He has also been a commissioner of Auburn Theo- 
logical Seminary for three terms. Since 1870 he has been secretary of the Epsilon 
Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in Hamilton College. In 1866 he was president of the 
associated Chapters of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. 

In 1871 Professor North visited Athens as the companion of Hon. John M. Francis, 
then United States minister to the kingdom of Greece. In 1874-75 he was chairman 
of the executive committee of the University Convocation. He is a member of the 



6 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

New York Historical Society, the Albany Institute, the Oneida Historical Society, 
the American Philological Association, the American Philosophical Society, the Hel- 
lenic Philological Syllogos of Constantinople, and other similar associations. He 
has delivered addresses or read papers before the Oneida Historical Society, the Na- 
tional Teachers' Association, the University Convocation of the State of New York, 
the Albany Institute, the American Institute of Instruction, the New York State 
Agricultural Society, the New York State Teachers' Association. In' 1864 he deliv- 
ered the Annual Poem before the Society of Hamilton Alumni. Since January, 
1881, he has been one of the trustees of Houghton Seminary in Clinton, and since 
June, 1881, one of the twenty-eight trustees of Hamilton College. After the death 
of President Darling, April 20, 1891, Professor North was appointed acting presi- 
dent of Hamilton College by its Executive Committee, a most unwelcome office, in 
which he, however, continued to officiate until his successor, Dr. M. Woolsey Stryker, 
was elected in the fall of 1892. 

Since his election in 1843, Professor North has given instruction in the Greek lan- 
guage and literature to fifty-two successive classes, and upwards of 2,000 students, 
many of whom in the later classes have been sons of those who were students in the 
earlier classes. An army of men in every walk of life have profited by his broad 
learning and culture and remember him with respect and love. He has been aided 
and encouraged in his work by many substantial tokens of good will, notably by the 
prize funds received from the relatives of the late Col. Henry H. Curran, '62, of 
Utica; the late Martin Hawley, '51, of Baltimore, and the Hon. Chauncey S. Truax, 
'75, of New York city. 

Professor North was married July 31, 1844, to Mary Frances Dexter, only daughter 
of Hon. S. New-ton Dexter, of Whitesboro. She was the mother of five children, 
and died May 27, 1869, aged forty-six years and ten months. Her four surviving 
children are: 

1. Mrs. Laura Dexter (North) Reed, who was married July 29, 1874, to Rev. Dr. 
William Reed, now pastor of the Memorial Presbyterian church in Troy. Their 
children are Ruth Dexter Reed, Edward North Reed, Laura Lansing Reed, and 
Sarah Allen Reed. William Vanderheyden Reed, born May 17, 1889, died January 
12, 1890. 

2. Simon Newton Dexter North, now secretary of the National Association of 
Wool Manufacturers, Boston, Mass , was married July 8, 1875, to Lillian Sill Corn- 
stock, daughter of Hon. Calvert Comstock, of Rome. Their children are Edward 
North, Gladys North, Eloise Comstock North, and Dexter North. 

3. Edward Simeon North. 

4. Mary Hulda North. 

5. James Summerville North, born May 10, 1861 ; died May 10, 1863. 



CLAUDE WILSON, M. D. 

Dr. Claude Wilson was born January 6, 1850, in Palmer, Mass., where his father, 
Rev. Thomas Wilson, was pastor of the Congregational church, but afterwards 
removed to Stoughton, Mass. , where he was settled for twenty years. He then be- 




fl* 



r.«# 




CLAUDE WILSON, M. D. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 7 

came pastor for fifteen years of the Congregational church in Eaton, Madison county, 
N. Y. Claude, his eldest son, fitted for college in the High School at Stoughton, 
in its first class, that of 1867. He then entered Amherst College, and graduated 
with the class of 1871. For the next succeeding three years he taught in the Asy- 
lum for the Blind in Columbus, Ohio. He then decided to adopt the medical pro- 
fession and thereupon entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York, and graduated from that institution in March, 1876. He was induced by 
friends to settle in Waterville, and his first and last professional work was done 
there. He was then a bright young man of broad and thorough education and equip- 
ment for successful work in his profession, and above all possessed the qualities of 
mind and character that won the confidence and respect of the people with whom he 
had elected to make his home. Therefore he at once entered into a prosperous prac- 
tice, and through the twenty years of his professional life there was the recognized 
leader among the physicians. He was endowed with a kindly heart and Christian 
manhood, that always made his personality felt along the higher plane that leads to 
the betterment of one's condition in life, and just to this degree too, he was conscien- 
tious and honorable in his professional life, rendering the kind of service that made 
him all the more missed when he ceased to administer to the physical ills of those who 
sought his aid. 

In social life he enjoyed the same degree of esteem from his fellow townsmen and 
associates. In business channels he had the fullest confidence of the community. 
At the time of his death, which occurred on April 22, 1896, he was a director in the 
National Bank of Waterville and a member of the Board of Education. He was a 
valued and influential member of Sanger Lodge, F. & A. M. and the Waterville 
Council of the Royal Arcanum. He was also an active member of the Pickwick 
Club, and rendered valuable aid to the educational and literary advancement of 
Waterville. 

Dr. Wilson had one brother, Daniel W. Wilson, who resides in Chicago, and ore 
sister, the wife of Rev. James F. Pettee, who is a missionary in Okayama, Japan. 
Rev. Thomas Wilson, the father, now resides in Waterville. 

June 5, 1877, Dr. Wilson married Anna Atherton Hodges, daughter of Leonard 
and Jane (Atherton) Hodges, of Stoughton, Mass. Mr. Hodges was a large manu- 
facturer and influential citizen of that place. Mrs. Wilson received her education in 
her native State. Possessing a brilliant mind and a broad education and culture, 
she became not only a good wife, but an enjoyable companion for her husband. 

Five children have been born to them, all of whom survive: Anabel, Janet, Mar- 
garet, Claude and Leonard. 



SILAS ADAMS. 

Silas Adams was -born in the town of Vernon, July 4, 1809. His education was 
received at the common schools of Vernon, where he turned to the best account pos- 
sible the advantages afforded by those crude institutions of learning. His education 
did not stop, however, at the quitting of school for his active mind and eager desire 
for further knowledge found opportunity for acquiring broader practical education 



8 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

as he made his way under difficulties through life. His early days were spent upon 
his father's farm, and it was through those years that the habits of thrift and in- 
dustry were established that have since contributed so largely to his marked success 
in his chosen life occupation. He was the next oldest of a family of six children. His 
father, Isaac Adams, was born in Shutesbury, Mass., in 1779, and at the age of 
twenty-one came to Oneida county settling in the town of Sangerfield. In 1806 he 
married Eunice, daughter of Abram Webster, of Lebanon, N. Y. They soon after 
removed to Vernon and were first among the settlers to adopt the industry of dairy 
farming, an occupation they pursued for forty successive years. By his untiring in- 
dustry Mr. Adams was foremost in changing the then wilderness into productive 
fields, from which he accumulated a large estate. He died in December, 1860, and 
his wife, who had been as faithful and devout in all things that went to build up and 
improve the community in which they lived, died in August, 1874, In early life 
Silas Adams purchased a farm in the southwestern part of Vernon, upon which he 
lived twenty years. Then selling that property, he bought what was known as the 
" Indian Butternut Orchard farm," situated near Oneida Castle, where he still 
resides. This place he soon transformed into one of the finest farms in the country, 
and one of the pleasantest residences along the Seneca turnpike between Oneida 
Castle and Vernon village. 

Mr. Adams is still active and vigorous and takes great pleasure in conducting this 
large fruit and dairy farm. As the result of his keen judgment, coupled with energy, 
he has amassed a considerable fortune, standing among the first successful farmers 
in the county. 

Mr. Adams married for his first wife, in 1834, Alvira Snow, of Vernon. She died 
in 1860. His second wife was Frances O. Allen, of Oneida, whom he married in 
1862. She survived sixteen years, dying in 1878. For his third wife Mr. Adams 
married in 1887, Amanda Tobey of Virginia, who is still living. 

Mr. Adams has had four sons, two of whom are living. Seymour F., the eldest, and 
one of the surviving sons, born July 3, 1839, is a successful lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio. 
He graduated at the University of Albany Law School in 1861, and was admitted to 
the bar the same year. 

He served with distinction in the war of the Rebellion. At the close of the war he 
returned to this State and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was sub- 
sequently district attorney of Lewis county, which office he resigned and located m 
Cleveland, O. 

Charles T., the second son, was born August 29, 1840. He also served three years 
during the war. After his return he was for a time in business in Cleveland, but 
soon engaged in the mercantile line in Ottawa, 111. He finally removed to Howard, 
Kan., where he built up a large business. He died there in 1881. 

Silas Hobart Adams, the third son, was born January 15, 1845. He was graduated 
from Hamilton College and then entered the Rochester Theological Seminary to 
prepare for the ministry, but before completing his course he was stricken with 
pneumonia and died in 1870, thus ending what promised to be a brilliant career. 

Francis Eugene, the fourth son, was born May 6, 1852. He was educated at Whites- 
town Seminary and Amherst College, from which institution he graduated in 1878. 
After completing his education he went to the Sandwich Islands and held a profess- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. U 

orship in the Honolulu College for three years. In 1881 he returned to the United 
States and lived for a time in Humbolt, Iowa. He removed in 1890 to Pomona, Cal- 
ifornia, where he is now engaged in fruit raising. 



HENRY FARMAN. 

Henry Farman, of Knoxboro, is a native of the town of New Haven, Oswego 
county, N. Y. , where he was born March 14, 1823. He was the second son of Zadok Far- 
man, 'who lived in the town of New Haven from the time he was fifteen years of age 
until his death, which occurred April 9, 1854. Roswell Farman, father of Zadok and 
grandfather of Henry, came from Bath, N. H., in 1803, to the town of Augusta, 
where he resided only three years. He then, accompanied by his oldest son, Zadok, 
went to Oswego county, undergoing much hardship and suffering great distress and 
loss of property while struggling to establish a home. Roswell Farman died in New 
Haven October 17, 1839. Zadok Farman, father of Henry, married in 1814 Martha 
Dix, daughter of Charles Dix of Vernon, Oneida county. She died in New Haven 
December 23, 1863. They had six children, Henry, the subject of this sketch being 
the second. The others were Charles Dix (taking the latter name from his mother's 
maiden name), born November 11, 1820; Elbert Eli, born April 23, 1831; Samuel 
Ara, born December 6, 183f), and two doughters, one who died in infancy and the 
other at the age of nineteen. 

Elbert Eli Farman is one of the foremost men of our time. He has for years been 
eminent as a jurist and diplomatist, and has been honored by appointment to some 
of the most important posts within the gift of the president of the United States. He 
was formerly diplomatic agent and consul general at Cairo, Egypt, and subsequently 
judge of the mixed Tribunals or International Courts of that country. Besides this 
he has served with marked ability in many other State and National offices. The 
Farmans have an ancestry that goes back in this country to 1674, when Robert Fore- 
man (as the name was then spelled), settled near Annapolis, Md. He was a planter 
there in the early history of that State. What Henry Farman has accomplished in 
his life forcibly demonstrates what can be achieved against many discouraging 
difficulties, when the right sort of metal and character dominates and guides one's 
course. He attended the common school of his native town and at the age of twenty 
taught his first term of school at that place. In the spring after attaining his major- 
ity he came to Knoxboro and entered the employ of Riley Shepard as a farm hand, 
the wages being $10 per month, for a period of six months. After completing this 
service he returned to New Haven and taught another winter's term of school. The 
next spring found him back on Mr. Shepard's farm where he worked another season. 
At this early period in this career he resolved to lay by at least one hundred dollars 
a year, a principle he has rigidly followed through all his life, only the sum increased 
as his accumulations became larger. Mr. Farman continued to teach for seven 
winters, the times being those when he ' ' boarded around " and took care of the school 
house himself. 

In the -mean time he was acquiring knowledge of books and business and law, 
which in face of his struggle to get on required study and perseverance in no small 



10 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

degree. This knowledge has, however, stood him in good stead during the years 
since that time, for he has been legal adviser for scores of people in his adopted town 
and has been entrusted with the settling up of numerous estates, many of which 
have been large and required keen judgment and the most careful management to 
guard and protect the interest of those concerned. Mr. Farman was also justice of 
the peace for two terms, and his decisions on cases brought before him were so cor- 
rect and equitable that no appeal from them was ever taken. Besides all these 
he has been notary public for forty years. By his energy and industry he has 
accumulated a large property, not only in realty, but also in bank stocks and vari- 
ous other lines of investment. In the mean while Mr. Farman has never neg- 
lected opportunities in the interest of charity. This has been evidenced both in 
respect to individuals and church societies. He was one of the most zealous sup- 
porters of the Methodist Society of Knoxboro and has twice, largely at his own ex- 
pense, enlarged and improved the Augusta cemetery. He has all through life been an 
earnest Republican in politics and has been active in the councils of the party both in 
the town and county. While Mr. Farman has been devoted to business he has also 
found time for study and travel. He has traveled extensively through Europe and 
the Orient, visiting Egypt, Pompeii, and many other hisioric places. He now pos- 
sesses some rare paintings and alabaster pieces, procured while in Florence. 

He married Fanny Shepard, daughter of the late Hon. Riley Shepard of Knox- 
boro. They have had three sons, two of whom are dead. Samuel H, the surviving 
son, married, in June, 1892, Lena B. Whitcomb, of Knoxboro. They now reside at 
that place and have one daughter. 



JON J. LOOMIS. 

Jon J. Loomis was born in the town of Vernon, May 6, 1826. He was educated 
in the district schools and Oneida Castle Academy. He taught school nine terms, 
was a clerk in a general store for a time, then, in company with a Mr. Burhans, he 
manufactured sole leather two years in Lewis county. He next went to Brooklyn 
as a clerk, and was for two years with Potter Palmer, of Chicago ; in 1856 he returned 
to Verona and has been engaged in hop growing and general farming since. In 
1859 he married Annice Ferguson, of Otsego county, N. Y., by whom he had one 
daughter, Lizzie M., who married John S. Leonard, and has one daughter, Annice. 
Mrs. Loomis died in 1865, and in 1876 he married Jane P. Owen, of Wisconsin, by 
whom he has one son, John R., who is a student at school. John Loomis, his father, 
was born in Columbia county in 1789. He married twice, first to Catherine Plass, 
by whom he had one son, William, who died in 1862. She died in 1814. In 1815 he 
married Betsey McDonald of his native county, and they had three children: Cath- 
erine (died in 1879), Eli (died in 1890), and Jon J. The family came to this county in 
1820. Mr. Loomis died April 24, 1873, and his wife October 12, 1882. The grandfather, 
John Loomis, was born in Connecticut and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
Mrs. Loomis's father, John R. Owen, was born in Anglesea, North Wales, Great 
Britain, January 8, 1815, and came to the United States when a young man locating 
near Rome, in 1836. In 1843 he married Elizabeth Jones, sister of Thomas and 




JON. J. LOOMIS. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 11 

Benjamin Jones, of Rome, N. Y., by whom he had two children: William E., who is 
the largest individual stock dealer and shipper of Wisconsin ; and Jane P. Mr. Owen 
died in 1893 and his wife in 1849. The family are of English, German, Scotch, and 
Welsh descent. 



CALVIN BROWN. 

Calvin Brown was born in Rome. N. Y., September 24, 1826. He was educated 
in the district schools and Oneida Castle Academy, and is a farmer by occupation. 
February 27, 1850, he married Mary J. Morton of his native place, by whom he had 
eight children: Alice J., Sarah F., Leander M., Electra L., Lizzie A., Minnie, 
Emma G., and Ernest C. Mrs. Brown died August 24, 1867, and April 7, 1869, Mr. 
Brown married Elilabeth Hillock, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had five chil- 
dren : Eunice H., Carrie E., J. Edward, Maria E., and Luther G. Mr. Brown's 
father, Chauncy Brown, was born in the town of Coventry, Conn., December 29, 
1793, and came to this county with his parents in 1800. He married Electra Talcott, 
by whom he had six children: Leander, Gregory, Calvin, as above, Electra L., 
Luther M., and Albert B. Mr. Brown died in December, 1878, and his wife in 1872. 
Mrs. Brown's father, James Hillock, was born in the north of Ireland in 1795, and 
came to this continent when a young man. He married Catherine Wiseman, of his 
native country, by whom he had eight children: Edward, Robert, Ann, James, John, 
William, Elizabeth, as above, and Thomas. Mr. Hillock died in Canada, and the 
balance of this family came to this State in 1837. Mrs. Hillock died in 1854. Mr. 
Brown's grandfather, Richard Brown, owned the Brown homestead in Rome as 
early as 1796. The ancestry of the family is English, Irish, and Scotch. 



JAMES D. SPENCER. 

James D. Spencer was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y., December 
27, 1813, and when two years of age his mother moved to Providence, Saratoga 
county, where he was educated in the common schools. When thirteen years of age 
his mother died, he was taken to West Monroe, Oswego county, where he stayed 
with his oldest living brother, and at fifteen years of age became a clerk in a general 
store. He has married three times, first to Freelove Raymond, by whom he had 
four children: Reuben J., Lyman C, Houghton A., and Millie A., who died at thirty 
years 6f age. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Fisher, by whom he had 
two children: Catherine, who died at four years of age, and B. Lamont. Mrs. 
Spencer died in 1886, and for his third wife he married Mrs. Margaret A. (Raymond) 
Williams. Mr. Spencer has resided near Sylvan Beach fifty years, and is the original 
owner and founder of Sylvan Beach. He began life virtually an orphan boy, and 
through industry and good judgment has secured a competency. The Raymond 
family is one of the oldest families, dating back to the fifth century. 



12 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

WILLIAM P. LOCKE. 

William P. Locke was born at Waterville, where he still resides, April 28, 1842. 
He was one of a family of eleven children, ten of whom grew to man and woman- 
hood. One of these is now in Louisville, Ky., one in California, one in Pierre, S. D., 
one in Ithaca, N.Y., two in the Black Hills, and three in Waterville, viz. : Mrs. A. J. 
Hale, George N. Locke, and W. P. Locke, the subject of this sketch and portrait 
herewith presented. Horace P. Locke, the father, came to Waterville in 1809, being 
then only four years of age. He was born at Peterboro, N. H., October 26, 1805. 
His father had died soon after Horace P. Locke was born, so that he had gone to 
live with an aunt and uncle. Captain Ford. Captain Ford, in 1809. came to Sanger- 
field and bought of the government a farm, about one mile east of Sangerfield Center. 
Horace P. remained with the Fords till the Captain's death, when the farm fell to 
him. Mr. Locke continued to carry on the farm until he finally returned to Water- 
ville, where he died. He married in 1825, Mary Gilmore, mother of the twelve 
children. Besides this she bore her share of the struggle in developing the farm and 
accumulating the property. She died in 1872. 

The Lockes were descended from William Locke, of Stepney Parish, London, Eng- 
land, who came to this country in 1634, when only six years old. He came alone on 
the "Planter," at least with only friends to care for him. He settled in Massachusetts 
where he spent his life. 

William P. Locke, after completing his education, remained at home till 1866, at 
which time he married Helen F. Bates, daughter of John W. Bates, of Utica, N. Y. 
He received his education at the Clinton Liberal Institute. 

About this time Mr. Locke bought a farm adjoining the homestead, and a little later 
bought of his father the latter place. These farms he still owns, besides several 
others in the county, the product from them being mostly hops. From 1865 to 1889 
Mr. Locke was engaged in hop-buying, carrying on an extensive business in that line 
during most of those years. He was at one time the largest hop producer in the 
State, and has at present about seventy acres devoted to that industry. His enter- 
prises are not all confined to this county or State either, for he is largely interested 
in grape culture in Florida, and a member of the Ponce de Leon Wine Co., at Moul- 
trie, near their vineyards. In addition to this Mr. Locke, in 1889, was one of a 
company to build the large hotel at Pierre, S. D., known as the " Hotel Locke," the 
finest hotel in that thriving young city. This place has since become famous the 
world over on account of the mineral springs connected therewith. The government 
has for some time had a similar well at the Indian school about two miles distant, 
which became a mecca for invalids as the curative properties of the water became 
known. The influx to this place was finally prohibited by the government, and this 
led to the putting down of the well in the town. The water stands at nearly 100 
degrees and possesses such healing powers for skin diseases, rheumatism, kidney and 
liver troubles, that hundreds now visit it every year. The hotel is a large structure, 
accommodating several hundred guests. 

Mr. Locke is an ardent Republican and takes an active interest in the party's 
welfare. 

They have had four children, two of whom are now living, viz. : Emma B. and 
Edward G. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 13 

JAMES A. DOUGLASS. 

James A. Douglass is a native of Oneida county and has spent his life within its 
borders. He was born in the town of Floyd, October 23, 1837, and his early days 
were spent on his father's farm, the winters finding him an attendant at the district 
school. After quitting the district school he entered the Whitestown Seminary, re- 
maining at that institution for some time. He then took a short course at the Al- 
banyNormal School, after which he adopted the occupation of teaching, being engaged 
in the school of his native town, also Stockwell, Sangerfield, and finally from 1863 to 
1866 as principal of the Oriskany Falls public school. The vacations in the mean 
time were spent at farm work, and thus by prudent foresight and energy the 
foundation was laid for what has since proved to be a successful business career. 

His father, George Douglass, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., where his 
parents resided for a short time. His mother, wife of Daniel Douglass, died when 
George was in infancy, so that the grandfather, Captain Fuller, brought him up. 
He married Lusina Ward, a native of Floyd. After occupying their farm for more 
than twenty- five years they moved to Holland Patent, living there until Mr. Douglass's 
death, which occurred May 1, 1891. His wife survived him one year, and died at 
Oriskany Falls June 5, 1892, at the age of seventy-eight. 

While acting as principal of the Oriskany Falls school in 1864 James A. Douglass 
married Elouis M. Bush, of Sangerfield. She, too, was a teacher, having been edu- 
cated at a private school in Waterville and at Cazenovia Seminary. They both con- 
tinued to teach at the Falls for the next two successive years, when Mr. Douglass, 
retired from the school and bought a large warehouse on the bank of the old Che- 
nango Canal, engaging in the lumber and produce business. 

In 1867 he entered into partnership with E. A.- Hamlin, under the firm name of 
Douglass & Hamlin, the firm carrying the same line of business till 1877. At that 
time Mr. Hamlin retired from the firm, the business having since been conducted by 
Mr. Douglass. 

In 1883, in company with Herman Morgan, he bought the old Oriskany Falls 
brewery which had a wide reputation for its line of product. This partnership con- 
tinued till 1894, when Mr. Douglass purchased the interest of Mr. Morgan and is 
now carrying on that business with his various other industries. 

In 1888 Mr. Douglass built a large canning factory which is now conducted under 
the firm name of C. L. Douglass & Co. (the C. L. Douglass being the son). Mr. 
Douglass has been married twice. His second wife, whom he married in 1892, was 
Mrs. Flora Hubbard Smith, of Chittenango, Madison county, N. Y. Through all his 
career Mr. Douglass has been an ardent Republican and has been active and in- 
fluential in both town, county and State politics. He has, too, been honored by his 
party with many offices of importance. He has been president of his village, a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature and since 1890 has represented his town in the Board of 
Supervisors. As a member of that board he has shown himself to be one of the 
most competent representatives the town has ever had. That this has been recog. 
nized is evidenced by the fact that the board elected him its chairman in 1893, and in 
1891 and 1892 chairman of the miscellaneous committee and chairman of the build- 
ing committee in 1893 when the sale of the old county house buildings at Rome 



14 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and a new site bought and new buildings erected. It was due mainly to his busi- 
ness sagacity that this sale at a large figure was brought about, and new and 
much more elaborate structures built for an amount considerably less than what was 
received for the property sold. With him an office is a public trust in the strictest 
sense. Mr. Douglass has had two children, one son, Clinton L. , born January 3, 
1869, and Anna L., born July 13, 18T0. She died December 26, 1885. 



REUBEN TOWER. 

Reuben Tower, agriculturist, was born in Waterville, Oneida county, N. Y., Jan- 
uary 17, 1829. 

He is of the seventh generation from John Tower, who emigrated from Hingham, 
in Norfolk, England, and settled in what is now Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1637; 
and whose long line of descendants had been eminent, first in conspicuous services in 
wars with the Indians; the French and Indian war and the Revolution; and in sub- 
duing the wilderness, as well as in various lines of business, science and the learned 
professions. 

Reuben Tower, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Rutland, Mass., 
February 15, 1787. He married Deborah Taylor Pearce, of Little Compton, Rhode 
Island, February 15, 1808, at Paris, Oneida, county, N. Y., and settled in Sanger- 
field, Oneida county, N. Y. He died at St. Augustine, Florida, March 14, 1832. 

His business was that of a general merchant, and his life was marked by an in- 
terest in all concerns of public welfare and the development of his adopted State, 
especially in the projection and completion of the Chenango Canal. He was an hon- 
orable and able member of the New York Legislature of 1828. 

His family embraced eight children, of whom the eldest was Charlemagne, a grad- 
uate of Harvard College in the Class of 1830, and a distinguished lawyer and capi- 
talist of Philadelphia. 

Reuben, the youngest son, commenced his educational career at old Oxford Acad- 
emy and continued his preparation for college with three years at Phillips Exeter 
Academy at Exeter, N. H. He was admitted into the Freshman Class at Harvard 
University in 1848, but illness forced him to abandon his university career at the 
close of his sophomore year. 

He then turned his attention to business affairs, and before he was twenty-one 
years of age was conducting a flourishing enterprise in the manufacturing of alcohol 
and also fattening cattle, and his business ability and success are well indicated by 
the fact that at twenty-five years of age, he had accumulated a capital of $23,600. 

A natural love of agriculture led him to direct his energies and mind toward the 
science of land tillage, and there is no phase of agriculture that has not engaged his 
attention, and no department in which he has not achieved success. 

As a stock breeder his reputation is well nigh national, and he has raised herds of 
blooded cattle, and a score of high bred horses, that would do credit to a Kentucky 
stock farm, the colts selling at from §400 to $2,000 each. 

One permanent mark of his enterprise as an agriculturist is worthy of conspicuous 
mention, namely, the splendid reservoir and system of water works which he con- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 15 

structed on the farm of Charlemagne Tower, over which he had supervision. This 
system of water works is far superior to that which supplies the adjoining village 
The reservoir covers two and two-thirds acres of ground, with an average" depth of 
seven and one half feet, and attracts many visitors. 

But while Mr. Tower has achieved a high reputation as an agi iculturist he has 
made an impress upon the village of Waterville that shall herald his name for many 
generations. Indeed, so long as the village exists it will proclaim his spirit of enter 
prise and. advancement in its streets and environments Here truly, he has made 
himself a part of Oneida county, and set his seal upon it. 

His fellow citizens could not but see the value of a man both educated and prac- 
tical and they elected and re-elected him president of the village of Waterville for a 
long series of years, and during all this he threw the same energy and zeal into his 
official duties that he always manifested in his private affairs. He was not satisfied 
to perform simply absolute and routine duties. The point with him was, not how 
little he could do, but his constant anxiety was to plan and perfect some new methods 
of benefiting the village. One street required filling, another needed cutting down 
another to be curbed ; none were neglected. Some changes and repairs were costly 
ones, but the progressive village president did not wait for public funds to be pro- 
vided. He gave more from his own private purse than he asked from the village 
treasury, and also furnished many laborers from his own individu.nl force. 

So it came, that the handsome village of Waterville bears testimony throughont 
its length and breadth, to years of vigilance and self-sacrifice on the part of a presi- 
dent who had striven, not always without opposition from well-meaning fellow- 
townsmen, to improve and beautify the place, which shall forever hold his name in 
the grand "Tower Avenue " that owes its attractive length and breadth, as well as 
its name to him. 

But it was not in the welfare of the corporation alone, that he took d°light Citi 
zens of Waterville to-day attest that nothing seemed to give him so much pleasure as 
to see the working men come in on Saturdays and get their pay. 

Mr. Tower is a Democrat in politics and was elected to the office of Supervisor of 
Sangerfield five successive years, and always by large majorities, notwithstanding 
the party vote was very close. It was a striking case of the office seeking the man 
for Mr. Tower never solicited a vote, nor pulled a wire, and yet he sometimes re- 
ceived a two-thirds majority. His services on the Board of Supervisors were on the 
line of economy, good legislation and honest work. A leader among Democrats 
he was awarded a prominent place in the board, where his rare judgment sterling 
integrity, and genial temper were thoroughly appreciated and fully recognized 

Not only was he appointed on the most important committees, but as a special 
evidence of the high regard of his fellow-members, he was, at one time; the recipient 
of a handsome and valuable gold headed cane from the board. 

With no self vanity to gratify, with none of the petty views of the small politician 
he despised every form of wickedness and meanness, and his friends consider the 
intrinsic worth of his dignity and ability deserving of almost any office. 

Mr. Tower's residence is the most interesting feature of Waterville to visitors and 
one's attention is immediately drawn to it bv its famous "chime of bells " 

His reception room is nearly one hundred feet long, forty feet wide and fifteen 



16 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

feet high, with Axminster rug of wondrous size, nearly hiding the hard wood 
floor. Beautiful wainscoting in massive paneled oak extending half way to the lofty 
ceiling from the sides of the room. Costly pictures adorn the walls, not the least 
prized of which are half a dozen, representing high bred horses of his own raising. 
The room is heated by a mammoth fire-place, of pressed brick, the expense of which 
must have been fabulous. Here huge birch logs blaze on andirojis of " ye olden 
tyme." 

Windows set high in the walls invite views of neat outbuildings, yard, fields and 
village street, while from the observatory, which crowns the building, one holds the 
vast expense of Oriskany Valley within his easv scope. 

The bell tower is one hundred and three feet in height, and its "chime" of ten 
large bells makes the music of the village, and wafts the time to all the country for 
miles around. The smallest bell weighs three hundred and seventy-five pounds, the 
largest one over a ton. This tower is also embelished with the large illuminated 
dials of a village clock, which strikes both the quarters and the hour, with echoing 
melody. 

The social characteristics of Mr. Tower are admirable. In family relations his 
attachments are most ardent, and there is always a charming atmosphere of geni- 
ality and good spirits in his presence and conversation. Faithfulness to duty and 
steadfastness in friendship are traits in his character that have ever won the admi ■ 
ration of all. A cultured man of superior intellect, he is generous both in mind and 
heart, liberal in his estimate of his fellow men and kindly just in all his dealings with 
them. Gifted with a fine presence, and natural, easy dignity, he is a grand type of 
the thorough gentleman. 



. AMOS O. OSBORN. 

Amos O. Osborn was born December 12, 1811, and is sixth in descent from his 
English ancestor Richard, who came from England to Hingham, Mass., in 1635 and 
went from there to New Haven, Conn., in 1639 where he became a free planter and 
shared in the division of land in 1643. 

His father, Amos Osborn, born November 30, 1764, was a native of Trumbull, Fair- 
field county, Conn. He came to Waterville in 1802, where he engaged in distilling, 
and in 1810 purchased the farm, part of lot 39, where he and his son have ever since 
lived, of Benjamin White, who in turn had bought it of Col. Marinus Willet, one of 
the original proprietors. He was a man of industry and integrity, which with frugal 
living and wise management of affairs brought him a handsome competence later in 
life. He married Rosanna, a daughter of Benjamin Swetland, a soldier of the Rev- 
olution. Of the six children born to them Amos O., the fourth, is the only one now 
living. He received his early education in Waterville and at the private school of 
Rev. Ely Burchard at Paris Hill. Later he went to Hamilton, which had already 
become a noted school centre, and after fitting there, was for two years a member of 
the class of 1836 of Yale College. After leaving college he studied law with his 
brother-in-law, the Hon. Levi D. Carpenter, of Waterville, and with Judge Joshua 
Spencer of Utica. In the fall of 1837 he was admitted to the bar, and soon after 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 17 

opened an office for the practice of his profession in Westfield, Chautauqua county, 
N. Y. After two years he returned to Waterville to engage in the same profession. 
Mr. Osborn was a Whig in politics and has always been an ardent supporter of the 
Republican party. In the years 1845 and 1846 he was elected supervisor and for 
thirteen years was a justice of the peace while his party in Sangerfield was greatly 
in the minority. He also represented his district and was a useful member of the 
two-session Assembly in 1853. For forty-five years he was a director in the Bank of 
Waterville. In 1840 he was one of the original incorporators of Grace church, Water- 
ville, and for fifty-three years has been its senior warden and a most liberal sup- 
porter. In 1858 he with his father-in-law, Deacon Joseph Moss of New Berlin, Che- 
nango county, N. Y., built at their own expense its rectory. 

It was by his suggestion and effort that the Waterville Cemetery Association was 
formed and it has been greatly by his aid that it has since become one of the finest 
village burial grounds in the State. Mr. Osborn has been its president and chairman 
of its executive committee ever since its incorporation. 

The diary kept during the ninety days at sea of a journey to Australia in 1855 and 
1856, at which time he circumnavigated the globe, and the notes of places visited both 
in Australia, on the Continent and in this country, show his quick habit of observation 
and the readiness with which he grasped and made use of points of special interest. 
Throughout all his life Mr. Osborn has been a student in literature and the sciences 
and a man of extensive research and learning. His large and well selected library, 
chiefly of books of reference and works on science, shows his ardent love of nature 
which has ever found in tree or flower, bird, insect or rock, something to study and 
admire, so that his life, seemingly one of leisure, has been a very busy and a very 
happy one. He has been much interested in geology and his studies and discoveries 
in that line have been of special interest and value to science. His collection of fos- 
sils is extensive and especially full from the series of rocks in his own neighborhood. 
He has also devoted much time and attention to the historical study of his own town. 
He prepared the chapter on the town of Sangerfield in Judge Jones's Annals of 
Oneida county, and has in preparation a fuller history, not yet published, in which 
are genealogical notices of over three hundred of the early settlers of the town which 
he has studied and arranged with great care. While thus untiring in self-develop- 
ment he has been greatly interested in the advancement of Sangerfield, especially 
earnest in his views of right and law that should govern corporations and municipal- 
ities as well as individuals. His genial smile and cordial manner, his generous aid 
in case of need, his quick response of sympathy in joy or sorrow, his unvarying in- 
terest in the welfare of the public as well as its individual members, his public spirit 
always manifest in everything promising progress or improvement, have won for 
him the respect and esteem of the public in the community which gave him birth 
and which has strengthened and grown with his advancing years. 

He is a life member of the American Museum of Natural History of the State of 
New York ; a life member of the New York Agricultural Society ; a member of the 
American Association for the Advancement of Science ; a life member and fellow of 
the Geological Society of America and a life member and councilor of the Oneida His- 
torical Society. 

Mr. Osborn married for his first wife on May 23, 1838, Harriet N, youngest daugh- 



18 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ter of the late Joseph Moss and Rhoda Griffith of New Berlin, Chenango county, N. 
Y. She died March 37, 1861. Four daughters were born to them. Rosanna, who 
died in early childhood; Rosalie, wife of the artist Albert Bierstadt; Mary, wife of 
Charles C. Hall of New York, and Esther, the only one now living, the wife of Will- 
iam G. Mayer of the U. S. Navy, and later a leading lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio. On 
July 1, 1863, Mr. Osborn married for his second wife. Adaline, youngest daughter of 
the late Ellis Morse and Adaline Bagg of Eaton, Madison county, N. Y. 



JAMES G. HUNT, M. D. 

The ancestry of Dr. James G. Hunt, of Utica, belongs to the " Northampton line " 
and is traced backward through several generations to Rev. Robert Hunt and Jon- 
athan Hunt, who emigrated to America from Northampton, England, in the year 
1660, and settled in Connecticut. It is claimed by many of the family that there 
were four (some say three) brothers who came to this country together. Jonathan 
afterward settled in what is now Northampton, Mass., and Rev. Robert in the town- 
ship of New London, Conn. Among their descendants was Timothy Hunt, who was 
a soldier in the war of the Revolution under General Abercrombie in an attack on 
Fort Ticonderoga, and who finally located in Tryon county (now Florida, Montgom- 
ery county), N. Y. , where he died. During the Revolutionary period Timothy Hunt 
and his family were among the sufferers by the Tories and Indians under the lead- 
ership of William Butler and Joseph Brant, a Mohawk sachem. On the morning of 
November 12, 1778, after the Indians had accomplished the destruction of Cherry 
Valley and the surrounding country, they finally reached the settlement of Chuck- 
tenunde Creek in the town of Florida. Mr. Hunt's buildings were burned and most 
of his stock was killed, the remainder escaping to the forest, while himself and family 
were saved by concealing themselves in a neighboring ravine, closely filled with 
elders, willows, and thick underbrush. His wife, Susanna Vermilia, was of French 
descent, and of their ten children — five sons and five daughters — Isaac; who was 
born in Florida, Montgomery county, married Polly Kinney, of the same place. Rev. 
Robert Hunt, 2d, son of this Isaac and grandfather of Dr. James G., was born in 
that town November 25, 1792, being one of twelve children. He married Margaret 
Johnson, of Columbia, Herkimer county, N. Y. , and began preaching in the Free 
Will Baptist denomination as soon as he reached manhood, first in Warren, Her- 
kimer county, and afterward in Columbia, Schuyler Lake, Whitmantown and South- 
ville. In 1852 he removed to Troy, O., and in 1853 to China, Wyoming county, 
N. Y., where he remained twelve years. His health failed and he subsequently made 
his home in Hudson, Mich. In 1871 he came to the home of his son, Dr. Isaac 
J. Hunt, of Utica, where he died December 7, 1872. Rev. Robert Hunt had ten 
children, five of whom were sons, and all of them became physicians. One of these, 
Dr. Isaac J. Hunt, father of Dr. James G., was born in Warren, Herkimer county, 
N. Y. , March 27, 1820, and married Mary, daughter of John Ingersoll, a farmer and 
manufacturer of Ilion, Herkimer county, N. Y. He was graduated from the Castleton 
(Vt.) Medical College, became a successful physician, and practiced his profession 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 19 

for nearly thirty years in the city of Utica, where he died January 25, 1875. He had 
two sons: Dr. James G., the subject of this sketch, and Loton S., who was born in 
Utica in 1852, read law and was admitted to the bar, and was appointed by Presi- 
dent Harrison United States consul to Guelph, Canada, whence he was subsequently 
transferred to Palmerston, Ontario, Canada, where he still resides and officiates in 
that capacity. 

Dr. James G. Hunt was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., on the 21st of 
June, 1845. His boyhood experience was not materially different from that of a 
large majority of American youths, though he was fortunate in being able to devote 
nearly 'the whole of his early life to study. Beginning with the district school he 
continued until he was graduated from the Utica Free Academy at a comparatively 
early age. Shortly afterward he became assistant bookkeeper in the Ilion Bank at 
Ilion, N. Y., and remained there for a year or more, until 1866, when he accepted a 
desirable position in the Utica post-office. In 1867 he went to Buffalo as bookkeeper 
for Andrews & Whitney, with whom he remained one year. Returning to Utica in 
1868 he began preparation in his father's office for the profession that was to be 
his life work. Indeed it may be said that he grew up surrounded by the atmosphere 
of the medical profession. After about four years of industrious study under the 
careful instruction of his father he entered the medical department of the University 
of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he took two courses of lectures and a course in the 
laboratory of analytical and applied chemistry. These were followed by a third 
course in the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, from which he was gradu- 
ated on the 13th of March, 1871. At the time of his graduation one of the daily 
papers spoke of him as follows: "He received the largest number of diplomas for 
clinical instruction in medicine and surgery from the Quiz Association connected 
with Jefferson Medical College of any one in his class." During the same year 
(1871) he attended a course of clinical lectures in the Philadelphia Hospital (Blockley), 
and also a course of lectures in anatomy, operative surgery, bandaging, and fractures 
in the Philadelphia School of Anatomy. 

Returning to Utica Dr. Hunt entered immediately into practice in association with 
his father. This partnership continued until 1874, since which time he has practiced 
alone, meeting with an unusual degree of success. In attempting to note the ele- 
ments of this success it may, perhaps, be justly said that they consist chiefly of a 
thorough knowledge of his profession, gained by persistent and judicious study, 
supplemented by constant reading of the later developments that have been re- 
corded throughout the range of medical literature, coupled with a temperament and 
manner which happily fit him for his work. His capacity for professional labor is 
almost unbounded, and he never spares his energies in his devotion to his duties. 

Dr. Hunt's professional standing, as well as the position he occupies in the com- 
munity, may be judged to a certain extent by the various calls that have been made 
upon him to stations of honor and responsibility. He is a member of the Delta Phi 
Society, Iota Chapter of the University of Michigan, 1869, and of the Jefferson 
Medical College Alumni Association, 1871 ; was made a member of the Oneida 
County Medical Society on October 7, 1872; is a member of the Utica Medical 
Library Association and was its president in 1886 ; was elected a member of the 
Oneida County Microscopical Society on June 19, 1881 ; is a member of the American 



20 OTTR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Medical Association and the New York State Medical Association, and was chosen a 
member of the American Public Health Association on December 7, 1880; was ap- 
pointed by Gov. A. B. Cornell as commissioner of the State Board of Health and 
served from 18S0 to 1885; is physician to and one of the incorporators of the 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, organized February 1, 1881 ; is 
a life member and trustee of the Utica Mechanics Association ; was appointed sur- 
geon of the Board of United States Pension Examiners on March 30, 1889; was 
made a trustee of the Utica Female Academy on February 6, 1888, and still holds 
that position ; and is a director of the Globe Woolen Mills. Dr. Hunt has also 
taken a deep interest in fraternal organizations and is prominent as a Mason, having 
taken the 32°, and is also a member of the Mj'stic Shrine, and an Odd Fellow. It is 
much to his professional credit that he was chosen a surgeon for the Delaware, 
Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company in 1885, The New York, Ontario and 
Western Railway in 1886, and is acting in that capacity at the present time ; he also 
held a similar position on the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad from 
1886 to 1889. On May 2, 1891, he was elected a member of the National Associa- 
tion of Railway Surgeons and on March 8, 1892, a member of the New York State 
Association of Railway Surgeons. He was physician and surgeon in charge of the 
Masonic Home at Utica from its opening until two years ago, when a medical staff 
was formed, since which time he has been chairman of the executive committee 
of the staff. He has also filled the posts of chief surgeon in Faxton Hospital (1880 
to 1886) and surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital (1883 to 1893) and St. Elizabeth's Hospit- 
al (1888 to 1894), and is now surgeon on the staff of Faxton Hospital. He has held 
the rank of first lieutenant in the 44th Separate Company National Guard and 
assistant surgeon of that organization, and was president of the Utica Citizens 
Corps in 1886, 1887, and 1888. It is just to say that in all these various positions 
Dr. Hunt has shown his fitness and capacity for the capable discharge of their duties, 
and earned the respect and esteem of those with whom he has been associated. 

In politics Dr. Hunt is a Republican. In November, 1873, he was appointed, by 
Gov. John A. Dix, coroner of Oneida count}' to fill a vacancy and was elected to that 
office three consecutive terms, serving in all nearly ten years. On June 12, 1874, he 
was appointed health officer of the city of Utica, in which capacity he served most 
efficiently for nearly twenty years. In passing the Civil Service examination for that 
position the Albany Evening Argus of August 18, 1885, said: " Health officer Hunt, 
of Utica, was one of the three highest who passed the Civil Service examination, 
his standing being 92 9-10 out of a possible 100. The doctor is an adept at determin- 
ing knotty questions, and his brilliant record is no more than might be expected." 

Other newspapers, in commenting at length upon his record as a health officer, 
etc., said: 

"As health officer he ranks among the first in the State of New York." 

" He has also contributed largely to the annual reports of the State Board of 
Health articles of great interest on public matters. Among his best efforts in this 
respect is his report as chairman of the Committee on Public Institutions in the first 
annual report of the State Board of Health of New York for the year 1880. This is 
a very lengthy report, and the doctor presents the results attained in one of the 
largest and most useful public buildings, the New York State Hospital, in a very 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 21 

able and scientific manner, touching upon the system of ventilation, heating, drain- 
age, and water supply." 

In the second annual report of the State Board of Health of New York, for the 
year 1881, as chairman of the Committee on Public Institutions, Dr. Hunt is thus 
spoken of in the introduction : "He presents an outline of results of personal in- 
spection and exact inquiry into the present condition and sanitary wants of school- 
houses, as shall fitly serve the purposes of the board to institute and induce needed 
sanitary improvements in our school houses and in the schools themselves, and at 
the same time to suggest and stimulate local concern in this matter." 

"His lectures to the school of nurses at St. Luke's Hospital, of Utica, for the 
past -number of years have been very instructive to the nurses, and have been 
read by thousands of those who have made public health a study; he is known 
far and near throughout the United States on all questions pertaining to public 
health." 

In 1887 Dr. Hunt was strongly urged for the mayoralty of the city of Utica, 
and received the unanimous nomination of the convention, but for personal reasons 
was compelled to decline the honor. 

On the 28th of January, 1874, Dr. Hunt was married to Miss Ella R. Middleton, 
daughter of Robert Middleton, president and superintendent of the Globe Woolen 
Company of Utica. They have four children : Gertrude May, Mabel Lillian, Robert 
Middleton, and Ella Louisa. 



ISAAC R. SCOTT, 

The Scott family from whom the subject of this sketch is descended was founded 
in America by three brothers who came from Scotland and first settled in Boston, 
Mass. , in the seventeenth century. One of them finally located in Bellingham, Mass. ,' 
while the other two went with Roger Williams to Rhode Island and took up land on 
the Blackstone River. Their descendants have for generations been prominent fac- 
tors in the civil, social and commercial life of New England and are numbered among 
the most progressive and substantial citizens. Larned Scott, son of Nathaniel and 
the father of Isaac R., was born in Cumberland, R. I., and became a mill architect 
and engineer of considerable note. He erected many of the older mills in New 
England, among them being one in Uxbridge, Mass., the Atlantic Delaine Mills in 
Providence, and Lonsdale mill No. 3 in Lonsdale, R. I. In 1832 he moved with his 
family to Lonsdale and established a machine shop, and there his wife, Joanna C. 
Clark, a native of Cumberland, R. I., died in 1833. His death occurred in Provi- 
dence in 1852. They had three children : Isaac R. of Utica, and William L. and 
Mary, both deceased. 

Isaac Raze Scott, eldest son of Larned and Joanna C. (Clark) Scott, was born in 
Cumberland, R. I., August 5, 1817, and inherited the sturdy and thrifty traits of 
character that distinguished his ancestors. He received a common school education 
in his native town and in addition, while the family were in Lonsdale, attended an 
academy in Wrentham, Mass., for a period of six months. As a boy he showed 



22 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

great aptitude for mechanics, and during the intervals of school and work spent 
much time in the shop of his father. This sort of play, this fondness for the use of 
tools, helped him to acquire under his father's eye a practical knowledge of mechan- 
ical wcrk before he began to learn his trade. About 1835 he entered his father's 
shop and commenced the active application of his trade of machinist, but the next 
year went to Woonsocket as foreman in the repair shop of one of the textile mills. 
In the spring of 1839 he went to Newton Upper Falls, Mass., to take charge of the 
repair shop of a plant then known as the Eliot Mills, a cotton manufactory, where 
he remained until October, 1844. Soon after going there he made the acquaintance of Otis 
Pettee, whose shops were shortly destroyed by fire. Mr. Pettee then bought the 
Eliot mills and Mr. Scott's sphere of action was greatly enlarged, he having been 
made foreman of the shops and placed in charge of the work of erecting new ma- 
chinery as well as doing repairing. In 1844 he became mechanical agent of the 
Boston Manufacturing Company at Waltham, Mass., where he remained for twenty- 
eight years, or until 1872. This company, besides manufacturing cotton, then built 
machinery and did considerable repair work, and after about two years in charge of 
the machine shop Mr. Scott was made superintendent of the entire plant. In 1860 
he became the agent, succeeding Ebenezer Hobbs. When Mr. Scott first went to 
the company the plant consisted of 11,000 spindles, while the bleachery had a capacity 
of two tons of coarse cotton cloth per day; the stock was valued at about §600 per 
share, par $750. When he left it the plant contained 43,000 spindles, the bleachery 
and dye house had a capacity of fourteen tons of a greater variety of product per 
day, and the stock could not be bought for less than §1,410, the par value in the 
meanwhile having been raised to 81,000 from the earnings of the mill. He gave the 
directors six months' notice of his desire to resign ; at their request this was extended 
a month and the board sent him a most complimentary letter besides presenting him 
with a check for §5,000. 

During the next ten years Mr. Scott made Waltham his home, enjoying more 
pleasure than ever before in his life, yet remaining pretty active, serving as an ex- 
pert before the courts on mechanical cases, particularly those connected with water 
works, and in this capacity he was employed by the city of Boston for one year. 
Immediately after resigning the agency of the Boston Manufacturing Company he 
constructed the Waltham water works under contract. On the 14th of March, 1882, 
Mr. Scott came to Utica to erect and superintend the equipping of the first mill of 
the Skenandoa Cotton Company. This mill, known as No. 1, had 10,000 spindles, 
running altogether on hosiery yarns, and upon the completion of the work Mr. 
Scott, who, in the opinion of one of the directors (a man widely known in cotton- 
mill circles in this country and in Europe), was one of the most successful mill man- 
agers he ever met, was invited to take the entire management of the plant. Mill 
No. 2 was completed in 1887 and contains over 13,000 spindles; No. 3 was built in 
1893 and contains more than 25,000 spindles: the entire spindlage of the plant is 
about 51,600 spindles. The original capital of §200,000 has been increased to 
§600,000. 

To Mr. Scott's practical ability and active management as superintendent is largely 
due the wonderful success of this great corporation. He is a man of wide experience, 
and is one of the oldest and ablest active mill managers in the country. From the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 23 

first he has given his attention to the practical operation of the mill and until 1893 
performed the entire work of supervision alone ; he was then given an assistant in 
the person of D. W. Gray, formerly of Lonsdale, R. I. Mr. Scott also attends to the 
buying and selling, and in performing. this work travels on an average 1,000 miles 
each month. His entire life has been spent in mills, and by close application to the 
practical mechanical parts of his work, and later to the business end, he has steadily 
advanced through every stage to the highest post in his calling. His career has 
been one series of successes, and all have been attained by his own efforts. He 
possesses a natural inclination for mechanics and an ambition to master every detail. 
These qualities, combined with great executive ability and sound judgment, and a 
rare power of concentration, led him eventually into his present position— the man- 
ager of a mill erected and equipped under his superintendence, attending to the 
practical operation of the plant, and buying everything that goes into it and selling 
its product, which amounts to over a million dollars annually. To combine these 
duties certainly calls for a rare combination of intellect and ability, and this ability, 
in all its strength, in a man seventy-nine years of age, is extremely rare. In politics 
Mr. Scott was originally a Whig and since about 1856 he has been an unswerving 
Republican. He cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison for president in 1840. 
During the war, while a resident of Waltham, Mass., he took an active part in rais- 
ing a company of volunteers and served as chairman and treasurer of the committee 
which had charge of the recruiting. Twice he visited this organization in the field 
and looked after its interests during its term of service. He is a member of Fort 
Schuyler Club of Utica, and since taking up his residence here has manifested a keen 
interest in the welfare and advancement of the city. 

Mr. Scott was married in December, 1838, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Robert 
and Patty Whipple, all natives of Smithfield, R. I. They have had two children : 
Edward S. Scott, of Rogers, Ark., and Mary C, who married William S. Hall of 
Perth Amboy, N. J., and died in 1895. 



WATSON T. DUNMORE. 

The ancestry of Hon. W. T. Dunmqre, of Utica, dates back to the colonial period, 
and for several generations has occupied a prominent sphere in the history of their 
respective communities. His pa'ernal grandfather, Larry Dunmore, jr., son of Larry 
Dunmore, sr., of Scotch descent, was born near Johnstown, N. Y., about 1770, and 
married Irene Fairchild, daughter of Matthew Fairchild. About 1793-94 they 
were living in Canandaigua, where five children were born, viz. : Lovisa about 
1796; Larry, jr., 1798; John, 1800; Ann, 1803; and Irene, 1805. Soon after the birth 
of the latter the family returned to Johnstown and subsequently removed to 
Duanesburg, Schenectady county, where Matthew, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in 1812. They had in all ten children who grew to maturity, the 
others being Kate, George, Sherman and Jane. Of these George Dunmore became 
an early and a prominent missionary to Turkey. On the breaking out of the war of 
the Rebellion he returned to America, became chaplain of the 1st Wisconsin Cav 



24 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and was killed in Arkansas in the first engagement of his regiment. Larry Dun- 
more, the father of these children, served at Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812, 
and afterward moved his family to Auburn, Susquehanna county, Pa., and thence 
to Rush, an adjoining town, where he established a family homestead. He died in 
the State of New York. Matthew Dunmore, the son above mentioned, died in 1863, 
on the old farm in Rush, which he purchased when he was fifteen years of age. He 
was one of the substantial men of the town and served for several years as a justice 
of the peace. He married Sarah S. James, who died in May, 1847. Their children 
were Evander, deceased ; Delphine (Mrs. Norman Sterling), of Meshoppen, Pa. ; Ar- 
villa (Mrs. James R. Hay), deceased; and Watson T., the subject of this sketch. 

On his mother's side Judge Dunmore is descended from David James, of Welsh 
ancestry, who served eight years in the Revolutionary war, being honorably dis- 
charged June 5, 1783. He enlisted as a private in Capt. John N. Cummings's Com- 
pany, 2d Battalion, 2d Establishment, New Jersey Continental line, and served with 
the New Jersey brigade in the Indian campaign in Western Pennsylvania in 1779. 
He also served as private and sergeant in Capt. Cyrus D'Hart's Company, 2d Regt, 
New Jersey Continental Line, was in the Virginia campaign in 1781, and was at the 
battle of Yorktown, Va.. and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis in October, 1781. 
Besides this he participated in the battles of Three Rivers, Brandywine, German- 
town and Monmouth, and remained in the army until the close of the Revolutionary 
war, when he received a badge of merit for eight years' faithful service. He died 
July 18, 1834, aged seventy-seven years, six months and twenty days, and was buried 
on the 20th in the Presbyterian churchyard in Deerfield, N. J. On December 6, 
1784, he married Philothea Watson, and of their children David, jr., was born Octo- 
ber 26, 1785, and died in Philadelphia, Pa., November 5, 1816; Thomas Watson was 
born October 20, 1777 ; and Lewis Mulford was born September 15, 1789. Thomas 
Watson James, the father of Mrs. Sarah Dunmore, was married September 2, 1812, 
to Hannah Smith, and their children were: William W., born July 28, 1813,- died 
January 29, 1815; Sarah S., Horn February 28, 1815; David, born April 10, 1817; 
Thomas S., born February 17, 1819; Hannah Maria, born February 7, 1821 ; Lewis 
M., born January 2, 1823, died December 31, 1827; Abijah S., born October 2, 1824; 
Caroline Loiza, born January 29, 1827; and Theodore C, who occupies the home- 
stead in Auburn, Pa. Mr. James moved on to a farm in the town of Auburn, Sus- 
quehanna county, Pa. , and died there, the homestead being still in the family. He 
was an early settler and prominent in the history of Susquehanna county, where he 
was one of the most substantial farmers. When he first came there he walked to 
Wilkesbarre, fifty miles, for his mail. A number of his descendants have become 
prominent in special fields, notably a grandson, Arthur, who is a professor in Wes- 
leyan LT n i v ersity in Connecticut; Rev. David M. James, D.D., for twenty-five years 
a prominent Presbyterian clergyman of Bath, Pa. ; George W., another grandson, 
is principal of the public schools in Wilkesbarre; Benton E., a third grandson, was 
formerly superintendent of schools of Susquehanna county, and is now principal of 
the High school at Montrose, Pa. ; Rev. W. H. James, D.D., for more than twenty- 
five years a Presbyterian clergyman in Springdale, Ohio; and Thomas A., still an- 
other grandson is a leading physician in Wilkesbarre. 

Hon. Watson Thomas Dunmore, the youngest of the four children of Matthew and 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 25 

Sarah (James) Dunmore, was born in Rush, Susquehanna county, Pa., March 28, 
1845, and inherited from his ancestors those sturdy and thrifty characteristics which 
distinguished the race. He prepared for college at Wyoming Seminary in Luzerne 
county, Pa. , and in the fall of 1868 entered the sophomore class of Wesleyan Uni- 
versity at Middletown, Conn., from which he was graduated with the degreeof B.A. 
in 1871, with membership in the Alpha Delta Phi society. Two of his classmates 
were Hon. Theodore E. Hancock, the present attorney-general of the State, and 
Rev. A. P. Palmer, pastor of the South Street church, Utica. Leaving college he 
taught school for a time, being principal of the High school in Bradford, Vt., for two 
years. • He then read law in the office of Hon. Roswell Farnham, ex-governor of 
Vermont, and was admitted to the bar of that State in June, 1874. In the following 
autumn he became principal of the graded school in Susquehanna Depot, Pa. , and 
during his first term there he was invited by the people of Hornellsville, N. Y. , to 
come to that city as superintendent of their schools. At the close of the term he ap- 
plied for and received a release and accepted the position offered him in this State, 
which he ably and satisfactorily filled until the end of the school year 1875. As a 
teacher Judge Dunmore attained an excellent reputation and met with unusual suc- 
cess, and at the same time acquired a valuable practical knowledge of both books 
and human nature ; but his inclination was the practice of law, for which he was 
peculiarly adapted and fitted. In the fall of 1874 he had entered his name in the 
Law School of Hamilton College and was graduated from that institution with the 
class of June, 1875, keeping up his studies, as was the rule in those days, in the leis- 
ure of his active duties. In 1875 he came to Utica and formed a copartnership with 
Smith M. Lindsley, under the firm name of Lindsley & Dunmore, which continued 
about seven years. Following this he practiced alone and in various partnerships 
until May 1, 1888, when the firm of Dunmore & Sholes was organized. On March 1, 
1893, this became Dunmore, Sholes & Ferris, which still continues. 

Judge Dunmore has always been an active Republican, and has frequently con- 
tributed to the success of his party. In 1886 he was elected special county judge 
and served in that capacity for three years, when, in 1889, he was re-elected for an- 
other term of three years. In the second election he led his ticket in the county 
by about 200 votes, receiving 1,500 majority, which was the highest received by 
any candidate, the lowest being beaten by over 2,000. In 1892 he was elected county 
judge of Oneida county for a full term of six years beginning January 1, 1893. In 
these capacities as well as in all others he has officiated with dignity, credit, and sat- 
isfaction, and has won the esteem and confidence of not only his constituents, but 
the public at large. As a lawyer he ranks among the foremost practitioners of Cen- 
tral New York. As a jurist he has evinced sound judgment, a clear grasp of legal 
complications, rare executive ability, and a thorough knowledge of the law. Out- 
side of his profession, however, he is not without honors. He has always taken a 
keen interest in the welfare and prosperity of Utica, and is prominently identified 
with many of its leading institutions. He was one of the organizers in February, 
1884, of the Homestead Aid Association of Utica, which is now one of the largest 
local associations in the State, having an invested capital of between $600,000 and 
$700,000. As attorney he has always directed its legal affairs, and for a time served 
as one of the directors. In January, 1896, he succeeded George Dimon as president 



26 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and in this capacity he is ably guiding the association along the lines of public bene- 
faction and general usefulness, especially to the wage-earner and home-builder, 
whom it is designed most to assist. Judge Dunmore is also a director in the Utica 
Knitting Company, was one of the founders of the Utica Business Men's Associa- 
tion, and was one of the organizers of the State League of Building and Loan Asso- 
ciations, of which he was the first treasurer, an office he held for several years. He 
was president of the League in 1892, and a member of its executive committee from 
the organization until after he was elected county judge, when professional and 
other duties compelled him to resign. He was a representative of the New York 
State League to the World's Congress of Building and Loan Associations held at 
Chicago in 1894, and was one of the five Americans selected to prepare an address 
to that congress on the subject of building and loan association work. The judge's 
efforts in elevating and placing these enterprises on a sound financial basis have 
been signally successful, and rank him among the foremost promoters of building 
and loan associations in the country. Judge Dunmore also takes an active interest 
in fostering and promoting fraternal, benevolent, and social organizations, and is 
himself a member of several of them. He is a Knight Templar, holding membership 
in Utica Lodge No. 47, F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter R. A. M., Utica Council R. & 
S. M., and Utica Commandery No. 3, K. T. He is also a member of Oneida Lodge, 
No. 70, I. O. O. F. , a past noble grand, and for several years its treasurer; also of 
Tn-Mount Encampment, No. 24, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all the chairs. He 
is a member of Excelsior Lodge K. P. and of Fort Schuyler Club, and a charter' 
member of Fort Schuyler Lodge, R. A. Both he and his family are members of 
Westminster Presbyterian church. 

Judge Dunmore was married on July 9, 1878, to Miss Minnie E. Goodier, daughter 
of Jonathan and Clarissa (Tread way) Goodier, of Utica. They have six children : 
James S-, Watson T., jr., Clara T., Russell G., Earl W., and Delia. 



ARTHUR C. WOODRUFF. 

Arthur Cleveland Woodruff, son of Dr. Hurlbert H. and Calista (Abbott) Wood- 
ruff, was born in the village of Camden, Oneida county, N. Y., June 13, 1851. His 
maternal grandfather, Eben Abbott, held the commission of captain and major in 
the War of 1812, and soon after 1840 settled in Camden, where he died. Dr. Wood- 
ruff was a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., and began the practice of 
medicine in North Salem, Westchester county, N. Y., whence he removed in 1850 to 
Camden, where he opened the first drug store in the village. He practiced his pro- 
fession here with marked success, and also temporarily in Washington, D. C, for a 
time, and died in Camden on November 2, 1881, at the age of fifty-six. His wife's 
death occurred here November 27, 1895, in the sixty-eighth year of her age. 

Arthur C. Woodruff was educated in the public schools and academy of his native 
village, in Union Academy in Belleville, N. Y., and was graduated from Lowville 
Academy m 1870. Immediately after completing his literary studies he entered 
the office of the late Hon. George K. Carroll, in Camden, and read law there until 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 27 

his admission to the bar at Buffalo general term June 13, 1873. He then formed a 
copartnership with his legal preceptor under the style of Carroll & Woodruff, which 
continued for three years. Mr. Woodruff then practiced his profession alone until 
1883, when his brother, Eben C, was admitted to the bar and became his law part- 
ner under the name of A. C. & E. C. Woodruff. This partnership continued success- 
fully until January 1, 1895 when it was dissolved. Since then he has practiced alone. 

Mr. Woodruff is a prominent member of the Oneida county bar and has always 
enjoyed an extensive professional business. As a lawyer he has been almost in- 
variably successful, and as counselor and legal adviser he has won the confidence 
and respect of a large clientage. He has alwa3'S been a staunch Democrat. In pol 
itics he early became a prominent and an influential factor, especially in his native 
village, which, although Republican, has frequently placed him in positions of trust 
and responsibility. He was village magistrate for twelve successive years, president 
of the village in 1891, member of the water commission five years, and village trus- 
tee several terms, and for the last fifteen years a member of the board of education, 
of which he is now the secretarjr. He was one of the originators of the Camden 
Opera House Company, in which he is a stockholder, and for the last twenty years 
has served as vestryman of Trinity Episcopal church. Mr. Woodruff has always 
taken a deep interest in the advancement and prosperity of the village of Camden, 
favoring such important public improvements as the water works, electric light, 
town hall, etc., and to all matters affecting the general welfare he lends his unquali- 
fied support. Public spirited and enterprising he is in every respect a prominent 
and an influential man. 

On Christmas Day, 1880, he was married to Miss Theresa A. Carroll, daughter of 
his legal preceptor, Hon. George K. Carroll, and Caroline F. Linkfield, his wife, by 
whom he has two sons: George Carroll, born February 9, 1885, and Laurence Abbott, 
born November 25, 1888. George K. Carroll was a leading lawyer in Camden for 
about twenty years, a member of Assembly, and a prominent factor in the Demo- 
cratic politics of Oneida county. 



STEPHEN CROMWELL. 

Stephen Cromwell, for more than forty years a prominent lawyer of Camden, was 
born in Carlisle, Schoharie county, N. Y. , September 18, 1815. With a limited com- 
mon school education he left home at the age of seventeen to seek his fortune in the 
West, and for two years was employed on the Mississippi river steamboats. He 
spent another two years in the South and then went to Ohio, where he read law with 
his brother, teaching school at the same time as a means of gaining a livelihood. 
He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1842, but in the following year returned to New 
York and in 1844 was admitted to the courts of this State. He then located perma- 
nently in Camden, Oneida county, and entered the office of D. Minor K. Johnson, to 
whose legal business he soon succeeded. For more than twenty years he had as his 
partner Ivers Monroe, a former law student. Mr. Cromwell continued in the active 
practice of his profession until 1887, when he retired, being succeeded by George F. 



28 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Morss, also a former student. He built the house on the corner of Main and North 
Park streets in Camden in 1860 and died there July 7, 1895. 

Mr. Cromwell was a prominent member of the Oneida county bar and conducted 
an extensive professional business for many years. He was well versed in the science 
of the law, possessed a good analytical mind and a wonderfully retentive memory, 
was a student and a scholar, and seldom lost a case in the appellate courts. In this 
latter respect he was very successful. He was blunt in argument and of a nervous 
temperament, and before a jury lacked the expression and tact which his talents 
really warranted and demanded. But as an office lawyer and counselor he had no 
superior in the county. He won the respect and confidence of all with whom he had 
professional relations, and among a wide acquaintance was highly esteemed for his 
many excellent qualities of head and heart. He was a staunch Republican and in 
local politics became quite a prominent factor, yet he never sought nor had any 
desire for public preferment. He served as village president and trustee and as a 
member of the board of education served several years each, and always supported 
and encouraged every movement which promised benefit to the community. He was 
identified with the tanning industry in West Amboy, Oswego county, and with his 
son was at one time heavily interested in the salt and lumber business in Saginaw, 
Mich. He was also connected with the old Camden Bank. A devoted churchman 
he was for over forty years a vestryman of Trinity church, Camden, in the prosperity 
of which he took great pride. He traveled extensively, visiting nearly every State 
in the Union, and was well informed on all matters of general interest. 

January 1, 1845, he was married to Miss Jeannette GifEord, daughter of Elihu and 
sister of H. W. Gifford, of West Camden, Oneida county, who bore him three chil- 
dren: James G., of Glen Ellen, Cal. ; William, deceased; and Charles, who died in 
infancy. She died January 27, 1884, and on September 12, 1887, he married Mrs. 
Susan (Brownell) Owens, of Utica, who survives him and resides in the Cromwell 
homestead in Camden. 



ROBERT ABLETT. 

Robert Ablett, of Whitesboro, strikingly represents the type of men in this country 
whose mental force and keen sagacity have, in the material sense, made themselves and, 
too, the leading industries of the United States. He possesses that element which rarely 
fails of success ; he has a thorough grasp of his business in every detail, every branch 
and step has been learned by careful study and experience, and these backed up by 
energy and rigid business habits. He began life a poor boy, with whatever of success 
that might come, to be carved out by his own personal efforts. Mr. Ablett was born 
February 22, 1839, in Easton, Washington county, N. Y. , but only the first five years 
of his life were spent at that place. His parents then moved to Schaghticoke, 
Rensselaer county, and a little later to Cohoes, in Albany county. The son, Robert, re- 
ceived his education in all these towns during the period of residence thereat, till he 
was sixteen years of age. Then he began on a self-supporting basis, with an ambi- 
tion that stimulated him through a long term of apprenticeship. His first service was 
in the cotton mills in Schaghticoke, where he learned the business of making cotton 




THOMAS D. PENFIELD. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 29 

fabrics. He was the third in a family of eleven children, a fact which may have had 
some influence in the matter of his ambition to thus early in life become self- 
dependent. His parents, Daniel and Mary Ablett, came from England and settled 
in Easton, as stated above. They have ever since been identified with the agricul- 
tural interests of that part of the State, and are now residing in Cohoes. Robert Ablett 
continued for several years in service in the cotton mills at Cohoes ; then he became 
connected with a large knitting mill, operated by the Troy Manufacturing Company 
of Cohoes, in which he acted as superintendent till 1881. This long experience 
made him thoroughly familiar with every detail of the business. At that time he 
went ,to Little Falls, N. Y., and formed a company under the style of Ablett, Mac- 
kinnon & Co. and started the Anchor Knitting Mills. This enterprise proved 
eminently successful through the years up to 1887, when the other members of the 
company having retired, Mr. Ablett conducted the business in Little Falls until 1889, 
when he moved the same to its present location. One hundred hands were employed 
in the making of men's, ladies' and infants' underwear. At that time the village of 
Whitesboro offered him strong inducements to move there and engage in the same 
industry. As a result of this he bought the main building which formerly comprised 
the Whitestown Seminary, and a little later removed his business from Little Falls. 
The building was a large structure, yet the growth of his business has compelled 
him to make several extensive additions thereto to keep pace with the increase. It is 
said to be now one of the most complete and best equipped mills in the State. The 
special line of goods manufactured consists of ladies', children's and infants' under- 
wear, for the making of which 250 operatives are employed. Mr. Ablett's thorough 
knowledge of the business, together with his sagacious business methods, has carried 
him through the depressed times with remarkable success. In politics Mr. Ablett is 
an ardent Republican, giving to the party his earnest influence because he believes 
in its principles. Has repeatedly been elected trustee of the village and is now serv- 
ing in that capacity. Socially, he is pleasant and courteous, enjoying the respect 
and esteem of all who come in contact with him. In 1860 Mr. Ablett married Caroline 
D. Murray, a native of England. They have had two sons and daughter, Lillie 
Adella the only one surviving. She married Charles A. Powell, of Little Falls. Mr. 
Powell is associated with Mr. Ablett in business. 



THOMAS D. PENFIELD. 

Hon. Thomas De Milt Penfield, son of Fowler and Jane (De Milt) Penfield, was 
born in the town of Camden, Oneida county, N.Y., November 22, 1813, and there are 
still visible on a hillside about two miles west of the village the ruins of a small log 
cabin which formed his birthplace. His grandfather, Jesse Penfield, of English de- 
scent, entered the Revolutionary army at the age of seventeen and distinguished 
himself by serving over seven years, participating in the battle of White Plains and 
many others; after the war he removed from Connecticut to Camden, N.Y. , where he 
lived to a good old age. Fowler Penfield, second son of Jesse, took part in the War 
of 1812, serving as waiter to Colonel Johnson at Sackett's Harbor. In 1807 he mar- 



30 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

rid Jane De Milt, a native of Cow's Neck, L. I., who came to Camden with her par- 
ents very early in this century. She was of French and Holland descent, of the 
families bearing the names of De Milt and Wormsley, who fled from the persecu- 
tions instituted against the Christians and landed on Manhattan Island in the days 
of New Amsterdam. Benjamin De Milt, a member of her family and a man of un- 
bounded liberality, donated an extensive library and a large sum of money to the 
Mechanics' Library of New York city, while his maiden sisters bequeathed much of 
their estate to benevolent institutions and a dispensary in New York bears their 
name. Fowler and Jane Penfield first settled in Oneida county on a farm two miles 
west of Camden village, the present Carleton farm on the Mexico road, where 
Thomas was reared and educated. Fowler Penfield subsequently moved to West- 
chester county. 

Thomas De Milt Penfield spent his youth upon the parental acres, where he ac- 
quired those sterling traits of character, those well-rounded habits of thrift and self- 
reliance, which have marked his long and eventful career. Before he reached his 
majority he came to Camden village to learn the trade of boot and shoemaker, which 
he followed several years. In 1837 he took up his residence in Main street on the 
site he has ever tince occupied and in 1850 he built his present dwelling. In 1854 he 
purchased of Gen. Lyman Curtis, ex sheriff of Oneida county, his interest in the 
flouring and grist mills in Camden and became a partner of F. H. Conant, who, 
two years later, sold out to Thomas Stone, a brother-in-law of Mr. Penfield. This 
firm, styled Penfield & Stone, continued business until the death of Mr. Stone in' 
1861. A few years afterward Hon. Benjamin D. Stone, a son of Thomas, became 
a partner and ever since then the firm has carried on large and successfnl milling 
operations under the name of Penfield & Stone. About 1848 he was made one of 
the superintendents for the construction of the Rome and Oswego plank road, and 
for two years after its completion had charge of that portion between Rome and 
the " Checkered House" in Williamstown. 

In politics Mr. Penfield has always been an ardent and consistent Democrat, and 
for many years was an active and influential leader in the councils of his party. He 
was elected school commissioner of Camden in 1842, served as justice of the peace 
for eight years and as justice for the Oneida General Sessions two years; and be- 
tween 1851 and 1886 represented his town eleven terms on the Board of Supervisors, 
serving one year as chairman. Although a staunch Democrat he was elected super- 
visor in a stronghold of Republicanism, and as a member of the board distinguished 
himself by invariable fairness and unswerving fidelity to his constituents. His con- 
scientious labors won for him universal approval and a wide circle of acquaintances 
and friends in both parties. In 1879, when not serving as supervisor, he was one of 
a committee of four appointed by the board to visit every town in the county and 
equalize the assessed valuation of real estate. His colleagues in this important 
labor were Harvey Head, Col. Nehemiah Pierce, and Mr. Evans, one from each of 
the four assembly districts. In 1856, 1857, 1862, and 1879 he was elected to the 
Assembly, where he served one year as chairman of the committee on villages and 
as member of such important committees as those on canals, on commerce and 
navigation, etc. 

He was a War Democrat, noted for his independence and the courage of his con- 



BiOGRAPHICAL. 31 

victions, and on one occasion was the only Democratic member of the Legislature 
who voted in favor of a resolution for amending the United States Constitution 
prohibiting slavery in the States, which resolution was enacted into a law in April 
I860, when eleven of his party colleagues voted with it. His patriotism his sense 
of justice, his conviction of duty, and his great admiration for Lincoln made him 
steadfast in upholding the Union and the war policy of the government. He served 
tour years in the Assembly, and at one time was offered the chairmanship of the 
committee on canals, but declined in favor of John Snow, of Madison county Dur- 
ing the civil war of 1861-65, Judge Doolittle, Samuel Campbell and Mr Penfield 
were appointed a committee to raise troops for the Union army, and through their 
personal efforts and at their own expense raised two regiments in Oneida county 
one of which was commanded by Colonel Jarred. Mr. Penfield was for manv years 
prominently identified with Oneida County Agricultural Society and served one 
term as its president. He was town commissioner of highways four years, president 
of the village nine terms, and chairman of the Board of Water Commissioners for 
three years. In 1882 he was elected sheriff of Oneida county and served a term of 
three years, and while acting in that capacity executed in August, 1883, at the old 
Mohawk jail m Utica, the notorious William Henry Ostrander, whose trial for the 
murder of his brother created considerable excitement throughout the country 
During the erection of the new town hall in Camden in 1894-95 he was chairman of 
the building committee. In 1873 he was nominated for Congress by the Democratic 
convention, with the assurance of election, but refused to go upon the ticket 

Mr. Penfield, from a poor, industrious boy, has lived a career of marked usefulness 
and activity and become a substantial citizen of large means and varied interest* 
He is emphatically a self-made man, endowed with rare ability, perseverance and 
energy, and now at the age of over eighty-two is well preserved in body and mind 
He was long a prominent factor in the local and county Democracy, which honored 
him with several important offices, but probably his last public acts are embodied in 
he service he rendered as chairman of the building committee of the new Camden 
town hall in which he takes great pride. He has been a member and trustee of the 
Camden M. E. church many years and was for a time chairman of the board of trus- 
tees, especially during the erection of the M. E. parsonage in 1890. Public spirited 
enterprising, and benevolent, always good natured, kind hearted, and liberal he 
has ever manifested a keen interest in religious, educational, agricultural, and busi- 
ness matters and in the prosperity of his town and village, which have always been 
his home. He was a warm personal friend of Gov. Horatio Seymour and also of 
Gov. Lucius Robinson, who spoke of him as a » man who always voted on the right 

September 6, 1837, Mr. Penfield married, first, Joanna P., daughter of the Rev. 
Eliakim Stoddard, a local Methodist preacher and father of the M. E church in Cam 
den ; he was born in Connecticut in 1779 and died here in 1860, after a long and use" 
ful ministerial life. She was born in Camden on June 6, 1811, and died in I854" 
Their children were Samuel D. 1st, born September 3, 1839, died aged two years' 
and Samuel D. 2d, born November 28, 1844, died October 15, 1877, leaving one 
daughter, Joanna Stoddard Penfield. In 1855 Mr. Penfield married, second Miss 
Lucintba Curtiss Stoddard, a cousin of his first wife and a daughter of Judge Israel 
Stoddard, of Camden. They have one son, Israel Stoddard Penfield, born Jnne 17 



32 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

JOHN B. WELLS. 

John Breed Wells, the youngest of five children — four sons and one daughter — 
of Henry and Sophia (Breed) Wells, was born in Colchester, Conn., August 24, 1816. 
His father was born in 1776 and died in 1845. His mother's death occurred in 1852. 
About 1820 the family moved to Stockbridge, Berkshire covin ty, Mass., where the 
boyhood of the subject of this memoir was passed on a farm and in attending the 
district school. His early advantages were necessarily limited, yet in the alternat- 
ing routine of farm work in summer and of study during the winter months he 
acquired not only an enduring physique, but the rudiments of a practical education, 
both of which in a measure fitted him for the subsequent duties of an active business 
life. He inherited those thrifty characteristics of native New Englanders and be- 
came imbued with an enterprising spirit, and while yet a mere youth decided upon a 
commercial career. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the firm of Owen 
& Hurlburt, extensive paper manufacturers of South Lee, Mass., and entering the 
general supply store pf this firm remained with them for seven years. Here he re- 
ceived a valuable business training and imbibed those principles which invariably 
characterize the successful man. On reaching his majority he purchased of his 
employers the stock of goods contained in this store and profitably conducted the 
business for one year. But his enterprising spirit and excellent judgment led him 
into larger fields of activity, which he was eminently fitted by nature and experience 
to fill. 

In 1839 Mr. Wells made a trip to the Western Reserve, a portion of the State of 
Ohio, where his father and older brothers had settled on a large tract of land. Not 
finding an opening in the mercantile line in that frontier region he returned to 
Utica, where his cousins, A. L. & R. H. Wells, were engaged in the dry goods busi- 
ness at No. 76 Genesee street. Mr. Wells entered their employ and remained for two 
years. In 1841 he formed a copartnership with Lewis Bailey pf Utica, under the 
firm name of Bailey & Wells, and carried on a successful dry goods trade for five 
years, the first two in Auburn, N. Y., and the remainder in Utica, where Mr. Wells 
permanently settled in 1843. In Utica their store was located at 88 Genesee street. 
In 1846, the partnership having expired, Mr. Wells started in business on his own 
account at the same location, and in 1856 moved to the store No. 56 Genesee street, 
in the Marble block, then newly built. In 1865 he removed to 79 Genesee street, 
where the original stpre was in 1871 extended back tp Franklin street te accommo- 
date his cpnstantly increasing trade. In 1879 what was knpwn as the " Bpstpn 
Stpre " adjpining pn the nprth and in 1886 the old Buckley & Co. stores on the south 
became vacant, and Mr. Wells promptly extended his business and Occupied both 
establishments, taking Nos. 77, 79, and 81 Genesee street and Nos. 11), 13, and 15 
Catharine street. In these commodious quarters the business has since been con- 
ducted, and for many years it has enjeyed a fprempst place among the largest dry 
goods concerns in Central New York. In 1865 John S. Capron became a partner 
under the firm name of J. B. Wells & Co. and in 1873 Edward L. Wells, the only 
surviving son of Mr. Wells, was admitted, the firm being since known as J. B. Wells, 
Son & Co. On May 9, 1893, the firm sustained a serious loss from fire, the interior 
of the stere being almpst ccmpletely burned put. The Ipss aggregated nearly §150,- 



BIOCRAPHICAL. 33 

000, but the firm quickly recovered and soon opened another stock more valuable 
than the one destroyed. 

Mr. Wells's business experience covered a period of more than half a century, fifty 
years being spent in Utica. He was a man of unswerving integrity, honorable, up- 
right, and conscientious, and never was a breath of suspicion aimed against him. 
He bore throughout life an untarnished reputation and a name that was universally 
respected. His unceasing kindness to his employees, his warm friendship and active 
interest in their welfare and advancement, his noble and self-sacrificing example, 
and his treasured advice and words of encouragement are enduring monuments to 
his devotion, fidelity to principle, and correct N judgment. He was emphatically a 
self-made man, his education beyond that afforded by the small district school being 
self-acquired. He attended this common school only four months of each year dur- 
ing four or five winters, yet by persistent reading and study during such leisure 
moments as he occasionally obtained from the hours of labor he stored his retentive 
mind with valuable information, and this together with critically observing people 
and events enabled him to successfully cope with men whose earl}' educational ad- 
vantages greatly exceeded his own. He owed his success to his individual efforts. 
Endowed with marvelous energy, with an almost unlimited capacity for work, with 
excellent judgment and sound common sense, and with a nature which was both 
broad and companionable, he won the utmost esteem and confidence, and displayed 
in his daily rounds a comprehensive grasp of detail and thoroughness of purpose 
which distinguished him in all the affairs of life. He was a firm friend, a safe coun- 
selor, and a generous employer. In his business dealings he was always honest, 
honorable, and just, and the confidence and respect that were accorded him are 
glowing tributes to his exemplary career. 

Mr. Wells did not confine his time and talents solely to the dry goods business, 
but devoted a large share of his attention and means to the benefit of his fellow citi- 
zens. He was prominently interested in several large corporations, either as an officer 
or as a stockholder, and brought to these the same clear judgment, energy, and 
ability that characterized the conduct of his personal affairs, He was one of the 
founders and incorporators and the largest stockholder of the Skenandoa Cotton 
Company in 1882, and served as its vice-president until 1886, when, on the death of 
A. J. Williams, he was elected president. This enterprise was started with a capital 
of $200,000 and with a mill two stories high, 275 by 100 feet, erected for the purpose. 
The equipment consisted of about 10,000 spindles and other necessary machinery for 
the manufacture of fine hosiery yarns for the use of manufacturers of knit goods. 
So successful did the venture prove that in 1888 the capital stock was increased to 
$300,000 and another two story mill, equal in size to the first, erected. In 1892 the 
capital was again increased to §600,000 and a third mill, three stories high, 350 by 
100, added, thus giving the company a plant of nearly 55,000 spindles and a product- 
ive capacity five times as large as the original. The company has paid regular divi- 
dends, and besides expending more than three-quarters of a million dollars on its 
plant has accumulated a handsome surplus, and its stock commands a high premium. 
The success and permanent usefulness of this enterprise are in a large measure due 
to the sagacity and business ability of Mr. Wells, who not only gave his best efforts to 
its development, but invested heavily of his means at a time when its future was 



34 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

anything but promising. He stood by it when others were timid and boldly advo- 
cated a progressive policy, and by his courage and persistence demonstrated 
the soundness of his principles, which he insisted should be applied to the conduct 
of the business of the company. As president he ably guided its affairs from 1886 
until his death, when the concern had secured an enormous business and a very strong 
financial condition. He was also a stockholder in the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills, the 
Utica Willowvale Bleaching Company, and the Utica Steam Cotton Mills. For ten 
years he was a director in the First National Bank. In the progress and develop- 
ment of these important institutions he labored with a zeal that was both marvelous 
and inspiring. 

But it was as a public benefactor, as a citizen who was intensely and unselfishly 
interested in the welfare of the community, that Mr. Wells won a warm place in the 
hearts and affections of not only his associates, but of all who knew him. He was 
intimately identified with various charitable and religious organizations of Utica, and 
gave to these self-sacrificing devotion and substantial support. He was a member 
of the First Presbyterian church from the time of his settlement in Utica in 1843 
until his death, and served it as an elder for thirty years and as a deacon for ten 
years. He was a liberal contributor to the Young Men's Christian Association, and 
from 1887 until his decease served as president of its board of trustees. In the con- 
struction of the handsome Y. M. C. A. building on the corner of Bleecker and Char- 
lotte streets he was particularly interested, his gifts to it surpassing those of any 
other citizen. He gave liberally to his own and to other churches, to missionary 
and educational enterprises, and for many years maintained a missionary in western 
fields. In all movements for improvement or reform, in benevolent and charitable 
work both in the city and elsewhere, he was especially generous. He contributed 
freely to asylums and hospitals, and from 1887 until his death officiated as treasurer 
of the Home for the Homeless. 

The corner-stone of his prosperity was industry, watchfulness, and honesty. His 
uncompromising integrity, prudence, sagacity, and tact won for him a brilliant rec- 
ord in all the affairs of life. He was public spirited, progressive, and conscientious, 
and above all a true gentleman. He died in Utica November 27, 1891, and from 
friends and business associates from all parts of the country came tender, touching 
letters of condolence, letters which spoke volumes for the exalted esteem and 
reverence in which the memory of Mr. Wells was held. The several institutions 
with which he had been connected also passed appropriate resolutions, expressing in 
glowing terms the appreciation of his personal qualities and business ability. Dur- 
ing the hour of his funeral many of the business houses of the city were closed. The 
obsequies were conducted by Rev. R. L. Bachman, D. D., who said: " He was not 
a man of many words, but of many and good deeds." 

Mr. Wells was married in Lyme, Conn., on October 18, 1841, to Miss Roxanna Hill 
Lee, daughter of a Presbyterian clergyman who preached for many years in the 
church on Grassy Hill in the town of Lyme, the ceremony being performed by Rev. 
Oliver Brown. She was born in Lyme, April 12, 1818, and died in LTtica January 
10, 1879. Their children were Mary Louise, John H. (who died in Utica November 
17, 1865, aged eighteen), Helen E., Edward L., and Anna S. Helen Elizabeth, the 
second daughter, was born June 21, 1850, was married at Utica on April 5, 1893, to 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 35 

Dr. Eugene Grove Carpenter, of Cleveland, Ohio, and moving with her husband to 
the latter city died there on August 25th of the same year. She had been for many 
years a member of the First Presbyterian church of Utica and a teacher in its Sun- 
day school; she had also been a teacher in the Utica Orphan Asylum Sunday school 
and for a time a member of the board of managers of the Home for Aged Men and 
Couples. Edward L. Wells was born in Utica March 1, 1852, was graduated from 
the Utica Free Academy in 1870, and in September of that year entered his father's 
dry goods establishment, with which he has ever since been connected. He is a 
director in the First National Bank, the Skenandoa Cotton Company, the Stand- 
ard Harrow Compan)', The Roberts Wicks Company, and Utica Mechanics Associa- 
tion, and is president of the Olympian Knit Goods Company, all of Utica, and the 
Yonkers North End Land Company, of New York. 



ELLIOTT S. WILLIAMS. 

Mr. Williams was born at Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y., July 5, 1845. His father, 
Othniel S. Williams, moved to Clinton in 1814. His mother is Delia Avery, daughter 
of Dr. Charles Avery, for many years a professor in Hamilton College. The line has 
been traced to Sir William de Aliot, who entered England with William the Con- 
queror in 1066. Mr. Williams prepared for college at Dwight's Rural High School in 
Clinton. He entered Hamilton College when eighteen yearsof age underthepresidency 
of Dr. Fisher and was graduated in the class of 1867. At the close of his college term 
he entered the law office of his father, Othniel S. Williams, and graduated from the 
Hamilton College Law School under Dr. Ellicott Evans in January, 1868. In 1870 he 
was elected supervisor of the town of Kirkland which office he held for three years. In 
1880 he was appointed assistant treasurer of Hamilton College under the late Publius V. 
Rogers, of Utica, and held the position for a number of years, and until Dr. Thomas 
B. Hudson was chosen treasurer of the college. He has held the office of trustee of 
the village of Clinton a number of times and for a number of years was chosen 
president of the village board. He succeeded his father as a director in the Utica, 
Clinton and Binghamton, and the Rome and Clinton Railroads, and held the office 
of secretary of the Clinton Cemetery Association for ten years and upward, of 
which organization he is at present a trustee. Mr. Williams has also acted as one of 
the water commissioners for the village of Clinton for a number of years. Mr. Will- 
iams was early elected a member of the Board of Education of his native town, and 
has always taken a deep interest in the work of that body, which has resulted in a 
thorough and complete free school system for Clinton, with one of the most con- 
venient and finest school buildings in the State, a result for which the people of 
Clinton may be and are justly proud. In February of the present year Mr. Williams 
was chosen president of the Board of Education to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Charles M. Everett, esq. In March, 1896, he was elected to the office of 
justice of the peace for the town of Kirkland, and is also at the present time police 
justice for the town of Clinton. 

Mr. Williams had charge and care of the work attending the celebration of the 



36 OtJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

centennial exercises of the village of Clinton in July, 1887, when President Cleve- 
land visited Clinton, the success of which celebration is still fresh in the minds of 
the people of Oneida county. He has always resided in Clinton and since leaving 
college has devoted his time to the practice of law and to the insurance business. 
He has always taken great interest in the village of Clinton, constantly speaking in 
its favor, extolling its beauties and advantages and healthfulness as a place of resi- 
dence and the great inducements held out by it as a centre of education. 



J. ARTHUR SMITH, V. S. 

J. Arthur Smith, V. S. , was born and reared in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida 
county. He now owns and occupies the homestead of both his father and grand- 
father. They came to the town in 1842 and purchased the farm lying southwest of 
Rome in the most fertile and attractive part of the county. They came from Chester, 
England, and were from the most intelligent and thrifty stock of that country. James 
Smith, father of the subject of this sketch and portrait herewith, was also a veteri- 
nai-y surgeon before coming to this country, having attained an advanced standing 
in the profession, being a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 
of London. He continued in the practice during his life in Westmoreland and 
was counted one of the most successful in Oneida county. He was well known 
throughout a wide region of territory. Besides this he was among the foremost 
farmers of the State. He was industrious, prudent and prosperous, and moreover 
an upright, respected citizen. His ideas of thrift in farming, which had been a part 
of his education in England, were applied in the same line here, with the result that 
he made and developed one of the finest and most valuable farm properties to be 
found among the many attractive farm realties in the town. He was also an exten- 
sive dealer in horses, and invested considerable mone}' in the business. He married 
Mary Ann Gypson, of Westmoreland, by whom he had three sons, WiUardR., Charles 
G., and James Arthur. Willard R. is a resident of Buffalo, N. Y. , and Charles G. 
is in business in Chicago. Dr. James Smith, the father, died in 1891 ; Mrs. Smith, 
his wife, is still living. 

Dr. J. Arthur Smith was born on this homestead Mry 11, 1861, where he has spent 
the greater part of his life. He received the rudiments of his education at the district 
school in Westmoreland and afterwards took a course at the old Whitestown Semi- 
nary. Subsequently he attended the New York Veterinary College with the view to 
continuing the profession in which both his father and grandfather had achieved 
success. He has therefore grown up in the practice, and this long experience and 
thorough knowledgeof the science has given him the foundation for his unusual suc- 
cess. But in addition to this he carries on the farm with quite as much or more 
ability as those who devote themselves to that one industry. 

Dr. Smith is an earnest Republican in politics and always takes a deep interest in 
the party's behalf. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 37 

TIMOTHY JENKINS.. 

The Hon. Timothy Jenkins was a native of New England, a descendant from the 
hardy, conscientious, devout first settlers of that seminal part of our country. He 
was born January 29, 1799, in the town of Barre, State of Massachusetts, of parents 
whose genealogy showed them to be allied to the early Puritans of Plymouth. They 
were farmers, and intended for their son no other occupation in life. It was their 
wish that he and his only brother should own and till the same farm which 
had been bequeathed them by their father. Ere he had attained his sixteenth year 
his father had been removed by death. From that day he was left to maintain him- 
self, mark out and pursue his own plan of life. He soon determined to seek a higher 
intellectual culture, to penetrate some of the regions of science and learning of which 
he had, in his elementary studies, caught some glimpses. At the age of eighteen 
Mr. Jenkins removed to Washington county, this State; there he resided two years, 
attending the academies at Salem and White Creek. During that time he devoted 
himself assiduously to the attainment of classical and scientific learning. He then 
entered upon and pursued for three years the honorable employment of school- 
teacher, in the prosecution of which he was continually extending and perfecting his 
acquaintance with several sciences and classical literature. At that time he com- 
menced the study of law, the practice of which he had determined should be the 
profession of his life. Afterwards, having prosecuted his legal studies the required 
term under two distinguished lawyers in Utica, Mr. Jenkins was admitted to the bai- 
rn 1825. Soon after he opened an office in the adjoining village of Vernon, and m 
1832 he removed and settled himself at Oneida Castle, where he continued to live 
till his death. 

From that time until his death, which occurred December 24, 1859, he was con- 
stantly engaged in an ever-increasing legal business, extending into adjacent counties, 
and often into more distant parts of the State. 

In 1840 Mr. Jenkins was appointed the prosecuting attorney of Oneida county, and 
he held that responsible office five years. During his term of service the criminal 
business of the county was unusually large, but his onerous duties were discharged 
with signal ability, and to the entire satisfaction of his legal brethren and of the 
people generally. 

For ten years, under the appointing power of the State, Mr. Jenkins held the office 
of attorney to the Oneida Indians, and to this remnant of a once noble tribe of the 
aboriginals of our country he faithfully extended the benefits of his talents and in- 
fluence. In 1844 he was elected a representative to the Congress of the United 
States; also in 1846, and again in 1850. During those six years in that exalted but 
often desecrated station, Mr. Jenkins served his constituents, his State, the republic, 
and the cause of humanity with a fidelity to principle and independence of party 
that gained for him universal respect, and made him a still greater favorite of the 
people. He is believed to have been one of those who devised the ' ' Wilmot Proviso. " 
If he did not originate the measure he was early in the counsels of those who did. 
He supported it with great earnestness, although he knew it was displeasing to many 
of his own party. Mr. Jenkins was from early life a Democrat in his political belief ; 
he nevertheless opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which repealed the Mis- 



38 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

souri Compromise. In 1856 he joined the Fremont movement, and ever after acted 
with the Republicans. Mr. Jenkins was delegate-at-large to the convention which 
met in Philadelphia in 1856 to form the Republican party. 

Mr. Jenkins was a man positive in intellect, disposition, and in heart. He com- 
menced life under disadvantageous circumstances, but there was no man who en- 
joyed more entirely the confidence and respect of the whole community. He was 
highly distinguished for his learning and industry in his profession', his great per- 
sonal resolution and perseverance, and he maintained aposition in the very first rank 
at the bar. Although not an orator as that term is generally understood, his speeches 
were always sound, logical and to the point, and in the preparation of his causes he 
had no superior. In his religious convictions he was earnest and decided, and took 
a prominent part in the formation of a Unitarian society in Vernon and the erection 
of an edifice. To those who knew him slightly he appeared cold and distant, but a 
better acquaintance showed him genial and communicative, with a heart brimful of 
love and kindness to all. 

In 1822 Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage with Miss Florilla Tuttle, of Vernon, 
which marriage was terminated by the death of the wife about a year afterwards. 
In 18 .'9 Mr. Jenkins married Miss Harriet Tuttle, a sister of his deceased wife, who 
still survives him. She was a sharer of his earlier struggles and a partaker of his 
later successes. By his second marriage he had four children; Charles M., also a 
lawyer, who died aged twenty-six; Hiram T., also a lawyer, who died in 1868, aged 
thirty-five; he was also district attorney of Oneida county for three terms; Florilla. 
Mrs. W. J. Hickox, and one, Albert, who died in infancy. 



JOHN WELLINGTON BOYLE. 

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, August 6, 185-1, John Wellington Boyle was brought 
by his parents to this country in his infancy, and nearly his entire life has been 
passed in Utica and vicinity. He is the youngest child of John and Elizabeth (Sharpe) 
Boyle. The father had been thoroughly trained in the cotton industry, and on 
reaching America found employment at New York Mills, where the family settled, 
and where the mother, a woman of great strength of character and rare personal 
attainments, died in 1868. 

During his childhood the boy attended the public schools of the village, but at the 
close of the civil war when labor was in demand and wages high, he obtained a posi- 
tion in the cotton mills, and while accumulating the means for further education, 
acquired also that habit of persistent effort and industry which has been so potent a 
factor in his subsequent success. As soon as his means warranted he entered Whites- 
town Seminary, and was fortunate in being enrolled as a pupil of that institution 
during the most flourishing period in its history. He then commenced the study of 
the law in the office of Doolittle & Swan, in Utica, and subsequently entered the 
Albany Law School, pursuing his studies in term time and working through the vaca- 
tions until 1872, when he graduated. On attaining his majority he was admitted to 
the bar and returned to Utica to enter upon the practice of his profession. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 39 

For the first three years he was associated with the firm of Waterman & Hunt, but 
since 1875 he has practiced alone, making a specialty of corporation and commercial 
law, and counting among his clients numerous corporations and some of the oldest 
and most reliable firms in the State. ' He has also been connected as attorney or 
counselor with many well-known cases, notably the Woodford litigations, growing 
out of the burning of the village of Canastota, which remained in the courts thirteen 
years, and proved one of the most stubbornly fought legal battles in the history of 
Central New York. It drew into its several trials some of the best forensic talent in 
the State. As attorney for the plaintiff Mr. Boyle eventually won every point in- 
volved and secured verdicts aggregating about twenty- seven thousand dollars. 

It is in railroad litigation and affairs, however, that he has been especially promi- 
nent and successful. In 1886 the street railways of (Jtica, formerly operated by the 
Clinton and Binghamton Company as horse railroads changed hands, and Mr. Boyle 
became connected with the management as attorney for the new company. After 
securing valuable franchises, extending the old lines and constructing new ones 
throughout the city, the controlling interest in the Utica Belt Line Street Railroad 
Company was, in 1889, sold to a New York syndicate, one of the conditions of the 
sale being the immediate equipment of the property with electricity. 

Mr. Boyle, as vice- president and general counsel under the new management, still 
continued to represent the local minority interest. Early in 1890 the change of motive 
power in all its details was completed; but this was accomplished only after many 
serious obstacles and innumerable injunction cases had been successfully met and 
defeated, in all of which Mr. Boyle bore an active and prominent part, displaying 
tact, skill, excellent judgment and large executive ability. But the road under the 
control of non-resident owners had become financially involved, and in January, 1892, 
its embarrassments culminated in the appointment of a receiver. 

At this juncture Mr. Boyle again came to the front. With the interests of the road 
itself at heart, as well as those of the Utica stockholders whom he represented, he 
most skillfully piloted the property through its many legal complications and financial 
difficulties, and in August, 1894, successfully effected a favorable and satisfactory re- 
organization. His services now met with their merited reward in his election to the 
presidency of the reorganized company, and by his appointment as trustee of the 
entire property for a term of years, which positions he still holds, and whose duties 
he discharges with pre-eminent success. It is due to his tireless energy and un- 
swerving faith in the future possibilities of Utica and the Belt Line property, that 
the city possesses to-day an electric railway system second to none in the State. 

In politics Mr. Boyle has always been a Republican, and while devoting but little 
time to the subject, he is nevertheless regarded a shrewd adviser in political affairs. 
An excellent judge of human nature he quickly knows men and with almost unerring 
accuracy discovers their actuating motives. For a modern politician, however, he 
perhaps possesses too much boldness, individuality and independence of character. 
Mr. Boyle is prominent in Masonic circles, having been for three consecutive terms 
elected Eminent Commander of Utica Commandery No. 3, K, T., and for seven years 
prior to December, 1895, was Illustrious Potentate of Ziyara Temple, Nobles of the 
Mystic Shrine, and declined a re-election, to that position on account of pressing 
business duties. By special act of the Legislature of 1894, New York, he was made 



40 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

one of the incorporators and a trustee of the Imperial Council, Nobles of the M. S. , 
for North America. He is also a member of its committee on jurisprudence and law. 
Mr. Boyle was married in February, 1879, to Miss Harriet E. Combs, daughter of 
Lucius and Sarah (Holmes) Combs, of Whitesboro. 



THEODORE S. FAXTON. 

The ancestor of the Faxon family in America was Thomas Faxon, a native of 
England, who came to Massachusetts with his wife and three children before the 
year 1647. He was a man of means, and represented Braintree in the General 
Assembly in 1669. From him descended (1) Richard, (2) Josiah, (3) Thomas, (4) 
Thomas, and (5) Thomas. Thomas Faxon (4), son of Thomas and Ruth (Webb) 
Faxon, was born in Braintree, Mass., February 19, 1724, and died in Deerfield, 
Mass., in June, 1792. He married Joanna Allen, daughter of Abijah and Joanna 
(Bolter) Allen and a descendant of Samuel Allen, the immigrant. He was a private 
in Capt. Joseph Stebbins's company of Col. David Wells's regiment in 1777, and also 
in a body of six months men from Deerfield, Mass., in 1780. His son Thomas (5) 
was born in Braintree. Mass., February 19, 1755, settled as a farmer and shoemaker 
in Conway, Mass., and moved thence about 1802 to Whitestown, Oneida county, 
whence he removed about 1822 to York, Livingston county, N. Y., where he died 
January 3, 1827. He was married, first, to Rachel, daughter of Isaac and Rachel 
(Sheldon) Davis, of Somers, Conn. She was born April 15, 1756, and died in Con- 
way, Mass., in January, 1794. Their children were Fanny (Mrs. Justus Sackett), 
Alpheus, Rachel (Mrs. Ira Cook), Abigail (Mrs. John Parsons), Mary (Mrs. Willard 
C. Conkey), Isaac Davis, and Theodore Saxton. Mr. Faxon married second, Debo- 
rah, daughter of Prince and Jane (Delano) Toby, of New Bedford, Mass. They 
had eight children, of whom Thomas J., Emily, Ezra T., Josiah G., and an infant 
daughter, deceased, were born in Whitestown. 

Theodore Saxton Faxton ' was born in Conway, Mass., January 10, 1794, and was 
the youngest of seven children of Thomas and Rachel (Davis) Faxon. His early 
educational advantages were limited to the common schools of the period, supple- 
mented by six months at Clinton soon after taking up his residence in Utica in 1812. 
In 1813 he became a driver on the stage, and for four years, except the previously 
mentioned six months, held the reins of a four-in-hand every day. After 1817 he 
mounted the box only occasionally, yet such was his acknowledged skill as a reins- 
man that on occasions of ceremony, or when something extraordinary was required, 
he was invariably selected to do honor to the service. When Lafayette visited Utica 
in 1825 Mr. Faxton secured six dashing gray horses, harnessed them with silver- 
plated harness, borrowed the old Van Rensselaer carriage, and drove to Whitesboro, 
where the distinguished guest was to be received. After General Lafayette had left 
the boat and entered the carriage Mr. Faxton felt, as he expressed it, grander than 

1 According to a History o£ the Faxon family Theodore S. Faxton was the first to insert the 
" t " in his name; he adhered to this style of orthography in writing his name throughout life. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 41 

Napoleon. After the year 1817 he had charge for a considerable period of a portion 
of the stage business of Jason Parker and a little later was offered an interest in the 
concern on the condition that he should pay for his share as fast as the profits would 
permit. In 1822 he became a partner, together with Silas D. Childs, in the firm of 
Jason Parker & Co. Notwithstanding the competition of the new Erie Canal the 
stage business through Central New York continued very large for a number of 
years, and at the death of Mr. Parker in 1828 there were eight daily lines running 
through Utica east and west and four lines north and south. The firm successfully 
managed this vast and intricate business for ten years after the death of the senior 
member, and Messrs. Faxton and Childs continued in partnership some time longer. 
Together they erected the Exchange building on the site of the old Canal Coffee 
House, and collected the rents of this, the Eagle Tavern, and other real estate which 
they held in common. Mr. Faxton also joined with John Butterfield, Hiram Green- 
man, and others in running a line of packet boats on the Erie Canal, and in connec- 
tion with Alfred Munson and associates he organized the first American line of 
steamers on the River St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, and for several yea.rs was 
one of the managing directors. He was one of the originators of the Utica and 
Black River Railroad, paid a larger subscription than any other man, and for a long 
time served most efficiently as president of the company. 

Mr. Faxton always took a just pride in developing the village and city of Utica, 
and through various enterprises contributed largely to its material prosperity. He 
gave the first 8100 to found the Utica Mechanics Association and held the office of 
president several terms. With Willett H. Shearman and Anson Dart he was one of 
the commissioners who completed the erection of the Utica State Hospital (then the 
State Lunatic Asylum) in 1843, and in 1852 was chairman of the building committee 
of the First Presbytarian church. He was also one of the originators of the Utica 
Water Works Company, the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, and the Second National 
Bank, and served the last two named corporations as president ; and was interested in 
the Globe Woolen Mills, of which he was president from April, 1856, until his death. 
In 1845. he became a conspicuous factor in developing and adapting to wider use the 
then greatest invention of the century, the telegraph, and in this respect he will forever 
merit particular credit. From the very first he was attracted to the possibilities of the 
wonderful invention, and soon after the success of the first line from Baltimore to Wash- 
ington he visited the latter city for the purpose of personally investigating for him- 
self and the few others who shared his confidence. He had learned from experience 
in his Telegraph-line of stages— a line fitted out by his company to carry a small 
number of passengers at the greatest possible speed, and which had been so popular 
that every seat was spoken for days in advance of departure — that men loved speed 
and would encourage and patronize the fastest stages, the fastest boats, and the 
fastest means of transmitting intelligence. While absent he secured the right to 
establish a telegraph line between New York and Buffalo, the owners of the patent 
to have one-half of the. stock of the company when the line was complete. On his 
return to Utica he united with John Butterfield, Hiram Greenman, Mr. Livingston, 
Mr. Wells, and others, and formed a company with a capital of 8200,000, and with 
himself as president and superintendent, in which capacity he continued to act for 
seven years. The company strung the first wire between New York and Buffalo ■ it 



42 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was of copper and cost about $60 per mile. His attention was called to the wire 
fence which had been in use on Colonel Walker's grounds for twenty-five years, and 
he concluded that if iron was good for fences for such a length of time it would also 
do for telegraphing purposes. The copper wire was taken down and sold for enough 
to put up the two iron wires, which cost only 818 per mile. Mr. Faxton labored 
hard against much opposition to make the enterprise a success, which it proved to be. 

He never took a very active part in politics, but was frequently called to positions 
of honor and trust. He was a trustee of the village of Utica in 1831, and served as 
alderman of the city in 1836 and as mayor in 1864. In' 1848 he was a delegate to the 
Whig National Convention which nominated Zachary Taylor for president. In 1842 
he became sheriff of Oneida county, but held the office only a few weeks when he 
was displaced by the governor purely for political reasons. His enterprise, public 
spirit, and generous benefactions not only built up stage, packet, steamboat, railroad, 
and telegraph lines, banks, manufactories,. etc. , which have added wealth and pros- 
perity to Utica, but established other monuments which perpetuate his name and 
honor his memory. These are the Old Ladies' Home on Faxton street, Faxton Hos- 
pital, and Faxton Hall at the junction of Varick and Court streets for the education 
of the children of factory operatives by day and night. He was the founder of each 
of these; and also of Faxton Lodge, No. 697, F. & A. M. He was a man of strict in- 
tegrity, of marked sociability, and of great kindness of heart, and was possessed of 
unusual business and executive ability. 

Mr. Faxton was married on August 21, 1828, to Irene Miller Alverson, daughter of 
William and Chloe (Starr) Alverson. She was born in Utica June 14, 1802, and died 
April 29, 1868. Mr. Faxton' s death occurred November 30, 1881. 



ALBERT M. DICKINSON. 

Albert Morton Dickinson, was born January 10, 1861, in the county of Hastings, 
Ontario, Canada. His parents were Americans, his father. John A. Dickinson, be- 
ing a native of Utica, N. Y., and his mother Lima B. (Reynolds) Dickinson, having 
been born in Michigan. Albert M. Dickinson was educated at the Newburgh Acad- 
emy at Newburgh, Ont, and learned the printer's trade at an early age. From 1878 
to 1881 he taught school with much success on the Bay of Quinte and at Switzerville, 
Ont. In May, 1881, Mr. Dickinson married Joanna N. Dickson, of the Bay of Quinte 
district, and they have three children. In November of that year he removed to 
Utica, N. Y. , where for a few months he was employed on the Utica Herald. In 
March, 1882, he left the "Herald" and became one of the founders of the -'Press," 
doing local work for that paper. In the fall of the same year Mr. Dickinson ac- 
cepted a position on the staff of the Saturday Globe, then in its infancy, where he 
has remained ever since, working his way up round by round until in 1888 he became 
its managing editor. 

Mr. Dickinson is a true knight of the pencil, is ever ready to trail a cyclone, to in- 
vestigate the ravages of flood or fire, and mingle with bandit men in searching out 
material for " specials" to his paper. His style of writing is graphic, and his port- 




B. P. ALLEN, M. D. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 43 

rayal of scenes and incidents excites the interest of his readers and holds their at- 
tention. Mr. Dickinson was one of the two newspaper men from Central New York 
who visited the scene of the Johnstown flood immediately after the disaster. He 
was present at the capture, trial, and execution of Frank Almy, the infamous New 
Hampshire bandit and murderer. He has tested the mystic powers of negro 
voodooism in the south and spent several weeks among the White Caps of Kentucky 
and Indiana during the reign of terror in those States. And on those and other 
topics of note he has given to the constituents of the " Globe " from time to time 
the benefit of his rare experiences. Mr. Dickinson is an Odd Fellow and a member 
of the Utica Typographical Union. 



BION PEMBERTON ALLEN, M. D. 

Dr. Bion Pemeerton Allen, of Oriskany, is one of the young physicians of Oneida 
county, who, by his thorough knowledge and conscientious methods, backed up by 
a large amount of native ability, has already taken an advanced place in the profes- 
sion. He is abreast of the times in all the latest ideas and developments in the 
science of medicine, and brings to its aid a careful well trained mind. All these 
qualifications have contributed to the marked success which he has achieved. 

Dr. Allen was born at Oriskany Falls, Oneida county, December 32, 1866. He 
was born and raised to manhood on his father's farm, and there imbibed the princi- 
ples of industry and energy, which are as essential to a successful physician as to any 
other calling. He is a son of Emmet J. Allen, who has all his life been actively 
identified with the agricultural industry of the county. He too is a native of Oris- 
kany Falls, being a soil of James H. Allen, an old and prominent citizen of the 
county. The ancestry originally came from English stock and were among the early 
settlers in New England. Emmet J. Allen married Florence E. Holmes, daughter 
of Leonard and Betsey (Parlin) Holmes, of Oriskany Falls. They have five sons and 
three daughters, Dr. Allen being the second in order of birth. He was educated at 
the public school in Oriskany Falls and Fairfield Seminary. At eighteen he began 
teaching, his first experience being in a district school in the town; then for one year 
he taught in the Union graded school in Oriskany Falls, and the following year was 
principal of the Westmoreland village school, By this time he had concluded to 
adopt the medical profession as his life work, and with that end in view entered the 
medical department of the University of Vermont, remaining there through one 
term. The opportunity for a more thorough education seeming to be better at the 
University of Pennsylvania, therefore he shifted to that institution in the fall of 1890, 
and spent three years there, graduating in 1893. After passing the New York State 
medical examination in June of that year he, in July following, went to Oriskany 
and entered into partnership with Dr. George R. Taylor, the leading physician of 
that place. This partnership continued until November, 1894, when Dr. Taylor re- 
tired from the partnership and moved to Clinton, N. Y. This left Dr. Allen the only 
resident physician in the village, thus placing upon him a responsibility which many 
physicians of much longer experience would hesitate to assume. But his success has 



44 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

been achieved in this field which demanded skill and ability; and this has made him 
popular and esteemed by all who have come to know him. He is always courteous 
and obliging, with a kindness of heart so necessary to a true family doctor. Dr. 
Allen is an active member of the Oneida County Medical Society, and also the Medi- 
cal Library Association. His portrait presented herein indicates a keen, earnest 
mind that will give to his clientage the benefit of good judgment and honest service. 



THOMAS S. JONES. 

Thomas S. Jones, one of the leading trial lawyers of the city of Utica, is a son 
of Samuel T. Jones, a well-known farmer and landscape gardener, and was born in 
Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y. , August 23, 1840. He was educated in the public 
schools of his native village, at Whitestown Seminary, and at Fairfield Academy. 
At a comparatively early age he decided upon the law as a profession, for which he 
was well qualified by nature. He read law in the office of George W. Smith and 
later with H. R. Hadley, both of Boonville, and was graduated from the Albany 
Law School in 1862, being admitted to the bar of New York in the same year. Im- 
mediately after his graduation he commenced active practice in Forestport, Oneida 
county, but a few months afterward returned to Boonville, where he formed a co- 
partnership with Hon. Walter Ballou under the firm name of Jones & Ballou. This 
partnership was dissolved in 1872 and Mr. Jones became a partner of Hon. Henry 
W. Bentley, who was afterward elected to Congress and also surrogate of Oneida 
county. In January, 1887, Mr. Jones removed to Utica and associated himself in 
practice with William Townsend, under the firm name of Jones & Townsend, and 
on January 1, 1896, Joseph Rudd, jr., was admitted under the style of Jones, 
Townsend & Rudd. 

Mr. Jones has been for many years an ardent and active Democrat, and has fre- 
quently been the standard bearer of his party. He represented his district on the 
Democratic State Committee during the years 1881, 1882, and 1883. He was twice 
elected district attorney of the strong Republican county of Oneida, first in the fall 
of 1886 by a majority of 73 and again in November, 1889, by the handsome ma- 
jority of 2,200. He won the reputation of being a vigorous prosecuting officer and 
was conspicuous in a number of noted trials. During his two terms as district at- 
torney he secured the conviction of two persons indicted for murder in the first de- 
gree, and both were executed. He also prosecuted and convicted the noted train 
robber, Chael Roark, who attacked and shot Express Messenger Leak on the West 
Shore Railroad. Roark received the maximum sentence for robbery in the first de- 
gree, which was twenty years. During this period Mr. Jones was also retained by 
the American Express Company to assist the district attorneys of Wayne and Her- 
kimer counties in prosecuting another notorious train robber, Oliver Curtis Perry. 
In all these capacities as well as in the capacity of a lawyer Mr. Jones has demon- 
strated rare ability and a thorough knowledge of the law, and in every case his 
duties have been discharged with great credit and satisfaction. At present his time 
is devoted principally to the trial of cases and especially to the practice of fire in- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 45 

surance law. He is one of the recognized leaders of the Oneida county bar, and 
locally takes a keen interest in all public affairs. He is an Odd Fellow and a Royal 
Arch Mason. 

October 7, 1874, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Mary Clarke, daughter of Fred- 
erick T. and Mary (Taylor) Clarke, of Boonville. She died April 11, 1895, leaving 
one son, Thomas S. Jones, jr., born November 6, 1882. 



HENRY HAGEDORN. 

Henry Hagedorn, of Prospect, Oneida county, was born November 15, 1838, in 
Hamilton county, N. Y. His home was in Morehouseville, where he spent most of 
his life up to 1878. The district school at Morehouseville supplied the foundation 
for his education, and a subsequent course at the Prospect Academy completed his 
schopl life. At the age of twenty-two he decided to learn the carpenter's trade, for 
at that time the building and progress of the northern part of New York was active. 
Mr. Hagedorn became one of the leading contractors and builders in that section, 
a business which proved both profitable to himself and satisfactory to those with 
whom he did business. 

In 1863 Mr. Hagedorn regarded New York city as a more advantageous point in 
which to carry on his line of work, so he removed to that city and entered into build- 
ing and pattern making on a large scale. This continued profitably for three years, 
when he sold out and returned to Morehouseville. He then remained in the latter 
place till 1879, when a change in business affairs took him to Prospect, where he has 
since resided. At that time he bought the Watkins grist mill property and at once 
assumed active control of the plant. Although a new experience Mr. Hagedorn 
readily adapted himself to the new conditions and requirements which resulted in 
his building up one of the best mill properties in the northern part of Oneida county. 
The mill in 1886 was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Hagedorn at once replaced it with a 
complete Munson Bros.' milling outfit, so that it is now one of the leading mills of the 
county. Besides this Mr. Hagedorn owns the Bagg Hotel at Prospect, which is well 
suited for a haven for those seeking a summer outing. 

Mr. Hagedorn is a Democrat, and has been an earnest, consistent supporter of the 
party's principles. For several years he represented his town in the Board of Super- 
visors, and for many years was a prominent member of the County Committee, be- 
sides the many delegations of which he formed an important part. Mr. Hagedorn 
has, however, retired practically from political work, choosing lather to devote his 
whole energies to his growing, prosperous business. He does step aside, though, 
in the interests of the Red Men, for to that organization he is a devoted member, 
always zealous in aiding its advancement. 

Mr. Hagedorn's father was also Henry Hagedorn, who came from Germany and 
settled in Morehouseville in 1837, being one of the early farmers there. He died in 
1868. His wife was Margaret A. Mesloh, a native of the kingdom of Hanover, Ger- 
many. She died in 1890. Henry Hagedorn, subject of this sketch, was one of three 
children born to them, Andrew and Helen being the others. Andrew died at More- 
houseville in 1891. Helen married Thomas Williams, of Grey, N. Y. 



46 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Hagedorn married, in 1877, Amelia Col well, of Ohio, Herkimer county. They 
have one daughter, Catherine, who is living at home. 



SAMUEL J. BARROWS. 

The first American ancestor of the subject of this sketch was John Barrus, who 
came with his wife Anna from Yarmouth, England, in 1637, and settled in Salem, 
Mass. His and several succeeding generations rendered the name Barrus, but like 
many other family names has become Americanized into Barrows, which has pre- 
vailed for the last hundred years. John Barrus, by his second wife, Deborah, had 
three children : Joshua, Beniger, and Ebenezer, and died in Plymouth, Mass. , in 
1692. Ebenezer Barrus married Elizabeth Lyon, settled in Attleboro, Mass., and was 
the father of Abraham, who was born there February 11, 1714. Abraham Barrus 
removed to Cumberland, R. I., where all his children, nine in number, were born. 
In 1765 he moved to Richmond, Cheshire County, N. H. His son, Jeremiah Barrus, 
was born in Cumberland, R. I., October 17, 1756, married Prudence Shafter on De- 
cember 4, 1783, lived mainly in Richmond, N. H., had nine children, and fought in 
the ranks of the Continental army at the battles of Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton, 
and Bennington. He was the last of the Revolutionary soldiers who died in the 
town of Richmond, his death occurring October 25, 1850, at the age of ninety-four. 
He was a member of Capt. Oliver Capron's militia company from Richmond, N. H., 
which joined Col. Ephriam Doolittle's regiment, being commissioned at Cambridge 
June 12, 1775. The roll of this company appears in the return there of October 6, 
1775, when stationed at Winter Hill in Cambridge, and may be found in the Adju- 
tant-General's office in Boston, and is probably the only record of the company now 
extant. The company, soon after this return was made, returned to their homes, 
with the exception of some who enlisted in the Continental army, among whom was 
Jeremiah Barrus. Mellen Barrows, son of Jeremiah and father of Samuel J., was 
born in Warwick, Franklin county, Mass., February 29, 1786, but spent his early life 
with the family in Richmond, N. H. He served in the war of 1812, being stationed 
at Portsmouth, N. H., and drew a pension for many years before his death, as did 
also his father for services in the Revolution. August 12 1810, he married Lucy, 
daughter of Ichabod and Chloe (Kempton) Whipple, jr., of Richmond, whose great- 
grandfather, Nathaniel Whipple, came there from Cumberland, R. I., in 1767. 
About 1815, after the last war with Great Britian had closed, Mellen Barrows moved 
with his family to McDonough, Chenango county, N. Y., where he died October 31, 
1877, and where his wife's death occurred about 1875. He was a farmer, a staunch 
Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, a man of decided character, and liberally en- 
dowed with the ennobling qualities of native New Englanders. His wife was an 
exemplary Christian woman, and both were highly respected in the community 
where they spent most of their active lives. 

Hon. Samuel Jones Barrows, son of Mellen and Lucy (Whipple) Barrows, was born 
in the town of McDonough, Chenango county, and spent his boyhood on the parental 
farm, helping his father and brothers in all kinds of work pertaining to farming un- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 47 

til he reached his majority. He was the youngest of five sons and represents the 
sixth generation of his family. His education was obtained at odd intervals in the 
district and select schools of his native town, and the knowledge thus acquired was 
supplemented by a few months in the Academy at Norwich, N. Y. When twenty- 
one he taught a district school in an adjoining town for a short time, and in 1848 
came to Utica to read law in the office of the late Hon. Joshua A. Spencer and Hon. 
Francis Kernan. He had decided upon entering the legal profession at a very early 
age, but the determination formed when a mere lad was carried out by him only 
after the utmost self-sacrifice and constant effort. His father being in moderate cir- 
cumstances he was obliged to practice economy and rely solely upon his own re- 
sources. He was admitted to the bar at the Utica General Term in 1851 and after- 
wards acted as managing clerk in the office of the late Judge Ward Hunt for one 
year. In 1852 he entered actively upon the practice of his profession in Utica, where 
he has ever since resided, and where he has attained the reputation of being one of 
the ablest lawyers in the county. As attorney and counsellor he has been uni- 
formly successful, and probably no practitioner has lost a smaller number of cases, a 
fact which well illustrates his long professional career. 

Mr. Barrows was elected city attorney for the city of Utica in 1853 and held that 
office for one term. He also served as attorney and counsel for the board of excise 
of the county of Oneida from 1857 to 1870, when the law was changed from county 
to town and city boards. He held the office of corporation counsel for the city of 
Utica for five consecutive terms, from March, 1879, till March, 1884, being first ap- 
pointed by a Republican and afterward by a Democratic council, and it is to his 
credit and ability as a lawyer that the city, while he was its counsel, never paid any 
damages or costs in any action which he defended. Mayor James Miller, in his 
valedictory on retiring from office in March, 1882, said: "It is sufficient in reference 
to the corporation counsel to state that the city has not lost a suit which he has con- 
ducted. The amount expended for costs and fees during the three terms he has held 
the position was §176.17. Duringthe preceeding three years it was $4,250.72. These 
figures require no comment." The costs and expenses of ruuning the office during 
the five terms of Mr. Barrows's incumbency amounted to about $256. After the ex- 
piration of his term of office the Sunday Tribune said: "It is an undisputed fact 
that he was the most successful corporation council that the city has ever had." In 
1889 he was elected mayor of the city of Utica on the Democratic ticket and held 
that office one term. During that term many noteworthy public improvements were 
made or inaugurated. Asphalt pavements costing over §150,000 were laid, iron pipe 
was laid under the Erie canal in West Uticaat an expense of about §8,500, the Third and 
Seventh wards sewer outlet in West Utica was constructed at a cost of about $50,000, 
the motive power of the Utica Belt Line Street railway was changed from horse to 
electricity, and the abandoned Chenango canal lands were sold for §23,236, leaving 
about $6,000 above expenses with which to deepen Nail creek, build some bridges 
and replenish the city. fund. The total amount of public improvements during his 
term as mayor was about §270,000, and in all of these Mr. Barrows labored unstint- 
ingly for the best interests of the city and its future welfare. He manifested a pro- 
gressive spirit, a thorough knowledge of municipal affairs, and an honest desire to 
give an able, economical, and business administration. That his efforts haveproven 



48 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

successful are evident, for time has demonstrated the soundness of his advice and 
the efficacy of his achievements. 

All these offices came to Mr. Barrows unsought, and after serving for the periods 
mentioned, he declined re-election or appointment. He retired from official life to 
devote his entire attention to the general practice of the law and resume those 
professional duties which had been temporarily interrupted. He .was elected a 
member of the Oneida Historical Society April 25, 1887. He has been twice mar- 
ried, his present wife being Mrs. Isabella Grace Lowery, daughter of John Gourley, 
deceased, late of Ogdensburg, N. Y. 



ROBERT MIDDLETON. 

Robert Middleton, president of the Globe Woolen Company, of Utica, is the 
third son in a family of eight children born to Robert and Marjory (Burnett) Middle- 
ton, both natives of Aberdeen, Scotland, and was born in that university city on the 
25th of May, 1825. His father, who was a manufacturer while in Scotland, came to 
America with his family in 1839 and settled in Middle Granville, Washington county, 
N. Y., where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer, dying in 1876, aged 
eighty-six years. His wife's death occurred in 1856 at the age of fifty-two. They 
were liberally endowed with those Scotch characteristics of probity and respect- 
ability which invariably distinguish the race, and transmitted to their children those 
attributes of thrift and frugality that enabled them to lead unusually successful 
lives. 

The educational advantages which Robert Middleton enjoyed were confined to the 
common schools of Granville, N. Y., where he made the best of his opportunities 
until he reached the age of eighteen. He then spent six years in the employ of the 
Lowell Carpet Company, of Lowell, Mass., and the succeeding seven years as as- 
sistant superintendent of the mills of the Merrimac Woolen Company. In these 
capacities he acquired not only a wide practical experience, but found an occupation 
which he liked, and which was the foundation of the life-work in which he has been 
more than ordinarily successful. He familiarized himself with every detail incident 
to the manufacture of woolen fabrics and thoroughly learned each branch of the 
business. In April, 1857, he was invited to visit the Utica Woolen Mills with the 
view of accepting the agency of the same, and after a personal interview with the 
late Theodore S. Faxton, then president of the company, and an examination of the 
mill property, he was engaged as agent and superintendent and entered upon his 
duties as such upon the 10th of May, 1857. He has ever since been connected with 
this establishment, and to him is mainly due the success of the company. The 
Globe Mills, as they were then called, had been in existence for several years, as re- 
lated in an earlier chapter of this volume, but as a business enterprise they had 
been unsuccessful. In 1854, just before the approach of the severest financial 
struggle the country has ever experienced, the company failed and the stockholders 
were assessed ninety-eight per cent, to pay outstanding debts, and the mill was sold 
at auction. On August 1, 1855, a new company was organized under the name of 
the Utica Woolen Mills. The panic of 1857 having been safely passed through a 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 49 

prosperous season began, and under the able management of its president and 
Robert Middleton as agent the mill gained large profits for its shareholders, paid 
the first dividend it had ever made, and established a repute for its fabrics that was 
second to none in the country. The capital, which had been §70,000 in the begin- 
ning, was in 1868 increased from the earnings to §300,000; new buildings were 
erected and the old machinery wholly replaced; and the name was changed to the 
Globe Woolen Company. 

Mr. Middleton's excellent practical qualifications and his natural executive ability 
found ample scope for exercise, and he gave his best energies to the upbuilding of 
the company. The product was greatly improved in quality under his skillful 
direction, and other reforms were inaugurated which soon placed the concern on a 
firm and permanent foundation. The product of the mills was formerly sold by 
commission houses, but on January 1, 1864, a salesroom was established by the com- 
pany in New York city and the entire product, amounting to §1,200,000, is sold from 
there. When Mr Middleton assumed charge of the mills the output was not more 
than one-fifth the present quantity, while the quality of the goods manufactured has 
advanced still more rapidly, and at the present time cloths are made that are not 
excelled in the country. On September 6, 1871, the entire property of the com- 
pany was destroyed by fire, but the mills were at once rebuilt and in 1886 a worsted 
mill was added to the plant. It is eminently proper to state that the stockholders of 
the company attribute a large share of the credit for the success of their mills to 
Mr. Middleton, who for nearly forty years has devoted his time, his great execu- 
tive ability, and his best energies to their management. In 1868 his son, Walter 
D. Middleton, entered the offices of the company in a subordinate capacity, and has 
risen by various promotions to the superintendency, which position he now fills. 
On January 19, 1882, Mr. Middleton succeeded the late Theodore S. Faxton as 
president, which office he has since held, and during the remainder of the lifetime 
of Mr. Faxton he was Mr. Middleton's faithful friend and trusted adviser. 

Outside of his regular business connections Mr. Middleton is a public spirited 
citizen. He possesses a large fund of general information, and has always will- 
ingly and liberally aided every movement for the good of the community. For 
many years he has been prominently connected with the local banking interests and 
with various private business undertakings, all of which are the gainers through 
his counsel and material participation. In politics he is a staunch Republican, but 
throughout life has held himself aloof from active work in political fields. He is a 
man of the strictest integrity, courteous, affable, and sympathetic, broad-minded, 
charitable, and keenly alive to the needs of the community. During his long and 
successful career in the manufacture of woolen fabrics he has not only won the con- 
fidence and respect of his business associates but the esteem of all with whom he 
has come in contact, and especially of those in his employ, who owe him many a 
debt of gratitude for valuable counsel and advice. 

Mr. Middleton was married in 1849 to Miss Lucy Ann, daughter of Ira Cummings, 
of Greenfield, N. H. She died August 26, 1882, leaving four children: Walter D., 
superintendent of the Globe Woolen Company; Ella R., wife of Dr. James G. 
Hunt, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Utica; Mary, wife of Fred- 
erick Gebhard, of Jersey City, N. J. ; and Florence, wife of Dr. Charles W, Pil- 
grim, superintendent of the State Hospital at Poughkeepsie, N. Y, 



50 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

PUBLIUS V. ROGERS. 1 

Publius Virgilius Rogers was born at Antwerp, Jefferson county, N. Y. , Decem- 
ber 30, 1824. He was the eldest child of Ralph Rogers, M. D., a native of Acworth, 
N. H., who removed in early life to Antwerp, N. Y. , and soon afterward to Water- 
town, Jefferson county, N. Y. Dr. Rogers received his medical education in the 
Medical College at Fairfield, N. Y. , and practiced medicine at Antwerp until 1833, 
when he removed to Watertown, N. Y. , where he was a leading member of his pro- 
fession up to the time of his decease, February 21, 1872, in the eightieth year of his 
age. Mr. Rogers's mother, Sarah Corse, was a native of Duxbury, Vt. She died 
at Watertown, N. Y. , September 19, 18T5, in the seventy-third year of her age. 

Publius V. Rogers was a lineal descendant of Thomas Rogers, who was one of the 
105 immigrants in the Mayflower. Through a grandmother he was a descendant of 
John Alden and Priscilla Mullens. Among his ancestors in the Province of Massa- 
chusetts Bay were many influential pastors and preachers. One of his ancestors was 
Capt. James Rogers, a vigorous Indian fighter. Captain Rogers removed to Nut- 
field, N. H. , as Londonderry was then called. For two or three generations his 
family resided there until their removal to Acworth, N. H. One of his maternal 
ancestors was Captain Corse of the British Army. Many of the Corse family were 
officers and soldiers in the colonial wars. An ancestor of Mr. Rogers, Elizabeth 
Catlin, was the wife of James Corse, a scout. Mrs. Corse lived at Deerfield, Mass., 
and was captured with her daughter by the Indians. She died in captivity on her 
way to Canada, leaving one daughter, who married and died in Canada, and two 
sons. Four ancestors of Mr. Rogers served their country in the Revolutionary war. 
Three of them were officers of the army. 

Publius V. Rogers received his elementary education in the schools of Antwerp 
and Watertown. One of the teachers of his boyhood at Watertown was the late 
Judge Charles Mason. He was afterward a student in the Watertown Academy, 
while the late Judge Mullen was its principal. He was prepared for college in the 
" Black Rh-er Literary and Religious Institute " of Watertown, under the instruction 
of the late Rev. Dr. James R. Boyd. He entered the sophomore class of Hamilton 
College in 1843 and was graduated in 1846. Among his classmates in college were 
the Rev. Isaac H. Brayton, afterward a lecturer in Hamilton College and a professor 
in the College of California ; Henry P. Bristol, tutor of Hamilton College and father 
of Prof. George P. Bristol of Cornell University; John N. Hungerford, a member of 
Congress, trustee and benefactor of Hamilton College, and a prominent banker at 
Corning, N. Y. ; Gustavus A. Kellogg, son of the late Hon. Spencer Kellogg, of 
Utica ; Dr. Horace Lathrop, tutor in Hamilton College and long an eminent physi- 
cian in Cooperstown, N. Y. ; Perry H. Smith, of Chicago, in memory of whose be- 
neficence the library building of Hamilton College is named ; Alexander Spaulding, 
justice of the Supreme Court in New York city. Of Mr. Rogers's work in college 
one of his instructors writes with discrimination and emphasis: " While Mr. Rogers 
was one of the youngest of his class, his manliness and maturity of character were 
beyond his years. He was prompt and faithful at the post of duty. His mind and 

' Contributed by Rev. Anson J. Upson, D. D., chancellor of the University of the State of 
New York. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 51 

attainments were well balanced, so that the outcome of his under- graduate studies 
was a well-rounded, generous culture." 

Soon after his graduation Mr. Rogers began the study of law in the office of Skin- 
ner & Brown at Adams, N. Y., spending an hour each day in bookkeeping at the 
Hungerford Bank. Afterward, he continued his legal studies in the office of Judge 
George C. Sherman at Watertown. During the summer of 1848 he took part in the 
survey of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg railroad. On the organization of 
the Watertown Bank and Loan Company by Judge Sherman, January 1, 1849, Mr. 
Rogers was placed at the head of its management as cashier. He filled this position 
very acceptably for some months, and in September, 1850, was appointed cashier of 
Fort Stanwix Bank at Rome, N, Y., and in September, 1853, cashier of the Bank of 
Utica. This appointment was due largely to the influence of the late Hon. Hiram 
Denio. In the litigation of certain cases in which the Fort Stanwix Bank was a 
party, Judge Denio had observed the thorough knowledge of banking and of the 
laws appertaining thereto which Mr. Rogers possessed. When the directors of the 
Bank of Utica decided to appoint a new cashier, on his recommendation Mr. Rogers 
was elected. The appointment of so young a man to be the principal manager of so 
old and influential a bank, having so large a capital and so many stockholders and 
customers, was a very high compliment to the ability, integrity, and trustworthiness 
of Mr. Rogers. Soon after entering upon his official duties the new cashier discov- 
ered that the capital of the bank had been impaired to the extent of one-sixth of its 
amount — §100,000. With the concurrence of the directors he had the courage to 
suspend the payment of dividends until this loss should be made good. Under his 
administration the capital was gradually restored to its full amount ; and since its 
restoration the bank has paid semi-annual dividends with the regularity of the 
periods and has accumulated a surplus of $400,000. That Cashier Rogers fully met 
the expectations of the directors was shown by his election as president of the bank 
in 1876, as the successor to Benjamin N. Huntington, of Rome, N. Y. Throughout 
a long life he maintained his early reputation for financial ability and strict integ- 
rsty. For a continuous period of forty-two years he was cashier or president of the 
First National Bank of Utica. Guided by his sound judgment, and under his able 
administration, the bank became a permanent source of sure income to its many 
stockholders, and a very important factor in the business affairs of Central New 
York. With a mind peculiarly adapted to the banking profession, supplemented by 
collegiate and legal training and business experience, Mr. Rogers, in his financial 
work, exemplified, to a high degree, inflexible integrity, wise sagacity, persevering 
industry, and a keen intelligence. As a financial adviser of individuals and institu- 
tions his advice was frequently sought and was as highly valued as it was freely and 
generously given. In the business community his standing was very high and most 
enviable. 

How widely he was identified with the business interests of Utica and Central 
New York will appear from a simple enumeration of the corporations with which he 
was influentially connected. From 1872 to 1895, when he died, he was a director 
and from 1875 to his death he was the treasurer of the Utica Water Works Company. 
From its organization to his death he was a director and vice-president of the Mo. 
hawk Valley Cotton Mills. For many years he was a director in the Utica Steam 



52 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Cotton Mills, the Skenandoa Cotton Company, and the Utica Willowvale Bleaching 
Company. For some years Mr. Rogers was also a director in the Utica Gas Light 
Company. In all these business relations for more than forty years it is the simple 
truth to say he deserved and received many tokens of respect, confidence, and 
friendly regard of his business acquaintances. It has been truly said of him by one 
who knew him well that ' ' he was the soul of honor ; he dealt fairly with every man. 
Such positions as he occupied required the exercise of wise judgment and often firm- 
ness; yet so courteous was he, and so kindly, that, while seldom receding from a 
position once taken, he gave no offence to rankle as the result of a necessary refusal. 
In all financial matters he was thoroughly informed, and his conclusions, carefully 
reached, were usually right, and were so accepted by those who had sought his 
guidance." 

But the activities of Mr. Rogers's life were not limited to business affairs, numer- 
ous and important as were these, requiring, as they did, continuous and laborious 
attention; he was, besides, generous and helpful in many directions. His benefi- 
cence was self-sacrificing. During the Civil war he was treasurer of the Soldiers' 
Aid Association, which raised by subscription a large sum of money to provide for 
the families of those who had gone to the front. The distribution of this money in 
small amounts required careful attention. As treasurer of the fund to aid sufferers 
in Nebraska he was equally pains-taking and public spirited. As a trustee of the 
Utica Art Association he did much to promote the success of the fine art exhibitions 
which, in successive winters, gave so much enjoyment and culture to the citizens of 
Central New York. Mr. Rogers was actively interested in the organization of the Fort 
Schuyler Club, serving as one of its governors for several years, and as its president 
from 1889 until his decease. For many years he was a trustee of the Home for the 
Homeless, succeeding Judge William J. Bacon as president of that most beneficent 
charity. For twenty-five years Mr. Rogers was a faithful and useful trustee of the 
Reformed Dutch church, and was one of the committee who had charge of the erec- 
tion of the present edifice on Genesee street after the former house of worship, on 
the same site, had been destroyed by fire. 

In 1881 Mr. Rogers was appointed by the governor and Senate of the State of New 
York one of the managers of the Utica State Hospital for the Insane, and in 1885 he 
was elected president of the board as the successor of the Hon. Samuel Campbell. 
For nearly fifteen years he served the State in this high and most responsible office. 
It was for him no sinecure. He visited the institution nearly every week, and 
through personal inspection and conversation with the superintendent and other offi- 
cers he gained an intimate knowledge of its condition. To the financial affairs of 
the Bank of Utica, or to his own business transactions, he gave no more careful at- 
tention. As chairman of the building committee for many years he supervised new 
work and extensive repairs. He was seldom or never absent from a monthly meet- 
ing of the managers, even when his health was endangered by his attendance. He 
was a model presiding officer, observant, patient, and impartial. "The aggregate 
of the hours thus spent in this beneficent work, without other reward than the con- 
sciousness of discharging honorably a public duty, would be months if they could be 
counted." During his service in the board the hospital was investigated several 
times by a legislative committee. "The investigators" were often simply profes- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 53 

sional politicians, spoilsmen, to whom it was inconceivable that so much time and 
valuable service could be given to the institution, gratuitously, by managers actu- 
ated only by benevolence and public spirit with no selfish, ulterior purpose. They 
did their utmost to excite suspicion and. to discredit the management. This indig- 
nity was very trying to a sensitive high-minded gentleman like Mr. Rogers. Rather 
than submit to it he might have resigned his office. But conscious of the rectitude 
of his motives, with a high sense of duty, and exhaustless patience although by 
nature keenly sensitive, he could endure more than most men. "He could hear 
much and say little." Every investigation increased public confidence in the man- 
agement of the hospital. So that when Mr. Rogers appeared officially before the 
governor or the Legislature to present its wants, his statements were never doubted. 
After the death of the eminent Dr. John P. Gray, who had been the successful 
superintendent for thirty-five years, it was natural that changes in the management 
of the institution should be proposed. These proposals excited opposition. But so 
ready was President Rogers to recognize needful changes required by the growth of 
the hospital, such was his tact and good sense, and such was his acknowledged fore- 
sight, that serious difficulties were prevented, and the increasing needs of the insti- 
tution were provided for wisely. 

A graduate of Hamilton College in 1846, for nearly fifty years he enjoyed the ad- 
vantageous results of early collegiate training. He appreciated thoroughly the ad- 
vantages of a collegiate education to a business man. He had no patience with 
those who depreciated or denied them. One day, in his office, when the writer of 
this article said to him that he was giving much time and anxious thought to the 
college, he replied, with moistened eyes: " There is not a week in which I do not 
realize in my business here the value of my college training. I use here the same 
mental processes in which I was trained there. I can never do too much for the col- 
lege." This appreciation and these grateful feelings made him so ready to serve the 
college as trustee for twenty-six years, from 1869 to 1895, and to hold the office of 
treasurer from 1880 to 1887. As treasurer he gave to the institution the benefit of 
his long financial experience and his executive ability at a time when its pecuniary 
affairs required special care. This he did absolutely without compensation. It was 
this grateful loyalty to the college which induced him, as a member of the executive 
committee of the trustees, to give so much of his time to its meetings held in his office. 
He attended to every duty and accepted every responsibility, in this connection, 
willingly and cheerfully. As a financial adviser his judgment was of the highest 
value to the college board of trust; and his membership in the board greatly 
strengthened the confidence of the alumni and friends of the college in the wisdom 
and integrity of its management. He never forgot the friends of his youth and the 
associations of his college daj-s. He did not think that such remembrances were un- 
manly. He never lost his interest in the Sigma Phi fraternity, of which he was a 
member. In the University Club of New York, of which he was a member, he found 
many congenial associates. It is very pleasant to his friends to remember that dur- 
ing the last week of his life he so greatly enjoyed the reunion of old friends at the 
college commencement of that year, and rejoiced with them in the assured stability 
of the college and in its rapidly increasing prosperity. 

Mr. Rogers was too sincerely patriotic to take no interest in public affairs. He 



54 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was a Republican, but not a partisan. Though read} 7 to serve the public in many 
ways, he would never accept political office. He greatly enjoyed foreign travel, 
twice spending some months abroad, but he found his highest happiness in his home 
and in his family. There, his sympathy, his kindness, his gentleness, and his hospi- 
tality were unfailing. For nothing in his public and private life was he more re- 
markable than for his dignified and gracious courtesy. This was his distinctive 
characteristic. The directors of the First National Bank of Utica knew him inti- 
mately for years, and their official announcement of his decease is evidently as sin- 
cere as it is sympathetic. In this announcement they use these tenderly significant 
words: "That through life he bore himself as a high-minded citizen, a cultivated 
gentleman, a kind neighbor, and a loyal friend, all who have ever known him do 
bear their sorrowing testimony." 

Mr. Rogers had not enjoyed robust health for some years, yet the end of his earthly 
life came suddenly at the last. He died at his home in Utica, July 2, 1895. It was 
ordered providentially that the clergyman who had been his intimate friend since his 
college days, who had officiated at his marriage and in the baptism and marriage of 
his only son, should also be permitted to officiate in the funeral services. 

September 11, 1861, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Butler, daughter 
of the late Chauncey Sage Butler, of Sauquoit, N. Y. His wife survives, as does also 
his only son, Charles Butler Rogers, who has succeeded his father as president of the 
First National Bank of Utica and as a manager of the Utica State Hospital. Charles 
B. Rogers was married January 31, 1894, to Miss Susan Brayton, of Utica. Mr. 
Rogers left also a sister, Mrs. Murray, of Watertown, N. Y. , and two brothers-in-law, 
John Milton Butler and Charles A. Butler, and a sister in-law, Miss Henrietta 
Butler, of Utica. 



EPHRAIM CHAMBERLAIN. 

Ephkaim Chamberlain was nearly fifty years prominently associated with the 
leading manufacturing interests of Utica. Coming here a friendless boy of twenty 
he gradually rose to the highest and most honored spheres of citizenship, and 
throughout a useful career enjoyed universal respect and esteem. His paternal an- 
cestors emigrated from England to this country about the middle of the seventeenth 
century and settled at what is now Biddeferd, Me. In the line of descent at least 
six generations have had an Ephraim among them, and through those bearing that 
name from the original immigrant to the subject of this memoir there has passed 
from generation to generation a small souvenir, which is valued by the family as a 
precious heirloom. Clark Chamberlain, his father, came from New England at an 
early day and settled in Bvrrlington, Otsego county, whence he removed with his 
family about 1829 to the adjoining town of Pittsfield. 

Ephraim Chamberlain was born in the town of Burlington, Otsego county, on the 
2d day of January, 1825, and when about four years of age moved with his parents 
to Pittsfield, where he lived until 1841, attending in the mean time a common school, 
receiving some private tutelage, and finishing his education with an academic course 
of two terms. By dint of perseverance and constant application, by studying at 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 55 

night under the flickering rays of a candle, he secured a better knowledge of the 
ordinary English branches than many boys of the day acquired, and having com- 
pleted his schooling at the age of sixteen he entered upon the active duties of a 
business life. He first became a clerk in the country store of his uncle, Ephraim 
Chamberlain, at West Edmeston, Otsego county, where he remained until 1845, 
when he came to Utica as a clerk in the canal collector's office. He continued in 
that capacity until 1849, excepting one year spent in the employ of a dry goods store 
in the city. In February, 1849, he entered upon the duties of bookkeeper for the 
newly organized Utica Steam Cotton Mills of which the late Alfred Munson was the 
first president. This corporation had been formed in January, 1847, with Theodore 
S. Faxton, Silas D. Childs, Alfred Munson, Charles A. Mann, Edmund A. Graham, 
Andrew S. Pond, and Horatio Seymour as trustees, and the legislative act creating it 
took effect February 17, 1848. The first building was still unfinished when, late in 
the latter year, Mr. Chamberlain applied in person to President Munson for the 
position, and after giving his references and answering some questions left with the 
impression that his chances for securing it were very slight indeed because of the 
numerous applicants who had preceded him. But a few weeks later he was offered 
the place, which he accepted, thus connecting himself with a corporation with the 
success of which he was ever afterward associated. 

In 1854 Mr. Chamberlain was appointed treasurer of the company and in 1859 be- 
came also its secretary, and continued in these two capacities for many years. 
Under his efficient management the financial affairs of the concern were conducted 
upon a sound and prosperous basis, and to him is largely due its long career of suc- 
cess. In 1882 he was elected a trustee, in 1889 the vice-president, and in January, 
1890, president, which latter office he held until his death on September 17, 1895. 
He administered the duties of these several positions with the highest efficiency, won 
the entire confidence of all his associates, and made the establishment one of the 
most profitable of the kind in the State. His business ability was universally ac- 
knowledged, his integrity was r.ever questioned. He was a man of great force of 
character, enterprising, public spirited, and just, energetic, and companionable. 

He was one of the incorporators and an original director of the Mohawk Valley 
Cotton Mills and the Utica Willowvale Bleaching Company, and became secretary 
and treasurer of both corporations. He was the oldest member of the board of 
trustees of the Utica Savings Bank, having been elected to that position in 1866; in 
1875 he was elected its second vice-president, in 1888 first vice-president, and in 1889 
succeeded the late Judge Bacon as president. He was also for many years a director 
and vice-president of the Oneida National Bank. In politics he was a lifelong 
Democrat. He was a member of the Common Council from the old Third ward in 
1856-57 and in 1869 was elected mayor of the city of Utica, being for several years 
before his death the oldest living ex-mayor. His life was one of rare completeness. 
He possessed the highest attributes of citizenship, and proved that one born amidst 
humble surroundings may reach the loftiest pinnacle of usefulness and successful 
attainment. 

Mr. Chamberlain was first married on June 20, 1850, to Emma L. Green, of New 
Berlin, N. Y., who died December 7, 1858. September 13, 1860, he married, sec- 
ond, Theresa W. Carpenter, of New York city, who with one son, Frederick G., and 



56 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a grandchild, Priscilla Chamberlain (born May 15, 1887), survives him. His eldest 
son. Frank C, died in 1885 while engaged in business in New York. Frederick G. 
Chamberlain was formerly secretary and assistant treasurer of the Utica Steam Cot- 
ton Mills and assistant treasurer of the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills. 



ADDISON C. MILLER. 

Addison C. Miller was the son of Dr. Sylvester Miller, and was born in Lowville, 
Lewis county, N. Y., November 12, 1831. He was educated in Lowville Academy 
and afterward read law with William Collins, and was admitted to the bar January 
1, 1854. The following year he came to Utica, where he formed a law partnership 
with John H. Edmonds, which continued until 1872, when Mr. Edmonds retired. 
January 1, 1877, Frederick G. Fincke was associated as a partner, and November 1, 
1887, John E. Brandegee became a member of the firm, the name being changed to 
Miller, Fincke & Brandegee. In November, 1892, Mr. Miller retired, except as 
counsel and was succeeded by his son, Charles A. Miller. 

Mr. Miller was largely interested personally in the leading manufactures of the 
city of Utica. He was counsel for the Globe Woolen Company from its organiza- 
tion and a trustee from 1875. He was also a trustee of the U tica Steam Cotton Mills 
from 1866 until a short time before his death. He was one of the incorporators of 
the Mohawk Valley Mill, which was founded in 1880. He was also a stockholder in 
the Skenandoa Yarn Mill and the Utica Water Works Company, and a stockholder 
and trustee of the Utica Female Academy. He was a member of the Forest Hill 
Cemetery Association and one of its board of trustees for many years. From 1868 
Mr. Miller had been a trustee of The Savings Bank of Utica. Stalham Williams was 
treasurer of this bank from 1839 until his death in 1875, when Mr. Miller was chosen 
treasurer, a position he held up to the time of his death. As financial adviser and 
counselor Mr. Miller superintended the erection of the Utica Orphan Asylum, and 
the funds of the institution, which, at the time of his resignation in 1888, amounted 
to §163,000, were always entrusted to him for investment. Mr. Miller was in party faith 
a Republican, but was too thoroughly devoted to business affairs to be caught in the 
whirlpool of professional politics. He was on one occasion defeated for mayor. 
Mr. Miller was ever deeply interested in the welfare of his city and its institutions. 
In 1873 he was chosen a member of the first Board of Charities which Utica had, and 
in the following year he was re-elected for a full term of three years. A contem- 
porary said of him, " he was a man of strict integrity and honor in every way." 

Mr. Miller displayed marked ability in various branches of business life during an 
active career of more than forty years in Utica. He was a successful lawyer and 
banker, and one of the prominent manufacturers of the State. As a lawyer he was 
grounded in the law and practice in surrogates' courts, and many of the large 
estates of the county which appeared on the records of that court during the 
past thirty years were entrusted to his care for settlement. It is but a just tribute to 
his memory to say that, whether as guardian, trustee, or manager, he was as suc- 
cessful and conscientious in the management of the property of others as in the con- 




yfX^%££^6&*. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 57 

duct of his own affairs. Mr. Miller died in Utica on the 18th of December, 1894, 
widely esteemed and respected. 

April 29, 1863, Mr. Miller married Miss Cynthia J. Brayton, daughter of Hervey 
Brayton, of Rome. His wife and one son 1 George H, died in 1890. He left surviv- 
ing three children: Charles A., Howard C, and Theodora, also a sister, Mrs. Mary 
L. Wood, all of Utica. 



CHARLES H. PHILO. 

Charles Henry Philo, son of Elisha and Phoebe (Newell) Philo, was born in the 
town of Frankfort, Herkimer county, N. Y., October 3, 1845, and is a lineal descend- 
ant of John Fillow, a French Huguenot and a colonial settler of Connecticut before 
1700. Elisha R. was born in Genesee county, N. Y., October 23, 1812, and died at 
West Frankfort, Herkimer county, November 9, 1864. His wife, Phoebe, a native 
of Frdnkfort, died in Washington Mills, Oneida county, in 1884, aged sixty-eight. 
Her father, Edward Newell, was a soldier of the War of 1812, and her mother died in 
Utica, N. Y., at the great age of 103. 

Charles H. Philo is the fourth in a family of nine children, all of whom are living, 
and was educated in the district schools and at Whitestown Seminary. His father 
was for many years engeged in canal boating and it was but natural that the subject 
of this sketch should first seek that employment. When only eleven years of age he 
began active canal life, which he followed summers until his father's death in 1864. 
Afterward he was engaged in boating alone until 1872, when he sold his boats and 
moved to the town of New Hartford, Oneida county, where purchased a farm and 
stone quarry. Three years later he sold the farm and purchased the old stone store 
at Washington Mills, where he carried on a successful general mercantile business 
for eight years. Meanwhile he bought his present farm of 120 acres in the south 
east corner of the town, where he has twenty acres of hops and also conducts a large 
dairy business. 

In 1885 Mr. Philo purchased an interest in the Utica Tool Company, located at 
Washington Mills, and has since been connected with that successful enterprise, 
being now the treasurer. This business was founded at Unadilla Forks, N. Y, by 
Henry H. Babcock, in 1840, when he began the manufacture of hoes by hand on an 
anvil. Later Charles B. Brown and others became interested with him under the 
firm name of Babcock, Brown & Co. In 1865 the concern was moved to Washington 
Mills in the town of New Hartford, Oneida county, where the works were enlarged 
and forks and rakes added to the production. In 1871 Porter S. Huntley and Mr. 
Babcock, under the firm name of Huntley & Babcock, became the sole owners and 
continued the business until 1883, when the Huntley & Babcock Agricultural Com- 
pany, Lmtd., was incorporated. This name was changed to the Lewis & Babcock 
manufacturing Company in 1887 and that to the present Utica Tool Company 
in 1892. The works cover an area of ten acres and employ from seventy-five to 100 
skilled mechanics, while the mechanical appliances and equipment of the factory are 
such as to insure rapid and perfect production, which is shipped throughout the 
United States and to all parts of the world. The Utica Tool Company 



58 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

has a world-wide reputation as manufacturers of the best grades of coke, 
coal, oyster, manure, spading, barley, hay and stone forks; planters', cotton, 
street, mortar, field, onion, weeding, meadow, sprouting and cultivator hoes; turf 
edgers, walk cleaners, ice chisels, coal, garden and lawn rakes, potato hooks, manure 
drags, clam hooks, corn knives, floral sets, garden cultivators, hollow tine forks, self- 
closing fruit and vegetable supports, etc. The active management of the company's 
affairs is under Charles H. Philo and Ladd J. Lewis, treasurer and secretary respect- 
ively, and both representative and influential business men. 

Mr. Pbilo is an active Republican, and has held the office of town clerk of New 
Hartford, was for six years postmaster at Washington Mills, and for two years 
served the town as supervisor. For several years he has been a valued member of 
the Board of Equalization for the county. In all these capacities he has distinguished 
himself for his thorough business management and executive skill and ability. He 
is public-spirited, enterprising, and progressive, and takes a keen interest in the 
welfare of the community. No worthy object escapes his liberal support and 
encouragement. He is a member of Amicable Lodge, No. 664, F. & A. M. , and of 
the M. E. church, both of Washington Mills. 

Mr. Philo was first married in December, 1869, to Miss Lina, daughter of Nathaniel 
Hulser, of Frankfort, N. Y., who was drowned in the Hudson River by falling over- 
board from his canal boat in June, 1871. She left a daughter who died in infancy 
soon afterward. In September, 1873, he married, second, Miss Mary J., daughter of 
Nicholas and Mary Ann (Sterling) Staring of Frankfort, and they have six children: 
Lena E., Lotta R., Virgie E., James C, Grace A... and Addie S. 



ROBERT J. HELMER. 

Robert J. Helmer was born in the town of Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y., May 
13, 1847. He was a son of Adam Helmer, one of the oldest residents of the town. 
His farm stretched over a wide area of the southern part of the town, being one of 
the best developed valuable farms in the northern part of Oneida county. He was 
one of Oneida county's prosperous agriculturists, from which he accumulated a 
large estate. His wife was Catherine Bargey of Frankfort, Herkimer County, N. Y. 
They had two sons, George H. and Robert J., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Adam 
Helmer died in 1884 and his wife in 1890. George H., theson, also died in 1881. The 
Helmers originally came from Germany, and were frugal, industrious, and upright in 
character. Jacob Helmer, the father of Adam, came from Herkimer county (where 
Adam was born), into Oneida county in the earliest days of its settlement, giv- 
ing many years of his life to improving - the land. Robert J. was educated at 
the Whitesboro Seminary and Fairfield Military Institute. The next two years 
were spent in teaching in the town of Boonville. Then with Benjamin Beynon 
he entered into business at Alder Creek, conducting a general store. This busi- 
ness connection continued ten or twelve years when the death of Mr. Beynon 
terminated the copartnership. Mr. Helmer bought the interest of his partner and 
carried on the business in the same place for the next five years. At that time, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 59 

1886, he built a larger store better adapted to his largely increased trade. From 
that time forth Mr. Helmer was recognized as one of the leading merchants of the 
northern part of the county. He was conservative, careful and withal conscien- 
tious and straightforward in business affairs. At the time of his death in May 8, 1896, 
he was engaged in several lines of business in connection with the other line. The 
saw mill at Alder Creek was one of the adjunct enterprises which he conducted with 
marked success. 

Although Mr. Helmer had never been an office holder he was always one of the 
staunchest and, at the same time influential, members of the Democratic party. He 
devoted -much time to advancing its interest in the town and county. 

In 1875 Mr. Helmer married Sophia L., daughter of John T. and Mary (Owens) 
Jones, of the town of Steuben. Mrs. Helmer was one of eight children, five of whom 
are now living: Ellen, Louisa, Ann and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Helmer have had 
one son, George Cleveland, and one daughter, Maude Louise, who is a graduate of 
the Boonville High school. 



ARTHUR D. LEE. 

Arthur D. Lee is one of the men of Westmoreland who has made his own way 
successfully in a material sense, but has been active and influential in the general 
advancement of his town's best interests. When a young man he learned the car- 
penter's trade, serving his apprenticeship with R. E. Lee, at that time one of the lead- 
ing contractors and builders of Rome, N. Y. This service continued through a 
period of three years, at the end of which time the subject of this sketch returned to 
his native place where he has continued more or less actively in building and car- 
penter work since. He was born in Bartlett, Oneida county, January 25, 1845, and 
received his early education at the common school, supplementing this with a course 
at the Whitestown Seminary. The Lees are among the oldest and most conspicuous 
residents in Westmoreland. Nathan Lee, grandfather of Arthur D , came from 
Connecticut in 1806 and settled in the town and engaged in farming till his death, 
which occurred in 1845. The early records of the town show that he was one of the 
most important factors in the permanent advancement of the community. 

Isaac B. Lee, his son, born in 1819, is the father of Arthur D. Lee, and has also 
been identified with the agricultural industry of Westmoreland. He now owns the 
old homestead which Nathan Lee bought at the time of his coming here in 1806. 
He married Harriet Lay, of Rome, who died in 1885. They had three sons, of 
whom Arthur D. is the oldest. The others are Newell D., now living in Westmore- 
land, and Damon A., a resident of Alabama. 

Rowland Lay, grandfather of these three named and father of their mother, was 
one of the hotel men of note in the early history of the county. He, during the 
period of the Erie canal construction, kept a hotel near Stanwix, where from time 
to time he entertained many men of high social and official standing. He also at 
one time owned all of the land upon which the city of Saratoga is now situated. 
They have all been people of upright character, industry and successful financiers. 

Arthur D. Lee has always been an ardent Republican who has devoted a consider- 



60 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

able time to the party's interest in the town and county. This service has been 
recognized and appreciated by the citizens, for he has been honored with several im- 
portant political trusts. He was for several years made a_ member of the county 
committee, and for two years represented his town in the Board of Super- 
visors. While there Mr. Lee was one of the most zealous members in watching and 
caring for the interest of his constituents. In 1895 he was made chairman of the 
judiciary committee, and was on the committee on footing the assessment roll, and on 
that of the county buildings, State loans, and ratio and apportionment, besides that 
of coroners and physicians. 

Mr. Lee married Nettie C, daughter of Samuel A. and Jane (Richardson) Isbell of 
of Westmoreland. Mr. Isbell was for many years extensively engaged in contract- 
ing in the town of Westmoreland and surrounding towns. He built a saw mill at 
Bartlett, and carried on a large lumber trade, using a good part of the manufactured 
product in the construction of work under his own supervision. During the years 
he was also directing a part of his energies to farming, with the success which 
always follows intelligent, industrious effort. He accumulated a large estate, yet 
devoted a considerable amount to charities, and aids to deserving people. They had 
three daughters, of whom Mrs. Lee was the second. The others were Hattie P., 
who died at the age of nineteen, and Jessie I., who married Mr. Joseph Burrell of 
Westmoreland. Mr. Isbell died in 1893 and his wife in 1885. In the matter of 
societies Mr. Lee has given his whole interest to the Masonic fraternity, in which 
order he is active and influential. 

Mr. Lee has one son, Warren Isbell Lee, who is a student at Hamilton College. 



JOSIAH PERRY. 

Josiah Perry, the eldest of five sons of Rev. Owen F. and Jane (Powell) Perry, 
was born in Remsen, Oneida county, N. Y. , March 22, 1851. His father, a native of 
North Wales, Great Britain, came to America in 1847, and for about forty years was 
the beloved pastor of the Baptist church at Bardwell near Remsen. He still lives in 
the village of Remsen. The mother was a daughter of John and Nancy Powell, early 
settlers of the town of Trenton, Oneida county, coming from Connecticut stock. Their 
children, besides the subject of this sketch, were Newton Perry, who died in Kansas 
in 1887; Rev. George Powell Perry, pastor of a flourishing Baptist church in Provi- 
dence, R. I. ; Lincoln Perry, a successful merchant in Boonville, N. Y. ; and John O. 
Perry, of Utica. 

Josiah Perry spent his boyhood on his father's farm and in attending the district 
schools at Remsen. In these two spheres he received a thorough rudimentary train- 
ing, and both acquired and inherited those thrifty traits of character which distin- 
guish the successful man. He subsequently spent one term at Fairfield Seminary, 
afterwards attended the State Normal School at Cortland, also Madison (now Colgate) 
University, and after completing his education taught school for a time. In 1874 he 
entered the office of Risley, Stoddard & Matteson, of LTtica, as a student at law, and 
was admitted to the bar at the Utica General Term in 1877. The same year he 
began the active practice of his profession in LTtica, where he has since resided. In 



gjjg^l - v 




iL^J^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 61 

1881 he became the junior member of the law firm of Risley, Brown, Quinn & Perry, 
and thus continued until Mr. Brown was appointed State Dairy Commissioner and 
Mr. Quinn removed to New York city, when the firm name was changed to Risley & 
Perry. This copartnership was dissolved in February, 1892, and Mr. Perry has since 
practiced alone. 

Mr. Perry has been for several years a prominent and influential factor in the Re- 
publican party of Oneida county. He is an orator of ability, a pleasing, forcible 
speaker, and on the platform commands the closest attention. In 1886 he was 
the Republican candidate for district attorney of the county of Oneida, and was 
defeated by only seventy-five votes. He was corporation counsel of the city of 
Utica in 1891 and 1893, and in this capacity rendered valuable services to the public. 
He is a careful and conscientious student, and as a lawyer is one of the strongest 
advocates of the Utica bar. His defense of the Chinaman, Fong Yon, charged with 
murder in the first degree, gave him celebrity as a skilled criminal lawyer, while his 
connection with many other noted trials has given him a wide reputation. He is a 
member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., of Skenandoah Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Impe- 
rial Council, R. A. , and of the Arcanum Club. He is also a prominent member of 
the Cymrogyddion Society, an organization for the promotion of Welsh literature 
and music which conducts the famous "Eisteddfod" held at LTtica every New 
Year's 

Mr. Perry was married first in November, 1878, to Miss Ella Williams, daughter of 
Hugh Williams, of Utica, who died in November, 1883, leaving one daughter, Edith. 
In December, 1888, he married for his second wife Miss Nellie Gaylord, daughter of 
ex-sheriff Lewis Gaylord, of Rome, and they have one son, Josiah Gaylord Perry, 
born August 4, 1895. 



GEORGE RALPH. 

George Ralph was the only son of George and Harriet (Cooper) Ralph, and was 
born in Schenectady, N. Y., on the 11th of November, 1826. His mother died in his 
native town and in 1839 he came to Utica. He received a common school education, 
and early developed those sterling traits of character which marked his after life and 
made him the successful man of affairs. His first venture in business was in Bing- 
hamton, N. Y. In 1859 he removed to Elmira and engaged in brewing ale as a 
member of the firm of Bevier, Briggs & Co. These enterprises gave him a valuable 
experience and also proved successful in a financial way. In 1862 he returned to 
Utica and with his father founded the Columbia Street Brewery, which was after- 
ward consolidated with the Oneida Brewery, then owned by Stephen Thorn and 
Francis Midlam, the building being erected in 1832. The new firm was styled Ralph, 
Midlam & Co., and in 1874 was succeeded by George Ralph, jr., & Co., the company 
consisting of Mr. Ralph's three sons, Dr. William L., George Frederick and Henry 
J. This name was retained until 1886, when the Oneida Brewing Company was 
incorporated with Mr. Ralph as president, George Frederick Ralph, as treasurer and 
manager, and Henry J. Ralph, as secretary. Mr. Ralph remained at the head of the 
concern until his death on February 2, 1889, when he was succeeded as president by 



62 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

his son, Dr. William L. , who has since served in that capacity. The business man- 
agement has been most ably administered by George Frederick Ralph, who still holds 
the above named offices, and also that of secretary. Henry J. Ralph withdrew from 
the company in 1889. 

Mr. Ralph was one of the best known brewers in the country, having been engaged 
in the business upwards of forty years. He was highly esteemed and respected by 
his contemporaries and served as president of the Oneida County Brewers' Associa- 
tion from its organization until his death. He was a man of great force of character, 
energetic, prompt, and enterprising, and forcibly impressed his strong personality 
upon every project with which he was connected. He was possessed of rare business 
ability, was exact in every detail of his work, and persevered until he was successful. 
The predominating traits of his character were his unswerving integrity, truthful- 
ness and candor. He abhorred hypocrisy, duplicity, and deceit in every form, and 
by his honesty and straightforwardness commanded the respect and confidence of the 
community in an unusual degree. His frequent charities were always unostenta- 
tious. He was long a member of the Utica club, and his loyalty to friends made his 
friendship something more than a name. 

In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Ralph was especially prominent. He was one of the 
oldest members of Utica Lodge No. 47, F. & A. M., and was its master in 1869-70. 
He was also a member and in 1871 high priest of Oneida Chapter, R. A. M. , a mem- 
ber of Utica Commandery No. 3, K. T. , and a charter member of Yahnundahsis Lodge 
of Perfection, A. & A. S. R. He was a prominent member of Oneida Lodge No. 70, 
I. O. O. F. , and of Tri-Mount Encampment, and occupied all the chairs and impor- 
tant positions in the order. Mr. Ralph took an active interest in these fraternal 
organizations, and especially in the location of the Masonic Home in Utica, to which 
he was one of the largest contributors. He was interested also in the advancement 
of the city, and by his enterprise aided materially in its general welfare. He was a 
lifelong Democrat, but eschewed politics, as he had no taste nor desire for public 
life, yet in all matters pertaining to municipal government he gave a loyal citizen's 
support for the good of a common cause. He was often urged to accept political 
office, but invariably declined, preferring to give his attention mainly to his large 
business interests. 

Mr. Ralph was married in 1850 to Miss Mary Catharine Wells, of Holland Patent, 
Oneida county, who with their three sons previously mentioned survives him. She is 
descended from an old and respected Connecticut family. Dr. William L. Ralph, 
their eldest son, was born in Holland Patent, June 19, 1851 ; George Frederick, the 
second son, was born in Holland Patent on May 29, 1853; and Henry J., the third 
son, in Elmira, N. Y., May 30, 1861. All three live in Utica. George F. was mar- 
ried April 14, 1875, to Miss Cornelia Marion, daughter of Sylvester Wallace and 
Cornelia Augusta (Chevalier) Barnes, and has three children: Cornelia Chevalier, 
George Arthur, and Wilbur Booth. 



PHILIP McGUIRE. 

Philip McGuire, of Forestport, Oneida county, died Octobor 15, 1894. There was 
no man in Forestport and few in the county, in fact, who had more thoroughly im- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 63 

pressed the community with their character and usefulness His life of unusual suc- 
cess had been so gradually developed that he had grown to be a marked business 
man without ostentatious demonstration or slow in the conduct of his large and 
varied business affairs. Philip McGuire began life a poor young man, with nothing 
but his own merits as a resource. He possessed honesty, ambition and strong capa- 
bilities which, against many obstacles won for him more than an ordinary achieve- 
ment of success. 

He came from Ireland to this country at twenty years of age and engaged at farm 
work at Johnstown, N. Y., for about two years. He then went to Hawkinsville, 
town of Boonville, where he served two years as a laborer in a tannery. This was 
followed by a year's experience in lumbering at Lyon's Falls, N. Y. It was immedi- 
ately after this experience that Mr. McGuire settled permanently in Forestport and 
entered into the lumber business, at first on a moderate scale. This was about 1863. 
He was born February 2, 1837, and was therefore about twenty-six years old when 
he began his business career at Forestport. For the first three years his line of in- 
dustry was confined mostly to the getting out of bark and logs. Later in 1866 he 
began getting out spars, which were shipped by canal to New York and sold for 
ship masts and similar uses. This proved to be profitable business and was contin- 
ued during his life. 

In addition to this he, in 1874, built the grist mill on the east side of the river at 
Forestport, which he conducted in connection with a large feed store. At the end 
of three years he sold the mill to W. R. Stanburgh, and in 1881 built another on the 
west side of the river. This latter mill he conducted till 1886 when he sold it to 
George Farley. 

Soon after this Mr. McGuire built near the village a large wood pulp mill, which 
proved to be one of the stable manufacturing industries of the town. This property 
was sold in 1896. In 1890 Mr. McGuire built a cheese factory at Forestport which 
he operated until his death. In 1892 he purchased a tannery at Bardwelltown in the 
town of Remsen, which he also operated until the time of his death. 

Besides attending to these many enterprises he yet found time to accept in 1889 
the contract for building the State dam on the Black River above Forestport. This 
involved the expenditure of over §45,000. In the mean while he built and put in ope- 
ration a large hub factory, the mill owned since 1893 by the Forestport Lumber Com- 
pany. These various industries furnished employment to a large force of men and 
contributed in a large degree to the prosperity of Forestport and vicinity. His 
various lumber interests grew to such an extent- that at the time of his death he 
owned 50,000 acres of timber land, extending many miles north from Forestport. 
And aside from these Mr. McGuire derived great pleasure from carrying on his large 
farm of 300 acres, lying adjacent to the village. On this farm he kept as many as 
125 cows and twenty-five horses, with large numbers of stock fatted for the market. 
It was his large capacity to carry on at the same time the many different business 
enterprises that brought his marked success and made him. more valuable to the 
community in which he lived. He was always an earnest Republican and took a 
keen interest in the party's success. He never sought office because his mind and 
time were occupied with business affairs. 

In 1864 Mr. McGuire married Mary A. Coughlin, daughter of John and Catherine 



G4 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Coughlin, of the town of Boonville. Mrs. Coughlin died in 1891; Mr. Coughlin is 
still living. 

Mr. and Mrs. McGuire have had seven children: Anna, Catherine, Mary, Frank, 
Grace, Frances, and Bertha. Anna died in 1882. Frank was educated at Manhat- 
tan College, and Mary, Grace, and Frances are graduates of St. Peter's Academy, 
Rome, N. Y: 



FRANK F. LAIRD, M. D. 

This gentleman, one of the foremost homoeopathic physicians of Utica, was born 
on the farm known as the " Old Townsend Homestead," situated between the towns 
of Trenton and Floyd, Oneida county, April 15, 1856, being the youngest child of 
William O. and Sarah A. Laird. He is a great-grandson of Samuel Laird, for whom 
Lairdsville, N. Y., was named, and whose father came from Scotland to New Eng- 
land in the early history of this country. Samuel Laird was a native of New Marl- 
boro, Berkshire county, Mass., but moved to Lairdsville in 1788 with his son Salmon, 
grandfather of the si bject of this sketch, then seven years of age and there died 
May 21, 1820. William O. Laird, son of Salmon and father of Dr. Frank F., became 
a dentist, married Sarah A. Townsend, of Floyd, Oneida county, and at the 
advanced age of seventy-eight is still actively engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession. The doctor's maternal ancestors originally resided in Rainham Castle, 
County Norfolk, England. His great-grandfather, Nathan Townsend, came to 
Oneida county from Hancock, Mass., in 1801, and was one of the first settlers in the 
town of Floyd, where his son William was for twenty-four years a justice of the 
peace, renowned for "having peaceably settled more quarrels than he made." 

Dr. Laird inherited the sturdy characteristics and native energy of his New Eng- 
land ancestry, and during his boyhood life on the farm acquired those habits of 
thrift, frugality, and activity which mark the successful man. He pursued his pre- 
paratory studies at Whitestown Seminary, where he completed the course in 1873. 
While in that institution he took constant tuition in elocution under H. Sam Dyer 
and Rev. John R. Lewis, and won prizes in declamation and oratory which distin- 
guished him as a thorough scholar, talented and ambitious. In the fall of 1873 he 
entered the Freshman class of Hamilton College, where, during the course, he was 
appointed first-year prize speaker and won the first prize in essay-writing ; secured 
the first honorable mention in essay-writing during the Sophomore year; won the 
Hawley medal for excellence in classical studies in the Junior year ; and in the Senior 
year was appointed to represent Hamilton at the Inter-Collegiate Oratorical contest 
held in the Academy of Music, New York city, in January, 1876, winning the second 
consecutive victory for his college. He was graduated in June, 1877, being the third 
in his class, with membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society of "honor-men," and 
delivering the class-day oration. He received the degree of A. M. in course from 
Hamilton College in 1880. 

Dr. Laird pursued the study of medicine under the supervision of his brother, Dr. 
William T. Laird, one of the leading physicians of Watertown, N. Y., and was 
graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College at Philadelphia in 1880, taking the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 65* 

highest general average save one (that of Prof. W. B. Van Lennep) ever obtained at 
that institution, and winning the position of valedictorian of his class. He imme- 
diately began the practice of his profession in Ogdensburg, N. Y., but in the follow- 
ing autumn located in Augusta, Me. There the climate proved too severe, and in 
the spring of 1881 he removed to Utica, where he has ever since resided. Dr. Laird 
very soon won a foremost place among the medical men of the city and rapidly built 
up an extensive practice. He has been uniformly successful and to-day ranks with 
the leading practitioners of homoeopathy in Central New York. As a citizen he is 
widely respected, enterprising and progressive, and manifests a keen interest in the 
welfare of the commuuity. 

He is medical director of the Commercial Travelers Mutual Accident Association 
of America, and of the Homoeopathic Hospital ; is a member and ex-president of the 
Oneida County Homoeopathic Medical Society, was elected first vice-president of the 
Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York in 1889 and served by ap- 
pointment as chairman of its Bureau of Materia Medica. for three years. He be 
came a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy in 1887. He is a fluent 
speaker, always ready in debate, and was orator on the occasion of the Masonic 
Jubilee held in Utica in April, 1890. 

Dr. Laird is a successful general practitioner and particularly skillful in treating 
the diseases of children, in which he has wide experience. In the application 
of homoeopathic remedies he rejects Hahnemann's theories of immaterial dosage, 
believing that the curative efficacy of a drug is confined to the limit of materiality. 

He has been a frequent contributor to current medical journals and transactions of 
articles of great value, which have attracted considerable attention and favorable 
comment. Among his contributions to the department of Materia Medica are 
" Physiological Action of Belladonna in its Relations to Homoeopathic Therapeutics," 
"Analytical Studies of Hydrastis," " Lycopus Virginicus," "Guaiacum," "Ammo- 
nium Muriaticum," and " Naphthalan." His contributions to the department of 
Clinical Medicine include "The Reflex Symptoms of Phymosis," " The Aetiology, 
Pathology, and Treatment of Diabetes Insipidus," " Lithaemia, Its Aetiological and 
Pathological Relations," "The Therapeutics of Spinal Irritation," and "Obscure 
Reflex Symptoms in Chronic Diseases." 

In 1883 Dr. Laird married Miss Annie C, daughter of the late Hon. W. B. Tay- 
or, of Utica. ex-State engineer. She died May 21, 1895, leaving two children, 
Frank T. and Mary Louise. June 23, 1896, he married for his second wife Miss Ella 
M. Pixlee, of Seattle, Wash. 



GEORGE M. STUDOR. 

George M. Studor was born in Hawkinsville, town of Boonville, Oneida county, 
January 23, 1857. Jacob Studor, his father, came from Germany in 1852, and settled 
in the above place. He engaged in the lumber business and continued in that line 
for the succeeding seven years. Like most thrifty, industrious Germans Mr. Studor 
made his labor in the lumber country result profitably to him, so that at the end of 
that time he had accumulated considerable of a nucleus for a start in business in 



66 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the New World. He also had the courage then to move farther north to White Lake 
and buy a farm in the then almost wholly undeveloped North Woods. He cleared 
and improved there one of the finest pieces of farm realty in the northern part of the 
State. He became one of the foremost citizens of that part of Oneida county, being 
identified with every movement looking to the improvement and building up of the 
community. He was one of those who founded the German Lutheran church at 
White Lake Corners, and throughout his life was one of its most liberal supporters. 
His family, for a time, made up a good part of its congregation. Mr. Studor pros- 
pered in his agricultural pursuit, becoming one of the leading men financially as well 
as religiously and socially. His wife was Elizabeth Snider, also of German birth. 
They had six children, namely, Philip, Lena, Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah and George 
M., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Studor died in 1887 and his wife in 1885. 

George M. Studor was educated at the district school and at the Poughkeepsie 
Business College. At the age of twenty- six he began business on his own account 
by purchasing a large farm at White Lake Corners. Besides this he has since carried 
on the livery business in connection with the farm, both the business enterprises 
having proved successful in no ordinary degree. Mr. Studor is an ardent Republican 
and is always active in advancing the party's best interest. Few conventions or 
councils have been held in the past ten years in which Mr. Studor has not been a 
factor. In 1892 he was chosen by Speaker Husted as his private messenger, a posi- 
tion he was well qualified to fill. 

In 1892 Mr. Studor married Helen, daughter of James Goodrich of Lewis county, 
N. Y. They have one of the finest residences in the northern part of the State. 



RUFUS P. BIRDSEYE. 

The Birdseye family in America had its origin in the person of John Birdseye, 
who came from England to Stratford, Fairfield county, Conn., in the early days of 
thatcolony. He finally removed to Middlefield, Conn., anddied in 1694, aged seventy- 
four, leaving two children, John, jr., and Joanna. His wife was Phillippa, daughter 
of Rev. Henry Smith, of Weathersfield, Conn. John Birdseye, jr., was born in Strat- 
ford March 28, 1641, married Phebe, daughter of William Wilcoxson, December 11, 
1669, and died January 9, 1697. Joseph, their fifth child, was born February 22, 
1681, married Sarah, daughter of Ambrose Thompson, and died June 25, 1757. Their 
children were Dinah, Joseph, and Rev. Nathan. Rev. Nathan Birdseye was born 
on Lord's day, at noon, August 8, 1714, married Dorothy, daughter of Rev. Thomas 
Hawley, of Ridgefield, Conn., April 17, 1739, and died January 28, 1817, aged 103 
years, five months, and nine days. His wife's death occurred September 21, 1807, 
at the age of eighty-eight. Ezra Birdseye, their fifth child, was born in Stratford, Conn., 
January 28, 1749, married Phebe Curtis, and died December 28, 1832. Their third 
child was Ezra, jr., who was born at Stratford, May 19, 1773, married Lovina, 
daughter of Joseph and Anna (Clement) Martin, of Martinsburg, Lewis county, N. 
Y., April 14, 1797, anddied in Trenton, Oneida county, November 5, 1830. He was 
probably the first to manufacture silk hats in Trenton, and successfully carried on 
that business there during his active life. His fifth child, Joseph Birdseye, was born 





^L^y^x^ 




BIOORAPHICAL. 67 

in that village September 17, 1813, and learned and followed his father's trade. In 
1833 he came to Utica, where he subsequently settled with his family, where he man- 
ufactured hats and caps for many years for the wholesale trade, and where he died 
March 30, 1887. -He was married August 30, 1839, to Helen E., daughter of Asa and 
Theodocia Pomeroy, who survives at the age of seventy-nine. 

Rufus Pomeroy Birdseye, only son and child of Joseph and Helen E. (Pomeroy) 
Birdseye, was born in Trenton, Oneida county, August 17, 1842, and came with his 
parents to Utica, where he spent his youth attending the public schools and academy 
of the city. Leaving the academy, where he had shown great proficiency in mathe- 
matics and the English branches, he went to New York and entered the canal trans- 
portation office. Two years later he returned to Utica and became bookkeeper for 
R. V. Yates & Son, wholesale clothiers, and subsequently held similar positions with 
H. J. Wood & Co. and Oatley Brothers. Afterwards he was bookkeeper for Rey- 
nolds Brothers, shoe manufacturers, for a time, and in April, 1871, entered the Sav- 
ings Bank of Utica in the same capacity. Here he has risen by promotion to teller, 
to assistant treasurer April 30, 1879, to secretary of the board of trustees |July 31, 
1889, and treasurer in charge December 26, 1894, and still holds the last two named 
positions. He was elected a trustee of the bank in 1888 and has since been a valued 
member of the board. Mr. Birdseye has been connected with the bank a little more 
than twenty-five years, and during that period he has established a reputation for 
being one of the ablest financiers in Central New York. Under his thorough and 
efficient management as treasurer this old institution, chartered in 1839, has never 
been in a better condition nor exerted a wider usefulness in the community. 

Mr. Birdseye is a prominent member of the Fort Schuyler, Arcanum, and Masonic 
Clubs and the First Presbyterian church of Utica. He is a 32° Mason, holding mem- 
bership in Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M. , and the Scottish Rite bodies, and in 
politics is a staunch Republican. He takes a lively interest in public affairs and in 
the progress and welfare of the community, and liberally encourages all worthy and 
benevolent enterprises. 

On April 9, 1867, Mr. Birdseye was married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of 
James F. and Eunice (Wendell) Crosby, of Albany, N. Y. They have two sons, 
both born in Utica, viz. : James Crosby Birdseye, born October 29, 1869, and Philip 
Wendell Birdseye, born April 5, 1874. 



JOHN C. HIEBER. 

John C. Hieber, senior member of the firm of John C. Hieber & Co., the leading 
wholesale dry goods dealers of Utica, was born in Bopfingen, Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, December 23, 1837, and received a good practical education in the national 
schools of his native country. In June, 1852, when a boy of but fourteen years of 
age, he came to America to seek a wider field for the exercise of those talents which 
subsequently formed the chief elements of his business career. He was thoroughly 
imbued with the fundamental ideas of liberty and freedom, with ambition, progress 
and advancement, and with characteristic energy turned his hand to the first employ- 
ment that was offered. He went to Johnstown, N. Y., and worked at dressing buck- 



G8 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

skins for about one year. In 1853 he came to Utica and for three years was em- 
ployed as a clerk in the retail grocery store of A. D. Mather & Co. These occupa- 
tions enabled him to become acquainted with customs and habits in the land of his 
adoption, and also to develop that patriotic spirit which has ever since been a pre- 
dominating factor in his commercial and other relations. In 1856 he returned 
to Johnstown and learned the trade of glove-cutting which he followed there during 
the next four years. He returned to Utica in 1860 and became a salesman in the dry 
goods house of E. T. Manning & Co., the predecessors of Hugh Glenn & Co., with 
whom he continued until 1864. In these various capacities Mr. Hieber developed a 
rare business ability and won the entire confidence of his employers and associates. At 
the same time he gained a wide experience and a thorough knowledge of business 
affairs which combined to form the proper base for the career upon which he was 
now to enter. 

In 1864 Mr. Hieber, in partnership with William Gries, under the firm name of 
William Gries & Co., engaged in the retail dry goods trade in Utica, This name 
was changed in 1867 to Gries & Hieber, and in 1869 Mr. Hieber purchased his 
partner's interest. He then formed a copartnership with John A. Roberts, under 
the style of John C. Hieber & Co., and continued the business until 1871, when the 
firm sold out. A reorganization was then effected under the name of Hieber, 
Roberts & Jones and at once engaged in the wholesale dry goods trade, which 
proved a success from the start. In 1874 Mr. Hieber purchased the interests of his 
partners and thus became sole owner; soon afterwards, however, he formed a 
partnership with David E. Williams and William O. Hewitt under the name of John 
C. Hieber & Co. This continued until 1881 when Mr. Hieber again became sole 
proprietor of the constantly growing business. 

In 1882 the present firm of John C. Hieber & Co. was organized, the individual 
partners being Mr. Hieber, David E. Williams, J. Frank Day and Isaac O. Roberts. 
Mr. Hieber's business career covers a period of thirty-four years, all of it being 
spent in Utica. Coming to this country a stranger, without money or friends, but 
with great energy, courage and laudable ambition, he has by his own efforts forged 
ahead and stands to-day among the foremost merchants of the State. He is pre- 
eminently a self-made man. His success is due chiefly to indefatigable idustry, in- 
domitable perseverance, close attention to details and great executive ability. By 
practicing economy he was enabled to start in business for himself at a time when 
others endowed with less foresight would have been content to work for nominal 
salaries. He had carefully studied human nature and the elements of business 
affairs and with characteristic zeal had grasped those principles of trade which 
invariably lead to successful ends. As a retail dealer he met the needs of the public 
with commendable enterprise, and in this capacity added to his already large experi- 
ence. In the wholesale line he found a wider field for the exercise of his business, 
ability, his native energy and his enterprising spirit. To him was mainly due the 
success attained during the earlier years of the firm, and to him is almost wholly due 
the building up and continuance of the largest and most complete dry goods estab- 
lishment not only in Utica and Oneida coanty, but in Central New York. 

In 1893 he built the present handsome and commodious brick block on Main street 
for the exclusive use of the business. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 69 

Mr. Hieber has always taken a keen interest in public affairs and in the prosperity of 
the city, but his extensive business interests have never admitted of his accepting 
political office. He is public-spirited and progressive, and above all patriotic, and is 
one of the foremost citizens of Utica. He is a member and for several years has been 
a trustee of the English Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and is also a well-known 
Mason, holding membership in Oriental Lodge F. & A. M. and Oneida Chapter 
R. A. M. He is also a charter member of the Business Men's Exchange of Utica. 

On September 22, 1862, Mr. Hieber was married to Miss Barbara Neeger, daugh- 
ter of George Neeger, of Marcy, Oneida county. This union has been blessed with 
nine children, of whom six are living, Theodore W., Eugene A., George M., Lena, 
Flora E., and Matilda C. Theodore W., and Eugene A. are associated with their 
father in the business. 



LADD J. LEWIS. 

Ladd John Lewis was born in the town of Orangeville, Wyoming county. N. Y., 
December 22, 1845, and is the third child and eldest son of John L. and Lois (Squier) 
Lewis, natives of Rhode Island and this State respectively. Members of the Lewis 
family were somewhat prominent in the Revolutionary war, one of whom was a 
member of General Washington's staff, and have always borne active parts in local 
affairs. The lineage dates back to 1661, when John Lewis settled in Westerly, R. I., 
coming there presumably (which is quite .well verified) from Wales via Boston and 
Newport. The line is as follows: 1 John, 2 Samuel, 3 Jonathan, 4 Jonathan, 5 
Jonathan, 6 Moses, 7 John Ladd, and 8 Ladd John. John Ladd Lewis (7) was born 
in Exeter, R. L, May 1, 1811, in the same house in which was born his father and 
grandfather. This historic homestead was built about 1740 by his great-grand, 
father, Jonathan Lewis, of the fourth generation in America, and is still standing 
and occupied as a residence. John L. died January 24, 1889, in Johnsonsburg, Wyom- 
ing county, N. Y., having been a resident of that town (Orangeville), except one 
year, since 1818. His wife Lois, born near Fosterville, Cayuga county, August 27, 
1819, was a daughter of Gurdon and- Dolly (Foster) Squier, and is living in Warsaw! 
N. Y. Jonathan Foster, father of Dolly (Foster) Squier, fought at Bunker Hill in the 
Revolutionary war, while her husband, Gurdon Squier, served, prior to their mar- 
riage, in the war of 1812, being taken prisoner by the British at Queenston with 
General Scott, carried to Quebec, and exchanged. Dolly (Foster) Squier lived to be 
almost ninety-nine years of age. She was three times married, Lois (Squier) Lewis 
being a daughter by the second marriage. John L. and Lois Lewis had six chil- 
dren, all of whom attained maturity, married, and had families. 

Ladd J. Lewis spent his boyhood and youth on the parental farm, helping his 
father during the summer months and attending the district school during the win- 
ters. The homestead was small, and when he had reached the age of fifteen the 
younger sons were old enough to render such assistance as was necessary to carry 
on the place. He therefore sought and obtained employment by the month, and for 
four summers worked for farmers in the neighborhood. His winters were 'spent in 
school, one term being passed in Genesee Seminary at Alexander, N. Y. Before 



70 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

reaching the age of eighteen he began teaching school and continued during three 
winter terms. When twenty, being desirous of a practical business education, he 
entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was graduated 
therefrom in 1865. Early in the year 1866 he became shipping clerk and assistant 
bookkeeper for S. A. Millard & Co. , manufacturers of agricultural implements at 
Clayville, Oneida county, with whom he remained until the fall of 1869. 

Mr. Lewis then moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., and accepted a position as cashier 
and bookkeeper for Henry S. Smith, a manufacturer of agricultural implements, 
with whom he was admitted to partnership in 1873 under the firm name of Henry S. 
Smith & Co. Mr. Lewis early became identified with the school interests of that 
city and in 1876 was elected in a strong Democratic ward, a member of the Board of 
Education, consisting of seventeen members including the mayor. He was asso- 
ciated with that body for six years, or three successive terms, and for two years 
served as its president. While officiating in that capacity he twice refused the nomi- 
nation for mayor of the city and once declined an election to the State Assembly. 
These honors, coming as they did entirely unsought, and when he was but thirty-one 
years of age, well illustrate Mr. Lewis's high standing in the community and the 
esteem and confidence in which he was held by his fellow citizens. He had won the 
respect of not only the adherents of his own party, the Republican, but of his political 
opponents as well, and was conspicuous for his impartiality, honesty, integrity, and 
uprightness. 

In 1884 Mr. Lewis sold out his business interests in Grand Rapids and removed to 
New Hartford, Oneida county, where he has since resided. Here he had purchased 
an interest in and in the fall of 1S83 became one of the incorporators of what is now 
the Utica Tool Company,' located at Washington Mills, and from that time until the 
present has served either as its treasurer or secretary, holding now the latter office. 
Here he has become prominently identified with the town, of which he was elected 
supervisor March 3, 1896. Prior to this he served for six years as a member of the 
Board of Education of the village of New Hartford. He is a member of Amicable 
Lodge, No. 664, F. & A. M., of Washington Mills, of Imperial Council, No. 70, R. A., 
of Utica, and of the New Hartford Presbyterian church. Mr. Lewis is a generous 
promoter of every project having the welfare and advancement of the community at 
heart and is actively interested in town and public affairs. For several years he has 
been engaged in preparing a genealogy of his family and after much research has 
traced the lineage back to 1661, as previously mentioned. He has a large amount of 
valuable matter relating to the subject which he expects soon to have published. 

Mr. Lewis was married on September 22, 1870, to Miss Alice M., daughter of Sam- 
uel S. and Samantha Bailey (Gill) Eldridge, of Warsaw, Wyoming county, and they 
have had six children: Ladd J., jr., Nellie L., Alice Louise, and Frances E., who are 
living, and Helen L., and Eldridge E., deceased. 

1 A sketch of this industry appears in the article devoted to Charles H. Philo, which see. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 71 

EDWARD CURRAN. 

Edward Curran, a life-long citizen of Utica, was not only a prominent business 
man, but a public benefactor whose memory will forever illuminate local annals and 
shed its wholesome influence upon coming generations. His paternal grandfather, 
Henry Curran, was born in Millnisgay, Ireland, the youngest child of Dennis and 
Ann (Weldon) Curran, and was reared and bred a tanner. About 1780 he married 
Ann Kelly in his native village, and some years later emigrated to America, pur- 
chasing an unbroken farm in Williamstown, Oswego county, N. Y., and settling 
thereon about the year 1800. There his son Edward, father of the subject of this 
memoir, was born November 10, 1803. The country then was an almost unbroken 
wilderness, and after several years of persistent toil and no little adversity incident 
to frontier life the family removed to Lansingburg, N. Y. , where during the next 
years their fortunes were retrieved. Thence they returned to the original farm in 
Williamstown, where the pioneer Henry died August 20, 1860, aged nearly 100. He 
was a member of the Methodist church and lived a consistent Christian gentleman. 
He had ten children, of whom Edward, sr., was the youngest. The latter learned 
the trade Of tanner and currier in Waterford, Saratoga county, and when nineteen 
came to Utica as foreman in charge of the large tannery of David P. Hoyt. where he 
remained several years. In 1829 he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Alrick Hub- 
bell and commenced business for himself. The firm of Hubbell & Curran continued 
successfully as dealers in hides and leather until March 1, 1855, when Mr. Curran 
purchased his partner's interest and carried on the establishment until his death on 
June 27, 1856. Edward Curran sr., married first, Amanda Minerva Hamilton Bart- 
lett, daughter of Robert and Esther (Reed) Bartlett, who was born in Boston, Mass., 
January 13, 1807, and who died in Utica December 31, 1837. They had five children ' 
Celia Frances, born April 26, 1829; Charles Carroll, born October 9, 1830, died Sep- 
tember 9, 1858; Amanda Maria, born February 1, 1833, died November 13, 1838; 
Edward, the subject of this sketch ; and Horatio Bartlett, born October 2, 1837.' 
Mr. Curran married, second, May 7, 1839, Mary, daughter of George and' Chloe 
(Sweeting) Langford, and a native of Westmoreland, Oneida county. Their 
children were George Langford, born March 10, 1840, of Utica; Henry Hast- 
ings, born September 27, 1841, who left Hamilton college in 1861 to enlist in the 
146th N. Y. Vols., was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, and was killed at the battle 
of the Wilderness May 5, 1864; Philip Clinton, born June 28, 1843, who in August, 
1861, after completing his sophomore year in college, enlisted as sergeant in Co. B, 
146th N. Y. Vols., was discharged on account of ill health March 11, 1863, and died 
in Utica December 17, 1877; Mary Langford, born March 9, 1846; and John Elliott, 
born May 25, 1848, who became a magazine writer of considerable note, and died in 
Englewood, N. J., May 18, 1890. 

Edward Curran, the fourth of the five children of Edward and Amanda M. H. 
(Bartlett) Curran, was born in Utica, N. Y., February 25, 1835, his father's home at that 
time being on Main street, near the site of the present New York Central depot. His 
education was obtained in the advanced school and academy of the city, at the De 
Lancey Institute in Hampton, and at the Ellington (Conn.) Academy. On leaving 
the latter institution he entered Hamilton College, from which he was graduated 



72 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

with high honors, and with membership in Alpha Delta Phi, in 1856. It was his in- 
tention to enter the ministry, for which he was peculiarly fitted by nature, but the 
death of his father immediately after his graduation materially changed his plans. 
The old hide and leather business founded by Edward, sr. , in 1829 was at this time 
carried on under the firm name of Curran & Son, the junior partner being Charles C. 
Upon his father s death Mr. Curran went into the store, forming the firm of Edward 
Curran's Sons, a name that has ever since been retained. After the death of Charles 
C. in 1858 another brother, George L. , succeeded him and still continues the business. 
The house has always handled hides, leather and shoemakers' findings. It is one of 
the oldest and best known in the State, and among the most interesting landmarks 
of the city. Its business operations have from the first extended not only through- 
out New York, but into adjoining States and the West, and to the various details 
Mr. Curran brought an intimate knowledge, rare executive ability, and great energy. 
In his dealings he won universal confidence and respect, and was always regarded 
as a man of the strictest integrity and uprightness of purpose. 

But it was outside of his commercial relations and among the people of his native 
city that Mr. Curran left the most indelible impress of his true character and manly 
worth. He was best known and appreciated by those who were the least aware of 
his private business affairs, for in these he was largely brought into contact with 
men at a distance. At home he was pre-eminently a public benefactor, taking a 
lively and an active interest in all important projects which promised general ad- 
vancement and permanennt good. He was a stockholder and director in the First 
National Bank and from 1888 until his death its vice-president, and was also a trus- 
tee of the Utica Savings Bank and a member of its executive committee. In all 
these capacities he manifested a rare knowledge of financial affairs and ably assisted 
in directing them. 

Mr. Curran was the founder of the Homestead Aid Association of Utica, one of the 
largest and most successful organizations in the country for the benefit of the local 
wage-earner and home-builder. The idea of developing this field was suggested to 
him by F. Leroy Smith, who was familiar with its operations in other eastern cities, 
but the inception, maintenance, and success were due to his indomitable efforts and 
sagacious management. He was its father, its prime mover, and its watchful guard- 
ian, and upon him during the first ten years of its existence devolved the heaviest 
duties and proper direction. To its development he devoted his best efforts, and 
that they were entirely unselfish is evidenced by the fact that they were without re- 
muneration or hope of reward other than that which came from doing good. In its 
interests he labored early and late; he was its staunchest champion; his advice and 
counsel guided its affairs and the actions of his associates ; and often he advanced 
payments for worthy men who through misfortune were unable to make them them- 
selves. The association was organized by himself and others in February, 1884, and 
he served as its president from that time until his death, performing much of its de- 
tail work, and conscientiously guarding its ever growing interests. He contributed 
numerous articles in its behalf to local newspapers which were widely copied by 
journals devoted to savings and loan organizations. The association has now an 
invested capital of §700,000, and during its career has proved inestimably valuable 
to many a small property owner. In the prayers that have gone up from the large 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 73 

number of little homes which this noble man's labor builded there is a volume of un- 
written gratitude and reverence, which in the hearts of those benefited is a living 
monument to the memory of the association's founder. 

It was one of Mr. Curran's chief ambitions to make others happy. To the poor 
and unfortunate he unostentatiously gave liberally and cheerfully of his not over 
abundant means, and in this respect no man enjoyed a brighter record. He was 
well known for his charitable acts, and equally well known for his kindness, consid- 
eration, and good deeds. He was a wise giver, possessing a keen discrimination 
between the worthy and unworthy. In 1880 he was elected a charity commissioner, 
an office to which he was three times re-elected, and served with signal ability and 
universal satisfaction. In this capacity he resolutely stood for economy, but as 
firmly for justice and right. He was one of the founders and president of the Utica 
Free Dispensary, one of the first officers of Faxton Hospital, and secretary of the 
Home for the Homeless at the time of his death. He was also a member of the ad- 
visory board of the Woman's Christian Association, and the first president of the 
Young Men's Christian Association, with which he was long actively and prominently 
identified. During the early history of the last named institution he was not only its 
guiding officer, but one of its chief and most liberal supporters. Mr. Curran was 
always fond of athletic sports, and at one time the firm established on the top floor 
of their place of business a finely appointed gymnasium, where they were wont to 
admit schoolboys in considerable numbers, and where he often participated in their 
exercises with the keenest enjoyment. He was a member and for several years an 
elder of Westminster Presbyterian church, and was actively interested in its Sunday 
school. His devotion to church work was akin to that displayed in the interests of 
charity, and his influence in both was of the purest, noblest, and most elevating 
character. He was one of nature's noblemen, a man whose Christian spirit spoke 
in his deed and action— a model citizen, a kind, affectionate husband, and an indul- 
gent yet firm father. 

In politics he was a staunch Republican, but steadfastly refused to accepted polit- 
ical office. Without his solicitation he was often urged to go upon his party's ticket, 
particularly for mayor of Utica, but he invariably declined. He was appointed by 
Governor Cleveland and confirmed by the Senate without opposition as one of the 
trustees of the Utica State Hospital, but declined the honor on account of other 
duties. In 1884 he was appointed a member of the board of civil service examiners 
at Utica. He was a member of the Oneida Historical Society and on June 6, 1890, 
was elected a member of Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa of Hamilton College! 
He died in Utica, where he had spent his entire life, on the 4th of June, 1894, widely 
mourned and universally respected. His remains were interred in the family lot in 
Forest Hill Cemetery. Touching resolutions, glowing tributes to his memory, were 
passed by every organization with which he had been connected, and in addition 
scores of letters were received by the family from persons all over the country, each 
bearing a tender encomium of his rare worth and high personal character. 

Mr. Curran was married on October 20, 1864, to Miss Lucy Helen Doolittle, who 
was born in Utica October 26, 1836, and who survives him. Her father, Charles R. 
Doolittle, 1 was born in Whitestown, August 4, 1799, and died in Utica October 9, 

'Gen. George Doolittle, father of Charles R., was born in Wallingford, Conn., June 13 1759, 



74 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1841. Her mother, whose maiden name was Abigail Pickard Obear, was born in 
Beverly, Mass., March 36, 1811, and died in Utica July 27, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Cur- 
ran's wedded life was peculiarly a happy one. Their home was the center of tender- 
ness, affection, and Christian influence, and from its sacred precints radiated those 
virtues which elevate and inspire men to noble action. They were the parents of 
two sons: Richard Langford Curran, born September 26, 1865, who is engaged in 
the general advertising business in New York city; and Sherwood Spencer Curran, 
born September 12, 1867, who is secretary of the Homestead Aid Association of 
Utica, succeeding William P. Carpenter on the latter's death in May, 1895. 



DAVID CURTIS STODDARD. 

The first of the Stoddard family in America was John Stoddard, who appears on 
record as a landowner in Westfield, Conn., as early as June 18, 1645. Two years 
before this he had married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Foote. Their descendants 
became conspicuous in the civil and commercial life of New England, and for gener- 
ations were acknowledged leaders in the affairs of their communities. From them 
descended Aaron Stoddard, the great-grandfather of David C, who was born July 
15, 1739. He enlisted in Capt. Bezaleel Beebe's company from Litchfield, Conn , and 
served in the Revolutionary war until his death on January 12, 1777. His only son, 
David Stoddard, was born in Litchfield November 15, 1773, was married in 1793 to 
Dorcas Kent, aud in 1803 moved to De Ruyter(now Otselic), Chenango county, N. Y., 
where he engaged in farming and also in buying and driving cattle. Dorcas, the 
wife of David, died in Otselic October 11, 1830, while his death occurred in Groton, 
N. Y., May 5, 1848. Their son, David D. Stoddard, was born in Litchfield, Conn., 
October 1, 1795, and was married in Otselic. N. Y., on October 19, 1823, to Mary 
Salome Warner, who was born in Ballston Springs, N. Y. , August 15, 1795. David 
D. Stoddard was originally a Whig in politics, but very early became an active abo- 
litionist, and in 1840 cast the only vote of that party in his town. In November, 
1859, he moved to Mazeppa, Minn., where he died June 1, 1870. His wife died there 
in 1878. Their children were William Harmon, born September 12, 1824, deceased; 
Albion, born February 14, 1826, of South Shore, S. Dak. ; Eliza Ann, born October 
29, 1827, died in 1892; Salome Jane, born July 13, 1829, of Mazeppa, Minn. ; David 
Curtis, the subject of this sketch ; Lyman, born January 19, 1833, killed in the army 

enlisted at the age of seventeen, in response to Washington's first call for troops in 1776, in the 
8th company, Capt. Joseph Churchill, 3d battallion, Connecticut line, and served in and about 
New York and Long Island, being caputured by the British in the retreat September 15, 1776. 
On May 1, 1778, he re-enlisted in the 6th Conn. Regt., regular line, raised to serve three years or 
during the war. He was with the main army under Washington at White Plains and during the 
year 1770 served on the east side of the Hudson River, participating in the battle of Stony Point 
July 15th. Three or more of his brothers also enlisted in the Revolutionary army. January!, 
1783, he was made adjutant. About 1787 he removed to Whitestown and became the first com- 
missioned officer of militia in Oneida county. He died here February 21, 1825. He married Grace, 
daughter of Capt. Amos Wetmore, a Revolutionary soldier in Colonel Comfort's regiment Con- 
necticut line. She was born in Middletown, Conn., December 3, 1766, and died in Whitestown 
August 27, 1836, being the mother of twelve children. 




D. C. STODDARD. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 75 

December 28, 1«62; Mary Caroline (Mrs. Charles Duncan), born October 17, 1834, 
deceased; Emily, born June 8, 1838, died January 7, 1854; and Charlotte, born 
August 18, 1843, died August 21, 1849. 

David Curtis Stoddard was born August 3. 1S31, in the town of Otselic, Chenango 
count)', N. Y., upon a farm his father had subdued from the primeval forest, and 
which was surrounded in part by the same unbroken wilderness. It was a rough, 
hilly, stony country — hard to clear of timber and hard to cultivate afterwards — 
producing not bountifully in the best seasons, and very scantily often, with long 
cold and severe winters in which was consumed all the product of the summer. 
Educational facilities were very scant in quantity and quality; the school-house was 
half built and poorly furnished ; seats were made of slabs or planks, unplaned and 
without backs; the stove or fireplace was supplied with wood, green and just cut and 
hauled from the forest, which the fire refused to feed upon, but the well-seasoned 
and oft used rod of the master often supplied the heat the fire should have made. 
It was under these circumstances that he received what education this school could 
give; but when grown to a young man he added to this three or four terms at select 
or private schools, with two terms in an academy, so that at nineteen years of age 
he commenced the teaching of these district schools in the winters. These advant- 
ages only resulted in fairly perfecting him in the common branches of learning 
without the benefit of a higher culture. Books were scarce, and but for the little 
district library just before established, would have been few indeed, as those hard- 
working men and women had to struggle for bread and could spare nothing for 
books. What books could be reached he thoroughly read and they have been of 
great advantage to him, but he has always felt the want of an early education, and 
the want of books of general information at that time in his life. 

In early manhood he became a Whig in feelings and at majority cast his first vote 
for General Scott in the presidential election of 1852, and at each election sustained 
it by his vote until its disappearance in the Republican party, which he has sup- 
ported and sustained till the present time. In January, 1853, he commenced to study 
law in the office of Hon. Sidney T. Holmes, the county judge of Madison county, and 
finished his studies and was admitted to the bar at Utica, N. Y., in January, 1853, 
commencing at once the practice of law at that city, which he continued until Sep- 
tember, 1861. 

After the first battle of Bull Run and the call for 500,000 volunteers immediately 
thereafter, although knowing nothing of military matters, like thousands of other 
young men in those stirring times, he resolved to do what was in his power to aid his 
conntry to put down that cruel rebellion against the best government the world had 
then seen. He associated with George Klinck and John S. Hunt (son of Hon. Ward 
Hunt) to recruit and have mustered into service an artillery company, which was 
done in the short time of two weeks, and, on the organization the company, was 
chosen and then commissioned second lieutenant of said company which formed Co. 
E of the 2d N. Y. H. A, Vols., and was soon afterwards commissioned first lieutenant 
in place of Hunt. Early in the next November this regiment was at the front and 
formed part of the garrison of the chain of forts defending Washington from the 
south side of the Potomac River, where it remained (except taking part in the battle 
of Second Bull Run) drilling, making forts and perfecting itself as a regiment until 



76 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

May, 1864, when it had 2,000 men in its twelve companies of first-class officers and 
soldiers, it was ordered to join General Grant in that celebrated campaign against 
Richmond ; and the dead bodies of these brave men were left upon every battlefield 
from the Wilderness to Appomattox Court House. On arriving at the front the 
regiment was attached to and formed a part of the First Brigade (commanded by 
Gen. Nelson A. Miles, now commander-in-chief of the U. S. A.), First Division 
(commanded by Gen. Francis C. Barlow), Second Corps (commanded by Gen.Winfield , 
Scott Hancock), all then and ever since celebrated as brave and superior officers. 
He served with this company and regiment, participating in all its battles, long 
marches and hardships until his discharge in October, 1864, by reason of expiration 
of term of service, and during his whole service in the army was not obliged to go 
to a hospital. In August, 1864, he received a commission as captain in the regi- 
ment, but his health being temporarily impaired by the hardships of that summer, 
he declined to muster under it and was honorably discharged after three years of 
service. Returning to his family and home his health improved rapidly and with 
strength came the desire to return to the army. He could not content himself with 
business, and in December, receiving a commission from the secretary of war as 
first lieutenant in the 1st Regt. U. S. Vet. Vols. (Hancock's Corps), he again en- 
tered the service and was stationed at Utica to recruit veteran soldiers who had 
served at least two years and were physically sound ; and during the following win- 
ter recruited 150 veterans who were mustered into the service and formed part of 
the 20,000 veterans which General Hancock was authorized by the war department 
to raise throughout the United States and to command in the field. Early in March 
he was ordered to join his regiment, then serving in the Shenandoah Valley, and 
on arriving immediately took part in an expedition against General Mosby, the 
celebrated guerrilla of the Blue Mountains of Virginia, and here he heard the last 
hostile bullet in a short skirmish with this brave and daring leader. After the sur- 
render of Lee his regiment was sent to the Wilderness to collect the bones of the 
unburied dead of that fierce struggle and bury them, mark the graves of the dead 
there and at Spottsylvania Court House, and then returning to Washington was 
the guard inside the prison at the execution of Mrs. Surrat, Harold and others for 
the assassination of the lamented Lincoln. In July he was ordered to- Baltimore 
and promoted to be captain of Co. C of the same regiment. He was in command of 
Fort Federal Hill and Camp Distribution in that city, and was honorably discharged 
at the muster out of service of his company and regiment in February, 1865. 

Returning to Utica, after long and valiant service in the army, Mr. Stoddard re- 
sumed the practice of law, and in 1871 formed a copartnership with Edwin H. Risley, 
which continued until 1884. Since then he has practiced his profession alone. 
Having been elected in the fall of 1871 he qualified and entered upon his duties as 
district attorney of Oneida county on January 1, 1872, and served in that capacity 
for a term of three years. Among the many important trials which he conducted as 
prosecuting officer was that of Josephine A. McCarthy for shooting and killing Henry 
H. Hall, of Ogdensburg, while riding in a Genesee street car in Utica. This was 
one of the most celebrated cases in the criminal annals of the State and lasted three 
weeks, and out of it grew the indictment, trial, and conviction for libel of the editor 
of the Daily Bee for printing an attack upon the presiding justice. In 1878 Mr. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 77 

Stoddard was candidate for surrogate on the Republican ticket, but owing to an 
organized effort to carry the office to Rome he was defeated by Stephen Van Dreaser 
by a very.small majority. After this he retired permanently from politics and devoted 
his attention wholly to his profession, in. which he has won brilliant achievements 
and a wide reputation. 

Mr. Stoddard is a member of Utica Lodge. No. 47, F. & A M., and Oneida Chap- 
tor, No. 57, R. A. M., and a charter member of Yah-nun-dah-sis Lodge of Perfection 
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also a charter member of Post Bacon, 
No. 53, G. A. R., and has served as its quartermaster and commander two terms 
each. .For a time he was judge advocate-general on the staff of General Barnum, 
Department Commander State of New York. He has always taken a lively interest 
in public affairs, and in the progress and prosperity of the citv of Utica, where he 
occupies a prominent place both as citizen and lawyer. 

July 13, 1859, Mr. Stoddard was married to Miss Sarah B., daughter of Leonard 
Gibbs, of Utica. She was born in Boston, Mass., in 1833. Their children are David 
Curtis, jr., born March 6, 1862, and George Lyman, born May 26, 1869, both of 
Utica. 



THE WHITE FAMILY. 

In preparing the history of the County of Oneida it becomes necessary to outline 
briefly the history of the White family, and the proprietary settlement of this county 
by this family and the development of the commerce of the State through its water 
ways by Canvass White, one member of the family, and a similar development of its 
commerce by railroads by William Clark Young, another member of the family ; and 
in fact the family's continuous association with the growth and development of' Cen- 
tral New York ever since the original settlement here, June 5, 1784. 

The family trace their descent from Elder John White, one of the first settlers of 
Cambridge in Massachusetts, of Hartford in Connecticut and of Hadley in Massa- 
chusetts. Elder John White landed in Boston, Mass., on the good ship Lyon, Sep- 
tember 16, 1632, and his home lot was on the street called " Cowyard Row" not far 
from Gore Hall, where the beautiful library building of Harvard University now 
stands. The standing of the family was that of the well to do middle class, their 
home life in England had been one of comfort, and their departure for this country 
was on account of religious intolerance. 

John White arid his family moved, as one of the followers of the Rev. Thomas 
Hooker, to what is now the city of Hartford, Conn., where he assisted in founding 
the settlement, and where he died in 1684 about the age of eighty-one years. He 
held several offices of. importance, such as magistrate, selectman, member of the 
General Court (Legislature), and lived an active, useful and Christian life, respected 
by all who knew him. He was the founder of a numerous family, many of whose 
members became prominent and influential factors in civil, social and business af- 



78 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

fairs. His descendants, without exception have held high rank in their respective 
communities, and are numbered to-day among the most patriotic and useful citizens. 

HUGH WHITE. 

Hugh White, the pioneer settler of Whitestown, was the fifth in descent from 
Elder John White above mentioned; he was born in Middletown, Conn., January 
35, 1733, and married Mary Clark of the same town, by whom he had ten children, 
two daughters dying in infancy, and his five sons and two daughters came with him 
and settled Whitestown. Hugh White served during the Revolutionary war as a 
quartermaster, and in that capacity, with the self sacrificing devotion of the many 
heroes in that first struggle of the country for national independence, expended his 
fortune for the maintenance of the army, receiving in its place continental paper 
money that became worthless in his possession. 

At the close of the Revolutionary war he joined in the purchase of Sadaquada 
Patent with Zephaniah Piatt, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Melancthon Smith and General 
William Floyd, the last being one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, 
and Mr. White was sent to make the preliminary settlement and survey of the new 
purchase. The trip was made from Albany up the Mohawk River in flat bottom 
boats, which were propelled by means of poles. When they reached German Flats, 
a few miles east of Utica, where there was a small clearing, they halted long enough 
to plough the ground and plant corn, and then proceeded up the river until they 
reached the mouth of the Sauquoit Creek, where they landed and a clearing was at 
once started from the mouth of the creek, toward the present site of the Whitestown 
village square ; that fall they returned to German Flats and harvested the corn which 
they planted in the spring time, and the following spring Mr. White and his sons 
were joined by their wives and families, and the settlement of Whitestown was 
completed. 

The Legislature, by an act passed March 7, 1788, among other things, created the 
town of Whitestown in the county of Montgomery. This town was laid out on a 
magnificent scale ; its boundary was a straight line crossing the river a short distance 
below Genesee street bridge at a log house then standing there, and running thence 
due north to the river St. Lawrence, and also due south to a small stream near Penn- 
sylvania, and down that stream to the Pennsylvania line, all parts of the State lying 
west of that line were constituted the town of Whitestown. It contained more than 
twelve million acres of land, the navigable waters of the Mohawk, the Delaware, 
the Susquehanna and the Ohio rivers, the Salt Springs of Onondaga, the chain of 
the Finger lakes and the Oswego river, the entire valley of the Genesee, with its 
upper and lower falls, and also the grand cataract of the Niagara. Its frontage of 
great lakes and rivers was not short of four hundred miles in length. After the ar- 
rival of the judge's family, and his children and their families, he purchased of Will- 
iam Floyd his interest in Sadaquada Patent, the various interests having been 
allotted to the partners in the enterprise by lot, and General Floyd's portion being 
that on the east side of the Sauquoit creek where is now situated the village of 
Yorkville and New York Mills. The price paid for this land by Mr. White was three 
pipes of wine, which was sent to the general at his house in Western, a short dis- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 79 

tance from Rome, but the general having no bottles in which to place the wine at 
that time, sent to England and had the bottles blown with his initials and the date, 
and some of these bottles are now in possession of the descendants of the general in 
the old mansion at Western. 

At the time of Hugh White's arrival the Indian complications on the frontier were 
in a very delicate condition, the Indians having been under large pay from the English, 
and hostility focused against the settlers during the entire war. It needed a pecul- 
iar strength to gain their friendship and trust. Hugh White was a fearless, yet 
cautious leader, and exerted a powerful and wholesome influence upon the entire 
community. He was especially a firm friend of the Indians who had possessions on 
all sides for miles around, it being the home of the Six Nations, and the Iroquois 
Confederacy. Forewarned of the craft and treachery of these tribes, he sought to 
conciliate their good will by frankness and fair dealing, and by unaffected assurances 
of friendship for the well being of their tribes, oft times accompanying these pro- 
fessions by kindly offices and with gifts judiciously distributed to their women and 
little ones. Yet a latent incredulity seems to have clouded the leading chief of the 
Confederacy, Han Yerry, as to the sincerity of these friendly advances, and on one 
of his frequent visits to the family of the patriot of the Pale Faces, this chief asked 
to be allowed the favor of carrying an interesting little girl, a granddaughter of 
Judge White's, home to his squaws at their tribal wigwam as they would be delighted 
to see and handle the papoose of the Pale Faces. Defining that the crafty purpose 
of the chief, was to obtain a hostage as a pledge of the good favor of the Whites' 
friendly regard toward the natives of the forest, the judge decided that the child 
should go; the mother was, of course, frantic at the bare idea of her tender offspring 
being carried off by the savages, and the father of the child, Joseph White, son of 
the judge, protested that the shock would be either the death of his wife or drive her 
into lunacy, but the judge was firm in his purpose, and told his son that the child 
must go, and it was intimated to his son that he should lock up his wife until the 
child be brought back. The child was carefully carried off by the chief who pledged 
his word to bring her back on the morrow. The grief of the mother can be better 
imagined than described, and it was a night of anxiety to her and her husband, 
and most of the following day wore away without bringing relief to their doubts 
whether the child would ever be restored to them alive. It was not until the sun 
was on its western decline and near the horizon setting across the pathway leading 
over the bluff from Oriskany, that the chief with a retinue of chiefs and squaws, were 
discovered wending their way along the forest trails in all their native dignity, and 
with them the beautiful little waif perched high on the chief's shoulders decked out 
in all the splendor of barbaric feathers and wampum, and thus decked the little 
hostage was safely restored by the elated chieftain to its mother. The heroine of 
this adventure afterwards married Captain Ells of Whitestown. 

This policy of Judge White's triumphed, and he and his neighbors ever afterwards 
enjoyed the unswerving friendship of the Indians whose deeds of kindness to the 
settlers are matters of history. It was this incident that gained for the white people 
the entire confidence of their untutored neighbors, and perhaps no white man who 
lived among the Six Nations at this time shared their confidence more widely or ex- 
ercised a more civilizing influence over them than Judge White. His active sym- 



80 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

pathies for them and neighborly offices dispensed to their tribal households, begot 
their full confidence in him as a man. a neighbor and a counsellor. 

There was one other incident, however, that perhaps entitled him to the above 
influence more than his implicit trust and confidence in the fairness of the Indian 
dealings, and this was the solution of a question as to his muscular fitness for their 
highest tribal distinction ; and as a test of his manliness in this regard they chal- 
lenged him on one occasion to wrestle with their champion athlete. In view of his 
prestige, he could not do otherwise than accept the challenge, and the trial came 
off in due time. The judge was past fifty-six years of age and had been quite an 
athlete in his youth, but of late years had not had his hand in at trips, and besides 
he was inclined to be corpulent, weighing about two hundred and fifty pounds, 
though nearly six feet in height. He was ever noted, however, for his alertness 
of mind and motion, and to this he was mainly indebted to a victory over his more 
agile combatant. Immediately after they had fairly clinched, the judge by a 
quick and skillful trip, succeeded in throwing the Indian. As he saw him fall- 
ing, in order to prevent the necessity of ever making another trial of his powers 
or of receiving any new challenges, he managed to fall with his whole weight upon 
the Indian which drove all of the breath out of the poor fellow's body, and it was 
some moments before he could get up; at length he slowly arose, shrugged his 
shoulders with an emphatic, "Ugh! You good fellow, too much." The judge was 
never called on again for a test of his strength. The Oneida Indians were so pleased 
with his prowess, that at the suggestion of Skenandoah, Han Yerry and another 
Indian called Good Peter, they, together with the other chieftains, appeared at the 
residence of the judge, and with much pomp and mystery, he was duly adopted into 
the Oneida tribe of Indians, with all the rights of perpetual succession. One of the 
Oneida customs was their annual visit to Oneida lake and Fish creek for the tribal 
catch of salmon ; this Judge White attended on one occasion after his adoption to 
the tribe, and ever after that during his life a portion of the catch was set aside and 
sent him on account of his tribal privileges. 

Hugh White was not a seeker of public position, but he was appointed justice of 
the peace; afterwards the governor appointed him one of the judges of the county, 
and he served several years as such judge with approbation and honor. 

The town that he founded was the gate-way to what was known as the garden 
lands of New York State, and the prominence of Judge White soon drew around him 
in the village the leading clergymen, lawyers and merchants, and it was well rec- 
ognized for years that the bar of the town of Whitestown was the most distinguished 
bar west of Albany. Judge White was the master spirit of Whitestown, and at one 
period there were living no less than fifty-five grandchildren of this Whitestown 
pioneer. He having apportioned his land into seven farms, five for his sons and 
two for his sons-in-law, dividing them in distances from his own home at the east end 
of the Whitestown Green according to the age of the child to whom they were given. 
He retained the title of these farms in himself until his death. They were located 
on what is now known as Hart's Hill. He died on the 16th of May, 1812, and was 
buried in the Whitestown Cemetery on an eminence overlooking the Mohawk valley, 
and the town of his settlement; the following is the inscription from his tomb 
stone: 




JillM 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 81 

Here sleep the remains of 

Hugh White 

Who was born 5th Feb. 1733, at Middletown, 

in Connecticut, and died April 16, 1812. 

In the year 1784 he removed to Sadequada, 

now Whitestown, where he was the first white 

inhabitant in the State of New York west of the 

German settlement on the Mohawk. 

He was distinguished for energy 

and decision of character, and may be justly regarded 

as a patriot who led the children of New England 

into the wilderness. 

As a magistrate, a citizen and a man, 

his character for truth and integrity was proverbial. 

A hundred years after Judge White's settlement in Whitestown, the advent was 
deemed so important by the Oneida Historical Society that they erected in June, 
1884, on the village green, a granite shaft to commemorate the first settlement of 
Whitestown by Hugh White and family. 

The generation succeeding the pioneer's children were so occupied in overcoming 
the crudities of the wilderness that it does not become necessary for us to take up 
their history with any particularity until the succeeding generation when we find 
five grandsons of the pioneer worthy of especial mention in the county ; one of 
them, the 

HON. HUGH WHITE, 

was born in Whitestown, December 25th, 1798; he was seventh in lineal descent 
from the Elder John White, and was a son of Hugh White, Jr., the third son of the 
pioneer who was for three years a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was for a 
while on board of a privateer. Hon. Hugh White was a worthy descendant of the 
illustrious founder of Whitestown. He inherited in full measure the noble charac- 
teristics of the race. He was upwards of six feet in height, weighed about 250 
pounds, with a flashing black eye and strong manly bearing. His earlier education 
in the common schools was interspersed with hard labor on the parental farm, and 
this occupation in those days meant labor such as the present generation scarcely 
comprehend. He remained at home enjoying a quarter's schooling each winter 
until 1819, when he commenced a continuous routine of instruction, partly under the 
counsel and encouragement of his elder brother, Canvass White, who was at the time 
of his death the leading engineer in the construction of canals, and who was the 
originator of the Croton water system for New York City. Hugh White prepared 
for college under the guidance of his distinguished brother, Canvass, and was 
graduated from Hamilton College in 1823, after the customary four years in a full 
classical course. After graduating at Hamilton College, he fitted for the bar in the 
office of Col. Charles G. Haines of New York city, having as a fellow student John 
A. Dix. He soon turned his attention, however, to business pursuits, and in 1825 
was located in Chittenango, engaged in the manufacture of a water lime called 



82 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

White's Water Proof Cement, it being the first cement made in America; this he 
afterwards manufactured at Rondout in Ulster county ; later he built up the Rosen- 
dale Cement Works where he manufactured much of the cement used on the Croton 
Aqueduct. He was also largely interested and engaged in the development of the 
water power of Cohoes on the Mohawk. In 1844 he was chosen representative to 
Congress where he served three terms. He was then active with the Litchfields, 
D. B. St. John, Gov. Hunt, John Stryker and others in building the Michigan South- 
ern and Northern Indiana Railroads which were carried to a successful conclusion. 
In 1830 he moved to Cohoes, Saratoga county, where he resided until his death, 
which occurred October 6, 1870. Mr. White was also engaged in other enterprises 
of a manufacturing and business nature. He took and executed large private con- 
tracts, and followed agricultural pursuits somewhat extensively all his life. He was 
a man of strict integrity, honest, upright and broad minded, and won honorable dis- 
tinction; he was persistent in pursuit of a purpose, though impassionate in his man- 
ner of obtaining it. He conscientiously respected the rights and privileges of others 
and aided many a struggling man on the road to success and prosperity. No person 
ever left a fairer name or a more unblemished record. He was of a frank and patri- 
otic nature, always acted with the Whigs and Republicans, and while in Congress, 
though not gifted as a parliamentary debater, yet he exercised an important influence 
on legislation in the House and held prominent places among the committees. As a 
climax to his legislative career, it was well understood in Washington that on his 
retirement from Congress he was to be appointed United States minister to Spain, 
but the early demise of President Taylor, and the succeeding of Vice-President Fill- 
more to the presidency, disappointed him and his friends and supporters. 

Hugh White was born a business man, his plans were broad and comprehensive, 
his mind was analytical, and his intellectual grasp of methods was marvelous; he 
was persistent and practical, and was possessed of an indomitable will with rare ex- 
ecutive talent; he was also experienced as a financier He was president of the 
Saratoga County National Bank at the time of his death. In religion he was a life- 
long Presbyterian, and was a liberal benefactor and an active promoter of all public 
enterprises. Mr. White was married in the thirtieth year of his age, to Maria Mills 
Mansfield, daughter of William Punderson Mansfield of Kent, Conn. She was a 
lady of much education and refinement and of exemplary womanly graces, a mother, 
helpmate and friend in the highest sense of the terms, and died in July, 1888. Only 
two children survive them; a son, William Mansfield White, whose sketch appears 
in this volume, and Isabel, wife of Hon. W. W. Niles, a prominent lawyer of New 
York city. 

CANVASS WHITE. 

Adapted from "Lives and Works of Civil and Military Engineers of America," by Charles 13. 
Stuart, C. E., 1871. 

The most conspicuous of the grandsons of Pioneer White was Canvass White, also 
a son of Hugh White above mentioned, and an elder brother of Hon. Hugh White 
just above spoken of. He was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, September 8, 
1790. His mother was Tryphenia Lawrence of Canaan, Conn., of Puritan descent, 
and from his Puritan parents he derived those traits of integrity, indefatigable 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 83 

industry, and purity of character of which his public life was so distinguished an 
example. 

Canvass White had a feebleness of constitution that caused his early years to be a 
constant struggle between disease and health. His mother was a delicate lady un- 
used to the rough exposure incident to pioneer life, and died when he was ten years 
old. At an early age he began to display a talent for invention and a genius for 
improvements that resulted in the construction of several domestic and agricultural 
implements, which were in use for many years on the paternal homestead and in the 
neighborhood. His minority was spent mainly on his father's farm, with such ad- 
vantages only for acquiring an education as the very limited common schools of that 
period afforded; and it was not until the winter of 1813 that an opportunity occurred 
for him to pursue those studies essential to success in the profession he had chosen. 
In February, 1803, he entered Fairfield Academy and there studied mathematics, 
astronomy, chemistry, mineralogy and surveying until he completed the course, 
after which he continued these studies under Dr. Josiah Noyes, of Clinton, N. Y. 
At the age of seventeen he became a clerk in the store of Colonel Carpenter, 
where he remained until the spring of 1811, during which period hegained the entire 
confidence of his employer and became a general favorite with all his acquaint- 
ances. At this time, his health became precarious, a sea voyage was advised as a 
means of restoration. He therefore shipped as super-cargo on board a merchant 
vessel bound for Russia, and did not return until October, 1812. The captain, while 
in Russia, remained ignorant of the declaration of war and commencement of hos- 
tilities between the United States and Great Britain, and took in an assorted cargo 
and sailed for Hull, England. He was unaware of the war until they entered the 
English port, when they were made prisoners and their ship and its cargo seized. 
For some unexplained reason the captain and crew, however, were released, per- 
mitted to discharge their ship, take in another lading, and continue their homeward 
voyage. The ship had scarcely cleared the mouth of the Humber when a violent 
storm and high tide drove them ashore, leaving the vessel, when the tide receded, 
sixty rods from the sea. An inspection of the bottom of the ship disclosed the fact 
that much of the planking was completely rotten. Young White advised that new 
planks be substituted and a channel opened through the sand that would admit the 
tide to the stranded boat. A few days later the ship was on her way to New York, 
where she arrived in the latter part of September. 

Mr. White's health was materially improved by the voyage, and on his return 
he again entered the employ of his former patron and friend, Colonel Carpen- 
ter, where he remained until the spring of 1814 when, having raised a company 
of volunteers, he was commissioned lieutenant in Colonel Dodge's regiment, and took 
part in the assault and capture of Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo. While in occupation 
of the fort, with his command, he was severely wounded by a shell fired from the 
enemy's redoubt half a mile distant. Soon after his recovery an opportunity occurred 
for revenging himself on the enemy. A reconnoitering party from the British camp 
was discovered in an adjacent wood, and Lieutenant White was sent with his com- 
mand to capture or disperse them. He succeeded in capturing the whole party, kill- 
ing and wounding several before they surrendered. He remained with his regiment 
until the expiration of their term of service, when he returned home and resumed his 
studies. 



84 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

In the spring of 1816 Judge Benjamin Wright was forming a corps for prosecuting 
the surveys of the Erie Canal. Mr. White solicited a position and was engaged by 
Judge Wright as one of his assistants. During this and the succeeding season he 
was employed in taking the levels westward from Rome. In this duty he acquitted 
himself so well that he very soon won the esteem of the chief engineer, between 
whom and himself there ever afterward existed a firm and unbroken friendship. 
About this time he made the acquaintance of Gov. De Witt Clinton, who was highly 
pleased with his personal qualities and professional abilities. At this early day the 
knowledge of canal construction among the engineers of the country was very lim- 
ited, and Mr. White, at the earnest solicitation of Governor Clinton, determined to 
visit England for the purpose of examining public works and procuring the most im- 
proved instruments in use. In the autumn of 1817 he carried out this determination 
and made a careful examination of the canals of the United Kingdom, traveling for 
this purpose more than 2,000 miles on foot.. He returned the next spring, bringing 
instruments and accurate drawings of the most important structures on those works, 
and much valuable information for the benefit of the State in the construction of its 
canals. About this time there was much discussion on the subject of lock construc- 
tion, some favoring wood, and others stone, or a combination of the two. It was 
finally decided, however, to build stone locks, using quick-lime mortar for the ma- 
sonry, and pointing the joints with hydraulic cement, then imported at great cost 
from England. Mr. White soon discovered a valuable lime rock near the route of 
the canal in Madison county, which, after repeated experiments, he converted into 
a cement equal to the imported, and at much less cost to, the State. For this discov- 
ery he obtained a patent, but permitted its use under the promise of the canal com- 
missioners that a just compensation should be allowed, not only for it, but for his 
expenses and services while abroad. The commissioners, however, failed to obtain 
the necessary authority from the Legislature to fulfil their promise, notwithstanding 
the recommendations of the governor and other officers of the State. Gov. De Witt 
Clinton, in a letter to a committee of the Legislature in 1824, said " that Mr. White 
had been of great use in his operations as an engineer, and that his skill, industry, 
and integrity in that department furnish strong recommendations to the favorable 
notice of the State." Judge Wright stated before the same committee: " I have no 
hesitation in saying that the discovery of hydraulic cement by Mr. White has been 
of incalculable benefit to the State, and that it is a discovery which ought, in justice, 
to be handsomely remunerated." Mr. Flagg reported from the same committee 
"that Mr. White, a principal engineer, had made this discovery after repeated ex- 
periments and received a patent in 1820, and that he introduced it at great expense 
amidst the doubts and fears which operated against its use." 

The Canal Commissioners, in their report of February, 1820, say: "Between the 
Seneca and Genesee Rivers Canvass White, engineer, had the charge of a party 
which has been engaged for several months in leveling over and surveying different 
routes for the canal line. These labors he has performed much to our satisfaction, 
and having presented a view of them to a meeting of our Board held in October, at 
Utica, we thereupon decided in favor of the route originally explored between these 
rivers in the year 1816." The canal through, and eight miles east of Utica was com- 
pleted in the fall of 1820, Canvass White being the resident engineer. In 1820 Messrs. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 85 

Wright (principal) and White (acting) engineer, explored the country thoroughly 
from Little Falls to the Hudson, and pronounced impracticable the route from 
Schnectady connecting with the Hudson at Albany, and located the line via Co- 
hoes and Troy. This location was finally fixed upon by Mesrss. Wright, Geddes 
and White. Early in the spring of 1822 Canvass White was sent to lay out the Glens 
Falls feeder, and in that year he planned and directed the building of the lock and 
dam between Troy and Waterford, until the 8th of June, when William Jerome took 
charge. Judge Wright, in a letter to Dr. Hosack in December, 1828, says : 

" Here it is proper that I should render a just tribute of merit to a gentleman who 
now stands high in his profession and whose skill and sound judgment, as a civil 
engineer, is not surpassed, if equalled, by any other in the United States. The gen- 
tleman to whom I refer is Canvass White, Esq., who commenced as my pupil in 1816 
by carrying the target; he took an active part through that year and through 1817. 
In the fall of the latter year he made a voyage to England on his own account, and 
purchased for the State several leveling instruments, of which we stood much in 
need. He returned in the spring and brought with him much valuable information, 
which he has usefully developed, greatly to the benefit of the State of New York. 
To this gentleman I could always apply for counsel and advise in any great or diffi- 
cult case, and to his sound judgment in locating the line of the canal, in much of the 
difficult part of the route, the people of this State are under obligations greater than 
is generally known or appreciated." 

Simon Guilford, who was Mr. White's assistant civil engineer, related the follow- 
ing incident: "When that portion of the canal along the Mohawk River between 
Little Falls and Canajoharie was completed, and the supply of water was turned in, 
owing to a very porous soil over which a considerable portion of the canal was made, 
the supply proved inadequate, which was fully realized as the first boat passed. The 
question was as to how the difficulty was to be overcome. Mr. White replied, 'Afeeder 
must be obtained from the river at this place ' (a few miles above Fort Plain), and on 
being asked how long it would take to build a dam across the river, 900 feet long, so 
as to raise the water nine feet above the ordinary surface, he replied, 'A few weeks.' 
The dam was completed in sixty days; inclusive of a side-cut and bridge connected 
with it." 

Mr. White's professional success, scrupulous integrity, and modest demeanor, in 
all transactions of life, won for him the enduring esteem of all with whom he was 
associated. For these admirable qualities of mind and heart he became widely 
known, and as a consequence frequent and urgent offers were tendered him for en- 
gineering services in other States. He continued, however, in the active discharge 
of his duties as an engineer on the Erie Canal until it was so nearly completed that 
his place could be supplied from his assistant engineer, when he succeeded Loammi 
Baldwin as chief engineer on the Union Canal in Pennsylvania. He continued in 
that position until the latter part of the summer of 1826, when, in consequence of a 
severe illness contracted while conducting the surveys of the canal west of the Sus- 
quehanna River, he returned to Philadelphia, and resigned his connection with the 
company. Meanwhile he had been called to New York to examine the sources of 
supply for pure and wholesome water for the city. He reported that, for the present 
need of the city, and its probable requirements for twenty years thereafter, a suffi- 



86 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

dent supply could be obtained from the Rye pond and the Bronx River in West- 
chester county, " but after the city should extend to one-third the surface of Manhat- 
tan Island it would be necessary to add the Croton River to their other resources." 
The report was accompanied with full details, and strongly impressed the city gov- 
ernment with the importance and feasibility of the project. 

While engaged upon these two enterprises he was solicited to take, charge of the 
works of the Schuylkill Navigation Company, which were then in course of construc- 
tion. After making a rapid survey of the ground and the plans of the company he 
suggested alterations and recommended the employment of Captain Beach as their 
chief. Mr. White continued as consulting engineer until the work was completed, 
and was at the same time consulting engineer for the Delaware and Chesapeake 
Canal, Judge Benjamin Wright being the chief engineer. The success and reported 
profits of the Erie Canal gave an impetus to canal construction in that day that 
would have resulted in a system of artificial internal navigation as universal as our 
present railroad system could the capital necessary for the purpose have been ob- 
tained. Projects were started in various parts of the Union, and a pressing demand 
was made upon the time of the few engineers then in the country. The citizens of 
Hartford conceived the project of improving the navigation of the Connecticut 
River, and the Windsor locks were built by Mr. White as chief engineer. Careful 
financial men were led away by- the prevailing spirit of the time, and large amounts 
were expended upon impracticable enterprises. Among these was the Farmington 
Canal, constructed from New Haven to Farmington and thence up the Farmington 
River, "as money could be found to prosecute the work." Mr. White was applied 
to for plans and surveys, and for an opinion of the value of it when completed; he 
furnished the former and remained consulting engineer during the construction of 
of the work, but frequently expressed an opinion adverse to the success of the canal, 
which ultimately proved correct. In the spring of 1827 he was appointed chief en- 
gineer of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, and resumed the construction 
of a canal along the Delaware River from Easton, Pa., to navigable waters below. 
This project had beec inaugurated in 1825 for the purpose of increasing the com- 
pany's facilities for shipping coal from Maunch Chunk to Philadelphia, and a canal 
one mile in length, with five locks and a large basin at Maunch Chunk, had been 
built. Mr. White prosecuted the work with such diligence that the first boat passed 
throueh the canal in July, 1829. At that time the Lehigh Canal was the most capa- 
cious work of the kind yet undertaken in the country, and was considered a bold 
project. In the summer of 1825 Mr. White was appointed chief engineer of the Del- 
aware and Raritan Canal. He organized a party for preliminary surveys and placed 
it under the immediate charge of John Hopkins, one of the most trusted assistants. 
This work was discontinued in the fall after the location of about twelve miles, and 
was not resumed again until the spring of 1831. The construction of the canal from 
the Delaware to the Raritan Rivers was attended by many difficulties and met many 
obstructions, all of which were successfully overcome. In the prosecution of this 
important work Mr. White always acknowledged with becoming gratitude the gen- 
erous and wise course of Commodore Robert F. Stockton, who took an active interest . 
in the success of the enterprise. In the autumn of 1834, when this work was nearly- 
completed, Mr. White's health was so much impaired that his physician advised him 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 87 

to seek a more genial climate. He sailed soon after for St. Augustine, Florida, 
where he died within a month after his arrival. His remains were returned to New 
Jersey and lie buried in the church yard at Princeton, where his family resided at 
the time of his death. 

Mr. White was personally popular with all who were favored with his acquaint- 
ance. General Bernard, a French engineer in the service of theVnited States, re- 
marked of him, " that as a civil engineer he had no superior; his genius and inge- 
nuity were of a surprising magnitude; his mild and gentle ways, his sweet and 
amiable temper, his modest and retiring manners," won universal respect and con- 
fidence.' When the project of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was first set on foot 
and an engineer was wanted for its construction, Henry Clay said: "Get Canvass 
White; no man is more competent; no man more capable; and while your faith in 
his ability and fidelity increases, your friendship will grow into affection." Mr. 
White, in his day, stood at the head of American canal engineers, and his strength 
lay in his cool, practical judgment. The comprehensive nature of his mind, through 
which, at a glance, he grasped the salient points of a subject, and his systematic 
habit of arranging details, enabled him to accomplish an extraordinary amount of 
professional work. In stature he was five feet nine and one-half inches, and weighed 
from 145' to 165 pounds. The most prominent and striking feature in the general 
contour of his person was an unmistakable impress of genius, modesty and amia- 
bility. 

WILLIAM CLARK YOUNG. 

It seems rather strange to chronicle that another grandson of the pioneer White 
should have been as instrumental in the development of the railroads of the State of 
New York and adjoining States as Canvass White was instrumental in developing 
the canals of the State. In fact William C. Young, born November 25, 1799, and a son 
of Mary Stone White, a daughter of Hugh White, the pioneer, and who married John 
Young, the founder of Youngstown, has been as instrumental as any man in the State in 
the practical development of railroading. He received his education in Whitestown, at- 
taining some knowledge of Latin, geometry and surveying, aside from the ordinary 
schooling of the period. At sixteen years of age he was assistant surveyor of the Is- 
lands of Lake Ontario for the State of New York ; the next year a rod man locating the 
Erie Canal and participating in the ceremony of "groundbreaking" for the work at 
Rome July 4th, 1817 ; the next year he was a cadet at West Point in a class of 125 mem- 
bers, and graduated No. twelve in his class in 1822. After four years given to army 
life he resigned June 30th, 1826, and engaged in superintending the locating and 
constructing of railroads in New York State. In 1831 while making the survey of the 
Saratoga and Schenectady Railroad, Mr. Young proposed and practically intro- 
duced the present system of supporting car rails on the road bed, and introduced the 
use of cross ties in lieu of the stone blocks and foundations which formerly sustained 
the strip of railroad iron in place ; the advantages gained by this method in ex- 
pediting the work and lessening the cost of construction were so obvious that its 
general adoption was immediate and constituted a marked advance in the his- 
tory of railroad construction. He was subsequently appointed chief engineer 
of construction and superintendent of the Utica & Schenectady Road, which 



88 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

he completed after sixteen years of unremitting toil. In 1849 he was made 
chief engineer of the Hudson River Railroad, which ran between Albany and 
New York city, and although the original surveys had been made by a man 
of no less prominence than J. B. Jervis, and on Mr. Jervis' retirement from the 
position of chief engineer, he had enjoined upon the management that under no cir- 
cumstances should the line of road be altered, nevertheless the ability, energy and 
common sense of Mr. Young, together with the estimates showing a less cost, en- 
abled Mr. Young to re-survey and re-locate two-thirds of the road. On the com- 
pletion of the road in October, 1851, Mr. Young was elected president of the Hudson 
River Railroad Co. He resigned the position the following January, as his profes- 
sional duties in out door work were more to his taste than the confinements of rout- 
ine work in the office. He had already spent twenty-one years of his life (from 1831 
to 1852) in locating and constructing the three roads above mentioned, aggregating in 
length about 250 miles. In 1852 he was called upon by the president of the Panama 
Railroad Company to complete that road across the Isthmus of Panama, which he 
undertook and while there nearly died of the fever, so had to withdraw from the 
Isthmus. In 1855 Mr. Young had charge of the western branch of the New York 
& Western Railroad from Rochester to Buffalo, some 200 miles of road, and a 
monthly disbursement of $150,000, which he continued in charge of for about two 
years and then resigned. There were numerous other important railroad surveys 
with which William C. Young was connected, and it must be taken into considera- 
tion that in his .connection with the building of the Hudson River Railroad from 
New York to Albany, it was looked upon in his day as the most foolish venture pos- 
sible, as it was in direct competition with the Hudson River the entire distance, the 
theory being, that railroads might pay in countries where it was impossible to operate 
canals, but they never could pay in direct competition with water ways. Mr. Young, 
speaking of his cousin, Canvass White, said: "On his return from England he 
brought with him the instruments for laying out canals, the plans and the design for 
the canal boats and became the most practical man in canal making; and with Judge 
Wright co-operated in making much of the Erie Canal." It is fairly evident from 
the work of these two men, that one was as instrumental in the developing the water 
Ways of the State as the other in developing the steam power of the State. Mr. 
Young died in December, 1894, having been for four years prior to his death the 
oldest living graduate of West Point, and entitled by reason thereof to deliver the 
annual address. 

PHILO WHITE. 

Another grandson of Hugh White, the pioneer, was Philo White, who was the son 
of Philo White, son of the pioneer. He was born in Whitestown June 23, 1796, and 
after attaining his early education at Whitestown Seminary, and having spent some 
years in a printing office in Utica, he removed to North Carolina in 1820, where he 
located at Salisbury, Rowan county, and became the editor of the Western Caro- 
linian, which he conducted until 1830, when he was appointed U. S. Navy agent for 
the Pacific station. Returning home in 1834, he established the North Carolina 
Standard at Raleigh, and was elected State printer. Philo White removed to Wis- 
consin at an early period of its territorial existence and fixed his residence at Racine. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 89 

He was the editor of several newspapers at different periods. In 1847 he was 
chosen one of the Council of the Territorial Legislature, and in the following year 
was elected to the Senate of the State Legislature. As chairman of the Committee 
of Education he shared largely in devising the present system of public instruction 
in that State. At a later period he acted in the founding of Racine College under 
the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal church of that diocese. In 1852 he was 
chosen one of the presidential electors of Wisconsin. In 1849 Mr. White was ap- 
pointed United States consul to the Hanseatic republic of Hamburg, and resided 
there for one or two years. In 1853 he was appointed by President Pierce United 
States minister to Ecuador in South America, and in the autumn of that year went 
with his family to Quito, the scene of his diplomatic duties; receiving from the 
president the highest office in his gift, which is literally true, as the geographical 
location of Quito in the Andes is 10,000 feet above the level of the sea, and there is 
no other city of national government that is conducted at such a high altitude. Mr. 
White was of medium height, 5 feet, 7 inches, and slight build; remarkably active 
in his habits; his conversation somewhat rapid, but gracefully intoned and full of 
pleasant recollections and acute observations. Mr. White returned to Whitestown 
in 1858, and in 1860 donated to the town the original plot of ground which was 
donated by his grandfather, Hugh White, as a site for a court house and public 
green, which through some technicality of the original deed had reverted to the 
heirs; and the citizens in addition to accepting the gift placed in the hall an oil 
portrait of Philo White He died in Whitestown, February 15, 1883, at the age of 
eighty-six years. 

FORTUNE C. WHITE. 

Another grandson of Hugh White, the pioneer, was Hon. Fortune Clark White, 
son of Col. Daniel Clark White. He was born in Whitestown, N. Y., July 10, 1787. 
He was a prominent lawyer in the county of Oneida, having studied law in the 
office of Judge Jonas Piatt, and for nearly half a century maintained a prominent 
position in the most brilliant bar west of Albany at that day. He was elected the 
first chief judge of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Oneida county from 
1837 to 1843, and attained a high reputation as a jurist and an able expounder of the 
law. 

Endowed with a commanding presence and a proclivity for marshal display, he 
was a member of the New York State militia, serving in two campaigns in the 
war with Great Britain in 1812, being in command of a company at Sackett's 
Harbor in 1813, and aide-de-camp to General Collins in 1814. He was twice a 
member of the Legislature. He died at Whitestown August 27, 1866, leaving four 
sons and one daughter. 

WILLIAM MANSFIELD WHITE. 

William Mansfield White, son of Hon. Hugh White and Maria Mills Mansfield 
White, and a great-grandson of Judge Hugh White, the founder of Whitestown, 
was born in Waterford, Saratoga county, N. Y., July 8, 1833. He was a worthy 
representative of the Whitestown pioneer, and bore with distinction the ennobling 



90 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

characteristics of his race. When twelve years of age he was sent to Galway 
Academy, then under the charge of Prof. Charles Durkee, a leading educator at 
that time. In the autumn of 1846 he entered the Military School of Professor 
Kinsley at West Point, where he spent three years. There the drill of body and 
mind was most thorough, and the morals of the school elevating and religious. 
Soon after leaving that institution he entered the Sophomore class of Hamilton Col- 
lege, from which he was graduated in 1854. 

His father owned Sweet Briar Farm in the town of Ossian, Livingston county, 
N. Y., and here Mr. White spent his vacations and resided during his early married 
life. Mr. White was married on January 22, 1863, to Anna Maria, daughter of the 
late William Constable Pierrepont, of Pierrepont Manor, N. Y., the ceremony being 
performed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop De Lancey. She died in Utica, on September 
22, 1884. Mr. White came to Utica on the 1st of September, 1882, chiefly to give 
his large family the benefit of the excellent educational advantages to be had in this 
section where his ancestors had figured prominently through a period from its 
earliest settlement, and near which a part of his boyhood had been spent at Hamil- 
ton College. It is a rather curious coincidence that Mr. White in coming to Utica 
in September, 1882, with his five sons and five daughters, arrived ninety-eight years 
after the original settlement of Whitestown by Hugh White, the pioneer, who 
arrived June 5, 1784, with his five sons. It was but a very short time after Mr. 
White took up his residence in Utica, that he was looked upon as one of her leading 
citizens, and as the most charitable man in Utica. His magnificent physique was a 
fitting covering for the noble and generous heart it contained. His nature was that 
of our highest idea of a nobleman, a man too ennobling to even allow a dishonest 
thought to enter his mind, and whose sympathy with those afflicted with earthly 
troubles was so great that if an idea of their needing assistance reached him he did 
not wait to be asked, but went out of his way to give it without the asking. People 
quickly came to know him as a broad-minded, progressive, generous and noble 
man, vigorous and sound in body; he became identified with various local busi 
ness interests, and became a guiding spirit in each and all. In January, 1889, 
he was elected without his knowledge a director in the Second National Bank, 
and on the death of its president, Edward S. Brayton, he was unanimously 
elected to the presidency, a position he held during the remainder of his life. Under 
his management the present handsome block, which is one of the finest banking 
buildings in Central New York, was built in 1893 and 1894, Mr. White being the 
leading member of the building committee. He was vice-president and one oi the 
organizers of the Utica Pipe Foundry ; a director in the Utica and Mohawk Street 
Railroad Company ; a director in the Jefferson County National Bank of Watertown ; 
and from 1871 until his death a director in the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg 
Railroad Company, being one of the oldest officers of that corporation. After the 
death of his father-in-law, the late William C. Pierrepont, as one of the executors of 
the Pierrepont estate, he had the active charge and management of this large landed 
property in Northern New York. He was an active member of the Oneida His- 
torical Society, and for several years served as its first vice-president. When the 
village of Whitestown celebrated its Centennial anniversary, June 5, 1884, he was 
selected to preside, and aided in erecting a monument on the village green to com- 
memorate the event. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. <Jl 

In politics Mr. White was an ardent Republican, casting his first vote for John C. 
Fremont for president, and for some time was a prominent political factor in the 
southern tier of counties during his residence at Sweet Briar Farm. He never de- 
sired public office, however, but frequently acted as a delegate to State and other 
conventions of his party. 

He was pre-eminently the leading layman of the Episcopal church of Central and 
Western New York, and for thirty years served as delegate to diocesan conventions, 
and for fifteen years attended the general councils. He was warden of Trinity 
church, Canaseraga, and at Zion church, Pierrepont Manor, succeeded his father-in- 
law as .warden there. On coming to Utica he was chosen vestryman of Grace 
church, and upon the death of Lucius C. Childs, became warden in his place. He 
was a member of the standing committee of the Central New York Diocese, and 
was appointed lay reader by Bishop Huntington. At one time he was a trustee of 
Hobart College. He was president of the New York State Agricultural Society ; and 
ex officio trustee of Cornell University. He was a liberal supporter and for several 
years president, of St. Luke's Home and Hospital, and in the spring of 1895 was ap- 
pointed one of the managers of the Utica State Hospital. He was also a director of 
the Utica Female Seminary ; president of the Utica Country Club ; also a member 
and for three years one of the board of managers of the Fort Schuyler Club. In all 
of these positions he served with great credit and ability, and won the respect and 
confidence of every one with whom he came in contact. 

He was the soul of honor, frank, generous, kind and courteous, hospitable and 
benevolent, and a friend and promoter of charities, hospitals, churches, educational 
and business enterprises. He was pre-eminently a model citizen, public spirited, 
enterprising and successful, and enjoyed a wide acquaintance and a host of warm 
friends. In his own home, however, he found his chief enjoyment, and it was his 
devotion to his family which was perhaps the strongest trait of Mr. White's charac- 
ter. His care of his children, his interest in their welfare, the indelible impress of 
his cheerful nature and his constant utterances imbuing them with the purest 
sense of manhood. He loved freedom and progress, and in all the affairs of life 
he attained a degree of success and perfection that is seldom equaled. He died 
on the 2d of January, 1896, survived by his eleven children, six being sons and 
five daughters. The oldest, Hugh, now the active manager of the Pierrepont 
landed estate in Northern New York, and a director of the Utica Pipe Foundry ; 
William Pierrepont, a graduate of the Utica Free Academy and of the Columbia 
Law School, a practicing attorney in Utica, a director of the Second National 
Bank, recording secretary of the Oneida Historical Society, secretary of the 
Fort Schuyler Club, and secretary of the Oneida County League for Good Roads ; 
Anna Maria; H. Lawrence, a director and assistant superintendent of the Utica 
Drop Forge and Tool Company ; Florilla Mansfield ; Mary Pierrepont ; Cornelia But- 
ler; Isabel; De Lancey Pierrepont; Charles Carroll; and John Dolbeare; the last 
four of whom are at schools preparatory for college. 

Mr. White was of a commanding and perhaps austere appearance, being fully six 
feet in height, with very broad shoulders, and weighing 250 pounds. His hair was 
brown and his eye blue, and he always wore a smooth face. 



92 OUR COUNTY AMD ITS PEOPLE. 

EDWIN A. HARVEY. 

Edwin Augustus Harvey was the only child of Ambrose and Sophronia (Brace) 
Harvey and was born in the town of Vienna, Oneida county, January 27, 1842. He 
descended from an old Connecticut family whose members for several generations 
were honored citizens of East Haddam, and from a family which has furnished gov- 
ernors of the States of Wisconsin, Kansas and New Hampshire, a general of the U. 
S. army, and several justices of State Supreme Court. Thomas and Jane (Hunger- 
ford) Harvey lived and died in East Haddam. Their fourth child was Robert, who 
was born there December 26, 1731, and who had by his wife Rachel a son Jonathan, 
born January 28, 1761, who enlisted in the Revolutionary army at the age of sixteen, 
rose to the rank of a sergeant and afterwards became a Baptist minister. Jonathan 
married Fannah Burdick and had children as follows: Jonathan, jr., born December 
18, 1793; Sylvanus, born June 17, 1795; Silaborn October 15, 1798; Emathan, born 
May 9, 1801 ; Asa, born April 30, 1803 ; Ambrose, born October 30, 1805 ; Robert, 
born April 16, 1809; and Morris, born July 20, 1810. Of these Jonathan, jr., Elnathan, 
Robert and Ambrose came to the town of Vienna when young men and spent the 
remainder of their lives as farmers in Oneida county. Ambrose Harvey was a 
native of Frankfort, N. Y., and died in Camden, Oneida county, February 18, 1876. 
July 15, 1840, he married Sophronia, daughter of Rial Brace, an early settler from 
Connecticut on Preston Hill in the town of Camden. She was born here February 
16, 1810, and died January 16, 1886. 

Edwin A. Harvey was reared on his father's farm in Vienna, and spent his sum- 
mers in agricultural pursuits and his winters in attending the district school. In 
these alternating occupations he acquired not only a robust physique and a sturdy 
constitution, but habits of thrift and a fund of practical knowledge which proved in- 
dispensable in after life. 

These elements, combined with inherited characteristics of a high order, enabled 
him to engage in business enterprises of more than ordinary importance. He left 
school at the age of eleven years, but remained on the farm until he was fifteen, with 
the exception of a short period spent in the employ of Rev. Elijah Gaylord, at that 
time a manufacturer of hand rakes in Camden. 

From that time and until 1864 he was engaged in various occupations, including 
three years in a shingle mill. In 1864 he came to Camden and with L. S. Sanford 
engaged in the produce and grocery business. Twelve months later he purchased 
Mr. Sanford's interest and successfully continued the business aloneuntil 1894, when 
he sold out and retired to private life, largely on account of ill health. 

To his stock of groceries Mr. Harvey soon added a complete line of drugs and 
combined the two with success and profit. Mr. Harvey was a licensed pharmacist and 
during one year was elected president of the Oneida County Druggists' Association. 
Mr. Harvey started in business with comparative^ no capital, but by industry and 
careful management he succeeded in accumulating a competency. He was emphati- 
cally a self-made man. From a farmer's boy with limited advantages he became 
one of the largest real estate owners in Camden, and several handsome blocks and 
dwellings, mainly erected b)- him, are the result of his enterprise. 

In politics he was an ardent Democrat, but his varied business interests generally 




HARRISON LAMB. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. , 93 

prevented him from accepting public office, though often urged to do so by his fellow- 
citizens. Locally, however, his public spirit led him into several positions of 
honor. He was for eight terms a trustee of the village of Camden and for several 
years a valuable member of the Board of Education. He was for four years a mem- 
ber of the Board of Water Commissioners and during the whole of that period acted 
as treasurer of the board. 

He was also for a number of years treasurer of the village and for some time was 
a trustee of the M. E. church, of which he became a member in 1872. He was at 
one time actively engaged in the manufacture of canned goods in Camden, being 
a member of the firms of Harvey & Newland and Harvey & Godrey. 

He was a prominent member of Philanthropic Lodge, No. 164, F. & A. M., and for 
fourteen years was its treasurer. 

He was also for a number of years a trustee of the Camden Cemetery Association. 
Mr. Harvey was elected vice-president of the First National Bank of Camden Jan- 
uary 12, 1885, to which office he was annually re-elected and filled at the time of his 
death. In the welfare and prosperity of the village, in educational, religious, and 
all moral movements, Mr. Harvey always took a deep and frequently an active 
interest. 

He was public spirited, enterprising, and liberally encouraged every worthyproject. 
As a citizen he took a just pride in the advancement of the community, and as a 
large property owner he generously supported those enterprises which promise the 
largest amount of good. His loyalty to home interests was most commendable. He 
died in Camden, July 6, 1896. The Utica Daily Press of July 7, said of him : " Mr. 
Harvey was a man of the strictest integrity and honesty, of a kind and generous dis- 
position, as many who have received substantial aid from him in their necessity will 
remember. To those in his employ he was firm, but courteous, and he always 
treated them as though they were his equals and deserving of his respect. To his 
family he was the kindest of husbands and most affectionate of fathers. He was of 
a jovial disposition and an interesting conversationalist." 

Mr. Harvey was married on the 30th of March, 1861, to Miss Caroline P., daughter 
of Artemus and Parthenia (Cain) Peck, of Camden, and they had five children: 
Clara Augusta (Mrs. William I. Stoddard), Mary Sophronia (Mrs. Selden L. Hard- 
ing), Edwin Clinton (a law student with Jones, Townsend & Rudd, of Utica), Mil- 
dred Edwina, and Chester Danforth, all residents of Camden. 



HARRISON LAMB. 

Harrison Lamb was a son of Silas Lamb, who came from Massachusetts in 1812. 
He resided for a short period in Otsego county, but finding the prospect there unin- 
viting he concluded to push on further west. By means of the mode of travel of 
those days he made his way to Stockbridge, Madison county, where he settled and 
engaged at farming until 1836. He was a pioneer in the town of Stockbridge and 



94 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was one of the foremost citizens in developing and aiding in the progress of his 
adopted town and county. He was descended from English stock and his imme- 
diate ancestors had resided a sufficient time in New England to endow him with 
traits of industry and frugality, and these coupled with good management con- 
tributed to his success in his chosen field of work. In 1836 Mr. Lamb removed to 
Scriba, Oswego county, where he lived until his death in 1857. 

He married Lucene Pratt, also a native of Massachusetts, who shared his hard- 
ships and devoted her energy to the bringing forth a successful result. She died on 
the same day as did her husband, and they went to their final rest in the same 
grave. Harrison Lamb, the subject of portrait, was the fifth child in a family of 
ten, and was born in 1813. He received his education at the common schools of 
Stockbridge, and when his school days being ended he apprenticed himself to a 
clothier, of whom he learned the trade of cloth making. After learning his trade 
Mr. Lamb engaged in the business of cloth manufacture at Saloam, Madison, 
and continued in that line until he was thirty years of age. He then bought a 
farm in his native town which he carried on with marked success until 1880. At 
that time he retired from active work and removed to Oneida Castle, where he 
now resides. While a resident of Madison county Mr. Lamb was prominent and 
earnest in all matters pertaining to the advancement and improvement of his 
town and county. He has always been held in the highest esteem by all who have 
had his acquaintance. Mr. Lamb has been married three times, his third and pres- 
ent wife being a native of Lenox, Madison county, where she was born in 1829. 
Her maiden name was Elizabeth Fox. She married a Mr. Bridge, who died some 
years prior to her marriage to Mr. Lamb in 1880. 

Mr. Lamb has three children, two daughters and one son. His daughter Harriet 
E. married J. F. Holdridge, now living in Stockbridge, and Mary A. married J. F. 
Morrison, a prosperous farmer at Sherrill, Oneida county. 



BENJAMIN W. DWIGHT. 

Among the foremost educators of the last generation in the State of New York 
Benjamin Woodley Dwight was unquestionably one of the ablest and most success- 
ful. He possessed in a remarkable degree the element which, combined with other 
qualifications, made him a master molder and developer of the student mind. He 
was a man of large mind and broad education, with keen perceptibilities and the 
faculty of inspiring the scholars with whom he came in contact with a zeal that car- 
ried them resolutely into the work in hand, and over all the obstacles to success. 
His heart and mind and energy entered into the labor as only those can who have a 
natural adaptability as an instructor. Those who were so fortunate as to come un- 
der his instruction in school life became imbued with his enthusiasm to such a de- 
gree that they carried it with them out into the various walks of life. He had the 
reputation among them of being the " livest " teacher that ever led a class. 



BIOG-RAPHICAL. 95 

Mr. Dwight was born at New Haven, Conn., April 5, 1816. He graduated at 
Hamilton College in the class of 1835, and the same year entered the New Haven 
Theological Seminary to prepare for the ministry. He completed his course there 
in 1.838 and the following year returned to Hamilton College as tutor, which position 
he occupied till 1842. He then went to Joliet, 111., where by great effort he founded 
the Presbyterian church, remaining there two years. His desire to teach was so 
strong, however, that he resigned his pastorate and came east to Brooklyn, where he 
established Dwight's High School. This he conducted with signal success from 1846 
to 1858. 

Clinton was then as it is to-day an educational center, with the additional stimulus 
of beautiful environments, the gift of nature. Mr. Dwight decided to return to Clin- 
ton and establish a school. Therefore in the fall of 1858 he opened Dwight's Rural 
High School. His reputation as a teacher insured him success from the start, and 
from that time to 1863 Dwight's Rural High School was one of the leading educa- 
tional institutions of the State. 

Prof. Dwight had in the mean while been an earnest, indefatigable worker in the 
field of literature, and the time found him with such an amount of this kind of work 
on hand, he retired from the school to devote himself to literary work. The school 
then passed into the hands of Prof David Holbrook. 

Prof. Dwight was the author of several noted works in various fields of thought. 
His work on Modern Philology is one of the standard text books of the time. 
" Higher Christian Education," "Woman's Higher Culture " and the " True Doctrine 
of Divine Providence " were among the later publications. Beside these he wrote a 
history of the Dwight family, also one of the Strong family, the latter being that of 
his mother. He received the degree of Ph. D. from Columbia College. His father was 
Dr. Benjamin Woolsey Dwight, born at Northampton, Mass., Febrbary 10, 1780. He 
graduated at Yale College in 1799 and received his medical education in Philadel- 
phia. Physical disability, however, prevented him from actively prosecuting his 
professional work, so he entered into business in New Haven. He married, in 1815, 
Sophia Woodbridge, daughter of Rev. Joseph and Sophia (Woodbridge) Strong. They 
later moved to Catskill and in 1831 to Clinton. Dr. Dwight was for nineteen years 
treasurer of Hamilton College. He died May 18, 1850, and his wife, Sophia (Wood- 
bridge) Dwight, died December 3, 1861. 

Prof. Dwight married Charlotte S., daughter of Townsend and Ann Norris Parish 
of Oyster Bay, Long Island. Mrs. Dwight was educated at Willoughby, Ohio, and 
was subsequently for several years principal of Ingham University at Leroy, N. Y. 
She is a lady of broad intellect and extensive culture. She has one daughter, Bertha 
Woolsey, who is at home. 



WILLARD J. FRISBIE. 

Willard James Frisbie, youngest child and only son of James and Julia A. Fris- 
bie, was born in the town of Camden, Oneida county, N. Y., April 14, 1848. His 



96 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

parents were of English descent and of New England lineage, and lived in Camden 
for many years. His father died in 1864 and his mother April 29, 1895, aged re- 
spec' ively sixty-four and eighty- four. He received his education in Camden Acad- 
emy, and immediately after leaving that institution entered the banking-house of 
A. Curtiss & Carman in Camden village, where he remained about seven years, 
filling the positions of clerk, bookkeeper and teller. He then formed a partnership 
with William H. Stanfield, under the style of Frisbie & Stanfield, -and engaged in 
the retail dry goods business in Camden, which was successfully continued from 
December 1, 1873, to April 1, 1884, when they sold out to C. A. & A. C. Phelps. In 
1881 the firm of Frisbie & Stanfield commenced the manufacture of knit goods, and 
in 1883 built the factory now occupied by the Corbin Cabinet Lock "Works in Cam- 
den village. In 1887 they purchased the old Costello tannery property and water- 
power on the south side of Fish Creek and converted it into a woolen-yarn mill, and 
in March, 1891, their entire establishment was moved to these premises. On the 
latter date the firm adopted its present style of the Camden Knitting Company. 
The third partner in the concern is Charles F. Kendall, a practical man, who has 
been identified with the business from the start and as an active member since 1891. 
The firm manufactures ladies' and children's ribbed underwear, making a specialty 
of ladies' combination suits, and from modest beginning has built up a trade which 
extends throughout the United States. About 175 operatives are employed. In 
1893 the firm established a branch in Syracuse, N. Y., known as the Syracuse Knit- 
ting Company, which manufactures large quantities of knit goods, the resident 
manager being Mr. Stansfield. In December, 1895, the Kendall Knitting Company 
was incorporated with a capital of 850,000, the board of directors being Charles F. 
Kendall, president; William H. Stansfield, vice-president; George A. Frisbie, secre- 
tary; Willard J. Frisbie, treasurer, and Charles A. Byington, resident manager. 
This corporation was named in honor of Mr. Kendall, and began active operations 
on January 1, 1896, in Utica, where the old Bailey Scotch Cap factory in Broad 
street, was fitted up for the purpose. The company employs about 200 hands. 

Mr. Frisbie has been a life-long Republican, and for two terms served as village 
trustee. He is a prominent and representative business man of Camden, a liberal 
contributor to all local movements of a public nature, and takes a lively interest in 
the prosperity and welfare of his native town and village, which has always been 
his home. He was one of the originators in 1893 of the Camden Opera House, be- 
came one of its heaviest stockholders, and has continuously been a member of the 
board of directors. 

October 18, 1870, Mr. Frisbie was married to Miss Emma S. Phelps, daughter of 
Albert Phelps of Camden, and they have two children: George A., a graduate of 
Colgate Academy, and Ruth L. 







Qwr&vJ^a 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 97 

CHARLES W. DARLING. 

Gen. Charles W. Darling was born in New Haven, Conn., October 11, 1830. 
His family is of New England origin, having intermarried with the families of Pier- 
pont, Noyes, Chauncey, Ely, Davis, and Dana. His great-grandfather, a graduate 
of Yale, was Hon. Thomas Darling, an eminent jurist of New Haven, Conn., who 
married Abigail Noyes, granddaughter of Rev. James Pierpont, of New Haven, one 
of the founders of Yale College. The paternal grandfather of Gen. Charles W. was 
Dr. Samuel Darling, of the same city, a graduate of Yale who married Clarinda, 
daughter of Rev. Richard Ely, of Saybrook, Conn. His youngest son, the father of 
General Darling, was Rev. Charles Chauncey Darling, who was graduated from 
^ ale College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and having entered the ministry 
subsequently made his residence in New York. He married Adeline E., daughter 
of William Dana, of Boston, and granddaughter of Major Robert Davis, an officer 
of artillery in the Revolution. 

The boyhood of General Darling was devoted largely to study, under the guidance 
of a private tutor. After matriculating at the classical and mathematical department 
of the New York University, he passed through its regular curriculum, and subse- 
quently received the honorary degree of A. M. from Hamilton College. He entered 
as clerk a mercantile house in New York city, and several years later he be- 
came connected as secretary with an incorporated company under the presidency 
of Commodore C. K. Garrison. Shortly afterward, he resigned his position to accept 
the presidency of a manufacturing company, with which he was associated for several 
years. When he ceased his immediate relations with business, he made his first trip 
to Europe, to gratify those literary and artistic tastes which his active life had for- 
bidden. Returning from his Continental tour, when the question of the possible se- 
cession of the South from the Federal Union was receiving much public discussion, 
he connected himself with the National Guard of New York, and, when Hon. Edwin 
D. Morgan was elected governor, he was appointed a member of his staff with rank 
of colonel. He also identified himself with political matters, and was president of 
one of the Republican organizations of his district. By his decision of character he 
united many discordant elements in the party, subdued the passions of some, deep- 
ened the love of country in the hearts of others, and preserved order frequently 
under difficult circumstances. When in the summer of 1863 New York became the 
scene of riots, General Darling was called upon to perform difficult and dangerous 
duties, and his firm stand on that memorable occasion received the most cordial 
approbation of the military as well as the civil authorities. 

Early in 1864 Colonel Darling received the appointment of additional volunteer 
aid-de-camp on the staff of Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, then in command of the 
Army of the James, and was assigned special duties at his temporary headquarters 
in New York. At this time the draft was to be enforced. As it was known that the 
authorities had made every preparation, and 16,000 men under arms were afloat in 
the harbor, no attempt was made to resist the enforcement of the law. When Hon. 
Reuben E. Fenton was elected governor of the State in 1865 Colonel Darling was 
recommended for the position of head of one of the military departments. His 



08 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

qualifications for the important trust were supported by recommendations from 
Major-Generals Butler, Doubleday and Warren ; Brigadier-Generals "Van Vlict, 
"Webb, Davies, Morris, Gordon, and Granger; and twenty-one commandants of reg- 
iments and batteries in the field. A large number of influential politicians also 
joined in the request, among whom were the mayor of New York, the collector and 
surveyor of the port, the postmaster, the chairman of the Union Central Committee, 
and several members of Congress. This powerful influence had its effect, and Col- 
onel Darling, in view of his past business training and his reputation for order and 
integrity, was assigned to duty in the paymaster general's department, which at 
this critical period was of the first importance. As many of the soldiers were being 
mustered out, through the expiration of their terms of enlistment, no little watchful- 
ness and executive ability were required to protect the interests of the brave de- 
fenders of their country, as well as those of the government. 

At the Union State Convention of the Republican party, held in Syracuse, Septem- 
ber, 1866, among the delegates from the city of New York was General Darling. 
When the roll of delegates was called, it was claimed that the delegates sent from the 
Seventh Assembly District represented the conservative element and were hostile to 
the radicals who called the convention. It caused some excitement; a recess was 
called, and during this recess General Darling with wise diplomacy reconciled op- 
posing factions by resigning his seat in favor of Sinclair Tousey upon condition that 
his two associates should compose with him the delegation. This arrangement was 
acceptable to the convention and the renomination of Governor Fenton was thus 
secured beyond a doubt and made unanimous. In 1806 Colonel Darling was com- 
missioned as commissary-general of subsistence, which brought him into still closer 
relations with Governor Fenton as a member of Jiis military cabinet. This office he 
held until January 1, 1867, when, on the re-election of the governor, General Darling 
received the appointment of military engineer-in-chief ot the State of New York 
with the rank of brigadier- general. When the administration of Governor Fenton 
was nearing its close General Darling applied for and obtained leave of absence to 
visit Europe again on a tour of instruction and pleasure. While in England he re- 
ceived many courtesies; among the various invitations extended to him was one 
from Lord Elcho to meet the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, and be 
present with them on a review of troops at Aldershot. In a subsequent trip abroad 
with his wife he traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, and Africa, making the 
trip up the Nile, through Ethiopia and Nubia, as far as the river is navigable. Dur- 
ing this time many articles from his pen, of a historical and political character, 
appeared in our various magazines and newspapers. 

Having means at his command, which renders him independent of business cares. 
General Darling has been able to gratify to the utmost his literary and scientific 
tastes. Ten years of his life have been devoted to foreign travel in nearly every 
country of the globe, and from this broad experience he has returned with a knowl- 
edge of national manners and customs and a fund of general information which has 
been of great value in his writings. Intensely fond of historical studies he has pros- 
ecuted his investigations in this department of learning with unusual diligence and 
with excellent results. His writings cover a wide range of themes, which he handles 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 99 

with skill, and in a way to interest both the specialist and the general reader. His 
high character, scholarly attainments, and distinguished public services, have given 
him a large acquaintance with many of the public men of the day and earned for him 
many scientific and literary honors. 

His active interest in public affairs, and his prominent connection with some of the 
most stirring events happening in his time, have necessarily made him to a certain 
extent a conspicuous figure among his fellow citizens, by whom he is heldin universal 
esteem. Notwithstanding the fact that he has persistently held aloof from politics, 
preferring the more congenial pursuits of literature and historical research, he has 
several times been asked to become a candidate for municipal positions, but while 
appreciating the honor he has declined all political preferment. His work is per- 
formed quietly among his books, from which he feels that nothing save the gravest 
condition of public affairs can separate him. For several years he held the office of 
president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Utica, his present adopted 
home, and he is now one of its directors. Those who are familiar with the past 
struggles of that association for life, concede that he carried it through the most 
critical period of its history. As a result of those arduous undertakings, an elegant 
structure has been erected for the Utica Young Men's Christian Association, by its 
friends, and the building is considered one of the most conspicuous ornaments of the 
city. General Darling was also a member of the State Executive Committee of Young 
Men's Christian Associations, and on the expiration of his term of office in 1888, he was 
elected one of its trustees. His interest in religious matters, however, is not confined 
to affairs with this department of Christian work. He is a ruling elder in the First 
Presbyterian Church of Utica. Through his connection with the Oneida Historical 
Society he has cultivated his taste for historical studies, and his literary productions 
are numerous. He never writes for pecuniary compensation, and the elegant mon- 
ographs, brochures, essays, excerpta, etc., which he frequently sends out, are printed 
for private distribution. 

On the 21st of December, 1857, General Darling married Angeline E., second 
daughter of Jacob A. Robertson, a wealthy and highly respected citizen of New 
York. His father was Archibald Robertson, the Scotch artist who painted from life 
the celebrated miniatures on ivory of General and Martha Washington, during the 
time when he was sojourning as aguest in the family of the " First President." His 
brothers were Andrew J., Alexander H. (who at the time of his decease was grand 
master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York), 
and Anthony L. Robertson, surrogate of New York in 1848, and chief justice of the 
Superior Court in 1860-69. A sister of these brothers married Henry Winslow, 
founder of the banking house bearing his name. Another sister married Robert N. 
Tinson of England and well known as a resident of New York city. General Darling 
has no children to inherit the honor of a good name, but his fondness for the little 
ones makes him always a favorite with them. 

General Darling was also a member of the advisory council of the World's Con- 
gress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition on historical literature. This 
congress was authorized and supported by the Exposition corporation for the pur- 
pose of bringing about a series of conventions of the leaders, at home and abroad, in 



100 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the various departments of human progress during the Exposition season of 1893. 
It was approved and recognized by the government of the United States, and its 
general announcement was sent to foreign governments by the Department of State. 
An appropriation on account of its expenses was made by an act of Congress. 

General Darling is a hereditary member of the general society of Colonial Wars, 
S. N. Y., by right of his descent from John Haynes, governor of Massachusetts in 
1635, and of Connecticut in 1630, and every alternate year thereafter until 1654, when 
he died. 

He is also a " Son of the Revolution " by reason of his being a great-grandson of 
Major Robert Davis, of the artillery under General Washington. He is a member of 
the American Historical Association , Honorary Fellow of the Society of Science, Letters, 
and Art, London, England; associate member of the Victoria Institute; honorary mem- 
berof the Chautauqua Society of History and Natural Science, New York; Waterloo 
Historical Society, New York ; New Jersey Historical Society; Alabama Historical 
Society ; Mississippi Historical Society ; Iowa Historical Society ; Alaska Historical 
Society; Pioneer and Historical Society of Lansing, Mich. ; Historical Society Univer- 
sity, Miss. ; Historical Societies at Rochester, N. Y. ; and at Charlestown, W. Va. ; 
corresponding member of the American Ethnological Society ; Academy of Anthrop- 
ology; American Numismatic and Archaeological Society; Buffalo Historical Society; 
Mohawk Valley Historical Society, and the Cayuga County Historical So- 
ciety, all of New York. In the State of Maine he is in the same manner connected 
with the Bangor Historical Society; in New Hampshire, with the Historical Society 
of Concord; in Vermont with the Middlebury Historical Society. In Massachusetts, 
with the New England Historic-Genealogical Society; the Dedham Historical So- 
ciety ; the Old Colony Historical Society ; and the Ipswich Historical Society. In Rhode 
Island, with the Newport Historical Society. In Connecticut, with the Connecticut 
Historical Society; the New Haven Colony Historical Society; the Fairfield County 
Historical Society; and the Saugatuck Historical Society. In Ohio with the State 
Archaeological and Historical Society; and the Western Reserve Historical Society. 
In Pennsylvania with the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society; the Linnean His- 
torical and Scientific Society; and the Wyoming Geological and Historical Society. 
In New Jersey, with the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Science. 
In North Carolina with the Historical Society of Chapel Hill. In Indiana, with 
the Geological and Historical Society at Indianapolis. In Maryland, with the 
Historical Society of Baltimore. In Virginia, with the Historical Society at Richmond. 
In Georgia, with the Historical Society at Savannah. In Tennessee, with the Histori- 
cal Society at Nashville. In Wisconsin, with the Historical Society at Madison. In 
Minnesota, with the Historical Society at St. Paul. In Kansas, with the Historical So- 
ciety at Topeka. In Nebraska, with the Historical Society at Lincoln. In California, 
with the Geographical Society of the Pacific, at San Francisco ; the Historical Society 
of Southern California ; and the Historical Society at San Francisco. In Canada, with 
the Quebec Literary and Historical Society. In South Carolina, with the Historical 
Society at Charleston. In Washington, with the Historical Societies at Tacoma, 
Walla Walla. He is a life member of the Oneida Historical Society, at Utica, N. Y., 
and its corresponding secretary; and honorary secretary, at Utica, of the Egypt 
Exploration Fund, of London, England. 




SETH CAPRON, M. D. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 101 

DR. SETH CAPRON. 

Dr. Seth Capron, eldest son of Elisha, was born in Attleboro, Mass., September 
23, 1762. Banfield Capron, his great-grandfather, was the first of the name in 
America. In the year 1674 he and three boy schoolmates, about fourteen years of 
age, agreed among themselves to leave their home and friends in England and seek 
their fortune in the New World. Finding a vessel about to sail they concealed 
themselves in the hold, with food enough for a few days. On the fourth day out 
they were discovered, but allowed to continue the voyage. They landed in Boston. 
Banfield Capron died in Attleboro. Mass , August 20, 1752, aged ninety-two years. 
Of his twelve children Jonathan, father of Elisha and grandfather of Dr. Seth, was 
the sixth. 

Dr. Seth Capron was too young when the Revolutionary war broke out to be 
drafted and too short in stature lo pass inspection. At the time of the country's 
greatest peril, it is known that in order to pass at muster, he managed to ele- 
vate himself on his toes, and so enlisted in defense of his country at the age 
of nineteen. Shortly afterward he was at the siege of Newport, attached to General 
La Fayette's corps of light infantry. It was there he first heard the music of artillery 
and where a cannon ball aimed at the general grazed the top of his head. Dr. Ca- 
pron took part in the battle of White Plains and was then transferred to headquarters 
at West Point, N.'Y., as a non-commissioned officer under Washington. There he 
served during the remainder of the war, commanding the barge that conveyed the 
" Father of his country" to Elizabethtown Point, and was the last man to receive 
the general's benediction. 

Immediately after returning home he began the study of medicine with Dr. Beza- 
leel Mann, an eminent physician of his day, and whose daughter, Eunice Mann, he 
afterwards married. In due time he entered upon his profession, first at Cumber- 
land, R. I. In 1806 he removed with his wife and four sons to Oneida county, N. V., 
and located at Whitesboro, at that time a small village three miles west of Utica. 
He traveled across the country in his own conveyance, then an almost unbroken 
wilderness of 500 miles with here and there a settlement. Whitestown was at that 
time the Gem of the West, being composed for the most part of families of rare cul- 
ture and refinement. There by diligent attention to his profession he acquired a 
competency. At the same time he took great interest in the establishment of manu- 
factories on a permanent basis, considering it indispensable to the prosperity of the 
nation. The formation of the first company and the building of the first factory 
met with much opposition. It was branded as visionary and ruinous, and would 
have discouraged most men, but he was endowed with remarkable foresight and in- 
domitable energy and perseverance. To these qualities must be ascribed the suc- 
cessful effort of building the first cotton and woolen factories in the State of New 

York- 

In 1823 Dr. Capron .removed to Walden, Orange county, N. Y., and built up the 
cotton and woolen interests in that now flourishing town. He was the originator of 
the scheme which resulted in the building of the cotton and woolen mills there, and 
was for some time the superintendent and manager. 



102 OUR COUNTY AMD ITS PEOPLE. 

Dr. Capron died in Walden, N. Y., on Friday, September 4, 1835, agen seventy- 
four. The following lines on his death were written by Mrs. Sophia Cooke: 

" Dust unto dust," and to his God, Winning the tempted from his bowl 

Earth has resigned the trust He gave; Back to himself— his home— his God. 



Yet memory shrines the burial sod, . , 

And marks it at the good man's grave. , : 

Of heart, was action bound the while, 

And mourn we o'er that buried one; That children fondly climb his knee 



■ith such simplicity 

, was action bound t 

Iren fondly climb hi: 

Oh! take the gath'ring clouds of care, To meet a welcome and a smile. 

And fling them round life's setting sun, , 

. , Ana when they heard his voice no more. 

And lose them in the glorv there. T ..... . , _, . 

° J In little bands I ve seen them come 

Glory, that needs no storied pen And point the stranger to his door 

For one who never asked for fame. And whisper, " That was once his home." 

Yet winning from his fellow men TT ,. , ,..,, . . , 

s „ , He lived till age had crowned with snows 

The glorv 01 an honest name. TT . . . .,., .. t , . , .,, 

s J His brow, yet like the Syrian hill 

Go learn it at the cottage hearth, Amid the waste of life he rose, 

And in the peace that hovers there; And verdure clasped his bosom still. 

And when night lifts the thoughts from earth, „,.. ,. . .. . 

, ~, . He died as died the forest tree, 

'Tis breathed m blessing and m prayer. _ , .. , ,, , _ , . . . 

e r Round which the deathless ivy twined, 

For one who sought the erring soul. Scathed by the stroke, Mortality, 

And led it from guilt's darkened road, Yet foliaged with immortal mind. 

The following is from a periodical of that day: 

" The name of Dr. Seth Capron will be identified with the history of cotton and 
woolen manufacturers in the State of New York. He was a man of great integrity 
and moral worth, and uncommon ardor, enterprise, and industry. His open, manh', 
and conciliating and determined conduct enabled him to triumph over obstacles that 
would have discouraged most men. Indefatigable in promoting sound morals 
among his fellow citizens he was a leader in the temperance cause, the first to ban- 
ish brand)' and wine from his sideboard. His mild persuasive manners and the 
honesty and goodness of his purposes were manifest in all his conduct, and the uni- 
form correctness of his example gave him a wonderful influence over the villagers. 
Obedience followed his will as if he had been invested with absolute power, and the 
village of Walden will long mourn for him as for a father." 

Dr. Capron's wife was Miss Eunice Mann, a sister of Newton Mann, esq. whose 
portrait and biographical sketch appear in this volume. Their sons were Newton, 
John, Dr. Seth, jr., and Gen. Horace Capron. The latter was at one time United 
States commissioner of agriculture, and was afterwards employed by the Japanese 
government in the same capacity, where he served for five years. All are dead. One 
daughter survives, Mrs. Louise Kirwan Capron Thiers, of Milwaukee, Wis., and who 
is one of the twelve daughters of soldiers of the Revolution who are members of the 
Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 



ABIJAH JEWEL WILLIAMS. 

Abijah Jewel Williams, the subject of this memoir, was a lineal descendant of 
Roger Williams, the founder of the commonwealth of Rhode Island in 1636, and a 



BIOGRAPHICAL. * 103 

grandson of David Williams, who was born in Berlin, Conn., in 1744, and died at 
Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y. , in 1838. David Williams married Mind well Sage, who 
was born in Berlin, Conn., and who died March 9, 1818. Their son, Levi Will- 
iams, father of Abijah J., was born in Connecticut, on October G, 1775, and die 
in Oriskany, N. Y., October 30, 1857. On October 21, 1800, Levi married Chloe Wilk- 
inson, who was born in Connecticut on November 3, 1783, and who died at Oriskany, 
N. Y., January 3, 1864. About the year of their marriage (1800) Levi and Chloe (Wilk- 
inson) Williams moved to Oneida county, N.Y., and settled on a farm on the Whitesboro 
hills, between Whitesboro and Oriskany. Thence they moved to Manchester, now 
Kirkland, in the same county, and from there to Coleman's Mills, on the Oriskany hills, 
where Abijah Jewell Williams was born July 13, 1805. Some years afterward Levi re- 
moved with his family to the village of Oriskany, where he and his wife resided un- 
til their deaths in 1857 and 1864, respectively. The family inherited in a marked de- 
gree the ennobling characteristics of native New Englanders, and implanted in the 
communities where they resided an enduring standard of civilization. They exerted 
a wholesome influence in the early history of this section, bore with fortitude and 
exemplary courage the hardships of pioneer life, and left a name untarnished in the 
annals of Oneida county, and a name of which their descendants may well be proud. 

Abijah Jewel Williams received such educational advantages as the district schools 
of his day afforded, and early in life devoted himself to business pursuits. While at 
Oriskany, and when quite young, he engaged in the manufacture of cotton and 
woolen factory supplies, such as reeds, shuttles bobbins, spools, twine and wire 
harness, and gradually built up a large and prosperous business, which increased so 
rapidly that he finally concluded to move to Utica. The city was then springing 
into prominence as a manufacturing center and offered advantages which Mr. Will- 
iams was quick to comprehend. In April, 1841, he exchanged his house and lot in 
Oriskany with Ezekiel Bacon (father of the late Judge William T. Bacon) for the 
store No. 215 Genesee street, Utica, and the shop in its rear on Church lane (which 
was torn down in 1889 by his son, Irvin A. Williams, who erected on the site his 
present fine, large, five-story brick block fronting on Blandina street). He then 
(April, 1841) moved his family and machine works to Utica and increased his busi- 
ness largely by adding to it several new branches, notably card clothing, used in 
factories. About this time he invented and was granted a patent for a new wire 
heddle, which superseded all other heddles, and which is now used all over the 
world in cotton and woolen mills. He also received a patent for the very ingenious 
machine which makes this heddle. He added to his business a large machine shop, 
in which all of the first looms were built for the Utica Steam Cotton Mills. Some 
considerable time before his death he transferred this business to his sons, James H. 
and Norman A. Williams, and engaged in other lines of industry. 

Mr. Williams's business had brought him into association with large manufacturers 
throughout the different States. He became interested in almost all of the leading 
cotton and woolen manufacturing corporations in Utica and vicinity, and was a 
large stockholder in them. He was one of the first promoters and locaters of the 
Utica Steam Cotton Mills, a director from the time of its organization to his death, 
July 27, 1886, a period of over thirty years, and the largest stockholder, owning 



104 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

nearly one-sixth of the stock of the company. He was the first to advocate the 
manufacturing of yarn and the building of the Skenandoa Cotton Mills in Utica, was 
one of the largest stockholders, and was president of the company from the time it 
was organized to the time of his death. He was also one of the first promoters, vice- 
president, and a director of the Willowvale Bleaching Company from its organiza- 
tion to the date of his death. He was for nine years president of -the Oneida Na- 
tional Bank and a director for more than twenty years to the time of his death. He 
advocated and was one of the first to subscribe for stock to build the Utica and Black 
River Railroad and was one of its first directors, holding the office until his decease. 
He was the first chairman of the committee of organizers and a direct6r of the Utica 
and Chenango Valley Railroad, and was connected for several years up to 1800 with 
the Utica Globe Woolen Company, being one of its directors and president. In 1860 
he sold his interest in the Utica Globe Woolen Company and with two other capital- 
ists purchased the Empire Mills at Clayville, N. Y , which had been laying idle for 
many years. They started the mills with the old machinery and began to manufac- 
ture entirely army overcoatings. After the war they put in new machinery and ran 
the mills on fine cassimeres and worsteds and other goods, which obtained a ready 
sale. A short time afterward he bought out his two partners and associated with 
bim in the company his four sons, Aras G. Williams, lrvin A. Williams, James H. 
Williams, and Norman A. Williams. Before his death two of his sons, Aras G. and 
Norman A. Williams, died. After his death lrvin A. and James H. Williams were 
the only directors remaining, lrvin A. Williams being its president. 

Abijah J. Williams was a man of great industry, of unquestioned integrity and 
uprightness of character, and was fully capable of grasping and executing large 
plans, usually with success. He always gave close personal application to business. 
Because of his long and successful business career, his business qualiricatfons, and 
his sound judgment on financial and commercial matters of importance, his counsel 
was often sought in the companies with which he was connected and to whose pros- 
perity he contributed so materially. Public spirited, enterprising, and benevolent 
he took a just pride in the city's advancement and was thoroughly identified with its 
every interest. In politics he belonged to the old Whig party and was always a high 
tariff advocate. In later years he affiliated with the Republicans, but never took a 
very active part in political affairs. In 1849 he was elected the first alderman from 
" Cornhill," which composed a portion of the Fourth ward, and which is now the 
Seventh, Tenth, and Twelfth wards of Utica. He felt a deep interest in the welfare 
of the city and contributed largely to it and its charitable institutions. In military 
matters he also won honors, becoming a colonel in the old State organization. He 
was one of the eight body guard selected from the State militia to escort General 
La Fayette from near the Oriskany battle-ground to Whitesboro when that distin- 
guished veteran visited this country in 1825, the year the Erie Canal was opened. 

Mr. Williams was married at Whitesboro by Rev. John Frost, on November 4, 
1824, to Miss Mary BilHngton, who was born at Stone Arabia, N. Y. (a place of 
Revolutionary fame a short distance below Little Falls), on March 26, 1805, and who 
died in Utica on January 2, 1882. Mr. Williams died in Utica on July 27, 1886. Mrs. 
Williams's mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Waggonor, was also a native 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 105 

of Stone Arabia and a member of the Waggonor family who fought with General 
Herkimer at the battle of Oriskany. in which two of her brothers participated. Mar- 
garet Waggonor married Peter Billington. His father, Samuel Billington, was killed 
at the battle of Oriskany and was one of the four Committee of Safety of Tryon 
County who volunteered as privates and were all killed on the battle-field. Mr. and 
Mrs. Williams had four sods: Aras G. Williams, of Brooklyn, N. Y., at one time 
sheriff of Kings county, who died in 1880; Irvin A. Williams, the well known loco- 
motive headlight builder, of Utica; James H. Williams, who has carried on the 
manufacturers' supply business founded by his father in Utica, and Norman A. Will- 
iams, who was at the time of his death in 1879 connected with his brother James H. 
under the firm name of J. H. & N. A. Williams in Utica. The family home and 
residence of Mr. Williams in Utica was on the corner of Rutger and Steuben streets 
and was torn down in 1894 to make room for the new State armory, which now oc- 
cupies the site. 

Irvin A. Williams was born in Oriskany, Oneida county, June 9, 1829, came with 
his parents to Utica in April, 1841, and when eighteen began to learn his trade, wood 
turning, and afterwards the trade of machinist, in his father's shop. In 1851 he com- 
menced experimenting for the building of a locomotive head light. He continued a 
long series of experiments, both in the shop and on the locomotives while in motion 
on the railroad, and perfected his lamp and brought out a model, for which he ob- 
tained his first patent in October, 1854. Continuing the business and making further 
improvements another patent was granted to him October 27, 1857, and still another 
on April 29, 1862, for a circular hollow wick burner to burn coal or kerosene oil in 
the locomotive head light. This burner is now in general use in all circular wick 
house lamps, and has superseded all other burners for locomotive headlights. This 
patent was contested by suits in the United States courts and the patent office, at 
great expense, for eighteen years, but Mr. Williams triumphed over every point. 
Since then he has received several other valuable patents for further improvements 
on his headlights. He is universally recognized as the pioneer locomotive headlight 
inventor and manufacturer in America, and is thoroughly and practically conversant 
with every branch of the business. In 1881 he took his son, Charles I. Williams, 
into partnership, under the firm name of I. A. Williams & Co., and in 1893 his 
youngest son, Aras J. Williams, entered the firm, which still retains the same name. 
The plant comprises the five story brick building on Blandina street, previously men- 
tioned, and the sales extend throughout the world wherever the American type of 
railroad locomotive is used. 



EDMUND A. GRAHAM. 

EdmuJid Augustus Graham, son of Levi Pawling and Elizabeth (Banks) Graham 
and grandson of Lieut. Daniel and Catherine (Decker) Graham, was born in New 
York city in October, 1802, and died in Utica,' N, Y-, January 27, 1889. He was of 



106 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

mingled Scotch and Huguenot descent, and inherited those sturdy characteristics 
whichmade his ancestors conspicuous as loyal and honored citizens. Daniel Graham 
was a lieutenant in an Ulster county regiment in the Revolutionary war. Levi P. 
was educated in Columbia College and began the study of law with the famous 
Samuel Jones in New York, but his health failed and he gave himself to business as 
commercial agent in Havana and elsewhere in the West Indies for New York mer- 
chants. He finally returned to his home in Newburg, Orange county, afterwards 
removing to Western New York and died at the age of ninety-four. 

Edmund A. Graham spent the first five or six years of his life in the metropolis. 
The family then removed to Newburg, where he received an academic education until 
twelve years of age. Afterward for about two years he mingled farm work with attend- 
ance at school. His father was a friend of such men as De Witt Clinton, Daniel D. 
Tompkins, and Aaron Burr, and the lad became acquainted with all these. He was 
invited by Burr to go to New York and enter his office for the study of law, but Mrs. 
Graham objected, and he went instead at the age of fifteen to Ogdensburgh, N. Y., 
under the care of his uncle, Louis Hasbrouck, who'was a prominent lawyer in part- 
nership with Judge Fine and also postmaster. Mr. Graham entered the post-office 
and soon had full charge of the mails, and during his leisure read law in the office of 
Hasbrouck & Fine, where he had a fellow student named Preston King, who was 
destined to become politically famous. Young Graham had a natural preference for 
the law and in due time was admitted to the bar. He at once began a profitable law 
practice in Ogdensburg, having clients in New York, Albany, and Troy as well as 
at home. He was made the attorney of the Bank of Ogdensburg, of which he was a 
director, and also became agent for David B. Ogden to manage and sell large tracts 
of land in the town of Oswegatchie. He was clerk of the village in 1826, 1831, 1833, 
and 1834, and in 1830 was one of the originators and a director of the company which 
ran the first line of American steamers on the River St. Lawrence and the lakes. 
This enterprise was for a long time maintained in no small part by such Utica capi- 
talists as Alfred Munson, Samuel Farwell, John Butterfield, and Harvey Barnard, 
whom Mr. Graham enlisted with himself, and it is a tradition worthy of record that 
the first steamer of the line was built from his designs. While in Ogdensburg he was 
prominently connected with the old State militia and became division judge advocate 
with the rank of colonel. 

In 1838, owing to the dangerous illness of his father-in-law, Judge Apollos Cooper, 
Mr. Graham removed to Utica to manage the judge's large estate, which task he com- 
bined with his law practice. Judge Cooper's farm, which Mr. Graham laid out in 
streets and lots, extended from the Mohawk River to Cornelia street and from Gene- 
see street quite a distance west. The homestead still stands, somewhat altered, in 
Whitesboro street. The present generation can scarcely appreciate the services ren- 
dered by Mr. Graham and his assistants, who, in 1845, entered upon an investigation 
of the feasibility of introducing manufactures by steam into the city of Utica. The 
lack of water-power was keenly recognized. The statutes then forbade corporations 
with a larger capital than §100,000, while the use of steam required greater invest- 
ments The city's population had decreased from 13,000 to 10,000, and increase of 
manufacturing was relied upon to turn the tide. At a public meeting Spencer Kel- 
logg, Andrew S. Pond and Mr. Graham were appointed' a committee to visit New 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 107 

England and report on the subject. Their report started both the woolen and cotton 
factories within the city. Mr. Pond favored the organization of a company for 
woolen manufacture and the Utica woolen mills were built, but were not successful. 
Messrs. Graham and Kellogg" recommended investments in cotton in preference and 
the Utica Steam Cotton Mills have for nearly fifty years confirmed the wisdom of 
their choice. In order to permit the use of capital to the amount necessary, and to 
get rid of full liability on the part of the stockholders, Mr. Graham drafted what be- 
came the general manufacturing law of 1848, but hard labor at Albany during two 
legislative sessions was required to secure its passage. The chief work of raising the 
capital for starting the cotton mills devolved upon Alfred Munson, Theodore S. Fax- 
ton, Silas D. Childs, and Edmund A. Graham, all of whom met with many difficul- 
ties before success was assured. Mr. Munson was elected president of the company 
and Mr. Graham was chosen secretary as well a director. Upon the latter fell the 
task of drawing the contracts and making many of the purchases. He continued to 
give attention to the mills, became one of the largest stockholders, and for many 
years prior to his death was president of the company. 

Mr. Graham was one of the most zealous and influential promoters of the original 
movement in behalf of the Black River and Utica Railroad. His acquaintance with 
Northern New York enabled him to see the need of the line, and to render important 
service in its organization and construction. Thestruggle between Rome and Utica 
for the northern alliance constitutes an interesting chapter of local history, in which 
a compromise was offered by Rome to the effect that the railroad project be aban- 
doned by both cities. Mr. Graham, in co-operation with other citizens, devoted much 
time to the enterprise in behalf of Utica, and subscribed §5,000 to the stock, which 
was all lost. He was attorney and counsel for and a director in the original company 
until the foreclosure of the mortgage, and he held the same positions until 1884 irjthe 
corporation which bought the property. For a long period he was vice-president of 
Utica and Black River Railroad Company and acted as president for three or four 
seasons while Mr. Thorn was abroad. He gave personal attention to the building of 
the road from Lyons Falls to Carthage and Philadelphia. For several years he 
owned and conducted in Sauquoit the mill for the manufacture of white paper pre- 
viously operated by Savage & Moore, but the introduction of wood pulp brought 
changes which finally closed that establishment. 

During the fifty years of his residence in Utica Mr. Graham's career was one of 
honor and continuous business success. The number of positions of trust to which 
he was called was many, and he was faithful in all of them. He was one of a com- 
mittee to prepare amendments to the city charter, and at his suggestion a provision 
to make aldermen personally liable for excessive expenditure was enacted. He was 
one of four commissioners appointed to secure the site and build the city hall. In 
1847 he was elected a director of the Oneida Bank (afterward the Oneida National 
Bank) and survived every one of his associates of that time. From 1853 to 1872 he 
was one of the managers of the LTtica State Hospital and gave to that institution 
great care and attention. He was long a director and for some time vice-president 
of the Utica Gas Light Company. Confirmed in St. John's church. Ogdensburg, he 
was an earnest and consistent churchman, and was one of the organizers of Grace 
church, Utica, which he served for many years as vestryman and warden. As 



108 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

chairman of the committee he superintended the enlargement of the old church and 
was one of the building committee for the present edifice. Later he was a member 
of the vestry of the mother church, Trinity. He was often a delegate to diocesan 
conventions and a trustee of the fund for the support of the episcopate. Politically 
he was first a Democrat, but after the Charleston convention of 1860 became an 
ardent supporter of Mr. Lincoln, and ever afterward was a zealous, and steadfast 
Republican In 1848 he was nominated by the Democrats for the Assembly, but was 
defeated owing to divisions in the party and his refusal to give pledges on the excise 
question. 

As a lawyer Mr. Graham was well grounded in the principles of his profession. 
He was careful in his preparation and accurate and persistent in his work. He was 
connected with several great litigations. In the long contested Bradstreet cases, 
which involved a large amount of property, he was the attorney who studied out the 
law and dug out the facts, and was instrumental in carrying the cases to a successful 
end. His business was largely in chancery, in the equity side of the Supreme 
Courts, at general terms, and in the Court of Appeals, and his railroad cases were 
important and numerous. Mr. Graham won an unquestioned reputation for integ- 
rity. He was an excellent neighbor, a faithful friend, and a useful and enterprising 
citizen. Unostentatious and patriotic he was diligent in business and scrupulously 
honored all obligations. The record of such a life as his is its own best commentary, 
and the community in which he lived for half a century reveres and honors his 
memory. 

Mr. Graham was married in 1835 to Miss Cornelia, only daughter of Judge Apollos 
Cooper, of Utica, who survives him. They had two children; Louise Cooper (Mrs. 
Samuel E. Schantz), and Edmund Banks, who died in 1885. 

[Judge Apollos Cooper was a lineal descendant of John Cooper, who sailed in the 
Hopewell for America in 1635, first settled in Lynn, Mass., was made a freeman in 
Boston in 1636, soon removed to Southampton, L. I., and was one of the twenty 
heads of families who formed the association for the settlers of Southampton in 1637. 
Southampton was the first town settled by the English in the State of New York. 
John Cooper was also one of the founders of the New England States. In 1794 
Judge Apollos Cooper purchased from James S. Kipp 115 acres of land, being a part 
of Cosby's Manor, now a part of the city of Utica. A small house was on the land, 
but the judge added to it, and the dwelling that is still standing on Whitesboro 
street, near Liberty, presents as to the building the same appearance as when Judge 
Cooper resided there, which he continued to do until his death in 1839. It was never 
as pretentious as many others, but partook something of the stern simplicity of its 
Puritan founder. The old orchard which surrounded the house until quite recently 
has disappeared, but for many years, in its time of flower and fruitage, it was a 
thing of beauty as well as a landmark. The Cooper farm extended from the river 
on the north to Genesee street at its junction with Cornelia on the southeast, which 
street the judge named for his only daughter. The farm covered most of the city 
now comprised in the Third ward. Judge Cooper was one of the enterprising pio- 
neers of Central New York. In 1793 he left his birthplace in Southampton, L. I., 
"poled" up the Mohawk River and Fish Creek to Oneida county, and in 1784 settled 
"at old Fort Schuyler." He was judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and held 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 109 

many offices of public trust. A former resident of Utica recently spoke of him as 
follows: " Of the men who one hundred years ago, in 1794, came from the east and 
drove their stakes at Old Fort Schuyler, there was one among them— Apollos Cooper 
—whose influence through himself and his posterity has been sovereign all through 
your history, and even to the present day is benignly felt. To Apollos Cooper we 
owe the life and fame of one of the brilliant lawyers for whom Utica has been re- 
nowned." Mrs. Graham, the judge's only daughter, is believed to be the oldest na 
tive born resident of Utica. From early youth she was one of the chief promoters 
of that noble charity, the Utica Orphan Asylum, and for nearly forty years its first 
directress, resigning that position but a few years ago.] 



REV. DAVID A. WARREN. 

Rev. David A. Warren was born of New England stock and English ancestry on 
the Warren homstead in the town of Verona, Oneida county, May 3, 1799, and died 
there in February, 1860. His father, Jonathan, was one of the first settlers in all 
that section, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. There amidst the primeval 
forests the lad was reared to maturity, obtaining such education as he could at the 
district schools and developing a sturdy constitution in laboring on the parental 
farm. His advantages were limited, yet he acquired through his own native energy 
a, valuable fund of knowledge and rose in the community to a foremost position. 
He read law and was admitted to practice, but subsequently became a Presbyterian 
minister. In expounding the truths of the Bible and the doctrines of Christianity 
his talents were brought into full play, and he won a warm place in the hearts of 
his hearers. 

Mr. Warren was a consistent Christian, and by his exemplary life and powers of 
eloquence turned many a person into paths of uprightness and usefulness. He was 
charitable, kind and benevolent, just in all his actions, energetic and methodical in 
all he undertook, regardful of the rights of others, though fearless in expressing his 
convictions, and zealously encouraged all worthy movements. In the law as well as 
in the ministry he won both success and respect. 

His children who survived were Charles H., Joseph H., sr., James Sayre, and Mrs 
Elizabeth Barbour. Joseph H. Warren, sr., was born on the homestead in Verona 
about 1834, received a public school education, and first engaged in farming. Later 
he went to New York city and became a business partner with his brother, James 
Sayre Warren, who for eight years was president of the American Wall Paper Manu- 
facturers' Association. He enlisted in Co. K, 97th N. Y. Vols., in the war of the 
Rebellion, was promoted first lieutenant, was confined in the hospital at Washing- 
ton, D. C, and was afterward honorably discharged on account of ill health. He 
died in 1870. He was married in Paris, France, to Miss Marcella Walsh, of New 
York city, and they had one son, Joseph H., jr., who was born in New York, August 
2, 1854, was educated there and in Paris, France, and on August 21, 1895, married 
Miss Dorothea Richardson, of Ottawa, daughter of Hugh Richardson, chief Judge 
of the Northwest provinces of the Dominion of Canada. 



ilO OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

WALTER BALLOU. 

Hon. Walter Ballou is of French Huguenot descent and was born in Boonville, 
Oneida county, N. Y., June 21, 1839. His grandfather, Pelatiah Ballou, was a na- 
tive of Rhode Island, his parents having moved to that State from Massachusetts on 
account of the religious persecution which the Huguenots received ,at the hands of 
the Puritan colonists. Pelatiah Ballou married Hannah Sheldon and in 1799 came 
to Boonville, Oneida county, where they settled on a farm about one and one half 
miles west of the village. A portion of this farm has ever since remained in the 
family, being one of the few tracts which can claim nearly a century's continuous 
ownership under one name. He was endowed with qualities which make the model 
pioneer, and as a successful farmer exerted a wholesome influence in the infant set- 
tlement. By hard labor he cleared his farm, and accumulated a modest competency 
for those days. He held several town offices. He died on the homestead July 4, 
1837, at the age of sixty-seven, and his wife's death occurred there in 1855. Their 
children who attained maturity were Jesse, Ellis, Lydiaand William. William Bal- 
lou was born on the paternal farm in Boonville in 1812, and after spending his entire 
life on the place died there March 7, 1847, aged thirty-five years, six months, and 
eleven days. He was also a successful farmer, and like his father took great pride 
in the advancement of the community. He married Harriet, daughter of Anson 
Crofoot, of Leyden, Lewis county, who survive? him and occupies the homestead. 
They had five children: Charles, who died in Buffalo, N. Y., in April, 1893; Walter, 
of Boonville; Albert, who died, after enlisting in the army, but just before being 
mustered in in 1862; Anna (Mrs. Gustavus B. Horner), of Ripon, Wis.; and Alice 
(Mrs. Benoni S. Brown), of Onset, Mass. 

Hon. Walter Ballou was educated in the district schools of his native town and in 
the high school of Boonville, and in 1857 was graduated from Whitestown Academy. 
He had prepared for Hamilton College with the intention of entering that institu- 
tion, but a serious difficult)' of the eyes at this time compelled him to abandon the 
idea of a collegiate training. He therefore remained on his father's farm until 
August 30, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. D, 146th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and when his 
company was mustered in he was elected and commissioned its first lieutenant. At 
the battle of Fredericksburg he was slightly wounded. He remained with the regi- 
ment until December, 1862, when he was taken sick with typhoid fever and honorably 
discharged on a special order from the War Department. Returning home he spent 
several months recuperating and by the end of a year had permanently recovered. 

Mr. Ballou had now decided upon a professional career, and early in 1864 he en- 
tered the office of H. Romeyn Hadley, where he studied law until April. 1868, when 
he was admitted to the bar at Albany. Soon after his admission he began active 
practice in Boonville in partnership with Hon. Thomas S. Jones, under the firm 
name of Jones & Ballou. Four years later this firm dissolved and Mr. Ballou 
formed a copartnership with L. W. Fiske, which continued for three years. Since 
then Mr. Ballou has successfully practiced his profession in Boonville alone. 

In politics he was originally a Republican, a strong sympathizer with the Union, 
and a staunch supporter of Lincoln's administration, casting his first and second 
presidential votes for that martyred statesman. In 1866 Mr. Ballou differed on the 
reconstruction question as embodied in Republican principles and affiliated with the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. Ill 

Democratic part)', with which he has ever since been prominently identified He 
was deputy assessor of internal revenue for the Fourth Assembly district of Oneida 
county tinder President Andrew Johnson, holding the office about one year. In the 
fall of 1875 he was elected to the Assembly, being the first Democrat elected to that 
office in the Fourth Assembly district of the county in twenty years. This in itself 
shows the esteem and popularity in which he is held by his fellow citizens. During 
the session of 1876 he served as a member of the committees on Laws, Rules, En- 
grossed Bills, etc., and distinguished himself as an able advocate of honest legisla- 
tion. He has also served the village of Boonville as president for three years and 
was a member of the Board of Education for 'line years and its president six years. 
He was a trustee of the Boonville Fair Association, the predecessor of the present 
society, and in every enterprise or movement affecting the general welfare of the 
place his influence has been felt and appreciated. He is a member and for five years 
was master of Boonville Lodge, No. 165, F. & A.M., and is also a member of Imperial 
Council, R. A., of Utica. Mr. Ballou is a representative citizen of Northern Oneida 
and one of the best known men in that section of the county. As a lawyer he has 
attained a wide reputation. Public spirited, enterprising and patriotic, imbued with 
high qualities of citizenship, he liberally encourages all worthy movements promising 
general benefit, and in the prosperity of his village and native town he has always 
taken a just pride. 

Mi'. Ballou was married on October 13, 1864, to Miss Eugenia, daughter of George 
and Lydia (Knight) Brinkerhoff, of Boonville, and they have two daughters; Har- 
riet, a graduate of Cornell University, class of 1895, and Eugenia, who was gradu- 
ated from Boonville Academy in 1893. 



GEORGE H. WILEY. 

George H. Wiley, vice-president and superintendent of the Utica Steam Cotton 
Mills and superintendent of the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills, was born in East 
Douglass, Mass., on the 12th day of January, 1826. His ancestors came to America 
from the Highlands of Scotland and settled in Massachusetts about 1770. and many 
members of the family have developed and made their lives successful under the 
national Scottish traits of industry, integrity, good common sense, and sturdy per- 
severance. All these characteristics Mr. Wiley inherited. His father was a machine 
builder and a skillful mechanic, and during his early life was connected with some of 
the first and largest cotton mills erected in New England. 

Mr. Wiley obtained a common school education in the several schools where he 
lived in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and also attended for a few terms a select 
school in Lonsdale, R. I., which was kept by an Episcopal clergyman. When seven- 
teen he began work in the Providence steam mill and soon afterward entered the 
employ of the Lonsdale Company, where his father was then engaged in building 
machinery, an industry which gave the son superior advantages for obtaining 
practical knowledge that soon enabled him to assume charge of the different de- 
partments of cotton mills. About 1846 the family removed to Pawtucket, R. I., 
where young Wiley found employment in some of the mills, and assisted in putting 
up and starting the machinery of two new mills there. A little later he put up and 



112 OtJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

started machinery in a new mill at Warren, R. I., and immediately afterward per- 
formed a like service in the first Wamsutta mills. These various mills were new and 
modern in all of their features, and his experience with them gave Mr. Wiley prac- 
tical advantages which few young men possessed at that time and rendered him 
thoroughly competent for the construction and management of a cotton mill. 

The trustees of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills prevailed upon Mr. Wiley in the 
spring of 1852 to come to Utica and superintend their mills, which at that time con- 
tained about 7,000 spindles. This number was gradually increased to 15,000 in 1856 
and as the mills under Mr. Wiley's management were proving successful it was de- 
cided in 1868 to build mill No. 2 and equip it with 15,000 spindles. This mill was 
planned and built by Mr. Wiley and began operations in 1869. His thorough, in- 
telligent, and efficient management, and the care and skill of the trustees and man- 
agers, had now changed the former unprofitable conditions of the manufacture to a 
larger and better product with comparatively less expense, and the reputation of the 
goods was established as first-class, commanding a ready sale and profitable returns. 
In 1880-81 No. 1 mill was remodeled and enlarged to contain 25,000 spindles, the 
plans for which changes were made by Mr. Wiley. In 1892 he remodeled the entire 
plant and made its total spindlage 55,000. The success of these mills led to the con- 
struction of the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills (under substantially the same direction), 
which were planned by A. D. Lockwood associated with Mr. Wiley and erected 
wholly under supervision of the latter. These mills began work in 1882. In 1881- 
82 the plans of the Skenandoa Yarn Mill were prepared under Mr. Wiley's direction 
and Isaac R. Scott was engaged to take charge of its construction and management. 
Under his judicious and efficient administration the mill has been doubled in its 
capacity. In addition to all these responsible undertakings Mr. Wiley was asso- 
ciated with the late Hon. George W. Chadwick in arranging and constructing the 
Willowvale Bleachery in New Hartford, which is well known for the excellence of 
its productions. 

During a period of nearly forty-five years of practical work in his line in the city 
of Utica Mr. Wiley's record has been one of uninterrupted success, and it may be 
said with entire propriety that very few men in the country, and none in this vicin- 
ity stand higher in all matters pertaining to the manufacture of cotton cloth. He is 
vice-president and superintendent of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, superintendent 
of the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills, a director in the Skenandoa Yarn Mill, and 
president of the Willowvale Bleachery. He was a member of Grace church vestry 
for twenty years and one of the building committee in charge of the erection of the 
present church edifice ; was chairman of the building committee and took an active 
part in the building of the Utica Opera House and of St. Luke's Home and Hospital; 
has been trustee of the latter institution from its beginning. He is trustee of the 
Masonic Home and Asylum fund and took a leading part in the erection of the 
Masonic Home and School in LUica. He is a Democrat, but has never given more 
attention to politics than is demanded of every public spirited citizen. 

Mr. Wiley was married in 1857 to Miss Anna E., daughter of Stephen Thorn, of 
Utica, and they had one daughter, Sarah T., who married William B. Lane, M. D., 
of Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. Wiley died November 16, 1877, and in 1880 Mr. Wiley 
married, second, Helen A. Taft, of Worcester, Mass. , whose death occurred August 
2, 1891. 




' ^^ ' I 1 ^^^-ot^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 113 

CHARLES A. NICHOLSON. 

The Nicholson family in America descends from William Nicholson, who came 
from Yarmouth, England, to Boston, Mass., in May, 1035. One of his descendants, 
Ephraim Nicholson, was a soldier in King Philip's war, while Nathan Nicholson 
(grandfather of Charles A.) and two brothers served in the war of the Revolution. 
The latter, Nathan, married Mary Hill, and their youngest son, Ambrose, was born 
in Hinsdale, Mass., in 1804, came to Herkimer county when a young man, and died 
in Marcy, Oneida county, March 2, 1878; he married Maria McElwain, also of Hins- 
dale, Mass., whose family was prominently connected with the early history of the 
Methodist church in New England. Ambrose Nicholson, familiarly known as 
Squire Nicholson, held several town offices. Tie served several terms as supervisor 
of Russia, Herkimer county, as justice of the peace, etc., and did considerable busi- 
ness in drawing deeds and wilte and settling estates. In 1856 he came to Trenton, 
N. Y., and about seven years later removed to the town of Marcy, where he carried on 
a lumber business in connection with a sash, blind and door factory, and where he 
died. He represented the fourth Oneida district in the State Legislature in 1868. 
He had three sons: Nathan D. and Timothy M., both deceased, and Charles A., of 
Utica, all of whom served with distinction in Co. A, 1st N. Y. Lt. Art, in the war of 
the Rebellion, all being mustered out and honorably discharged in June, 1865. 
Nathan D. enlisted in 1861, and after the battle of Fair Oaks was transferred to 
General Peck's headquarters at Beaufort, S. C. Timothy M. and Charles A. enlisted 
in 1863 and went to the front together. 

Charles A. Nicholson was born in the village of Poland, Herkimer county, N. Y. , 
September 27, 1843, and received his education in the public schools, chiefly in Tren- 
ton , Oneida county, finishing at Whitesto wn Academy. Before reaching his twenty-sec- 
ond year he had seen two years'hardservice at the front in the Civil war and attained 
the honors due a young and valiant soldier. "Returning from the army he went to 
Harrisburg, Pa., and was engaged for one year as a dealer in musical instruments. 
He then returned to Trenton, N. Y., and began the manufacturing of sash, doors, 
and blinds, but two years later sold out the business which he had successfully estab- 
lished. His brother, Timothy M., died at about this time and Mr. Nicholson re- 
moved to the homestead farm in Marcy, where he remained for three years. In 1869 
he went to Rome, N. Y., as a salesman in the lumber yard of the late G. V. Selden, 
with whom he remained nine years, or until 1878. 

Meanwhile the telephone had been invented and exhibited at the Centennial Ex- 
position in 1876, and at once created great interest throughout the country. In Rome 
Mr. Nicholson and his friend, Henry H. Sessions, master mechanic of the Rome, 
Watertown & Ogdensburgh Railroad, were the first to put the new invention to prac- 
tical or even experimental use, and it may be safely said that they were among the 
very earliest in Central New York to regard it as feasible, and to see its unlimited 
possibilities from a useful and necessary standpoint. They at once became deeply 
interested, and at their own expense put up two or three private lines in the city, 
which were the wonder of the time, creating no little amusement and affording great 
convenience to the owners. From this beginning Mr. Nicholson naturally drifted 
into the business with an energy and perseverance which marked all his undertakings. 



114 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

The business was started in Central New York under Mr. Nicholson's manage- 
ment, with telephones for private persons, two subscribers only having the use of a 
single line. There was no central office or connecting point. The lines were scat- 
tered, and confined almost entirely to business uses. Soon, however, a central 
switching system was adopted, whereby one subscriber could be connected and talk 
with one another at will. New lines were pushed out in every part of the territory, 
and it was not long before every city, village, and hamlet of any size was in tele- 
phonic communication. In 1880 he, with H. L. Storke, of Auburn, N. Y. , organized 
the Mohawk Valley Telephone and Telegraph Company and Mr. Nicholson was 
elected one of the directors and its general manager. This corporation covered the 
counties of Delaware, Otsego, Chenango, Madison, Lewis, and Oneida (with the ex- 
ception of the city of Utica). It proved a success from the start and rapidly built up, 
under Mr. Nicholson's able management, a large and constantly increasing business. 
In December, 1S82, the company was consolidated with four other telephone com- 
panies, covering eleven counties in the central part of the State, with headquarters 
at Utica, N. Y. The new corporation took the present name of the Central New- 
York Telephone and Telegraph Company. At the time of the consolidation Mr. 
Nicholson was elected a director and the general manager of the company, and has 
since held these positions. 

The last annual report of this telephone company (February 13, 1896), shows that 
it is caring for over three thousand subscribers in fifteen exchanges. That by the 
construction of over eighteen hundred miles of pole lines and nearly four thousand 
miles of wire it has linked together four hundred towns and villages. The number 
of messages passing over these toll lines, and exclusive of exchange messages, is 
nearly four hundred thousand annually. 

He is a member of Roman Lodge No. 223, F. & A. M., Fort Stanwix Chapter of 
Royal Arch Masons of Rome, N. Y., and of Fort Schuyler Club of LTtica, N.Y. 

In August, 1864, Mr. Nicholson was married to Miss lone M. , daughter of Jacob 
Wicks, of Trenton, N.Y. They have six children: Mabel M. (Mrs. Nathaniel Peck- 
ham), Walter W., Frances, William Sidney, and Harold H. and Harriet A. (twins), 
all of Utica. 

Walter W. Nicholson, the eldest son, was born July 16, 1867, was educated at the 
Rome Academy, and on leaving school identified himself with the telephone busi- 
ness under his father. He began as a night operator and rose by gradation to the 
post of general superintendent, on January 1, 1891, which he still holds. He is a 
member of the American Institution of Electrical Engineers, the New York Elec- 
trical Society, and the Arcanum Club, and treasurer of Calvary church, Utica. April 
23, 1889, he married Irene E., daughter of Edwin Peckham, of Utica, and they 
have two sons: Charles Ambrose and Howard Peckham. 



EDWARD TREVVETT. 

Edward Trewett, the originator and founder of the Commercial Travelers' 
Mutual Accident Association of America, was born in the village of Humberston, 



r 




EDWARD TREVVETT. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 115 

Leicestershire, England, February 12, 1840, received his education in that country, 
and came to America in 1868, settling first in Brooklyn, N. Y., whence he removed 
in 1877 to Utica, where he has since resided. He was for a long time engaged in 
the tea trade as a traveling salesman, representing D. H. Houghtaling & Co. for 
twelve and one-half years, the Nassau Trading Company for three years, and Car- 
ter, Macy & Co. for four years. All these firms were located in New York city and 
were extensive dealers in tea. As a salesman Mr. Trevvett was uniformly success- 
ful. He built up a large trade and became one of the most popular " Knights of the 
grip." The experience he acquired as a commercial traveler led him into a field of 
usefulness in which he has won a wide reputation. He was one of the first to dis- 
cern the need of an organization among traveling men which should band them to- 
gether socially and fraternally into one common brotherhood, with mutual interests, 
and at the same time protect their families in case of accident or death. He studied 
the question carefully, and became in this respect a public benefactor. 

In 1883 there was in Utica Post B, of the Commercial Travelers Life Association 
of Syracuse, whose officers met every four weeks in the Butterfield House. At one 
of these meetings, held early in March, Mr. Trevvett introduced the subject of start- 
ing an accident association here. A circular was issued, signed by ten or twelve 
men, and the next week fifty persons met and formally adopted a constitution and 
by-laws which Mr. Trevvett had drafted. On March 20, 1883, the Commercial Trav- 
elers' Mutual Accident Association was incorporated with forty-nine charter mem- 
bers, eight being non-resident, the name of Edward Trevvett heading the list. The 
object, as set forth in the preamble, was "to secure voluntary contributions to mem- 
bers of our brotherhood, who, through accident, have sustained bodily injuries which 
wholly disables them from following their occupation, or to the widow and orphans, 
or such other beneficiaries as may be designated, in case of death by accidental 
means." Henry D. Pixley has been the president since the organization. The first 
secretary and treasurer was Edgar H. Wheeler, who died in July, 1883, when Edward 
Trevvett, who was a member of the first board of directors, was elected to the posi- 
tion and has ever since filled it with ability and satisfaction. This is the largest 
accident association in the world for a distinct set or class of men, all of its members, 
numbering about 17,000, being bona fide commercial travelers. Mr. Trevvett was 
alone in the inception and founding of the institution, and to him is mainly due the 
success which it has attained. Through its thirteen years' existence he has labored 
assiduously and in the face of trying difficulties for its welfare, has given it his entire 
attention, and has triumphantly placed it upon a sound and lasting basis. Others 
have been instrumental in its development, but his personal activity and business 
skill have carried it successfully to a benevolent, co operative, and fraternal end. 
During the thirteen years the average cost of insurance, exclusive of entrance, fees, 
has been $6.75 per year. Its permanent home is in Utica, a fact which eminently 
identifies it and its founder with the history of the county 

Mr. Trevvett is president of St. George's Society of the city of Utica, which was 
organized February 4, 1858, and of which he became a member about 1880. He is 
also president of the North America St. George's Union for 1895-7, being elected to 
this high position in the order at the sixteenth convention held in Kingston, Ontario, 
Canada, August 20 to 23, 1895. He is a 32d degree Mason, holding membership in 



116 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Faxton Lodge, No. 697, F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M,, Utica Coun- 
cil, No. 28, R. S. M., Utica Commandery, No. 3. K. T., Central City Consistory, A. 
A. S. Rite, and Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is junior 
warden and treasurer of St. George's church, Utica, and treasurer of the second 
convocation or missionary district of the diocese of Central New York, which em- 
braces all of Oneida and a part of Madison county. 

Mr. Trevvett married the youngest daughter of Dr. John P. Simpson, of Leices- 
tershire, England, and they have four children living, viz. : Florence, of Tacoma, 
Wash.; Annie (Mrs. Charles H. Davidson), of Utica; Herbert E., special traveling 
agent for the Southern Pacific railroad with headquarters at Tacoma, Wash. ; and 
Sidney A., a graduate of Cornell University and now with the Union Casualty and 
Fidelity Company of New York city. 



BENJAMIN HALL. 

Hon. Benjamin Hall, son of Jason C. and Permelia Hall, was born near Ingham's 
Mills, Fulton county, N. Y. , March 9, 1846, and remained on his father's farm until 
1870. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and inherited those 
sterling characteristics which mark the successful man. In 1874 he removed to 
Utica, where he has since resided, and where he established in the same year his 
present hide, wool, and fur business, which since 1880 has been located on the corner 
of Bleecker and John streets. Here he has successfully built up a large and profit- 
able trade, and is one of the oldest dealers in this line in the city. He is one of 
Utica's most enterprising business men, and is well and favorably known throughout 
the county and State. By honest dealing, strict attention to details, and continued 
industry he has steadily increased his establishment until now it is one of the lead- 
ing houses of the kind in Central New York. As a business man, and socially, too, 
he is held in high esteem, and enjoys the confidence of all who know him. 

Mr. Hall has for many years been an active Republican, and in the councils of his 
party is a recognized leader. In 1885 he was elected to the Assembly from the first 
district of Oneida county and was re-elected in 1886 by a largely increased majority. 
In the Legislature he was devoted to the interests of his constituents and to the 
State at large, and was classed with the working members of that body. His pru- 
dence and efficiency while in office secured for him the honor of being the first 
Republican in his district who was nominated and elected for two successive terms. 
As assemblyman his vote and influence were always in the interests of wholesome 
legislation for the elevation of society and the promotion of good government. He 
served on many important committees, being chairman of those on canals and joint 
library, and introduced about fifty bills, most of which became laws. He was well 
liked by his associates, and his counsel was often sought by older members. 

In the city of Utica Mr. Hall is prominently connected with various institutions 
and societies. He is a member of Oriental Lodge F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter, No. 
57, R. A. M., Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T., Utica Consistory, ^o. 2, A. & A. S. 
Rite, and Ziyara Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, 32°, Northern jurisdiction. 




i .. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 117 

He is also a member of Imperial Council R. A., and was one of the first members of 
the Arcanum Club and one of its original board of governors. He is a member of 
Oneida Lodge I. O. O. F., an honorary member of the Utica Citizens Corps, and a 
member of the Merchants and Manufacturers Exchange and one of its board of di- 
rectors. He is also a member of the Utica Chamber of Commerce and of the Oneida 
Historical Society. In all these as well as the general prosperity of the city he takes 
a keen interest. Public-spirited and progressive he is a self-made man, and owes 
his success in life almost wholly to his individual efforts. 

Mr. Hall was married on February 27, 1872, to Miss Catherine P., daughter of 
Hon. Archibald McDonald Harrison, of Cressy, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Harrison 
was distantly connected with ex- President Benjamin Harrison and a cousin of the late 
Hon. John A. McDonald, who for many years was at the head of the Dominion gov- 
ernment of Canada. 



ALFRED MUNSON. 

Alfred Munrdn was a son of Ephraim (1753-1826) and Hannah (Wetmore) Mun- 
son (1749-1815), of Berkhamstead, Litchfield county. Conn., a grandson of Samuel 
Monson, of Northford, New Haven county, Conn., and a lineal desendant of Lieut. 
Thomas Monson, the first of the name in America and one of the signers of the 
Plantation Covenant of New Haven. Thomas Monson was of English birth, and 
came to the New World, one of those four thousand exiled servants of God, between 
1629 and 1634 to secure liberty of conscience. Alfred was born in Berkhamstead, 
Conn., May 21, 1793, and with the exception of one year spent in Hartford with the 
Todds lived in the family of his brother Samuel until he reached the age of thirty. 
On June 29, 1813, the two brothers purchased one-half of their father's farm and 
buildings and two years later they bought the remaining half of this homestead of 
their brother Reuben J. In 1817 they purchased of their father a one-half interest 
in a saw mill and six years afterward one-half of a grist mill. On June 5, 1823 
Alfred sold one-half of the farm, "where my father lives," with one-half of the 
buildings, to Samuel for §500, one half of the saw mill with eighty acres for §700, and 
one-half of the grist mill for $800. He immediately removed to Utica, N. Y., having 
with his wife §2,900 in money. He had previously visited this section and arranged 
for business. According to Samuel A. Munson it is stated that while one of the 
Munsons was on a journey between New York and Hartford he came upon a French- 
man who claimed that he "had run away from some revolution in France." As he 
was skilled in making millstones he was brought to Berkhamstead. The Munsons 
set him to work on buhr stones, which were brought from New York city. The first 
pair was used by themselves, the second by a mill in Simsbury, and the third went 
to New Hartford. Alfred Munson " and a Hartford man" began the manufacture 
of French buhr stones in Utica— the first establishment of the kind in this country. 
To assist in disguising the material employed they mingled brimstone with the 
plaster of paris which was used. Mr. Munson was engaged in this business in Utica 
for fifteen years, and it is said that he bought up all the canal boats on one section 



118 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the Erie Canal, and that he and his partner at one time, perhaps in 1830-35, 
owned all the steamboats on Lake Ontario. His first shop was in the basement of 
the Kirkland block on the corner of Liberty and Hotel streets, but he soon removed 
from there to the east side of Washington street where it crosses the canal. With 
untiring energy he steadily enlarged the business until it came to be the chief de- 
pendence of millers throughout a wide territory. Martin Hart was his bookkeeper, 
partner, or executor of his estate for upwards of forty years. 

Mr. Munson was from boyhood of a frail constitution and suffered much from 
bodily infirmities, but his mind was unusually active and clear. He was prudent, 
penetrative, and sagacious, and was possessed of sound common sense discriminat- 
ing judgment, and remarkable wisdom. Bold, foresighted, and eminently calculat 
ing, his plans, when matured, needed only will of execution — his most conspicuous 
and commanding trait to overcome every obstacle and insure success. He was in- 
fluenced by purity as well as vigor of purpose, and was liberal minded and public 
spirited. He loved to engage in large but strictly legitimate business enterprises, 
and especially in such 'as tended to promote the welfare and prosperity of the com- 
munity. The rare combination of business elements in his character — his resolute 
determination, his constant watchfulness, his self-reliance — lent a prestige of success 
to every scheme in which he embarked. For several years he engaged in the pass- 
enger traffic by canal and by steamers on Lake Ontario, and was trustee and treas- 
urer of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steamboat Company until within a few weeks 
of his death. He was one of the builders of the Utica and Schenectady, the Syra- 
cuse and Utica, and the Syracuse and Oswego Railroads, and served as a director i f 
the first named corporation from 1834 to 1S44. He was also one of the active build- 
ers of the Utica and Binghamton Railroad and held the office of president at the 
time of his decease. This line followed very nearly the course of a State road which 
he, as one of the commissioners, had laid out thirty years before. He was president 
of the Canton Real Estate Company of Baltimore, Md., and also engaged in the 
manufacture of iron in that city. Later he was one of a company to establish iron 
works in Clinton, N. Y. He purchased extensive coal fields in Pennsylvania to save 
himself from loss, and for more than twenty-six years they were not a source of rev- 
enue, but a constant drain upon his estate. He foresaw their future value, however, 
and enjoined upon his heirs to keep them. 

No one did more than Mr. Munson to promote the manufacturing interests of 
Utica. By the application of his means he early became the efficient advocate of 
introducing and testing the value of steam power in the making of cotton and woolen 
goods, and was the first president of the original boards which managed the Utica 
Steam Cotton and the Globe Woolen Mills. He was one of the instigators and early 
managers of the Utica Water Works Company, the Utica Mechanics Association, and 
the Utica Female Academy. When the United States Bank with its twenty-five 
branches was flourishing he was a director in 1833 of the Utica branch. He was the 
first president of the Oneida Bank and held the office for seventeen years. From its 
inception he was a manager and chief of the board of managers of the New York 
State Lunatic Asylum, now the Utica State Hospital, and from 1842 until his death 
its firm and generous friend. He was the richest man in Oneida county and proba- 
bly the first Munson in the country to become a millionaire. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 119 

In politics he was originally a Democrat and later a determined Abolitionist, but 
he never sought and only twice accepted public office — that of supervisor in 1832 and 
1833. Enterprising, progressive, and public-spirited, deeply interested in every 
worthy and important movement, he was at one time the foremost citizen of Utica. 
Through his beneficence Grace church had its origin and present edifice, the plans 
for which he supervised a few years before his death. He was a prominent member 
and vestryman of this society, and bequeathed to the parish §10,000 for the lot and 
church building, $1,000 for a Sunday school room, $500 for a Sundav school library, 
$1,500 for a church organ, $500 for a bell, and $500 for church furniture, etc. The 
church has received from his estate and from his heirs about $31 500. He also be- 
queathed to the Utica Orphan Asylum §5,000 for the erection of a new building, 
§25,000 for an endowment fund, and his coal lands in Pennsylvania, valued at §4,000. 
The whole amount left by Mr. Munson for charitable and religious purposes, and in 
remembrances of remote relatives, aggregated about §60,000. 

Mr. Munson was taller than his father — " was tall and slim, and had dark eyes 
and dark hair." His very long nose was a feature which would commend him to 
the favor of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was in every sense the architect of his own 
fortune. Though not possessing the advantages of a finished education he had, 
nevertheless, talents of a high order and exerted them for high and useful ends. 
Coming hither with slender means he worked his way to a leading place among the 
business men and benefactors of Utica. He was of the seventh generation from 
Thomas Monson (1612-1685), a carpenter, a civil officer, a lieutenant in the Pequot 
Indian war of 1647 — for which latter service he received a land grant in Hartford, 
Conn. Lieutenant Thomas became a member of the New Haven plantation and a 
member of the first church there as early as 1640. He was captain of the New 
Haven colony soldiers in King Philip's war, a member of the General Council, and 
one of the leading and valuable citizens. 

Alfred Munson died in Utica on the 6th of May, 1854. May 29, 1823, he married 
his cousin, Elizabeth, daughter of Asahel and Ruth (Hart) Munson, of .^orthford, 
Conn., — a lady whose chief characteristics were a retiring and home-loving disposi- 
tion, conscientiousness, independence, refinement, industry, and economy. She 
was born in Branford, Conn. , December 23, 1798, and died in Utica September 14, 
1870, leaving two children: Samuel A. Munson and Helen E., widow of J. Watson 
Williams. 



JOHN MILTON BUTLER. 

The Butler family, of which the subject of this sketch is a member, descends from 
Deacon Richard Butler, who came from County Essex, England, with the so-called 
Hooker company in 1632, and first settled in Newtown, near Boston, Mass. His 
brother William emigrated to America about the same time, but died leaving no chil- 
dren. Before 1639 Richard and William Bntler moved with Rev. Thomas Hooker to 
Hartford, Conn., of which Deacon Richard was one of the prominent founders. By 
his integrity he held several offices of trust. He was a man of influence, a devout 



120 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Christian, and repeatedly served as a representative to the general court of the 
colony. He married Elizabeth Bigelow, and their fourth son, Joseph married 
Mary Goodrich. Benjamin, the second son of the latter, wedded Thankful Sage, 
and their fourth child, Eli Butler, was born in Middletown, Conn., January 26, 1740, 
married Rachel Stocking, of the same place, and had four sons and seven daughters, 
of whom Sylvester, John, and Eli, jr., have descendants living in Oneida county. 
In the spring of 1789 Capt. Eli Butler visited his old neighbor and kinsman, Judge 
Hugh White, the proprietary founder of Whitestown, and before returning east pur- 
chased lands in what is now the town of Paris, N. Y. , whereon, in the fall of that 
year, he settled three of his sons, Ashbel, Sylvester, and John. In 1792 Captain Eli 
visited these sons, with another son, Eli, jr., and was so pleased with the country that 
he bought a farm, just south of the village of New Hartford, from Solomon Kellogg, 
the deed being dated April 17, 1795. This is well known as the Butler homestead, and 
passed successively to Eli, jr. , and the lateMorgan Butler, and is now owned by the lat- 
ter's widow. Eli, sr., was a captain of volunteer cavalry in the Revolutionary war, and 
died in New Hartford April 19, 1802. His wife was born January 29, 1743, and died 
September 1, 1805. Their children were Ashbel, born November 28, 17*55, married 
Sarah Williams; Sylvester, born April 18, 1767, married Lydia Wetmore; John, born 
March 28, 1769, married Hannah Todd, daughter of Capt. Asa Todd, who came on 
horseback from Wallingford, Conn., to Oneida county, at a very early day, and 
settled on a farm in Paris; Eli, jr., born on March 28, 1779, married Rachel 
Kellogg, and was the father of the late Morgan Butler, of New Hartford; Rachel 
(Mrs. Richard Sanger), born April 10, 1774; Lucy (Mrs. Benjamin Morris); Martha, 
who married her cousin, Joseph Butler; Clarissa (Mrs. James Berthrong), born April 
3, 1785; Sarah (Mrs. Asa Eames), born March 4, 1781; Percy, born in 1783, married 
Hezekiah Eames, twin brother of Asa; and Chloe, who married Moses Maynard. 
John Butler, the third of these children, was one of the builders and owners of the 
Franklin cotton factory. He also built and owned a large woolen mill and was an 
extensive land owner, all on Sauquoit Creek. 

Chauncey Sage Butler, the fourth child of John and Hannah (Todd) Butler, was 
born in Paris, Oneida. county, December 27, 1802, became a civil engineer and sur- 
veyor, and located most of the mill powers along Sauquoit Creek- When twenty- 
one he purchased a farm adjoining his father's. In 1843 he built a house in 
Sauquoit which he occupied until his death on March 25, 1893. His principal busi- 
ness during his long life was that of a farmer. When Michigan was first settled 
and began raising wheat he spent much time in that and other States buying wheat 
for eastern markets. In 1853, with Charles H. Doolittle and others, he organized 
the Oneida County Bank in Utica and was its vice-president from 1855 until his 
death, and the last of the original stockholders. He was highly respected by his 
townspeople, and the position he occupied among them was something like that of a 
country squire in England. His counsel and advice were often sought in business, 
and though not a lawyer he drew many wills, deeds, mortgages, etc., settled estates, 
and frequently acted as assignee. In 1844 he took an active part in the Washingtonian 
temperance movement, and for many years served as trustee of the Sauquoit Pres- 
byterian church. He was for ten years in the cavalry arm of the State militia, and 
by Gov. De Witt Clinton was commissioned cornet March 16, 1825, second lieu- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 121 

tenant July 14, 1825, and captain July 21, 1826, and by Gov. E. T. Throop, lieuten- 
ant-colonel June 20, 1829, and colonel January 21, 1831— all in the 6th Regiment. In 
1852 he represented the second Oneida district in the Assembly, as a Whig. Later, 
on the organization of the party, he became a staunch Republican. He was public 
spirited, progressive, and charitable, and long gave nearly all the produce from his 
farm to the poor. May 9, 1826, he married Elizabeth Mosher, of a French Huguenot 
family, Mosier, who died March 29, 1836, leaving three children: John Milton, 
Charles A., and Mrs. P. V. Rogers. October 3, 1844, he married Julia Sherrill, 
of New Hartford, who died August 22, 1878, leaving one daughter, Julia Henrietta. 

John Milton Butler was born in Sauquoit, Oneida county, on the 9th of July, 1827, 
and inherited from these worthy ancestors those sterling characteristics which dis- 
tinguish the successful man. He spent his youth in attending the district schools 
of his native town. In 1844 he entered Hamilton College and was graduated there- 
from with honor in the class of 1848. Two years later he obtained his first business 
experience as a partner of S. A. Millard, of Clayville, Oneida county, in the manu- 
facture of farm tools, but this continued only until 1852, when the precarious con- 
dition of Mr. Butler's health compelled him to abandon the undertaking and seek 
rest and restoration in travel. The following year was accordingly spent in the 
South. Returning home with health restored he was invited to come to Utica and 
accept the position of bookkeeper in the Oneida County Bank, which he did in 1853. 
In 1854 he was made teller and in the succeeding year cashier; he held the latter 
office thirty-two years, or until 1887, when he was elected president of the institution, 
which position he still fills. He is also a manufacturer of agricultural tools in Clay- 
ville, having succeeded the S. A. Millard Manufacturing company in 1895, and is 
also the successor of the Hubbard, Babcock & Millard Axe Company in the same 
place. 

The year 1853, the date of the organization of the Oneida County Bank, was not a 
very auspicious time for the launching of a financial institution, for three years later 
saw a panic such as has not since been experienced, and many banks which were ac- 
counted strong went down in the crisis. But under the prudent and sagacious 
direction of Mr. Butler and his associates this bank weathered the storm safely, and 
most of the detail and a large share of the general management of the bank have 
since that time fallen directly upon Mr. Butler's shoulders. He applied from the 
start a firm, conservative hand to the conduct of the institution, has enabled it since 
the beginning of his administration to accumulate a surplus of $225,000 on a capital 
of §125,000, and has always made it pay larger dividends than most banks. The 
Oneida County Bank did not pass into the national system with the many others 
which adopted that course, chiefly because it had been uniformly successful as it 
was, leading a number of directors to favor its remaining a State bank, although 
Mr. Butler favored the change. 

It has been Mr. Butler's policy and belief that a man in his position should give his 
whole time and energies to the bank of which he is manager, and carefully watch 
over its interests. His life is an excellent example of faithfulness to duty, and he has 
met with a degree of success which gives himself and his friends the right to regard 
his record with complacent satisfaction. He has never married. 



122 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

OTHNIEL S. WILLIAMS. 

Othniel S. Williams was bom at Killingworth (now Clinton), Conn., November 
22, 1813, and moved with his father, Othniel Williams, to Waterville, Oneida county, 
in 1814, and thence to the neighboring village of Clinton in 1820. His mother was 
Mary Eliot, daughter of George Eliot, of Killingworth, Conn., a descendant of John 
Eliot, "The Apostle to the Indians." The line has been traced to Sir William de 
Aliot, who entered England with William the CoDqueror in 1066. Mr. Williams's 
school days were spent in the Clinton Academy. At the age of fourteen he entered 
the sophomore class in Hamilton College, then under the presidency of Dr. Davis, 
and was graduated in 1831. In college he was a great reader, a student of ancient 
as well as of modern languages, and his wonderful memory enabled him to retain 
to the close of his life the rich literary and historical attainments of his student 
days. After leaving college he resided as private tutor for two years in the family 
of a Mr. Gibson in Virginia. From there he visited Washington, saw the great 
statesmen of that day on the floor of Congress, and heard the address of John Ouincy 
Adams on the death of La Fayette. On his return to Clinton he was admitted in 
1837 by Chief Justice Samuel Nelson to practice as an attorney in the Supreme Court 
of the State of New York. Three years later he received his diploma as counselor. 
In 1842 he was admitted to practice in the District and Circuit Courts of the United 
States for the Northern District of New York. Soon afterward he was chosen jus- 
tice of the peace, which office he held for a number of years. For one year (1837-38) 
he gave instruction in modern languages in Hamilton College and also in the Young 
Ladies' Seminar}' at Clinton. In 1846 he was appointed county judge and in 1848 was 
chosen surrogate of Oneida county, an office he held for eight years. In 1847 he 
was chosen a trustee of Hamilton College, an office in which his father had served 
before him from 1827 to 1832. In 1850 he became treasurer of Hamilton College, a 
position of great responsibility in which he served with unsurpassed fidelity and de- 
votion to the close of his life. 

The history of Clinton for over forty years was closely identified with Mr. Will- 
iams's life and labors. He was deeply interested in all that pertained to local annals 
and village improvement. He made almost the first start in recording the beginning 
of local history in a lecture on the "Early History of Clinton" He contributed 
much toward the growth of the village, encouraging building and improvements, 
and opening new streets. In all that concerned the moral and material welfare of 
Clinton his advice and efforts were of great importance. His interest in the church, 
college, and school was constant and practical, nor could any considerable enterprise 
be carried on without his co-operation. Mr. Williams took a strong position from 
the first in his chosen profession, of the dignity and importance of which he had a 
very high conception. His motto was ' ' Strive to do everything in the best possible 
manner." With a weak voice, a deliberate manner, never losing himself in passion 
or attempting flights of oratory, without much power before a jury, yet none of his 
associates surpassed him in mental acumen, in thorough knowledge of his case, and 
in clear and exact definitions of law. No case was ever so trivial as to be slighted, 
nor did he ever enter the court room with a carelessly pi'epared brief. It was the 
testimony of a prominent member of the Oneida county bar that he was singularly 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 123 

careful as well as felicitous in his choice of language to be used before the court. 
The habit of his mind was calm and judicial. He was not the advocate so much as 
the judge. Though a man of intense convictions and strong feelings, his profes- 
sional relations were always marked by. a dignity and courtesy which it is common, 
unfortunately, now-a days, to speak of as belonging to the " old school." In 1879, 
in connection with the very important business of the Midland Railroad, Mr. Will- 
iams was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. For the 
last twenty years of his life Judge Williams was actively engaged in railroad enter- 
prises. He was one of the most laborious promoters of the building of the railroad 
from Utica to Smith's Valley, its point of junction with the Midland. The road 
from Utica to Smith's Valley was completed in 1870. Mr. Williams was a director 
in 1S66, vice-president in 1868-69, and from 1869 until his death in 1880 was its presi- 
dent. During all these years his burden of responsibility was very great, taxing 
extremely his health, time, legal skill, and pecuniary means. Except for the pow- 
erful advocacy and able guidance of Mr., Williams the business interest of this 
road could never have been so safely conserved nor so wisely settled. It is more 
than probable that the unremitting labor of mind and body in connection with the 
settlement of this delicate and important business made those serious inroads upon 
his health which resulted in his death on May 20, 1880. 

Judge Williams was a man of the highest business integrity and honor. Not a 
farthing intrusted to his care was ever lost. He maintained the interests of others 
even to the prejudice of his own fortune. His judgment was wise and safe, his in- 
terest in the public good unselfish. From his wide and generous interest in all pub- 
lic concerns, and owing to his f amiliarity with local history, he was often called upon 
to deliver addresses on public and anniversary occasions. His addresses in connec- 
tion with the " Dedication of the Clinton Cemetery," the dedication of the Perry H. 
Smith Library Hall, the dedication of the Kirkland Monument, and the dedication 
of the Stone Church were, each one of them, models in point of propriety, literary 
form and historical knowledge. As a lawyer, a scholar, a citizen, a practical phil- 
anthropist, Judge Williams's life left a marked impress upon his generation, and 
upon the moral and material interests of the community in which he lived and died. 



DANIEL GORDON DORRANCE. 

The Dorrance family, from which the subject of this memoir descends, is of 
Scotch ancestry. About 1720 two brothers, Rev. Samuel and James Dorrance, who 
were born in Scotland or in the North of Ireland of Scotch parents, came to America 
and settled in Voluntown, Conn. Rev. Samuel had received the honors of the 
University of Glasgow in 1709 and had been licensed to preach by the Presbytery of 
Dunbarton in 1711. He was pastor of the church in Voluntown until December 12, 
1770, and died November 12, 1775, aged ninety years. James came to America with 
his wife Elizabeth, and their son Samuel married Rebecca Gordon, September 27, 
1764, who died at the age of ninety-five. Samuel and Rebecca (Gordon) Dorrance 
had several children, among whom were John and Samuel, jr., twins, born in 



124 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hampton, Conn., June 19, 1778. This John Dorrance became a prominent physician. 
In 1806 he moved from Windham county, Conn., to Peterboro, Madison county, 
N. Y., where he died October 11, 1857. In 1810 he married Mary Thompson, who 
was born March 14, 1783, and died July 2, 1872. She was a daughter of Alpheus 
Thompson, a Revolutionary soldier. 

Hon. Daniel Gordon Dorrance, son of Dr. John and Mary (Thompson) Dorrance, 
was born in Peterboro, Madison county, March 13, 1811, and spent his early life 
upon a farm and as clerk in a genera] store in his native village. He inherited those 
sterling traits of thrift and frugality which characterized his New England ances- 
tors, and combined with these a laudable ambition to forge ahead and take ad- 
vantage of every opportunity. When nineteen, having finished a district school 
education, he entered Cazenovia Seminary and for about two years pursued medical 
studies with a view of becoming a physician, but he soon abandoned this profession, 
preferring a mercantile life. In 1832 he went to Florence, Oneida county, to manage 
the store of J. S. T. Stranahan and Gerrit Smith, and in this capacity completed the 
commercial training which ever afterward made him conspicuous in business affairs. 
In 1837 he engaged in trade as a country merchant in Florence and successfully con- 
tinued there until 1859, when he removed to Oneida Castle, in the town of Vernon, 
where he died March 26, 1896, aged eighty-five. 

Mr. Dorrance was for many years extensively interested in real estate, not only 
in New York, but also in Western States, owning and handling large tracts in 
various sections of the country. From 1840 to 1859 he was the land agent of Hon. 
Gerrit Smith. The grounds occupied by his residence in Oneida Castle comprised a 
portion of the site once occupied by Rev. Samuel Kirkland, who came as a mission- 
ary to the Oneida Indians in 1766. The old mission house formerly stood near a 
corner of his garden. Mr. Dorrance was one of the fourteen organizers and incor- 
porators of the Fort Stanwix Bank, of Rome, in 1848, and served as a member of its 
board of directors until his death, being the last survivor of the original company. 
He was one of the organizers and continually the president of the Oneida Savings 
Bank at Oneida, was long a director, vice-president, and president of the Oneida 
Valley National Bank at Oneida, and was the founder of the banking firm of D. G. 
& J. G. Dorrance, of Camden, and president of their successor, the First National 
Bank. As a financier he possessed unusual sagacity and foresight, and to him is 
largely due the success attained by the institutions with which he was connected. 
Endowed with thorough knowledge of business affairs, honest, careful, and con- 
servative yet enterprising, he won universal confidence, and was regarded as one of 
the most eminent bankers of the county. He was public spirited and progressive 
and quite heavily interested in various other enterprises, especially in manufactur- 
ing. He was a director in the Rime Brass and Copper Company at Rome and 
president of the Westcott Chuck Company, one of the leading industrial concerns at 
Oneida. 

In politics Mr. Dorrance was originally an old line Whig and an ardent admirer of 
Henry Clay, and affiliated with the Republicans upon the organization of that party 
in 1856. He was very active in political affairs and a staunch supporter of his 
party's principles, working zealously at the polls until within two or three years of 
his death, when his age and health compelled him to seek retirement. He was post- 




MYRON W. HUNT, M. D. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 125 

master and' supervisor of Florence for several years and in 1846 represented his dis- 
trict in the Assembly. In 1854 and 1855 he served as State senator. As a legisla- 
tor he attained that eminence which is characterized by unswerving faithfulness to 
constituents and strict fidelity to public interests. He was a member and trustee of 
Cochran Memorial Presbyterian church of Oneida Castle at the time of his death, 
and always led a consistent Christian life. His benefactions were numerous and 
far reaching. He liberally supported all worthy movements and was recognized as 
a most useful citizen. 

Mr. Dorrance was married in March, 1837, to Miss Ann Sparrow, daughter of 
Joseph, and Elizabeth (Palen) Sparrow, of Florence, Oneida county. His wife and 
her parents were natives of Shropshire, England. She died December 17, 1891, 
aged seventy-seven, leaving three sons and two daughters: John G., William 
H., and Daniel G., jr., all prominent business men of Camden, N. Y. ; Mary A., 
wife of Dr. M. H. Bronson, of Lowville, N. Y. ; and Sarah E., wife of Hon. Charles 
L. Knapp, also of Lowville. 



MYRON W. HUNT, M. D. 

Myron W. Hunt, M. D., was born on the family homestead at Lairdsville, in the 
town of Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., on the 24th of March, 1857. His 
ancestors were New Englanders, who for several years had exerted a notable influ- 
ence in the civil and business life of the colonies. Capt. William Hunt, the grand- 
father of Dr. Hunt, was born in Vermont, but removed in early life to Sharon, 
Conn., where he followed the trade of tanner and currier. In the winter of 1813-14 
he moved with his family to Westmoreland, Oneida county, where he settled upon a 
farm on which he died in 1843, at the age of seventy-three. Here he followed both 
tanning and farming. Coming here when the couutry was new he experienced all 
the privations incident to pioneer life, but he never faltered in the hard work neces- 
sary in clearing his farm and prosecuting his trade. Soon after his arrival he was 
called with his company to Sackett's Harbor, where he was stationed as captain dur- 
ing the war of 1812-15. The sword he carried on that occasion is now in the posses- 
sion of his grandson, the subject of this sketch. Captain Hunt was a man of more 
than ordinary ability. Endowed with a rugged constitution he possessed talents of 
high order and a mind, as vigorous as it was broad and comprehensive. He exerted 
a large and wholesome influence in the community, where he was highly respected 
for his many excellent qualities. Being a member of the Methodist church he took 
a deep interest in all religious matters and liberally encouraged every movement 

which advanced the cause. His home was always open to the old circuit riders 

those itinerant preachers who formed such an important factor in frontier life three- 
quarters of a century ago. He married Betsey Calkins, a native of Sharon, Conn, 
who died on the homestead in 1848, aged seventy-three. She was a woman richly 
endowed with the sterling characteristics of New Englanders, and like her husband 
wielded a marked influence in the community. Of a lovable disposition, kind 
benevolent, and charitable, she was especially the friend of the sick and needy to 



126 OUR COUNTY AMD ITS PEOPLE. 

whom she ministered with a liberal hand. Their children were William, who died 
in Kansas; Elijah, a merchant, who died in Lowell, Oneida county; Rev. Isaac L., a 
prominent Methodist clergyman and presiding elder, who died in Adams, N. Y. , at 
the age of eighty-six; Dr. Jacob, born in Hillsdale, Conn., in 1811, died in Utica in 
April, 1887; Luther E., father of Dr. Myron W. ; Rev. Ward W., a graduate of 
Hamilton College, class of 1843, and a noted clergyman, who died in Adams, N. Y., 
at the age of seventy-four; Polly (Mrs. William Potter), who died in Westmoreland; 
Betsey (Mrs. Joseph Havens), who died in Clinton, N. Y. , in 1875, aged seventy- 
seven; Hettie (Mrs. Lowden Brainard), who died at Lairdsville in 1890, aged eighty- 
nine; and Almira (Mrs. George Gardner), who died in Lowell, Oneida county. Of 
these Dr. Jacob Hunt became a well known physician and surgeon. He practiced 
for twenty years in Lowell, N. Y. , and in 1852 settled in Utica. He was a prominent 
member of the Oneida County and New York State Medical Societies, a delegate to 
the American Medical Society, and twice a delegate to the General Conference of 
the M. E. church. 

Luther E. Hunt, father of Dr. M. W. , was born on the homestead at Lairdsville on 
May 17, 1814, and spent his entire life there, dying April 9, 1895. He was educated 
in Cazenovia and Fairfield Seminaries, and when nineteen became principal of the 
Rochester public school, which position he filled several years. He held a similar 
position in Oswego until his health failed, when he returned to Lairdsville and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of brooms. He was a staunch Republican, took a deep in- 
terest in local affairs, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of the entire com- 
munity. He was one of the oldest members of Hampton Lodge F. & A. M. at the 
time of his death. In 1846 he married Harriet M. Warner, of Amsterdam, N. Y., 
who was born in Cambridge N. Y., May 27, 1821, and who died April 11, 1895, two 
days after her husband. She was a prominent member of the M. E. church, a 
consistent Christian throughout life, and a devoted wife and loving mother. They 
had five children, of whom three survived them, viz: Dr. Myron W., of Holland 
Patent; S. Olin, of Lairdsville; and Minnie L., who was born November 6, 1861, and 
who died April 16, 1895, making the third death in the family within a period of one 
week, all of pneumonia. 

Dr. Myron W. Hunt spent his early life on the family homestead and in attending 
the district schools. In 1875 he was graduated in the classical course from Whites- 
town Seminary and subsequently pursued his preparatory studies at Fort Edward 
Collegiate Institute. Later he entered the class of 1879 of Syracuse University, but 
did not complete the course, having decided in the mean time to adopt medicine as 
a profession. In the fall of 1878 he entered the office of Dr. William M. James, of 
Whitesboro, where he pursued his studies with that thoroughness which has charac- 
terized all his undertakings. Later he read medicine with Dr. Albert Van Da Veer, 
a noted surgeon of Albany, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College on 
March 4, 1882. He immediately went to Burlington and took the spring course at 
the University of Vermont, graduating therefrom in June of that year. Afterward 
he took a special course in diseases of the heart and kings under Dr. George M. 
Garland, of Boston. In the fall of 1883 he began the active practice of his profession 
in Stittville in the tovtfii of Trenton, Oneida county, and in May, 1888, moved thence 
to the village of Holland Patent, in the same town, where he has since resided. 




A. P. SEATON. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 127 

Dr. Hunt has successfully built up an extensive general practice and stands well 
among the leading physicians of Oneida county. He is a prominent member of the 
Oneida County Medical Society and out of-town physician to Faxton and St. Eliza- 
beth's Hospitals of Utica. He has also been health officer of the town of Floyd for 
several years. In politics he is an ardent and active Republican, and in the council"; 
of his party is one of the recognized local leaders. In the fall of 1890 he was elected 
coroner of Oneida .county by a majority of 118, and three years later was re-elected 
to this office, running ahead of the ticket. During his two terms, or nearly six years, 
as county coroner he has had much important work, his territorial jurisdiction being 
the largest in the county. Dr. Hunt has been a member of the Board of Education 
of Holland Patent since 1888 and is chairman of the teachers' committee. He is an 
honorary member of the 117th regiment N. Y. S. V , a member of Remsen' Lodge, 
No 677, F. & A. M., member, of Utica Lodge No. 33, P. B. O. E., and a charter 
member of Trenton Lodge, No. 577, I. O. O. F., and Holland Patent Lodge, No. 352, 
K. of M. He was a charter member and one of the organizers of Holland Patent 
Lodge, No. 291, K. of P., is district deputy chancellor commander of the 66th 
district Knights of Pythias, and was the organizer and is past chief councillor of 
Stittville Council, No. 279, Order of the United Friends. He also organized Oriskany 
Cov.ncil, No. 291, O. U. F., and has taken a deep interest in the advancement of 
the order. Dr. Hunt is a public-spirited citizen, active in all worthy enterprises, 
and is actively identified with the prosperity of his town and county. He stumped 
the counties of Herkimer and Oneida in 1892 and has delivered numerous addresses 
before patriotic and other gatherings. He has been a delegate to county, district, 
and State political conventions, and in every capacity has manifested that loyalty 
and patriotism and public spirit which characterize the respected citizen. He 
is vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church, Holland Patent, and a member of the 
United Friends Club of New York city. 

On August 7, 1884, Dr. Hunt was married to Miss Frances A., daughter of Joseph 
D. Newton, of Lowell, Oneida county, and they have two sons: Newton L., born 
October 20, 1885, and Isaac L.. born April 16, 1891. 



ALBERT P. SEATON. 

Albert P. Seaton is the youngest child of John and Alice (Hopkinson) Seaton and 
was born in Utica, N. Y., October 1, 1844. John Seaton was born in Yorkshire, 
England, March 17, 1809, and served a seven years' apprenticeship at the tailor's 
trade in Leeds. He was married in Hull to Miss Alice Hopkinson 'and in 1832 came 
to America, locating first in Quebec, Canada. In 1833 he settled in Utica, where 
he very soon entered the employ of Z. & P. Lyon, merchant tailors, with whom he 
remained eighteen years. In the spring of 1850 he removed to the town of New 
Hartford and engaged in farming on East Hill, about one and one-half miles east 
of the village. Here he spent the remainder of his active life, and here his wife died 
in October, 1878, at the age of sixty-eight. In the spring of 1879 he removed to the 
village of New Hartford, where his death occurred in June, 1885, Mr. Seaton was a 



128 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

man of sterling character, a strong Whig and later an ardent Republican, and a 
prominent member of St. Stephen's Episcopal church, which he served for many 
years as vestryman. He was especially active in church work, and always took a 
keen interest in the welfare of the entire community. He had six children : Sarah 
and Maria (twins), who died in infancy; Sarah, 2d, who married Edward B. Stevens 
and resides in Utica; Anna Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Rigney, both deceased; 
and John W. and Albert P. of New Hartford. 

Albert P. Seaton removed with his parents to New Hartford in 1850, when he was 
six years old, and here in the common schools he received his education. Inheriting 
the sturdy characteristics of his parents he made the best of his limited means and 
advantages while a youth, and on the farm gained a rugged constitution, which has 
carried him through a most successful career. In 1861 he began learning the ma- 
chinist's trade in the Remington gun factory at Ilion, N. Y., where he remained 
until 1865, becoming in the mean time a sub-contractor. His skill as a machinist 
had now attracted the attention of his associates and he was invited to go to the 
Oneida Community and accept a position in the establishment which had started for 
the purpose of manufacturing machinery for the new silk factory there. He con- 
tinued in this capacity about two years, when he returned to Ilion, and became a 
contractor in the Remington works. In the spring of 1870 he returned to the pa- 
rental farm in New Hartford, where he has since been engaged in farming and in 
the milk business. In the spring of 1879, his mother having died, he removed 
with his father to the village, where he now lives, occupying a valuable farm lying 
partly within the corporate limits. 

Mr. Seaton has been an active and influential Republican for many years, and has 
frequently been called by his party to positions of trust and honor. In 1881 he was 
elected highway commissioner and served one term. He was president of the village 
of New Hartford for five years between 1882 and 1888, and for about seven years 
served efficiently as a member of the Board of Education, being its president from 
August, 1890, until the spring of 1891, when he resigned to accept the office of su- 
pervisor of the town. He was supervisor from March. 1891, until March, 1896, or for 
five successive years, and was chairman of the board in 1894 and 1895. In all these 
positions Mr. Seaton officiated with ability and great credit. He has been very act- 
ive in political affairs, and has frequently been a delegate to county, district, and 
State conventions. In all public matters and in the general welfare of the commun- 
ity he takes an active interest, and liberally encourages every movement worthy of 
a loyal citizen's support. He was one of the organizers and treasurer of the New 
Hartford Leather Company during its existence, and for several years served as 
vestryman of St. Stephen's church. 

On September 6, 1875, Mr. Seaton was married to Miss Jennie E., daughter of 
Franklin F. and Caroline Brooks, of Utica. She died February 8, 1895, at the age 
of forty-two, leaving six children: Alice E. , John F., Carrie M., Albert P., jr., Jen- 
nie E., and Franklin F. 




JOHN L. BABBITT. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 1'29 

JOHN LEROY BABBITT. 

John Lerov Babbitt was born at Utica, N. Y., May 17, 1835. When a child he' re- 
moved with his parents to Susquehanna county, Pa., where his father followed the 
occupation of peddler, which kept him from home the greater part of the time. 
His mother was a seamstress, and was employed wherever she could find work for 
her needle ; as a result, the boy, John L. , was deprived of a permanent home, and 
lived about at different places and with different people, doing such light work as 
his age and strength permitted, and obtaining but little schooling. 

At the' age of fifteen, in company with a cousin, he started west, crossing Lake 
Erie on the sidewheel steamer Mayflower from Buffalo to Monroe City, Mich. 
From the latter place he walked fourteen miles to an Indian settlement, where he 
obtained employment at farming and lumbering. After a limited period at this 
labor he attended the Union School at Tecumseh, Lenawee county, Mich., and later 
applied himself to learning the machinist trade at the same place. 

Having finished his course of instruction and practice in the machine shop, he 
was employed first by the Michigan Southern Railroad Company, then by the Terre 
Haute, Alton and St. Louis Railroad Company, and finally by the New York and 
Erie Company. In 1860 he went to New York city, where he became the chief en- 
gineer in the immense soap factory of his uncle, B. T. Babbitt; here he remained 
for three years, and then accepted the position of chief engineer for the Glen Cove 
Starch Company, at Glen Cove, Long Island. For eleven years he satisfactorily 
filled this place, during which time he was appointed by the governor of the State 
steam boiler inspector for that congressional district, comprising the counties of 
Queens, Suffolk, and Richmond. 

In the spring of 1874 Mr. Babbitt came to Whitesboro as superintendent of the 
iron works which his uncle, B. T. Babbitt, had established there, a position he still 
holds. 

Mr. Babbitt has proved himself a useful citizen in the village of his adoption in 
every way and has won the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. He has 
served the village of Whitesboro as trustee for several terms, and as president for 
one term ; he has been trustee of the United Society of Whitestown several years, 
also president, and for a short time deacon. In 1893 he was chosen the first presi- 
dent of the Homestead Aid Association of Whitestown. 

Notwithstanding the disadvantages and hardships of his early life, and a lack of 
those opportunities which give to youth a hopeful view of the future, Mr. Babbitt 
proved his natural abilities by the sturdy energy and restless ambition to succeed 
which have characterized his career from boyhood to middle age. 

Mr. Babbitt was married on June 2, 1869, to Miss Lorinda L. Potter, who was 
born at Gibson, Pa., December 21, 1836, and educated at Hartford Academy, Sus- 
quehanna county, Pa. They have had two children: Willie T., born at Glen Cove, 
Long Island, November 27, 1871, died August 2, 1872; and Benjamin Talbot, born 
at Whitestown, N. Y. , October 9, 1874, who is now a student at Cornell Univer- 
sity in the class of '97, he haying won a scholarship in that institution at a com- 
petitive examination. 

David Babbitt, father of John L., was the oldest son of Nathaniel, of Paris Hill, 



130 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Oneida county. He was born in 1806, and died at Brock way ville. Jefferson county, 
Pa., January 29, 1868. He married Miss Emma Parmenter, born at Westminster, 
Windham county, Vt., in 1804; she died at Whitesboro, July 19, 1889. John L. was 
their eldest son ; they had one daughter, Frances Emma, born August 23, 1838, and 
died at Gibson, Pa., June 13, 1844. John L. Babbitt and his son, Benjamin Talbot, 
are the only male descendants left to bear the family name, made a household word 
for many years by B. T. Babbitt. 

Among the first grievances that led to the Revolutionary war was the duty im- 
posed on tea; the opposition to this tax culminated in a public meeting, November 
29, 1773, which resolved " that the tea should not be landed, that no duty should be 
paid, and that it should be sent back in the same vessel." Vessel after vessel arrived 
in Boston harbor, and finding they could not unload, desired to return with their 
cargoes to England; but Governor Hutchinson refused to grant them permission to 
pass the castle. Agitation increased, and a large meeting was held December 18, 
1773, addressed by Josiah Quincy. In the evening the question was put, " Do you 
abide by your former resolution to prevent the landing of the tea ? ' The vote was 
unanimously in the affirmative. Application was again made to the governor for a 
"pass." After a short delay his refusal was communicated to the assembly. In- 
stantly a person in the. gallery, disguised as an Indian, gave a " war whoop." At 
this signal the people rushed out and hastened to the wharves About twenty per- 
sons, in the dress of Mohawk Indians, boarded the vessels and, protected by the 
crowd on shore, broke open 342 chests of tea and emptied their contents overboard. 

Nathaniel Babbitt, the great-grandfather of John L., was the hero of the war- 
whoop and one of the twenty " Mohawks" at the celebrated "tea party." His three 
sons, Nathaniel, jr., Benjamin and William, all served in the Revolution. William 
and Nathaniel, jr., settled in what is now the town of Paris, Oneida county, about 
1792. Nathaniel married Miss Betsey Holman and settled near Holman City, and 
at one time was a blacksmith at Paris Hill and afterwards kept a tavern in East 
Sauquoit in the house now occupied by Asher Gallup, and later worked in the 
Farmers' Factory Oil Mill, where he received a painful injury by the falling of a' 
mill stone on one of his legs. His children were David, George R., Benjamin Tal- 
bot, Rebecca Howard, Betsey Gilson and Polly Spauldmg. Benjamin T. , the 
millionaire soap manufacturer, and proprietor of extensive machine shops at Whites- 
boro, is the only descendant of a Paris pioneer who has attained to a colossal 
fortune. 

GENEALOGY OF THE BABBITT FAMILY. 

1. Nathaniel Babbitt, a resident of Boston, Mass., a soldier of the Revolution and 
the hero of the " war whoop " of the "tea party" in Boston harbor, December 18, 
1773 His sons were Nathaniel, jr., William and Benjamin, also Revolutionary sol- 
diers throughout the war. 

2. Nathaniel Babbitt, jr., married Betsey Holman, daughter of David Holman, 
came from Middlesex, Conn., about 1792, and settled near Holman City. Their chil- 
dren were David, George Reed, Benjamin Talbot, Betsey, Polly and Rebecca. 

3. David Babbitt, born in Paris, N. Y. , in 1806, married Emma Parmenter, 
daughter of Charles Parmenter of Vermont in 1832. He died at Brockwayville, 




ROBERT STANTON WILLIAMS. 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 131 

Pa., January 29, 1868. His wife was born at Westminster, Vt. , in 1804. and died at 
Whitesboro, N. Y. , in July, 1889, and is buried at Gibson, Pa. Their children were 
John Leroy and Frances Emma. 

4. John Leroy Babbitt, born May 17, 1835, at Utica, N.Y., married at Gibson, Pa., 
June 2, 1869, to Lorinda L. Potter, daughter of (Buel G. and Lydia Potter. 
Frances Emma, born at Utica, N. Y., August 23, 1838, died at Gibson, Pa., June 13, 
1844, and buried at Gibson. 

5. Willie T. Babbitt, born in November, 1871, at Glen Cove, N. Y., died August 
2, 1872, at same place; buried at Gibson, Pa. Benjamin Talbot, born August 9, 
1874, at Whitesboro, N. Y. 



ROBERT STANTON WILLIAMS. 

Robert Stanton Williams, youngest surviving child of Col. William and Sophia 
Wells Williams, was born in Utica, September 10, 1828. After the sale of his book 
store Colonel Williams removed in 1836 with his family to Tonawanda, N. Y., to take 
charge of an estate of which he was part owner in connection with Henry Hunting- 
ton of Rome. Whatever childhood in a Western village may be to the imagination 
its reality in the case of Robert S. Williams was not sufficiently attractive to have 
crowded his memory in after years with many recollections of the place. Having 
passed his tenth birthday he was placed with Henry Ivison (his father's former ap- 
prentice in the Utica book-bindery), at that time a prosperous booksefer in Auburn. 
An agreement was made under which the boy was received in the family of his em- 
ployer and allowed to pay for the cost of board and schooling by doing odd jobs in 
the store and learning the book-binder's trade. But the strain of over-many duties 
presently told on his health, and by the summer of 1842 he was compelled to seek 
the rest and change of country life. During the two following years he lived on the 
farm of his uncle, James Wells, at New Hartford, where with his brother Edward 
he became aquainted with the approved methods of Oneida county farming. In 
1844 he went to Brooklyn, where his brother Dwight was living, and there attended 
school for a term. Returning in the winter to Auburn he re-entered Mr. Ivison's 
employ, remaining with him until September, 1846. The appetite for learning was 
not yet appeased in spite of this hopeful opening in a business career. He entered 
the Cortland Academy at Homer, then under the management of Samuel B. Wool- 
worth, afterward secretary of the Regents of the University of the State of New 
York, and in this institution he remained until March, 1848 nearly completing his 
preparation for college. After a year spent in Utica he received an appointment 
(July, 1849) in the railway mail service as route agent between Albany and 
Buffalo. The work was fatiguing in the extreme, and railway travel in 
that day was not only tiresome, but rendered dangerous by frequent accidents. 
Early in 1852 he resigned his position to attend his brother James dur- 
ing a fatal illness, which terminated in March of that year, and with his 
return to his native city begins Mr. Williams's permanent and intimate association 
with its progress and interests. Without marked predilection for any particular 



132 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

occupation it was perhaps an accident at first that secured him a place as bookkeeper 
in the City Bank, but the choice once made was most fortunate for the exercise of 
his abilities to the best advantage. Emphatically masculine, robust, and sane, 
accomplishing his ends by shere force of honest)', of being in the right rather than by 
mere cleverness, he soon won from those who could best judge his course that confi- 
dence and respect which constitute the necessary moral capital of every successful 
banker. While in his subordinate position he lost no opportunity o'f improving his 
technical knowledge. To this end, when one of his senior fellow clerks became 
restless by being kept long after banking hours, he induced him as a favor to teach 
him the method used in his department, and was soon able to take care of part of his 
and all of his own books, while his friend prolonged his restful sessions in the pur- 
suit of literary fame. This sort of devoted diligence earns its reward even outside 
of the region of moral fiction. The directors of the Oneida National Bank had, it 
may be inferred, a pretty definite conception of his working capacity when they in- 
duced him to enter their employ in October, 1854, the same month in which he was 
married. During his term of forty-two years, the longest service of any individual 
in this bank, Mr. Williams has passed successively through all its grades and concerned 
himself heartily in its welfare. After a few months in the position of bookkeeper he 
was made teller in February, 1855 ; from this, in 1863, he was promoted to the chair 
of managing cashier and at the same time elected a director. As cashier he con- 
ducted for nearly a quarter of a century the affairs and policy of the bank, which he 
has retained in his control during his term as president, an office given him upon 
the death of A. J. Williams in 1886. 

With increasing years have come multiplying opportunities for good and faithful 
service in many fields. His performances in the business and industrial community 
have lately been on a larger scale, but they are of a piece with his earlv work and 
have fitly crowned it with success. To examine these in detail would carry us into 
almost every important industrial concern that Utica has known during a genera- 
tion. Before them all in his own estimation would come the First Presbyterian 
church and Sunday school, the church of his father, whose successor he has been, 
both as ruling elder and Sunday school superintendent. In the work of establishing 
mission branches in Deerfield and East and West Utica he has displayed the same 
practical zeal which characterized both his parents as Christian laborers among their 
tellow citizens. His interest in educational matters has engaged him actively in be- 
half of both public and private schools. Soon after the destruction by fire of the 
Utica Female Academy, in 1865, he was elected a trustee (a position he still holds) 
and placed upon the executive committee in charge of erecting the new building. 
As an expression of the committee's foresight and faithful stewardship the building 
is more successful, perhaps, than as an sesthetic ornament to the town. In the 
progress and success of the school itself, with which Mr. Williams has ever since 
been closely associated, he takes the liveliest satisfaction, a good part of which comes 
from his personal share in calling Mrs. Piatt to her felicitous and effective career as 
its principal. He was elected in 1870 a public school commissioner, serving three 
years, at a time when the board exercised its discretion in deciding upon the text 
books and studies within its jurisdiction. Among other innovations he advocated 
teaching music in the public schools, and secured for this end the permanent employ- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 133 

merit of a qualified teacher. During t\ t terms as alderman, from 1874 to 1878, Mr. 
Williams labored for economy in the management of municipal matters, and, though 
on the minority side of the council, succeeded simply by strength of integrity in car- 
rying out some reforms of lasting benefit. His measures as chairman of the finance 
committee dealt with the things of a technical rather than of a general interest, but 
in his resolute effort to raise the City Library from a mere assortment of juvenile 
literature to be a medium of substantial benefit to the whole community he won the 
thanks of every citizen. He was one of the incorporators of the LTtica Public Library 
and has served as president since its organization. He also strongly advocated and 
assisted in the change from a volunteer to a paid fire department. His -active con- 
nection with local politics terminated in 1878, when he became a candidate for the 
mayoralty. He accepted the nomination, as he declared in a card announcing his 
determination, " with considerable reluctance and at some personal sacrifice, solely 
in behalf of strict economy and honesty in every branch of city government." His 
defeat was almost wholly due to his unwillingness to bind himself by pledges of any 
sort to political managers, who were so impressed with his fearlessness and inde- 
pendence as to prefer to see a candidate of the opposite party elected. Mr. Williams 
has also served as one of the railroad commissioners for the city of Utica, being ap- 
pointed in 1871 under the law of 1869 providing for the municipal aid of railroads. In 
this capacity he assisted in the issue of 6200,000 in bonds of the city of Utica, in aid 
of the Utica, Clinton, and Bingbamton Railroad, and was elected in 1872 a director 
of this road to represent the city's interest. In 1881 he was made secretary and 
treasure of the company and has, since its reorganization, been prominent in its 
management. He is also a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica. 

The list of business organizations in which Mr. Williams has been more or less 
directly concerned is much too long for comprehensive notice; there remains space 
to indicate only a few, to the success of which his judgment and energy have largely 
contributed. Since 1879 he has been on the executive committee of the Utica Ceme- 
tery Association, which induced the association to buy the tract of 150 acres adjoin- 
ing Forest Hill Cemetery when it could be procured at a reasonable figure, thus 
adding to its beauty and insuring room for its enlargement for many years. In 1895 
he was elected vice-president of the association. Upon the first introduction of the 
Edison telephone, in 1879, Mr. Williams, with others, organized a company 
for providing telephone service within a fifteen-mile circuit about LTtica. The 
license for five years obtained by this company was in 1882, in connection with 
similar licenses held by four other companies, voluntarily surrendered in exchange 
for a perpetual license from the Bell Telephone Company covering a territory of 
twelve counties in Central New York, and a new company was formed known as the 
Central New York Telephone and Telegraph Company with a capital of 8500,000, of 
which Mr. Williams was made president. Another project which originated at 
about this time (1880), when after the resumption of specie payment monej' was com. 
paratively plenty and capital sought employment, was the " Mohawk Valley Cot'.on 
Mills," a company for the manufacture of cotton cloth. In association with Messrs. 
T. K. Butler, Ephraim Chamberlain, Addison C. Miller, P. V. Rogers, Nicholas 
E. Kernan and others, the scheme was promptly started and Mr. Williams elected 
vice-president. In 1885 he was elected president of the company. The call for such 



1I!4 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

legitimate rnd promising investments being still greater than the supply the 
" Skenandoa Cotton Company" was organized in 1881 by nearly the same gentlemen 
to manufacture yarn. Its success has been due principally to its reputation for mak- 
ing the best possible quality of goods, and in the second place to its practice of sell- 
ing directly to consumers. Still a third venture of this sort, the " Utica Willowvale 
Bleaching Company," originated under the same auspices in 1881 and likewise num- 
bers Mr. Williams among its directors. On the death of Mr. Chamberlain in 1895 
Mr. Williams was elected president of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, one of the 
largest and most successful corporations of the kind in the country. The same year 
he became a director in the Globe Woolen Company, of Utica. 

This is but the bare enumeration, indeed, of some of the chief lines of his activity, 
omitting from the list many other movements, like those of the street railways, the 
gas and water works, the Oneida Historical Society, etc., in which he has at one 
time or another borne his share of the risk or effort. His private library, one of the 
largest collections in the city, is the accumulation of many years and represents 
pretty accurately the subjects of general and particular interest with which he has 
stored his mind. 

Mr. Williams was married in 1854 to Miss Abby Ober, eldest daughter of Charles 
R. Doolittle, and they have had three children who attained maturity — two sons and 
a daughter. The eldest son, George Huntington Williams, was graduated from 
Amherst College in 1878, received the degree of Ph. D. from Heidelberg University, 
Germany, in 1883, and at the time of his death, July 12, 1894, was professor of inor- 
ganic geology at Johns Hopkins University, president of the Society of American 
Geologists, a member of the U. S. Geological Survey, and the author of more than 
sixty boooks and papers on subjects connected with his profession. The youngest 
son, John Camp Williams, is now vice-president and general manager of the West- 
ern Tube Company, of Kewanee, 111., a concern that employs from 1,400 to 1,800 
men in the manufacture of iron and steel pipe. 



WILLIAM H, CLOHER, JR. 

William H. Cloher, Jr., eldest son of William H. Cloher, sr., and Mary Conlin, 
his wife, was born in the town of Kirkland, Oneida county, October 24, 1852, and 
has been all his life identified with cotton manufacturing. His father, who was born 
in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1827, came to Kirkland in September, 1852, and now resides 
in Utica. He was well educated, became a noted penman, and won many prizes in 
the Spencerian svstem, even to wresting on one occasion the championship of the 
State of New York from Paul D. May. 

William H. Cloher, jr., as a mere lad, not only supported himself, but became one 
of the chief supports of the family, which consisted in all of four sons and a daugh- 
ter. He was schooled in the practical operations of weaving, etc., and the experi- 
ence thus gained made him both self-reliant and progressive. When only eight, 
years of age he took a position in the New York Mills. Later he went to work in the 
Utica Steam Cotton Mills, where, on account of his small stature, a platform was 




W. H. CLOHER, JR. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 135 

built to enable him to reach the machine. Here he earned $1 per day, his wages 
being regularly paid over by him to his mother for the support and education of the 
younger children. In 1862 his father enlisted in the army and remained about three 
years, and during this period young Cloher administered to the family's needs and 
also finished his own studies in the public schools of Utica, graduating from the ad- 
vanced department. His ambition was precocious, yet his energy and good judg- 
ment, combined with a determination to master every detail, led him while a lad 
into useful and promising fields of activity. With unusual foresight he saw great 
possibilities in the cotton industry, in which he had already obtained a limited ex- 
perience. Leaving school when less than fourteen years of age he entered the em- 
ploy of the Utica Cotton Company at New Hartford, or Capron, as the locality is 
known, and received at first 37| cents per day. His object was to begin at the bot- 
tom and work up, mastering every detail of the various grades of manufacture and 
acquiring that practical knowledge which was deemed essential to success. He soon 
rose to the position of overseer of the carding room and thence through the several 
departments of cotton manufacturing to assistant bookkeeper and in charge of the 
store, which at that time was an important auxiliary to every large factory. These 
latter positions he accepted with the view of thoroughly fitting himself for the post 
of superintendent and manager. Later he became chief bookkeeper of the entire 
establishment and in 1876 was appointed assistant superintendent. In 1882 he was 
made agent and manager, which position he still holds. In the same year he tore 
down the old mill and erected the present substantial brick structure, filling it with 
the most approved machinery for the manufacture of various kinds of cotton fabrics. 
The concern employs about 250 operatives. 

When Mr. Cloher accepted the agency and management of the Utica Cotton Com- 
pany in 1882 he was reported by the Cotton and Wool Manufacturers of Boston to be 
the youngest man who ever took charge of a cotton mill of that magnitude in the 
country. That he has worthily discharged the important trust and great responsi 
bilities is evident from the fact that the value of the property has increased fourfold, 
while the quality and quantity of the product has been proportionately augmented. 
Tho company consists of William P. Taber, president, and Henry M. Taber, treas- 
urer, both of New York city, and Mr. Cloher, and as illustrating the confidence re- 
posed in the subject of this sketch it may be stated that these officials seldom visit 
the establishment and never take an active part in the business affairs. In 1891 Mr. 
Cloher became a heavy stockholder and director in the company. As manager of 
the establishment he has won a wide and enviable reputation, and the record he has 
made is one of which any man might well be proud. He has passed by successive 
promotions through every branch of the manufacture, mastering in each position 
every detail, and learning by practical experience the needs and requirements of the 
entire business. While filling the position of chief bookkeeper he spent his leisure 
in learning telegraphy and shorthand and became quite an expert in these branches. 
This illustrates his studious turn of mind and shows how carefully and profitably he 
has utilized his advantages. 

Mr. Cloher is also interested in various other enterprises. He was instrumental in 
securing a postorhce at Capron under President Harrison's administration and was 
appointed the first postmaster, which office he still holds. He also secured a station 



136 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

there on the New York. Ontario and Western Railroad and is the agent. He was 
one of the founders and incorporators in January, 1893, of the Capron Knitting Com- 
pany, of which he is the treasurer, his brother Charles E. being president and super- 
intendent. This establishment manufactures men's underwear and employs about 
fifty hands. The firm of Henry M. Taber & Co., of New York does an extensive 
business through the Utica Cotton Company in storing cotton at Capron for supply- 
ing mills in this vicinity and throughout the State, and all this passes through Mr. 
Cloher's hands as agent. Mr. Cloher was also one of the founders and is vice-presi- 
dent of the New Hartford Canning Compan)', organized in 1883, whose goods have 
a wide reputation. He is vice president of the Electric Manufacturing and Supply 
Company of Utica and was one of its originators. He is an extensive owner of real 
estate, is interested quite heavily in various other enterprises, and is one of the 
foremost business men of Utica and New Hartford. Public spirited and progressive, 
endowed with wonderful energy, possessing sound judgment and keen foresight, he 
takes an active part in furthering and encouraging all worthy projects and liberally 
sustains those institutions which elevate and educate the masses. He is a thinker, 
not an imitator. His efforts are directed into channels which promise the greatest 
amount of general good. 

Mr. Cloher is a 33° Mason, and has always manifested a deep interest in the fra- 
ternity. He is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., and of Oneida 
Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., and of the latter has been for several years a trustee. He 
is a member of Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T., and served as its commander in 
1890 and 1891. He was the youngest man ever elected co'.-imander of this body. In 
the location of the Masonic Home in Utica he bore an active part and contributed 
liberally for the purpose. He is a member of the Fort Schuyler, Masonic, and Ar- 
canum Clubs of Utica. 

In politics Mr. Cloher is an active Republican of the stalwart type, and in the days 
of Conkling was an ardent admirer of that eminent statesman. He is one of the 
town auditors of the city of Utica and for four years served as a member of the 
equalization committee of the county. He now holds the appointment under Gov. 
Levi P. Morton as one of the Board of Managers of the State Custodial Asylum at 
Rome. He has often been a delegate to local and State political conventions and 
alternate to the Republican National Convention, and for some time served as county 
committeeman. His interest in politics is akm to that manifested in all his business 
ar.d other relations. He is enthusiastic, progressive, and a man of unswerving in- 
tegrity, and at all times a loyal and enterprising citizen. 

Mr. Cloher was married, first, on October 18, 1876, to Miss Caroline E. , daughter 
of Harvey Strong, of Laurens, Otsego county. She died April 13, 1888, leaving one 
son, William Strong Cloher, born April 10, 1888. He married, second, September 1, 
1892, Miss Alice De Etta, daughter of John M. Graham, of Utica, and they have two 
children: Lois De Etta and an infant son. 



ISAAC WHIFFEN. 

Isaac Whiffen was born in Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England, October 10, 
1817, and died in Utica, N. Y., June 24, 1889. He received his education mainly in 




-^^yVl^^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 137 

his native country, where as a lad he developed those sturdy characteristics which 
mark the successful man. His elder brother, Uridge Whiffen, a gentleman of schol- 
arly attainments, had become professor of Greek and mathematics in Bartlett's high 
school in Utica, and this led the family to emigrate to America and settle in this city 
in September, 1832, w-hen Isaac was scarcely fifteen years of age. But he soon left 
Utica and shipped on a whaling steamer, remaining away three years, mainly for 
his health. Returning to Utica he engaged in the milk business with his brother 
John. In 1843 he established a meat market on the corner of John and Jay streets 
and here he laid the foundation for his successful business career. He remained on 
these corners, in trade, until his death, and the business was continued there by his 
sons till April, 1893, a period of fifty years. 

Mr. Whiffen, at the time of his death, was the oldest butcher and meat dealer in 
Utica, and was known all over the State. At first he confined his operations to the 
retail trade. Gradually, however, an increasing wholesale business was added, the 
two branches being combined with unusual success. In 1886 he admitted his sons, 
George I. and B. Allen, to partnership, under the firm name of Isaac Whiffen & 
Sons, and upon Mr. Whiffen's death in 1889 they succeeded to the business, taking 
the present firm name of Isaac Whiffen's Sons. In 1892-93 they erected on Bleecker 
street, opposite Chancellor Square, a large and commodious brick block, into which 
they moved in April, 1893, occupying the entire lower floor. Here both wholesaling 
and retailing of meats are carried on extensively, and here the business, established 
on the corner of John and Jay streets fifty three years ago, has an appropriate 
home. 

As a citizen Mr. Whiffen was energetic, enterprising, and public spirited, and dur- 
ing his long and successful career won universal respect and confidence. He was a 
man of unswerving integrity, true to his convictions, steadfast in his friendship, and 
unfailing in the discharge of his obligations. Plain, substantial and honest, he was 
a model citizen, and always took a just pride in advancing the welfare of the com- 
munity. He was one of the organizers and for many years a director of the Utica 
and Mohawk street Railroad Company. Early in life he became interested in farm- 
ing, and was a charter member of the Central New York Farmers' Club. He was 
also a prominent member of the Central New York Agricultural, Horticultural, and 
Mechanical Association, and a life member of the Utica Mechanics Association. He 
was one of the oldest members and at one time president of St. George's Society, 
long a member of Utica Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M. , and a member and president of 
the Utica Curling Club. In politics he was an active and influential Republican, but 
never sought and only twice accepted political office. He served one term as canal 
collector, and in 1885 was appointed a police and fire commissioner of the city of 
Utica, but after about one year resigned. Mr. Whiffen was charitable, broad- 
minded, honorable, and industrious, and by every one was held in high esteem. 

November 25, 1841, Mr. Whiffen was married to Miss Elizabeth Seaton, who sur- 
vives him. She was one of the eleven persons who founded the Bethel (later the 
Bleecker street and now'the Park) Baptist church of Utica. They had nine children, 
of whom six are living, viz.: Charles B., George I., B. Allen, and Edward U., of 
Utica; Mrs. W. H. Gibson, of Rochester, N. Y. ; and Mrs. U. M. Whiffen, of Rock 
Island, 111. 



138 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

George I. Whiffen, born June 24, 1856, was educated in the Utica public schools 
and academy, and at the age of seventeen entered his father's meat market. He is 
trustee and treasurer of the Park Baptist church, a member of Imperial Council 
R. A., and a charter member of the Arcanum Club. November 7, 1883, he married 
Miss Carrie A., daughter of Charles Reed, of Utica, and they have one child, Mar- 
jorie G. 

B. Allen Whiffen was born August 26, 1858, received his education in the Utica 
public schools and academy, and on leaving school entered his father's business. 
He is a member of Imperial Council R. A., and of the Arcanum Club. June 17, 1891, 
he married Miss Anna N., daughter of Henry B. Beckwith, of Utica. 

Edward U. Whiffen was born August 11, 1844, was educated in the public schools 
and academy of Utica, and remained with his father until 1870, when he went to 
Canada and engaged in the lumber business, continuing successfully until 1890. He 
then removed to Louisiana, Pike county, Mo., and carried on a lumber trade until 
March, 1896, when he sold out and returned to Urica. In 1867 he married Miss 
Susan L. Brazie, of Utica, and they have four children: Harry I., Fannie A., Flora 
L., and Frank A. 



GEORGE W. CHADWICK, Sk. 

Hon. George W. Chadwick was born in Sauquoit, Oneida county, June 16, 1825, 
ane died at Chadwick's, in the same county, December 4, 1885. He was of English 
parentage. John Chadwick was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, January 5, 
1783, came to America early in this century, and first settled in Providence, R. I,, 
where he married Betsey Snow. They soon removed to Toddsville, Otsego county, 
N. Y., where Mr. Chadwick entered the employ of the Union cotton factory. He 
was a practical manufacturer of great skill and gave his whole time and attention to 
the details of the business. In the summer of 1813 John Chadwick, Abner Brownell, 
and Ira Todd came from Toddsville to what is now Chadwick's, Oneida county, 
bought both of John Greenleaf's "powers," removed the old saw mill to the upper 
end of the present village and converted it into a dwelling, and founded the Eagle 
Cotton factory. They purchased of Benjamin Merrill and Matthew Yale a strip of 
land along the creek to give sufficient power and built a frame cotton mill on the site 
of the present stone structure. A little farther east they erected a machine shop. 
This plant they called the Eagle Mills, a name it still bears. Some years afterward 
the firm dissolved; Mr. Todd returned to Otsego county and in 1825 Mr. Brownell 
removed to Sauquoit and founded the Franklin factory. Mr. Chadwick remained 
sole owner of the Eagle mills and from time to time put in new and improved ma- 
chinery, this materially increasing the business capacity. In 1843-44 extensive ad- 
ditions were made and filled with costly machinery, and at night on June 24, 1814, 
when the builders were putting on the finishing touches, the plant was struck by 
lightning and burned to the ground. The labors and accumulations of years were 
lost, there being not one dollar of insurance. The present substantial stone mill 
was soon built on the site and equipped throughout with the latest machinery and 




GEORGE W. CHADWICK, SR. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 139 

appliances. John Chadwick was a man of great executive ability and integrity, 
prompt in business, and one of the foremost pioneer manufacturers of the Sauquoit 
valley. Early in his career he visited England and brought back a quantity of large 
wooden engraved blocks, which were used in printing calicoes. Later he purchased 
the pioneer Coe farm, where Hon. G. W. Chadwick was born. He was kind hearted 
and charitable and freely aided English immigrants to procure employment. He 
died at Chadwicks, a place named in honor of the family. March 12, 1858; the death 
of his wife occurred there April 1, 1867. Their children were Sally (Mrs. Alanson 
A. Butler), who died in 1893; Betsey, who died unmarried; Mary (Mrs. George Fisk 
and afterward wife of Hon. Eli Avery), who died February 22, 1878; John, deceased, 
who married Jane Tarpenny; Abigail (Mrs. William Harrison Boyd), deceased; 
Thomas, who died unmarried; Jane, who also died unmarried; and George W 

George W. Chadwick attended Sauquoit Academy and was graduated from Caz- 
enovia Seminary, and during his active life was connected with mills founded by his 
father. He first became a partner in 1843-54, when extensive alterations were in- 
augurated, and after the old plant was burned down he supervised the erection of 
the present stone factory, to which he succeeded as owner upon his father's death in 
1858, and which he successfully managed from 1844 until his own death in 1885. He 
brought to the management of the factory a thorough practical knowledge of every 
detail, and by his great business ability and native enterprise kepi its product up 
with the times and instituted many important improvements. Energetic, progres- 
sive and far-sighted, he won not only success as a manufacturer, but the confidence 
and respect of all who knew him. Like his father, he was a man of strict integrity, 
prompt, sagacious, and public spirited. In 1882 the establishment was incorporated 
under the name of the Chadwick Mills Cotton Company, with a capital of $250,000, 
and with Mr. Chadwick, president ; C. A. Butler, vice-president ; W. H. Kershaw, 
secretary; and Benjamin Groff. treasurer. Upon Mr. Chadwick's death in Decem- 
ber, 1885, Mr. Groff was elected president and treasurer, and on July 1, 1892, he was 
succeeded by George W. Chadwick, jr., who still serves in these position's, Mr. 
Kershaw still retains the office of secretary. (See biographical sketch of George W. 
Chadwick, jr.) 

Mr. Chadwick was interested in various other enterprises, and always took the 
part of a prominent and loyal citizen. He was one of the founders of the Utica 
Willowvale Bleaching Company and served as its president and general manager 
until his death. The establishment and success of this corporation was largely due 
to his energy and able guidance. He was its chief promoter and was instrumental 
in placing it upon a sound business basis. He was one of the originators and con- 
tinuously a member of the board of directors of the Oneida National Bank of Utica, 
one of the promotors and first directors of the Utica, Chenango, and Susquehanna 
Railroad, and one of the incorporators of the Sauquoit Valley Cemetery Association, 
which he served as president until his decease. In beautifying and improving this 
cemetery he always took a deep interest, and contributed materially to its welfare. 
In politics he was a staunch Republican. He served as supervisor for several years, 
and represented his district in the Assembly in 1871 and 1874. On one occasion he 
was the nominee on the Stalwart wing of the Republican ticket for member of Con- 
gress, but was defeated with his associates. During the war of the Rebellion he was 



140 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a member and treasurer of the local war committee and actively assisted in raising 
men for the front. In religion he was an Episcopalian, and for several years served 
as vestryman and warden of St. Stephen's church, New Hajtford He was espe- 
cially the friend and an active promoter of education. He was a member of Oriental 
Lodge F. & A. M., and Fort Schuyler Club, Utica, and an honorary member of the 
Utica Citizens Corps. 

Mr. Chadwick was married on November 5, 1855, to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of 
Absalom and Lucy (Scofield) Wrigley, of Oldham, Lancashire, England. She came 
to America with her mother in 1848, and settled in what is now Chadwicks, where 
she has since resided, the house she now occupies being erected by her husband in 
1881. In 1890 she built and donated to the parish St. George's Memorial church, 
Chadwicks, at a cost of upwards of §11,000. This was given by her as a memorial 
to her husband. They had two children: George W., jr., and Lucy V. 



GEORGE W. CHADWICK, Jr. 

George W. Chadwick, Jr., only son and eldest child of Hon. George W. and 
Mary Ann (Wrigley) Chadwick, was born on his father's stock farm near Washington 
Mills, Oneida county, August 17, 1870, and came to the village of Chadwicks when 
seven years of age. He was educated at Sauquoit Academy ,Whitestown Seminary, 
and St. John's Military Academy at Manlius, Onondaga county, where he won the 
first drill prize. He was graduated from Holbrook's Military Academy at Sing Sing, 
N. Y., with the class of 1885, and there received honorary mention in the prize squad. 
Returning home he entered his father's mills with a view of learning every detail of 
the manufacuture, which he did, acquiring a practical knowledge of both the business 
and operating departments. On July 1, 1892, he succeeded Benjamin Groff as pres- 
ident and treasurer of the Chadwick Mills Cotton Company, incorporated in 1885, 
which positions he still holds (see biographical sketch of George W. Chadwick, sr.) 
The property owned by this company covers an area of about 100 acres, of which 
upwards of fifteen are occupied by buildings, including some thirty residences. The 
motive power is both steam and water, and about 200 hands are employed in the 
mills, the annual output being about 5,000,000 yards of unbleached cotton sheeting, 
which is sold from New York city throughout the United States. It is one of the 
largest and most successful plants of the kind in the country, and one of the oldest 
manufacturing establishments in Central New York. Under Mr. Chadwick' s able 
guidance it has continued the career so long maintained b}' his father and founded 
by his grandfather eighty years ago. 

Mr. Chadwick is also president and treasurer of the Chadwick Manufacturing 
Compan}', incorporated by him and associates early in 1896, for the purpose of man- 
ufacturing at Chadwicks the Chadwick two-wheelers, a cart invented and patented 
by Charles E. Chadwick, the secretary and general manager, which has attained 
almost a world-wide reputation. The business was originally started in Olean, N. Y., 
by Charles E. Chadwick, in 1886. Since 1891 he has greatly improved and perfected 
these noted vehicles, which the company, the sole owner of all the patents, is manu- 




GEORGE W. CHADWICK, JR. 





^>^>Oa^2_j2_J<^il Ow^vXiLo^wv^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL. HI 

facturing on an extensive scale and in a variety of styles. George W. Chadwick, 
besides attending to the financial affairs of this company and managing the great 
cotton mills, is also president and one of the originators of the Metropolitan Medicine 
Company of New York city, president of the Central New York Branch of the New 
York Building and Loan Association, and one of the organizers and vice-president 
of the Utica Highland Driving Park Association. He was also secretary of the old 
New Hartford Leather Company, which he helped to organize. 

Mr. Chadwick was for several years one of the best known athletes in Central New 
York, and in various contests won many gold and silver medals and other prizes. 
He is a member of the Syracuse Athletic Association, the Manhattan Athletic Club 
of New York city, the Elks Cycling Club of Syracuse, the Utica Cycling Club, and 
the Athletic Club of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia. He is a member of Syra- 
cuse Lodge No. 31, B. O. E., Utica Lodge Knights of Honor, Jubilee Lodge Sons of 
St. George, and Samuel Campbell Council R. A., and is vice-commodore and one of 
the organizers of Oneida Division, Volunteer Life Saving Corps of New York, mem- 
ber Oneida County Sportsman Association, and the Triton Gun and Fishing Club 
of Canada. He has also been prominent in military affairs, serving at one time as 
adjutant of the 28th Separate company N. G. N. Y., of Utica. In politics he is an 
active Republican and was delegate to the State convention at Saratoga in 1894 which 
nominated Levi P. Morton for governor. For two years he was a county commit- 
teeman and during that period a member of the executive committee. He was 
chairman of the New Hartford town committee for three years, and has frequently 
sat in local conventions as a delegate. 

December 13, 1888, Mr. Chadwick was married to Miss Marie Louise, daughter of 
Edward R. and Louise Norton, of Utica, and granddaughter of Dr. Norton, one of 
the early prominent settlers of Clinton, N. Y. They have one daughter, Marguerite. 



JESSE B. ANTHONY. 

Jesse Barker Anthony, past grand master of the Grand Lodge of the State of 
New York and superintendent of the Masonic Home at Utica, was born in Troy, 
N. Y., December 16, 1837, and is of English descent. His ancestors, on coming to 
America, settled in Rhode Island, whence his grandfather, Jesse Anthony, came 
with his family to Easton, Washington county, N. Y., and later removed lo Troy, 
where with his sons he established a general wholesale and retail mercantile busi- 
ness and afterward engaged in the foundry line and manufacture of stoves, being 
among the earliest in Troy to carry on that branch of industry. John Anthony, 
father of Jesse B., was born in 1816, and was married in Troy to Mary Ann Gibeny, 
of that city. He was associated with his father in the mercantile and foundry busi- 
ness, and on retiring from those pursuits was engaged for several years in real 
estate operations in the city, being prominently identified with its business interests 
and prosperity and for many years a member of the city council. He removed to 
the State of Delaware in 1865 and died there in 1890. 

Jesse B. Anthony, received a fair common school education, and when sixteen be 



142 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

came a clerk in a wholesale grocery store, where he remained until he reached his 
majority. In 1859 he formed a copartnership with Charles E. Dusenberry, and un- 
der the firm name of Dusenberry & Anthony became the successors of J. M. Bogardus 
& Co., in the wholesale coffee and spice trade. The firm continued until 1876, car- 
rying on a large, successful, and increasing business. From 187G to 1879 it was 
J. B. Anthony & Co. In the latter year H. O. Dusenberry retired and Mr. Anthony 
continued as sole owner. Mr. Anthony was one of the organizers of" the Troy Steam 
Heating Company, formed with a capital of $75,000 for the purpose of supplying 
steam for heating from a central point. He was president until 1880, when a new 
company was organized and he retired. He was also for many years a director of 
the Union National Bank of Troy. He gave close application to his business affairs, 
and brought to their management ability and executive energy of a high order. 
He was characterized for his sterling integrity, his indomitable perseverance, and 
his public spirit, and during a long mercantile career won both success and respect. 
It is in the Masonic fraternity that Mr. Anthony is most widely known. He was 
made a Mason in King Solomon's Primitive Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M., Troy, N. Y., 
February, 23, 1860, and after filling the offices of senior deacon and senior warden 
was, in 1867, chosen as its worshipful master, occupying the position for three con- 
secutive years. In 1873 he was appointed district deputy grand master of the twelfth 
Masonic district, holding the office for two years. While serving in this capacity he 
was elected as the representative of the district in the constitutional convention as- 
sembled at Syracuse, N. Y. , for the purpose of revising the constitution of the Grand 
Lodge of the State of New York. At the annual sessions of the Grand Lodge in 
June, 1875, he was unanimously elected senior grand warden, in 1879 deputy grand 
master, and in 1880 grand master. As the head of the craft of the Empire State his 
administration of the affairs of this vast jurisdiction was one of ability and marked 
success, and he retired from the office wtih the good will of all the representatives. 
It was his privilege, besides officiating in other public ceremonials of a similar na- 
ture, to lay the foundation stone of the Egyptian Obelisk in Central Park, New York 
city, October 9, 1880, delivering the address upon that occasion. During his official 
term occurred the Centennial of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York in June, 
1881, and he delivered the historical address on that occasion at the meeting held 
at the Academy of Music, New York city; and the facts embodied therein have been 
widely copied throughout the United States by the various Grand Bodies. He re- 
ceived the capitular degrees in Apollo Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M., Troy, N. Y. , in 
December, 1860, and after serving as captain of the host one term and principal 
sojourner two terms, was elected in 1872 as its high priest, filling the position for 
five consecutive years and retiring therefrom at his own request. In the Grand 
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York he was appointed grand 
lecturer, holding the office for two terms. He received the Orders of Knighthood in 
Apollo Commandery, No. 15, Troy, September 2, 1863, and after filling the office of 
prelate for four consecutive years was elected as its eminent commander, and after 
two years' service retired in 1876. He received the degrees in the Cryptic Rite in 
Bloss Council, No. 14, R. & S. M., Troy, March 15, 1861, and after filling various 
subordinate positions was elected as thrice illustrious master. In the year 1862 he 
received the grades of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite up to the 14th and subse- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. ]43 

quently, about 1871, in Albany Sovereign Consistory, Albany, N.Y., was made a 32° 
Mason. At the institution of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite bodies in the city 
of Troy he became one of the charter members of Delta Lodge of Perfection, Delta 
Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and Delta Chapter of Rose Croix of Troy, and was 
for many years the presiding officer of those bodies. In 1874 the Supreme Council 
for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction conferred upon him the 33 and created him 
an honorary member of that exalted body. 

He was also for many years the grand potentate of Oriental Temple Nobles of 
the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal 
Order of Scotland in the United States, having received the degree in May, 1878, at 
Washington, D. C. He is an honorary member of several Masonic bodies outside of 
the city of Troy, the same having been conferred not alone as a reward for special 
labor, but also as a mark of respect and esteem as a man and a Mason. He has 
been active and prominent in all the Masonic enterprises of the city of Troy, and 
done much toward the advancement of Masonry in that city. At the erection of the 
new Masonic Temple in Troy, in 1872, he was one of the most earnest workers in 
the completion of that enterprise, was selected as the orator on the occasion of the 
laying of the corner stone August 2, 1871, has been secretary of the Troy Masonic 
Hall Association since its incorporation in 1871, and also honored with various offices 
of trust in the Masonic bodies of Troy. He is also chairman of the committee on 
correspondence for the Grand Lodge and Grand Commandery of the State of New 
York. 

Mr. Anthony was appointed superintendent of the Masonic Home in Utica upon 
its completion, assumed his duties there in 1893, and is now in charge of that insti- 
tution. This home has its nucleus in a resolution brought before the Grand Lodge 
of the State of New York by Greenfield Pote (grand tiler), James Herring (grand 
secretary), and others, in 1842, when Mr. Pote contributed the first silver dollar lor 
the purpose of "founding an asylum for worthy aged Masons, their widows and 
orphans." This memorial officially reached the Grand Lodge June 8, 1843. More 
than forty years passed before the affairs of the proposed Home took definite shape. 
In May, 1888, after several years spent in determining the location, the Utica Driv- 
ing Park, known as the county and State fair grounds, on the eastern edge of the 
city of Utica, was selected and purchased, the owner donating §25,000 the city 
830,000, and the Grand Lodge 820,000. The tract comprises 160 acret,; the West 
Shore railroad donated a quarter of an acre and five additional acres were purchased 
for 8750. In 1889 the name was changed from "Asylum " to " Masonic Home and 
School," and in 1890 the original cost of the proposed building was increased from 
8100,000 to 8150,000. In 1890 a contract was let for 8134,500, to which 85,000 were 
subsequently added. On May 21, 1891, the corner stone was laid amidst the greatest 
demonstrations in the history of the craft, John W. Vrooman, grand master, officiat- 
ing. The building was formally dedicated October 5, 1892, the addresses beino- 
delivered by Past Grand Master William Shererand Grand Master James Ten Eyck. 
In June, 1893, the trustees reported that the total cost of the Home and appurten- 
ances to date was 8230,685.18, with a balance in the bank of 8155,512.55. The first 
inmates, two in number, were received on May 1st of that year. At the present 
time (June, 1896,) the Home contains 158 inmates, and a school is being built for the 



144 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

use of the inmate orphans. Under Mr. Anthony's able superintendence the institu- 
tion has reached the highest aim of its promoters, and is not only a monument to 
the craft of the Empire State but a substantial memorial to the fraternity of Utica 
and Oneida county, among whose benevolent objects it will ever hold a foremost 
place. 

Mr. Anthony has also attained a merited eminence in Masonic literature, having 
contributed much that is valuable to the craft and invaluable to historians. Among 
his noteworthy publications is a Review of the Transactions of the Grand Lodge of 
the State of New York from 1782 to 1852. He is also the author of a History of King 
Solomon's Primitive Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., of Troy, from 1842 to 1892, together 
with a sketch of Free Masonry in the city of Troy from 1796 to 1842. As a ritualist 
and worker in the various Masonic bodies he stands high in the estimation of the 
craft, and his earnestness and fervency impress his hearers with the beauties of the 
institution. He is active and prominent in all Masonic enterprises, and is one of the 
most illustrious members of the order. 

Ift 1859 he married Miss Catherine A., daughter of John M. Bogardus, of Troy, 
N. Y. , and their children are M. Alice (Mrs. William McKip Morris), of Groveville, 
N. J., and Jessie May (Mrs. Knowlton Mixer), of Buffalo, N. Y. 



MORGAN BUTLER. 

Morgan Butler was born in the town of New Hartford, Oneida county, June 7, 
1807, and died in the village of the same name August 3, 1892. He was a lineal 
descendant of Deacon Richard Butler, who came from County Essex, England, with 
the so-called Hooker company in 1632 and settled in Newtown, near Boston, Mass. 
Before 1639 Richard and William Butler, the latter being a brother of the deacon, 
moved with Rev. Thomas Hooker to Hartford, Conn., where William died, leaving 
no children. From Deacon Richard descended Eli Butler, grandfather of Morgan, 
who started in the spring of 1789 to visit his old neighbor, Judge Hugh White, the 
proprietary founder of Whitestown. Before returning to Middletown, Conn., he 
purchased lands in what is now the town of Paris, Oneida county, on which he 
settled three of his sons, Ashbel, John, and Sylvester, in the fall of that year In 
1792 Eli Butler, sr., came with his son Eli and settled permanently upon the farm in 
New Hartford that has ever since remained and still is in the possession of the 
family. It is located one mile south of the village, and is one of the most valuable 
and beautiful farms in Oneida county. The dwelling is located in the village one- 
half a mile from the Hill. It was purchased from Solomon Kellogg, the deed 
being dated April 17, 1795. EH, sr., was captain of cavalry in the Revolution- 
ary war, and died April 19, 1802. He was born in Middletown, Conn., January 
26, 1740, married Rachel Stocking, of the same place, and had four sons and seven 
daughters, of whom only Sylvester, John, and Eli have descendants living in Oneida 
county. Eli, jr.. father of Morgan, was born in Middletown, Conn., March 28, 1779, 
came with his father to New Hartford in 1792, and upon the latter's death in 1802 
inherited the homestead. In 1806 he married Rachel, daughter of Truman Kellogg, 
and died in 1832, when fifty-three years of age. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 145 

Morgan Butler, the eldest son of Eli and Rachel (Kellogg) Butler, was twenty-five 
years of age when his father died and the farm came into his possession. He re- 
mained on the homestead until 1890, when he came to the village to reside. He was 
widely known as a progressive farmer and as a public spirited citizen. Nothing new 
in the line of farming appliances escaped his attention or was refused a trial. He 
owned the first mowing machine brought into Oneida county, and an unbroken 
meadow of forty acres lying in front of the house was the scene of many large and 
wonderful gatherings to witness the then novel method of cutting grass. He became 
the agent of the machine and sold large numbers of them throughout the country. 
Other kindred appliances, such as the hay rake, the tedder, the field loader, the barn 
fork, etc., found in him their first patron in this locality. His chief fancy in farming 
was for fine cattle, of which he was an expert judge, and in which he dealt largely. 
So deeply was he interested in agriculture, and so widely was he known in this 
respect that when the Central New York Farmers' Club was organized in 1870 he 
was honored with the vice-presidency, and upon the death of its president, Hon. 
Samuel Campbell, Mr. Butler succeeded to that office, which by successive re-elec- 
tions he held until his decease. 

Mr. Butler was a man of noble contentment, and one whose active spirit and en- 
terprise led him into numerous spheres of benefaction. From early life until death 
cut short his usefulness he entered with enthusiasm into the affairs of the com- 
munity. During his youth and young manhood the State militia was an important 
factor in every neighborhood, and the meadow in front of his father's house was long 
the favorite parade ground. Here was aroused and developed the military spirit 
which made him a member of that organization while yet in his teens. When 
eighteen years old, as bugler of his company, he accompanied the troops to Oriskany 
and with them formed a part of the escort to General La Fayette on the occasion of 
that distinguished veteran's visit to this country in 1825. Mr. Butler was always 
identified with the affairs of the town and liberally encouraged every movement 
which promised benefit to the community. He was a man of tireless energy, enter- 
prising, progressive, and benevolent, a kind and generous neighbor, a sympathetic 
friend, and a wise counselor and adviser. Upon his father's death he purchased the 
interest of the heirs in the homestead and assiduously devoted his life to farming, an 
occupation he both loved and honored. He was characterized for his integrity, for 
his sound judgment, and for his progressive methods, and throughout his life he en- 
joyed universal respect and esteem as well as the entire confidence of all with whom 
he came in contact. He was content to do the duty he found at his door, and 
sought no advancement through politics or public station. He did much that was 
commendable, much that was worthy of emulation, and set a most excellent exam- 
ple. He spent his career in New Hartford ; he loved the place and its people, and 
his fortunes were identified with theirs. An enduring illustration of this fact is 
offered in the Butler Memorial Hall, the erection of which was commenced by him 
in 1889. The structure, including the lot, represents a cash gift to the town of about 
$20,000, and was formally presented to New Hartford by him on May 13, 18f 0, less 
than three years before its honored donor's death. It is a handsome brick building, 
located on Genesee street in the center of the village, and contains not only a large 
hall for general assemblies, but offices for the town and village officers and post- 



146 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

master, a reading room, a library, etc. An excellent library was furnished by Mr. 
Butler's sisters. The remainder of the property constituting this magnificent gift 
was paid for and donated by Mr. Butler himself. It is governed by a board of 
seven self -perpetuating trustees created under a special act of the Legislature, and 
is the only institution of the kind in the county. In a tribute to his memory the 
board said of him : • 

"Morgan Butler ended his earthly career on the 3d day of August, 1892, at the 
patriarchal age of eighty-five years. Born in the town of New Hartford at an early 
period in its settlement, of parents distinguished for industry and probity, and living 
all his days at the place of his birth, he was identified with every interest of the 
town, and his death leaves an open gap in the community like that which would fol- 
low the disappearance from the physical landscape of one of our grandest hills. 
He was a man of tireless energy, enthusiastic in all his pursuits, and looking to the 
benefit of his fellow men rather than to his own grandizement. A farmer by in- 
heritance and taste, the tillage of the soil was his best recreation, and he always 
took the lead in improved methods. He had ho vague or visionary theories, but 
with a quick and keen perception of true principles he came readily to right con- 
clusions, and it was always safe to follow where he led. To his intelligent example 
is due in a great degree the pre-eminence which his town holds in agriculture. The 
benefits of his work are not confined to home limits. In all things pertaining to his 
chosen calling he was a recognized authority in county and State. He had no greed 
for wealth, for power or fame, but was content to keep the even tenor of his way by 
a life of daily usefulness unmarred by shams or vain show. He was generous in his 
benefactions to worthy objects, he was charitable in his judgments, and he was just 
to all men. He was a king and safe counsellor, and one who heeded his advice 
never had occasion to regret he had sought it.!' 

In politics Mr. Butler was very independent, though he generally voted with the 
Republicans. He never held an}' office except that of assessor for one term. He 
was baptized a Presbyterian, but later was confirmed in St. Stephen's Episcopal 
church, New Hartford, and for many years served it as senior warden and treasurer. 
His interest in the welfare of this body was akin to that manifested in all his work 
or undertakings. 

Mr. Butler was married February 10, 1841, to Miss Marianne Howard, daughter of 
Rufus and Nancy (Hungerford) Howard, who survives him. They had no children. 
She was a native of Litchfield, Herkimer county, where her father was an early and 
prominent settler. She is also a sister of Gen. Rufus Lombard Howard, of Buffalo, 
N. Y. • 



WILBUR H. BOOTH, M. D. 

Wilbur Hiram Booth, M. D., is a son of Hiram and Catharine (Wheeler) Booth 
and was born in Huntington, Fairfield county, Conn., December 11, 1852, his 
ancestors having settled in Stratford, Conn., early in the seventeenth century. He 
received his preparatory education at the Connecticut Literary Institute in Suffield 




^/^s^~^>^9w-^ 




BIOGRAPHICAL, 147 

and the Providence Conference Seminary at East Greenwich, R. I., and early in life 
decided upon medicine as a profession. After leaving college he entered the medical 
department of Yale and was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. in June, 
1874, being valedictorian of his class. In the following October he became house 
surgeon in the New York Charity Hospital and served in that capacity with ability 
and credit until April 1, 1876, when he came to Utica, where he has since resided. 

Dr. Booth, upon coming to Utica, began the active practice of his profession and 
rapidly won a foremost position among the leading physicians and -surgeons of the 
city. His genial personality as well as his recognized professional ability soon 
made for him a wide circle of friends, while his contemporary practitioners accorded 
him that eminence which talent and skill always inspire. For several years he has 
made general surgery a specialty, a sphere in which he has acquired high distinction, 
not only in Utica and Oneida county, but throughout Central New York. In this 
branch he has built up an extensive practice, one of the largest ever enjoyed by a' 
Utica surgeon. He also became thoroughly identified with the city's institutions 
and its prosperity, and took a deep interest in all that pertained to the public wel- 
fare. For one year he had charge as surgeon of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, with 
which he has ever since been prominently connected. He was formerly consulting 
surgeon to Faxton Hospital and the Utica Orphan Asylum and is now senior surgeon 
to St. Luke's Hospital. For six years he was a member of the Board of Health of 
the city of Utica and has recently declined to serve another term in that capacity. 
He is a member of the New York State Medical Society; the New York State Med- 
ical Association, the Oneida County Medical Society, and the American Medical 
Association, and a member and formerly president of the Utica Medical Library 
Association. He was also United States examining surgeon for pensions for four 
years. 

Dr. Booth was one of the first surgeons to advise the removal of the appendix 
vermiformis for inflammation of that organ, and he successfully performed this ope- 
ration in June, 1876. He was also one of the first operators to revive the then out of 
date, but now very successful operation for stone in the bladder, known as the high 
or supra pubic operation. 

Dr. Booth has contributed various articles covering a wide range of medical and 
surgical literature to many of the leading medical journals of the country, and is a 
recognized authority on a number of subjects pertaining to the profession. He is 
public spirited, progressive and benevolent, a generous supporter of all worthy 
movements, and as a citizen takes commendable pride in the advancement of the 
community. 

July 10, 1878, Dr. Booth was married to Miss Sarah Leah Lynch, daughter of 
James S. and Sarah Adams (Johnson) Lynch, of Utica. She died in Florida on the 
15th of February, 1882. 



JEDEUIAH SANGER. 

Hon. Jedediah Sanger will ever occupy a conspicuous place in the history of 
Oneida county, not only on account of his prominence as a citizen, but because of his 



148 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

sterling qualities of manhood, his eminence as a leading pioneer, and his foresight 
in planting in the community a standard of. culture and enterprise which exists at 
the present day. He was a descendant of Richard Sanger, who came to Hingham, 
Mass., about 1636. His father, Capt. Richard Sanger, was a member of the Pro- 
vincial Congress which convened at Cambridge on the 1st day of February, 1775, 
and also one of the gentlemen comprising the "committee from every town and 
distinct in the county of Middlesex and Province of Massachusetts Pay, held at Con- 
cord in the same county on the 80th and 31st days of August, 1774, to consult upon 
measures proper to be taken at the present very important day." 1 The Rev. Dr. 
Sanger, great-grandfather of Col. William Cary Sanger, of Sangerfield, wasabrother 
of Judge Jedediah Sanger. 

Judge Jedediah Sanger was the ninth of ten children of Richard and Deborah 
Sanger, and was born in Sherburne, Middlesex county, Mass., February 29, 1751,'- 
" consequently he had a birthday but once in four years." He received a common 
school education, interspersing his studies with work upon the farm. 

In March, 1788, he arrived, the first white settler, in what is now the town of New 
Hartford, Oneida county, where he had purchased a thousand acres of land lying on 
both sides of Sauquoit creek, which divided the tract about equally. Upon this he 
at once began making improvements. His purchase included the whole of the site 
of the present village of New Hartford. Under the judge's able management 
the immediate country was rapidly settled with a class of enterprising and intelli- 
gent men and women. He was the foremost man in all this section. In March, 
1789. a year from the time he made his first improvements, he brought his family to 
his wilderness home, and the same year he erected a saw mill. In 1790 he built a 
grist mill, which was used for the purpose for nearly a century. 

Judge Sanger possessed a master spirit of energy and decision, and was a man of 
strict integrity. Endowed with wonderful perseverance, imbued with the sterling 
principles of honesty and uprightness, he won universal respect and esteem and left 
a name which will forever grace the annals of local history. He was a man of in- 
domitable enterprise. In 1796 he erected, through an agent, the first grist and saw 
mill on the outlet of Skaneateles Lake, now in the beautiful village of Skanealeles, 
Onondaga county. He was also one of the active and leading partners in the Paris 
furnace, which was erected in 1800 and went into operation in 1801. In 1805 he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of cotton. The town and village of New Hartford owed 
much to his efforts, and his death was greatly deplored. 

In politics Judge Sanger belonged to the school then known as Federalist. He spent 
eleven winters in Alban}' as a member of the Senate and Assembly, having been 
elected to both of these bodies by the people He was the first supervisor of Whites- 
town and held the office for three consecutive years. He was appointed first judge 
of Oneida county upon its organization and served in that capacity until 1810, when 
he resigned on account of the age limit. He died June 6, 1829, and upon his monu- 
ment in the village cemetery was placed the following inscription : 

"Sacred to the Memory of Hon. Jedediah Sanger, who died June 6, A. D., 1829. 

1 See History o£ Sherborn and Holliston, by Abner Morse, and Journals of the Provincial 
Congress of Massachusetts. 

-Jones's ■' Annals of Oneida County." Must have been 1752 to be a leap-year. 




WILLIAM CARY SANGER. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 149 

The founder of New Hartford. His charities are widely extended, and his munifi- 
cence has reared and supported several edifices devoted to the service of his Maker. 
His virtues are indelibly impressed upon the hearts of his countrymen." 

The members of his family raised a cenotaph in St. Joseph's Episcopal church, 
New Hartford, with this inscription : 

"Sacred to the memory of Jedediah Sanger; born Feb. 29, 1751, died June 6, 
1829. ' He, being dead, yet speaketh.' " 

Judge Sanger was married, first, in May, 1771, to Sarah Rider, by whom he had 
four children. She died September 26, 1814, and on August 31, 1815, he married 
Sarah .B. Kissam, who died April 23, 1825. October 3, 1827, he married, third, 
Fanny Dench, who survived him and died in May, 1842. 



WILLIAM CARY SANGER. 

Col. William Cary Sanger, of Sangerfield, Oneida county, descends from Ri 
ard Sanger, who came to Hingham, Mass., about 1636. His great-great-grandfather 
was Capt. Richard Sanger, a member of the Provincial Congress which convened at 
Cambridge on February 1, 1775. His great-grandfather, the Rev. Dr. Sanger, was 
a brother of Hon. Jedediah Sanger, the first settler of the town of New Hartford and 
first judge of Oneida county, whose portrait and biographical sketch appear in this 
volume. Dr. Sanger was graduated from Harvard College in 1771 and his portrait 
is in Memorial Hall of Harvard University. The Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, son of Dr. 
Sanger and grandfather of Col. William Cary, was graduated from Brown Univer- 
sity and became one of the early settlers of New Hartford, N. Y. , where his son 
Henry was born. Henry Sanger, when a young man, went to New York city and 
became a successful merchant. He held many positions of trust and responsibility. 
He married Mary E. Requa, a descendant of a Huguenot family who came from 
New Rochelle, France. 

Col. William Cary Sanger, son of Henry and Mary E. (Requa) Sanger, was born 
in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 21, 1S53, and was graduated from Harvard University in 
1874. He received the degree of M. A. from the same institution in 1875 and the 
degree of LL. B. from Columbia College in 1878. He studied law in the office of 
Evarts, Southmayd & Choate, and after practicing his profession for a few years 
made his home in Sangerfield (so named in honor of Col. Jedediah Sanger when the 
town was founded in 1795), where he has a large farm. 

Colonel Sanger is prominent in military circles and has been a member of the Na- 
tional Guard of the State of New York for many years. He was at one time major 
of the 13th Regiment and is now assistant chief of artillery of the State with the 
rank of colonel. He has written several articles on military subjects, all of which 
had the true ring of high merit. He has also taken an active interest in politics. 
He represented the second assembly district of Oneida county in the State Leg- 
islature in 1895 and 1896, and in this capacity he won distinction as an able and 
conscientious advocate of the people's rights. He is also vice-president of the 
New York State Agricultural Society and the representative of the society from 



150 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

his district. Colonel Sanger takes a deep interest in all public matters and liberally 
encourages every good movement. Public spirited, progressive, and energetic he is 
noted for his patriotism as well as for his activity in furthering the general welfare. 
As a writer he has won laurels of rare distinction ; as a soldier he ranks among the 
best disciplinarians of the State; as a public officer his efforts' have been character- 
ized by faithfulness to duty; as a citizen he is loyal, enterprising, and highly es- 
teemed. 

Colonel Sanger was married on February 23, 1893, to Miss Mary Ethel Cleveland 
Dodge, daughter of Gen. Charles Cleveland Dodge, of New York city, granddaugh- 
ter of Hon. W. E. Dodge, also of New York, and a descendant of John Haynes, the 
second colonial governor of Massachusetts and the first colonial governor of Con- 
necticut. They have three children: William Cary, jr., Henry Lawrence, and 
Mary Ethel. 



SPENCER KELLOGG. 

The ancestry of Spencer Kellogg, the subject of this memoir, dates back to the 
early settlement of New England, where several of the members distinguished them- 
selves in civil, military and commercial life. Lieut. Joseph Kellogg came to Con- 
necticut from England probably in 1651, and joined the church in Hartford on Octo- 
ber 9, 1653.- In 1662 he moved to Hadley, Mass., where he died in 1707, aged eighty 
years. As lieutenant he led the men of Hadley in the Falls fight in May, 1676. On 
May 9, 1667, he married Abigail Terry, daughter of Deacon Stephen Terry, of Dor- 
chester, Winsor, and Simsbury. She was born in Simsbury. September 21, 1646. 
Lieutenant Kellogg left fourteen children, of whom Nathaniel was married on March 
28. 1692, to Sarah Boltwood, granddaughter of Robert Boltwood, one of the original 
settlers of Hadley. Their son, Nathaniel Kellogg, jr., born September 26, 1693, died 
August 6, 1770, became a noted surveyor, and was made a lieutenant in 1748. He 
served as selectman of Hadley most of the time from 1735 to 1761. He married Sarah 
Preston, and their son, Joel Kellogg, born in 1724, was married in 1748 to Joanna 
Clark, and died at Whateley, Mass., October 22, 1798. Levi Kellogg, son of Joel, 
was born in Hadley, Mass., October 3, 1760, was married on August 30, 1782, in 
Northampton, Mass., to Cynthia Wright, and died in Utica, N. Y., January 30, 1848. 
His wife was born September 3, 1764, and died in Plainfield, Otsego county, October 
19, 1813. They were the parents of Spencer Kellogg and several daughters. Levi 
Kellogg was drafted in the summer of 1776, when only fifteen years of age, as a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war from Northampton. He served four months under 
Capt. Oliver Lyman and Colonel Dyke. In 1777 he was under Capt. Simeon Clapp. He 
then volunteered and served in the same company and regiment under Colonels Tup- 
per and King and Captains Fairchild, Porter and Strong, until the surrender of 
Burgoyne. Late in life he drew a pension. About the year 1800, or before, he 
moved to Plainfield, Otsego county, N. Y., and settled on a farm. 

Spencer Kellogg, the only son of Levi and Cynthia (Wright) Kellogg, was born in 
Williamstown, Mass., September 19, 1786, and died in Utica, N. Y., Decembeer 31, 
1871. When a small boy he came with his parents from Williamstown to Plainfield, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 151 

Otsego county, where he was reared on a farm and received a common school edu- 
cation. Endowed with qualities of a high order he early manifested an aptitude for 
business pursuits, and for several years prior to 1824 he was engaged in the general 
merchandise business in Plainfield. Here he acquired the rudiments of that mercan- 
tile training which won him eminent success in after life. In 1824 he removed to 
Utica and for a long time conducted a large dry goods trade with remarkable energy. 
His first partner was S. H. Reynolds. Later he was associated with his son, Palmer 
Vose Kellogg, and with others. He was also prominently identified with other enter- 
prises of importance. He was largely instrumental in the building of the Utica and 
Black River railroad, and was one of its first board of directors. He was also one of 
the prime movers in inaugurating steam manufactures in Utica. In these as well 
as in other movements for the advancement of the city's material interests he took a 
foremost part and contributed both means and influence. No man's enthusiasm and 
public spirit exceeded his in its constancy and application, and none took deeper 
pride in the general welfare. 

In politics Mr. Kellogg was an old line Whig and an ardent admirer of Henry 
Clay, and afterward became a staunch Republican. He was also a strong abolition- 
ist and an active promoter of non-slavery principles. He held various local offices, 
and in- 1841 was mayor of the city of Utica. He was especially prominent in relig- 
ious circles, being an invaluable member, elder, and trustee of the First Presbyterian 
church, and taking also an active part in its Sunday school and Bible class as long 
as his age and health permitted. He was for many years a beloved Bible teacher, 
and signally illustrated a Christian spirit, not only in his words, but by his deeds. 
He sought earnestly the correction of prevailing evils and the redress of wrongs. 
His strength of mind, his boldness and indomitability, and his power of execution 
presented him to strangers chiefly as the embodiment of force, and his friends rec- 
ognized him as personifying delicacy and sensibility. He was affectionate and more 
tender of heart than irresistible of hand. During the cholera epidemic of 1832 he 
devoted his time, energy, and sympathies to the suffering and dying and to comfort 
their afflicted families, and on one occasion took some bereaved daughters to his own 
home. Throughout a long and useful life, replete with good deeds and kind acts, 
and uniformly successful from every point of view, he lived as a model citizen, ei - 
joying universal respect and esteem, and winning the confidence and approbation 
of his fellow men. 

Mr. Kellogg was married in Plainfield, Otsego county, on October 7, 1810, to Miss 
Margaret Stewart Palmer, daughter of Vose and Celinda (Stewart) Palmer, who was 
born in Plainfield, Conn., June 18, 1791, came to Plainfield, N. Y., with her parents 
when very young, and died in Utica May 29, 1876. Their first home in Utica was on 
Whitesboro street; later they built and occupied the brick house on the south side 
of Court street, near Cornelia; and still later they erected the dwelling on Genesee 
street, now owned by their son, Charles C, and where both their deaths occurred. 
They had nine children: Palmer Vose, who died in Chicago, 111.; Levi, who died 
aged four; a daughter who died in infancy; Cynthia S. (Mrs. James Rockwell), of 
Utica ; Levi Spencer, who died at the age of twenty ; Mary A. (Mrs. James K. Hitch- 
cock), who died in Orange, N. J , February 21, 1896; Gustavus A., who died in 1850; 
and Charles C, and Sarah S. (Mrs. Frederick W. H. Sheffield), both of Utica. 



152 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Charles C. Kellogg was born in Utica September 2, 1828, was educated at Ham- 
ilton College, and became a partner of his brother Palmer V. in the mercantile 
business. He subsequently engaged in the lumber business, founding the present 
firm of Charles C. Kellogg & Sons' Company. Mr. Kellogg has been for many years 
one of Utica's most prominent business men. 



CHARLES MILLAR. 

Charles Millar was born in Greenwich, England, March 9, 1808, and received a 
good education in the parochial schools of London. In 1835 he came to America and 
first located in Williamsburg, near New 'S ork city, whence he removed in 1839 to 
Utica, where he spent the remainder of his life. He had been educated as an archi- 
tect and master builder, and here he at once commenced business in that line, secur- 
ing large and important contracts. He erected many of the most prominent of the 
older buildings in Utica, among which were the court house, the Mohawk street jail, 
the Tibbitts block, several public schools, and John Thorn's residence. His career 
as a contractor and builder continued successfully for about seventeen years. From 
1857 to 1860 he was the agent and manager of the Utica Screw Company. When he 
assumed charge of its affairs the company, suffering from the prevailing financial 
depression, was virtually bankrupt, but through his efforts it rapidly recovered and 
became such an important competitor that the American Screw Company, of Provi- 
dence, R. I., offered to buy its stock at par, which, contrary to Mr. Millar's advice, 
was accepted by the directors. The soundness of his views was subsequently con- 
firmed by the advance of the Providence company's stock man}' hundredfold. In 
1861 Mr. Millar was made superintendent of the Utica and Black River Railroad, 
which position he held six years. He laid the foundation of the future prosperity of 
that important line, and made many improvements in the property, notable among 
which was the filling of the immense trestle work at Trenton, N. Y., a work of great 
magnitude, occupying several years and requiring several million yards of sand and 
gravel. His management of the affairs of the company was so energetic and char- 
acterized by such good judgment that the road was enabled to pay its first dividend. 

In 1861 he had purchased the wholesale tin, plumbing and steamfitting business 
which he continued to conduct until his death, and to which he commenced to devote 
his whole attention in 1867, when he resigned his position as superintendent of the 
railroad. In the latter year he erected the Millar building in Genesee street in Utica, 
and here has since been conducted one of the most extensive establishments of the 
kind in the United States. In 1866 he admitted his son, Henry W. Millar, to full 
partnership, under the firm name of Charles Millar & Son. The business continued 
to grow rapidly. The firm became extensive manufacturers of cheese and butter- 
making apparatus and many of the appliances were Mr. Millar's invention. This 
machinery was sold all over this country and large quantities were shipped to Europe, 
Australia, Canada, and South America. In 1883 the firm commenced the manufac- 
ture of lead pipes in Utica, which proved a success from the start. A large factory 
and warehouse on Main street was erected for the purpose in 1885, and soon after- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 153 

ward Mr. Millar's son-in-law, John L. Murray, was admitted to the firm, the name 
remaining the same. In 1889 the firm, with Nicholas E. Kernan, Irvin A. Will- 
iams, and the late William M. White, organized the Utica Pipe Foundry Company, 
of which Mr. Millar was elected the first president, a position he held until his death, 
which occurred when the company was about to cast its first pipe, the buildings hav- 
ing been erected under his direction. His son succeeded him as president and still 
holds the office. 

Mr. Millar was a man of rare business thrift and ability, and no one ever left a 
more honorable record or one more worthy of emulation. The enterprises which he 
started and with which he was connected are among the most important in Utica. 
His steady and persistent application to business brought him success. Scrupu- 
lously upright in his dealings, farsighted and comprehensive in commercial and 
financial conditions, he conquered fortune, and at the same time held the confidence 
of the community and the esteem of all who knew him. For more than half a cen- 
tury he was an active force in the business, social, and public life of the city, whose 
interests and welfare he helped to increase and further. He was a man of the strict- 
est integrity, progressive, public spirited, and benevolent, and gave liberally to all 
worthy objects. In politics he was a strong abolitionist and a Free- Soil Democrat, 
and affiliated with the Republicans upon the organization of that party, whose prin- 
ciples he ever afterward supported. He was alderman from the Fourth ward for 
two years, at the time of the incendiary fires, and was himself a sufferer from the 
burning of his carpenter shop in Division street. He was president of the Utica 
Mechanics Association one term and for several years chairman and manager of 
their fairs, which at one time were so popular. 

Mr. Millar was married in England in 1833 to Miss Jane Ouait, who survives him. 
On September 15, 1883, they celebrated their golden wedding. He died in Utica 
February 23, 1890. Their children were Frances S., widow of Edwin Johnson, of 
Utica; Julia A. (Mrs Charles L. Blakeslee), of Albany; and Henry W. Millar, Miss 
Louise A, Millar and Carrie E. (Mrs. John L. Murray), all of Utica. 

Henry W. Millar, born July 20, 1845, was placed in charge of his father's business 
in 1861 and five years later became a full partner. John L. Murray entered the firm 
as a clerk in 1882 and in 1885 was admitted to partnership. Since Mr. Millard's death 
the two have carried on the business under the old firm name, making it exclusively 
wholesale since 1890. 

Henry W. Millar is president of the Utica Pipe Foundry Company, also of the 
Whitesboro Canning Company and the Sauquoit Canning Company ; a director of 
the Utica City National Bank, the George Young Bakery, the Utica and Mohawk 
R. R. Company, the Utica Paving Company, and the Utica Mechanics Association; 
a manager and president of St. Luke's Home and Hospital, a trustee of the Sol- 
dier's Monument Association and the Forest Hill Cemetery Association, and one of 
the managers of the Utica Chamber of Commerce. He is also interested in and an 
officer of a number of Water Works Companies in different villages in New York 
State and New England; and is junior warden of Calvary Episcopal church. In 
1879 he married Miss Kate Wagner, of Whitesboro, and of their five children four 
are living. 



154 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

GEORGE E. DUNHAM. 

George Earl Dunham, editor of the Utica Daily Press and president of the Press 
Publishing Company, was born in Clayville, Oneida county, April 5 1859, the only 
child of Rev. Moses E. Dunham, D. D, Ph. D., and Harriet (Hughston) Dunham. 
He was graduated from Whitestown Seminary in 1875 and from Hamilton College 
in 1879, being the youngest member of his class at both institutions.' He was for a 
year a clerk in the office of Edwin Baylies at Johnstown, N. Y.. one of the ablest 
law writers of his time, and the author of Baylies's Questions and Answers, Baylies 
on Guaranty and Suretyship, and several other standard works. In 1880 Mr. Dun- 
ham was admitted to practice law and became a member of the firm of Baylies & 
Dunham. The firm did much work in the line of law book writing, being employed 
on various editions of William Wait's publications and several other legal books. A 
year later Mr. Dunham returned to Oneida county to become vice-principal of 
Whitestown Seminary, of which his father was principal. In 1882 he came to Utica 
as a reporter on the Press and has since remained with that paper. The Utica Daily 
Press, from anything but an auspicious beginning, has become one of the leading 
and most prosperous papers in Central New York. It was started in March, 1882, by 
printers who had left the Herald two days before, and whose facilities were decidedly 
limited. The first number had four small pages by no means of attractive appear- 
ance. Mr. Dunham went to the Press the following July, and at one time or an- 
other has held every situation on the editorial staff. In 1886 he became president of 
the company and editor of the paper and has continued in these positions ever since. 
At the same election T. R. Proctor was chosen vice-president and Otto A. Meyer 
secretary treasurer and business manager. The improvement and growth of the 
Press have been steady and permanent, till now it enjoys the largest circulation in 
its field. 

The Press has become a potent factor in local politics, and has won the respect 
and confidence of all classes of citizens. In 1888 Mr. Dunham was appointed a 
manager of the Utica State Hospital for the Insane and was reappointed by Gov. 
Flower and three years later by Gov. Morton. He was appointed by Mayor Kinney 
chairman of the Utica Electric Light Commission and served three years. He was 
elected a trustee of Hamilton College in 1891 and was re elected in 1895. 

Mr. Dunham was married to Miss Helen L. Jones, of Utica, January 9, 1884. They 
have had one child, a daughter, who died in infancy. 



E. PRENTISS BAILEY. 

E. Prentiss Bailey, editor of the Utica Observer and president of the corporation 
of E. P. Bailey & Co., was born in the town of Manlius, near Fayetteville, Onon- 
daga county, N. Y., August 15, 1834 and is a grandson of Rev. Elijah Bailey, of 
Vermont, an able Methodist preacher and writer, one of his books, " Bailey on the 
Trinity," being still preserved. Mr. Bailey's parents were Wesley and Eunice 
(Kinne) Bailey, his mother's being one of the oldest and most respected families in 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 155 

the town of Onondaga. Rev. Wesley Bailey spent most of his time as a journalist, 
and in this profession achieved no little prominence. He established the first news- 
paper, called The Luminary, in the village of Fayetteville. In 1842, at the request 
of Alvan Stewart and other prominent Abolitionists, he moved with his family to 
Utica and founded a new Abolition paper, called the Liberty Press, to take the place 
of the Friend of Man, which had been mobbed. The Liberty Press, under the 
Rev. Mr. Bailey's able guidance as editor and proprietor, gained what was then re- 
garded as a wide circulation and from the first exerted a marked influence in its 
field. He remained in active charge until 1849, when the name of the paper was 
changed to the Utica Tetotaller and its purpose to the temperance cause, in defer- 
ence to the great Washingtonian movement which swept over the country during the 
middle of this century. Rev. Mr. Bailey was grand Scribe of the Sons of Temper- 
ance when that organization was at its height, and continued editor of the Tetotaller 
until he was elected State prison inspector in 1856. His official duties then occupied 
his time until the close of his residence in New York State in 1860, when he removed 
to Iowa, where he died in February, 1891, at the age of eighty-three. 

E. Prentiss Bailey received his preliminary education in a private school and 
Hyde's Academy of Fayetteville, and in 1842 came with his father's family to Utica, 
where he has ever since resided. Here he continued his studies in the Advanced 
school and in Barrett's Latin Grammar School, and when twelve years of age entered 
his father's office to learn the printer's trade. He remained with his father, acquir- 
ing a practical knowledge of the business, until 1853, when he was invited to accept 
a position in the office of the Utica Daily Observer, then published by De Witt C. 
Grove and edited by John B. Miller. Mr. Bailey's duties embraced those of reporter, 
telegraph editor, and general all round journalist, and that he discharged them to the 
satisfaction of all concerned is evident from the responsibilities subsequently placed 
upon him. In 1857 Mr. Miller was appointed by President Buchanan U. S. consul 
to Hamburg, and thereafter for nearly ten years Mr. Bailey was the only person 
employed on the Observer. During this period he performed nearly all the 
reportorial and editorial work, a task almost incomprehensible in this age of 
specialists. In 186 ? he purchased an interest in the paper, and with Mr. Grove 
formed the firm of Grove & Bailey, which continued the publication until 1875, when 
the firm was succeeded by a corporation bearing the same name, with Col. Theodore 
P. Cook as stockholder and secretary. The relations of Messrs. Grove and Bailey 
were most felicitous from December, 1853, to September, 1883, a continuous period of 
nearly thirty years, and ceased only because of the fatal illness of Mr. Grove, who 
died in New York city in March 1884. In 1883 the corporate name of the firm was 
changed to E. P. Bailey & Co. , which still continues, the executive officers at this time 
being E. Prentiss Bailey, president; Thomas F. Clarke, vice-president; and Lansing 
C. Bailey, secretary. In March, 1884, the most destructive fire that Utica has ever 
known included the Observer office and plant, which- stood on the site now occupied 
by the Martin block on Genesee street. This was a serious blow, but the enterpris- 
ing owners quickly recovered and purchased a suitable lot in the rear of and adjoin- 
ing the government building, whereon the present handsome brick structure was 
erected and occupied solely by the Observer the same year. 

Mr. Bailey's career in the field of journalism, either as printer, reporter, or editor, 



150 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

covers half a century, and during a large part of that time he has held not only the 
foremost place in his profession in Oneida county, but a leading position among the 
eminent journalists of the State, and he also enjoys a high reputation throughout the 
country. For forty-three years he has been connected with the Observer, for nearly 
thirty years he has been one of its proprietors, and for more than a dozen years the 
editor-in-chief. He has seen the circulation of both the daily and the weekly 
increase twenty-fold, and to him is mainly due its wonderful progress and prestige. 
His brilliant pen has guided it triumphantly through many political campaigns and 
public movements, while his able mind and sound judgment have directed its course as 
an educational medium. He has always stood for reform, for good government, for 
honesty, for justice, and for the rights of the people. Fearless in his utterances, 
candid, logical, and broad in the expression of his views, conservative yet progressive 
in all that affects the welfare of the community, he has conscientiously represented 
the best interests of the people and staunchly advocated the highest principles of 
civilization. As a writer he is terse and comprehensive, critical, sarcastic, or 
laudatory as the subject may demand, and always strikes at the very root of the 
case under consideration. Endowed with talents of a high order and imbued with 
lofty ideals he has long wielded a powerful and wholesome influence in political, 
social, and civil affairs, and enjoys the respect and confidence not only of his con- 
stituents but of his opponents as well. In politics he has always been an unswerving 
Democrat, consistent, true to his convictions, and a leader among leaders. In his 
editorial capacity he has ably supported such eminent statesmen as Seymour, Tilden, 
and Cleveland. He has made the Observer a power for right and justice, for purity 
of morals, and for reform in municipal affairs, and among the numerous contests 
growing out of its representations of corruption and bad conduct a large number of 
libel suits have been brought against its management. In this respect the Observer 
has probably encountered more libel suits than any other paper in Central or West- 
ern New York. But it has never compromised, never settled a prosecution for libel, 
and never lost a case, facts which admirably illustrate its fearless and honest 
advocacy of purity in politics and in society. The Observer office, during Mr. 
Bailey's long and ablemanagement, has been one of the leading schools for journalists 
in the State, and counts among its graduates a number of newspaper men who have 
attained distinction. Harold Frederic, the talented author, and the London .cor- 
respondent of the New York Times, began his eminently successful career on the 
Observer's staff. E. M. Rewey, afterward the editor and proprietor of the Worcester 
(Mass.) Daily Press and at present one of Charles A. Dana's lieutenants in the New 
York Sun office, commenced his journalistic work here, as did also Edwin Atwell, 
recently the editor of the Albany State, and John B. Howe, the able editor of the 
Rochester Herald. Others who have won honor in the field of journalism might be 
included in the list, and it may be safely stated that success and reputation have 
attended their efforts. 

As a citizen Mr. Bailey has always taken a keen and often an active interest in 
public affairs, and no man is more thoroughly identified with]the city's growth and 
prosperity. His first public office was that of school commissioner, which he held six 
years. In 1886 President Cleveland appointed him a commissioner to examine 
a newly completed part of the Pacific Railroad in Washington territory. In 1887 he 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 157 

was appointed postmaster of Utica and held the office until February 1891, or nearly • 
four vears, one-half of the time under President Harrison and Postmaster General 
Wanamaker. On Governor Flower's reorganization of the State Civil Service Com- 
mission Mr. Bailey was appointed a commissioner and became president of the board, 
resigning December 31, 1895. In March, 1896, President Cleveland ended a long 
local contention by again appointing him postmaster of Utica, although he was not 
at that time a candidate for the office. Mr. Bailey early became identified with the 
management of the New York State Associated Press and was for four years, be- 
ginning with 1887, its president and for many years a member of its executive com- 
mittee. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for more than thirty years, 
is a charter member of Faxton Lodge F. & A. M., and a member of Yah-nun-dah-sis 
Lodge A. & A. S. Rite. For many years, from about 1860, he was a director of the 
Utica Mechanics' Association and for seven years its president. He was one of the 
incorporators and is a manager of the Utica Homoeopathic Hospital. 

Mr. Bailey was married, first, on September 23, 1857, to Miss Julia S. Wetherby, 
of Dewitt, Onondaga county, who died July 9, 1860, leaving one daughter, now 
Mrs. Edward H. Wells, of Utica. He was married, second, in Brooklyn, N. Y., on 
June 24, 1868, to Miss Hannah Chapman, who is vice-president of the Utica 
Homoeopathic Hospital, and who has long been prominent in charitable and church 
work in the city. They have had four children: Lansing C.,' secretary of the cor- 
poration of E. P. Bailey & Co. and a member of the editorial staff of the Observer; 
Clinton Grove, who died in infancy; Prentiss, who is connected with the business 
department of the Observer; and Bessie Carleton, at home. 



CHARLES W. HUTCHINSON. 

The records and traditions of the Hutchinsons are that the founder of this old 
family is traced back to the tenth century and came from Cranborg, in the Danish 
island of Zealand, with Harold Harefoot, as he was then designated in Latin Uiion- 
enis, meaning a native of Witton. The family settled in England at or near Mid- 
dleham, in the bishopric of Durham, and they were free tenants of the Prince Bishops 
of that manor, particularly Cornforth and Humber Knowles, after the Conquest. 
Eleazer Hutchinson, the ancestor of this branch of the family, came to America in 
1633 and afterward settled at Lebanon, now Andover, Conn. There were four of 
his name in direct descent. Eleazer the second married Ruth Long. They had 
seven children, Amaziah, the father of Holmes Hutchinson, being the third son, who 
was born December 14, 1762. He married Elizabeth Mack, March 30, 1791. They 
had ten children, Holmes being the second son. His mother's godmother was Sy- 
bella Browne, the only daughter of Sir John Browne. Viscount Montague, of London- 
derry, Ireland, who married John Mack, who with his wife and William, his son, 
came from the town of Armagh to America in 1732 and settled at Londonderry, N. 
H. Tradition records that Isabella Browne, thecousin of Sybella, wasmarried to the 
grandfather of Gov. George Clinton, of New York. 

Hon. Charles W. Hutchinson's father, Holmes Hutchinson, was born in Genoa, 



158 OUR COUNTY AlSD ITS PEOPLE. 

Cayuga count)', N. Y., January 5, 1794, became an eminent civil engineer, removed 
to Utica in 1819, and was almost constantly employed as an engineer on the Erie 
canal and its enlargement and other canals of the State from that date until 1835, 
when he was appointed chief engineer of the middle division, which position he held 
until 1841. During this period he made the maps and surveys of the Erie canal from 
Canastota to the Hudson River; the Black River, Cayuga, Crooked Lake, Chemung, 
and Seneca Canals; the Glens Falls feeder and the Rochester aqueduct; and of a 
proposed canal on Long Island uniting Jamaica Bay with Rockaway Inlet. His re- 
port to the Legislature, dated March 26, 1826 says "that constructing nine miles of 
canal through the inland bays forms a continuous navigation from Sag Harbor to the 
city of New York, a distance of 115 miles," and he recommended its construction. 
In 1889, after a lapse of sixty-three years, this project was again brought into 
prominence. . In 1825 he was engaged as chief engineer by the Connecticut River 
Company upon the recommendation of Gov. De Witt Clinton, of New York, to sur- 
vey a route of water communication from Barnet, in Vermont, to the city of Hart- 
ford, Conn., a distance of 219 miles. Upon receiving his report the directors of the 
company said "that Mr. Hutchinson had fully justified their high-wrought anticipa- 
tions." In 1826 he was appointed by the authorities of the State of Rhode Island 
chief engineer of the construction of the Blackstone Canal from the city of Provi- 
dence to Worcester, Mass. In 1828 he was chief engineer of the construction of the 
Oxford and Cumberland Canal in Maine. He married, February 15,1824, Maria Abeel 
Webster, the second daughter of Joshua Webster, M. D., of Fort Plain, N.Y., who was 
one of the most prominent among the early physicians of the Mohawk Valley. Dr. 
Webster was a lineal descendant of Thomas Webster, of Ipswich, England, and was 
a son of John Webster, of Scarboro, Me. He was surgeon of the 138th Regt. N. Y. 
Vols, during the war of 1812 and was a member of the State Legislature in 1822. 
Dr. Webster married Catharine Wagner, whose mother was the daughter of John 
Abeel, the Indian trader, whose father, Johannes Abeel, resided in Albany, and was 
recorder and mayor of that city during the years 1694 and 1695 and also during 1709 
and 1710. He was also one of the commissioners of Indian affairs from 1706 to 1710. 
Mrs. Webster's great-grandfather was Johan Peter Wagner, who, with William Fox, 
had the distinction of being the first of the Palatinates who settled in the Mohawk 
Vallev, easterly of the Garoga Creek, in the town of Palatine, in 1723. Mr. Wagner's 
son, also Johan Peter, was a member ot the committee of safety during the Rev 
olution, and was lieutenant-colonel in the regiment of Colonel Cox at the battle 
of Oriskany, August 6, 1777, in which battle two of bis sons, Johan Peter and 
Johan Georg, and other members of the Wagner family, were also engaged. After 
General Herkimer was wounded and Col. Ebenezer Cox was killed tradition says 
that Colonel Wagner took command of the brigade, which resulted in the victory so 
decisive for the American forces. Mr. Hutchinson was prominent in many of the 
early enterprises in the State. He was one of the early directors of the Syracuse and 
Utica Railroad, of the Lake Ontario Steamboat Company, of the Bank of Utica, and 
other corporations; and was for some years president of the Syracuse and Oswego 
Railroad. He was quiet in his demeanor and courteous in speech and manner, and 
all who were brought in contact with him accorded him their respect and esteem , 
and acknowledged his high sense of honor and scrupulous integrity. He died 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 159 

suddenly at his residence in the city of Utica, February 21, 1865, aged seventy-one 
years. 

Hon. Charles Webster Hutchinson, son of Holmes and Maria Abeel (Webster) 
Hutchinson, was born July 4, 1826, in Providence, R. I., where hisparents were then 
temporarily residing. His birth took place at the residence of Maj. Samuel McClel- 
lan. Mr. Hutchinson has been a resident of the city of Utica from the year 1827, and 
here he received his early education under such prominent instructors as Thomas 
Towell, William Backus, William Williams, William C. Barrett, David Prentice, 
LL. D., George Perkins, LL. D. , and others. At the age of fifteen he entered the Sci- 
entific Department at Geneva College, devoting himself principally to these studies 
aud the modern languages. He was afterward appointed to a position as clerk in the 
office of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad Company at Utica. He resigned this posi- 
tion in 18i7, having been appointed teller of the Fort Plain Bank, and acted for the 
three subsequent years in that capacity. Returning to Utica he assumed charge of 
the combined interests of his father and Hon. Horatio Seymour in the manufacturing 
firm of E. K. Browning & Co., but after few months he took charge under his own 
name and devoted himself to its interests until the autumn of 1865, when he dis- 
posed of the business and went to Europe with his wife, passing between two and 
three years in travel upon the continent and a winter in Africa and Egypt, returning 
to Italy by the Mediterranean and Sicily. Upon his return to Utica he took an active 
interest in matters of a public character, and for several years was a director of the 
Utica Mechanics Association. He was vice-president and presiding officer of the 
New York State Sportsmen's Association for several years from its organization, and 
was a member of the first committee who presented a revision of the game laws to 
the Legislature of this State, which were adopted, and in 1871 he was elected its presi- 
dent. He was elected mayor cf the city of Utica in 1875, and during his term of 
office a number of important local measures were successfully inaugurated and com- 
pleted. Several artistic fountains were erected in the public parks, and the latter 
beautified and reclaimed from their former neglected condition ; several i ulvens were 
built, and the work of filling the streets over them was rapidly pushed forward, the 
benefits of which were soon proved by the rapid improvements and growth of the 
easterly part of the city. His administration was marked by a judicious economy in 
public expenditures, and many improvements were inaugurated to the ultimate ad- 
vancement of the interests of the city. The year of his mayoralty, being notable as 
the centennial year, was a period which brought into more than ordinary prominence 
the local executive officials throughout the country. During that year the citizens of 
Utica extended the hospitalities of the city for the ninth annual reunion of the Army of 
the Cumberland, which invitations were accepted for the dates of September 15th and 
16th. Mayor Hutchinson, in his official capacity as chief magistrate, made the ad- 
dress of welcome in the opera house, and addresses were also delivered by Hon. 
Horatio Seymour, Hon. Roscoe Conkling, and other citizens. Among those present 
were President Grant, Vice-President Henry Wilson, several members of the national 
cabinet, and judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, while the army was 
represented by General Sherman and his staff, and Generals Joseph Hooker, H. W. 
Slocum, H. A. Barnum, J. G. Parkhurst, Henry M. Cist, Daniel Butterfield, J. S. 
Fullerton, David S. Stanley, A. G. McCook, James McOuade, J. B. Kiddoo, Frank 



160 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Wheaton, James G. Grindlay, W. H. Christian, andmany other distinguished Union 
commanders. His Excelleney Governor Samuel J. Tilden wastheguest of Mr. Hutch- 
inson, and with him were other prominent State officials, constituting altogether one 
of the most distinguished gatherings of national and State dignitariesever assembled 
outside of the capital of the nation. The reunion was a grand success and was fully ap- 
preciated by all the delegates and guests who were in attendance, and they expressed 
the highest gratification at the attention shown them by the citizens and their liber- 
ality of entertainment and generous hospitality. The reunion closed with a recep- 
tion and ball at the opera house, President Grant and Governor Tilden receiving in 
the proscenium boxes. One of the guests wrote of it as follows: 

"No notice of this event, written at the late hour required by circumstances, can 
do justice to its elegance and success in every particular. Each succeeding 
moment seemed to be more and more enjoyable, and the culmination was a grand 
triumph. Nothing of the kind ever before attemptedin this city or vicinity equalled 
it; it reflected the greatest credit upon the city and the good people who tendered it 
with the most perfect cordiality to their honored guests, the brave men of the So- 
ciety of the Army of the Cumberland. It will be a long time ere the bright dream 
will be forgotten." 

Mr. Hutchinson was prominent in organizing the Utica Park Association, and was 
its president from its incorporation in 1872 until 18S9, excepting three terms, when, 
other matters engrossing his attention, he declined an election. This park property 
was estimated to have cost over §150,000, but it was sold by him to the State Masonic 
Home in 1889 for the sum of 875,000. To this noble charity, in which as a Mason 
Mr- Hutchinson was deeply interested, he donated toward this purchase price the 
sum of §25,000. As a Mason he is a member of Utica Lodge, Oneida Chapter, Utica 
Commandery of Knights Templar, and Yah-nun-dah-f is Lodge of Perfection, and 
has taken the 32d degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Cosmopolitan 
Consistory of New York. He is also prominent in the order of Odd Fellows and for 
a time was colonel and chief of equipment of the Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., in 
the Department of the Atlantic. He was for several years president of the Utica 
Club, and is a member of the Democratic and Manhattan Clubs of New York city. 
In association with Alexander Seward, S. N. D. North, John F. Seymour, and 
Morven M. Jones he was one of the founders and organizers of the Oneida His- 
torical Society, of which the late Hon. Horatio Seymour was president until his 
death in 1886. During this period Mr. Hutchinson was first vice-president, acting 
president, or a member of the board of counselors, and since 1891 he has been its 
president. He has delivered several addresses before the society upon subjects re- 
lating to the early history of the Mohawk Valley, and was a member of the com- 
mittee of five which selected the design and erected the monument commemorating 
the battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777. He is also a corresponding member of 
several historical societies. For many years he devoted much time to the study of 
ethnolcgy, history, and allied subjects, and his library is large and valuable in rare 
books in both English and foreign languages. One of his favorite studies is that of 
Iudianology, especially relating to the Iroquois or tribes of the Six Nations. His 
cabinet of Indian curios and relics is one of the most noted in the State, and was 
exhibited at the Bartholdi Exhibition in New York, at the Albany Bi-Centennial, 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 161 

and at the International Fair at Buffalo in 1888. In appreciation of the warm inter- 
est he has taken in matters relating to the condition and welfare of the Iroquois, 
Mr. Hutchinson was adopted by them and given the name of " Gy-ant-wa-ka" (The 
Cornplanter) by a council of the Senecas on their reservation June 15, 1885. 

Mr. Hutchinson has held many important corporate positions. He was president 
of the Utica and Mohawk Railroad Company and finally became the owner of that 
road. He has also officiated as president of the Central New York Agricultural 
Association and trustee of the Holland Trust Company of New York city, and is 
largely interested in real estate and in manufacturing enterprises of Utica. He was 
elected a vestryman of Trinity church, Utica, in 1861, and warden in 1887. This 
church is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in Central or Western New York, 
having been organized May 24, 1803, and incorporated August 14, 1804. 

October 9, 1851, Mr. Hutchinson was married by Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, sub- 
sequently bishop of Rhode Island, to Miss Laura Clark Beckwith, eldest daughter of 
the late Alonzo S. Beckwith, a prominent citizen of Hartford, Conn. She died 
April 11, 1883, leaving no children. She was active and generous in all charitable 
movements, and her sister and herself were the "two founders" of the House of 
of the Good Shepherd, that benevolent institution whose mission is the care of little 
children. 



GARRY A. WILLARD. 

Garry Aaron Willard was born in Boonville, Oneida county, in 1861, the sixth 
of a family of eight children. His forefathers were numbered among the hardy 
settlers of New England and were among the first to enlist under the banners of the 
Granite State boys which were carried through the Revolutionary war. Aaron Wil- 
lard, his grandfather, came to Boonville from Veunont at the beginning of the pres- 
ent century, and being a farmer by occupation industriously plied his vocation near 
that village, clearing away the virgin forests in order to plant his crops. Among his 
sons was Harvey P. Willard, father of Garry A., who possessed fine intellectual at- 
tainments, scholarly tastes of a high order, and abilities which were early recog- 
nized. He was educated at the Boonville Academy, and after his graduation and 
for a period of twenty years taught school in Kentucky and in various places in the 
State of New York. In 1861 he purchased the Boonville Herald, which he ably con- 
ducted until his death in 1887, making it one of the best and most influential weekly 
newspapers in the county. 

Garry A. Willard is one of the worthiest descendants of a family that has been 
known in Boonville since the organization of the town. At an early age he had 
mastered the printer's trade, and after his graduation from the Boonville Academy 
he completed his education at the Clinton (N. Y.) Grammar School. Returning to 
Boonville he took a position in the Herald office, mastering the details of every de- 
partment until, in 1891, he purchased the paper and became its sole responsible 
head. Since that period the paper under his management has grown until to-day 
the Herald plant is almost metropolitan in its character and the paper is extensively 



162 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

circulated throughout Oneida, Lewis and Herkimer counties. A sturdy, never- 
swerving Republican, of pleasing address and of the courage of his convictions at 
all times, Mr. Willard could not well escape the notice of those high in the councils 
of his party. In 1891 he was appointed postmaster of Boonville by President Har- 
rison and served a full term, and until his successor was appointed by President 
Cleveland, giving the best of satisfaction and making the office rank among the 
highest in its class. In 1895 he became the candidate of his party for county clerk 
and was elected by the handsome majority of 8,500. His prominence in local affairs 
and the confidence reposed in him by the people of Boonville is best attested by the 
fact that he was chosen president of the Board of Education in 1892 and re-elected 
in 1893, 1894 and 1895. He is public spirited, progressive, and enterprising, and 
takes a keen interest in the welfare and advancement of the community.. 

In 1884 Mr. Willard married Julia H., eldest daughter of C. W. Colton, one of 
Boonville's best known merchants. One child, a daughter, blessed their union. The 
family residence on Schuyler street is one of the handsomest m that village of lovely 
homes. 



M. M. BAGG, M.D. 

Moses Mears Bagg, M.D., is a grandson of Moses Bagg, sr. , who in the autumn 
of 1793 came with his wife and two sons to what was known as Middle Settlement 
and on March 12, 1794, moved thence to Old Fort Schuyler. He settled and finally 
bought of Mr. Bleecker four acres of land where Bagg's Hotel now stands, and then 
practiced his trade of blacksmith and also opened his log house for the accommoda- 
tion of travelers. Soon afterward he erected a two-story frame building on the 
same site. He was succeeded by his son, Moses Bagg, jr., who in 1812-15 built on 
the site of this "wooden structure the central portion of the brick hotel which still 
bears the family name, and who continued as proprietor until 1836. Moses Bagg, jr. , 
came here with his parents from Westfield, Mass. He married Sophia, daughter of 
Matthew Derbyshire, of Hartwick, Otsego county, N. Y., and a recent immigrant 
from Yorkshire, England, and in this now famous hotel their son, Dr. Bagg, was 
born July 13, 1816. 

Dr. Bagg received his earlier education in part at the Utica Academy, but chiefly 
in the Utica High School, now extinct, which was kept by Charles Bartlett in 
the eastern portion of the city. He entered the sophomore year of the class of 
1836 at Hamilton College, finished this and the junior year, and as there was 
temporarily no president to instruct the senior students, he went to Yale College 
to complete his course and was graduated from that institution in 1837. After a 
year spent in teaching in Baltimore, Md., in an institution known as Mt. Hope, he 
began the study of medicine with the late Dr. Charles B. Coventry, of Utica, and 
attended two courses of lectures at Geneva Medical College, where Dr. Coventry 
was one of the professors, and where he received his degree after spending a winter 
studying medicine in Philadelphia. For one year he was a partier with his precep- 
tor and then went to Paris, 'France, where he was engaged in attendance on lectures 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 163 

and hospitals and in travel for about fifteen months. Returning to Utica in the 
summer of 1845 he opened an office and waited for practice. For two years he was 
city physician, having the care of the sick poor of the whole city during half this time 
and of one-half of them during the remaining period. He was also at one time the 
health officer, and at a later period he was for five years physician in charge of the 
city hospital. His practice increased steadily and became in time absorbing. Other 
duties somewhat alien to it and occupying a limited portion of his time were the 
teaching of rhetoric and composition in the Utica Female Academy for four or five 
years and of French in the Free Academy for two years, as a substitute for the reg- 
ular teacher, who was incapacitated by illness. Of both these institutions Dr. Bagg 
was a trustee ; of the former board for man)' years the secretary and now, as senior 
member, its president. 

Dr. Bagg eventually built up a large practice and became one of the foremost 
physicians of the city. He has always been regarded as an able and talented 
practitioner, a wise counsellor, and a kind and sympathetic friend. Few men 
have ever won a warmer place in the hearts and affections of the people than 
has he. His genial nature, his honesty and uprightness, his benevolent spirit, his 
unfailing sympathy for the afflicted, his words of wisdom and encouragement, his 
cheerful disposition, have always made him a welcome visitor at the bedside or in 
the family circle. Charitable, kind hearted, and friendly he acquired a high repu- 
tation and generously met every demand upon his time and means. In the Oneida 
County Medical Society, of which he is one of the oldest living members, he has 
occupied several positions from secretary to president. As a member of the New 
York State Medical Society he has been censor of the middle district. In 1864 he 
was employed for a few weeks by the New York State agency in caring for the sick 
and wounded soldiers at Washington, and for two years — 1883-85 — he was one of 
the board of pension examiners. 

Dr. Bagg has for many years been deeply interested in the history of his native 
city and has been the means of collecting and preserving more historical matter 
than any other man. In 1877 he published the " Pioneers of Utica," a volume of in- 
estimable value to the local historian and biographer. In 1892 he edited for the pub- 
lishers a large volume entitled " Memorial History of Utica," bringing the story of 
the city's growth and development down to a recent period. He is the author of 
several published addresses, mostly historical in character. These were two ad- 
dresses before the County Medical Society and one before the managers of the Utica 
Orphan Asylum, of which he has been a medical attendant since its organization. 
He has also read a paper before the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association, a 
semi-centennial address before the Oneida County Bible Society, and an annual 
address and two or three other papers before the Oneida Historical Society. Of 
this latter organization he has been an interested participant since it was founded 
and is at present its librarian, Probably no man has taken a deeper or more active 
interest in its growth and welfare. He is also a member of the Reformed church of 
Utica and for some fifty years has been one of its consistory. In all these connec- 
tions, in the elevation of society, and in the advancement of the city Dr. Bagg's 
enthusiasm and loyalty have known no bounds. He is public spirited, energetic, 
and progressive, and takes a just pride in aiding every cause for the betterment of 
humanity. 



164 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

On November 22, 1847, Dr. Bagg was married to Miss Maria R., daughter of Sam. 
uel Farwell, of Utica, and they have two sons, both residents of Watertown, N. Y. , 
and four daughters, who with his wife constitute his family in Utica. 



ALFRED C. COXE. 

Hon. Alfred C. Coxe was born in Auburn, N. Y., and came of distinguished an- 
cestry. His father was the venerable Rev. Dr. S. Hanson Coxe, for many years rec- 
tor of Trinity Church, Utica, and he was the son of an eminent Presbyterian divine 
and a brother of Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe of Buffalo, N. Y. , bishop of the diocese 
of Western New York. His mother was a sister of Roscoe Conkling, and a daughter 
of Judge Alfred Conkling, for a long time judge of the United States District 
Court for the Northern District of New York, author of "Conkling's Treatise," a 
standard work on practice in the federal courts, and of "Conkling's Admiralty," 
and once United States Minister to Mexico. 

Judge Coxe was educated in the common schools of Utica, at the Oxford Academy, 
and at Hamilton College. He was admitted to the bar in 1868 and practiced alone 
in the city of Utica until 1870, when he entered the firm of Conkling, Holmes & 
Coxe, of Utica, composed of United States Senator Roscoe Conkling, Ex-Judge Sid- 
ne}' T. Holmes and Mr. Coxe. Judge Holmes retired from the partnership in 1872, 
owing to ill health, and was succeeded by Hon. Scott Lord, and that firm under the 
name of Conkling, Lord & Coxe continued until 1875, when it was dissolved on ac- 
count of the election of Judge Lord to Congress. From that time until 1882 Judge 
Coxe remained alone in practice, retaining the clientage of the old firm. 

In a sketch written by a friend and a leading member of the Oneida county 
bar, the following tribute is paid to Judge Coxe's ability as a trial lawyer: 
"He was thorough in the preparation of his cases and successful in conducting them. 
Always attending faithfully to the details of his side of a litigation, and taking good 
care of the law questions arising, he was at his best addressing a jury. Having an 
excellent voice and a fine presence, attractive, earnest, persuasive, as the occasion 
would justify, he was humorous, he was pathetic, or he rose to the heights of elo- 
quence." 

Judge Coxe has always been an ardent Republican. In 1879 and 1880 he was 
president of the Young Men's Republican Club of Utica. In 1880 he was appointed 
by Gov. A. B. Cornell one of the managers of the Utica State Hospital. Inthespring 
of 1882 President Arthur appointed him United States district judge for the North- 
ern District of New York, the position held by his grandfather, Alfred Conkling, half 
a century before. The district is in territory and population the largest in the United 
States. Judge Coxe is an indefatigable worker and promptly disposes of the busi- 
ness of his court. Most of his time is devoted to the trial and determination of patent 
cases, of which, it is said, he has in his term of office tried more than any other judge 
now on the bench in the United States. It is stated that his decision of a patent 
cause has never been reversed by the Supreme Court. He has also tried many ad- 
miralty causes, and in only one instance had his decision under this branch of the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 165 

law been reversed. In his handling of a complex issue of law the judicial mind of 
the man is displayed to the best advantage. He goes at once to the heart of the 
subject, treats it in a lucid and perspicuous style, and renders just judgment upon 
the merits. As the writer before quoted, says: "He prefers to err on the side of 
equity and justice, rather than permit wrong to triumph on naked precedent or the 
bare letter of the law." Bred a gentlemen, by education and training a scholar, and 
gifted with rare judicial temperament, Judge Coxe is an honor to the bench of the 
United States. 

In 1S78 Judge Coxe married Miss Maryette Doolittle, daughter of the late Judge 
Charles ,H. Doolittle, of Utica, who at the time of his death was a justice of the 
Supreme Court. 



WILLIAM E. SCRIPTURE. 

Hon. William E. Scripture, justice of the Supreme Court, was born in the town 
of Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., November 2, 1843. He descends, on his 
father's side, from Sterling Welsh ancestry, whose first American representative 
emigrated to this country and settled in New Hampshire about the year 1700. His 
grandfather, Hiram Scripture, was a native of Tolland county, Conn., and in 1797 
came to Westmoreland, where he married, in March, 1798, Miss Elizabeth Parker, a 
native of Boston, whose parents were born in Ireland. He died there, aged seventy- 
seven, as did also his wife, at the age of ninety-three. Her family settled in West- 
moreland about 1794. Parker A. Scripture, son of Hiram, was born in that town 
October 23, 1814, spent his life upon a farm there, and in 1874 came to Rome, where 
he was accidentally killed October 26, 1875. He married Miss Harriet Stan dish 
Snow, daughter of Wilson Snow, who survives him. She was born in Plymouth, 
Mass., and is a lineal descendant of Capt. Miles Standish, one of the Pilgrims of the 
Mayflower and captain of the Plymouth colony, whom Longfellow immortalized in 
the celebrated poem, "The Courtship of Miles Standish." She is also descended 
from the Murdock family, whose ancestor came over soon after 1620. They had 
three children: Sarah E. (Mrs. C. H. Steele), William E., and Phebe P. 

Judge Scripture was reared on the parental farm in Westmoreland and in early 
life attended the district schools of that town. He was graduated from Whitestown 
Seminary in 1865 and in the fall of that year entered Hamilton College in the class 
of 1869. Illness, however, compelled him to give up a cherished collegiate course 
and turn his attention to healthier exercise. By the autumn of 1866 his health was 
sufficiently restored to enable him to enter the Albany Law School, where he was 
admitted to the bar in May, 1867. He then came to Rome as managing clerk in 
the law office of Beach & Bailey, whence he left in January, 1868 to begin the active 
practice of his profession in Canastota, N. Y., under the firm name of Hutchins & 
Scripture. In the fall of that year he returned to Rome, where he has ever since 
resided. Here he first resumed practice under the name of Weld & Scripture, but 
one year later formed a copartnership with Homer T. Fowler as Scripture & 
Fowler. Subsequently he was associated with George H. Weaver, E. M. Pavey, and 
O. P. Backus, and since 1892 has practiced alone. 



166 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Judge Scripture is widely recognized as an able, conscientious, and reliable coun- 
selor, well versed in the practice of the law, and qualified by nature for a success- 
ful and influential advocate. An unswerving Republican he has for several years 
taken an active part in politics, working for the good of his party as one of its 
popular leaders. For nearly four years he served as postmaster at Rome under 
President Harrison, and in November, 1895, was elected justice of the Supreme 
Court by the largest majority given to any candidate in this district on the Repub- 
lican ticket. 

In August, 1867, Judge Scripture was married to Miss Emma C. Goodwin, daugh- 
ter of Israel F. Goodwin, of Westmoreland. They have had eight children: May 
Standish, Mina Emma, Ella Goodwin, Emma Harriet, Ruth, Vina, Parker Fairfield, 
and William. 



HENRY J. COGGESHALL. 

Hon. Henry J. Coggkshall, lawyer, was born April 28, 1845, in Waterville, 
Oneida county, N. Y., where he has always resided. His ancestors emigrated from 
England in 1632 with Ann Hutchinson, and settled in Massachusetts. Driven from 
that colony on account of religious convictions, they went to Rhode Island, where 
John Coggeshall became provisional governor. Thus it will be seen that the subject 
of this sketch, the present senator from Oneida county, sprang from stock that was 
born to rule, or to sway and influence those with whom he came in contact. Senator 
Coggeshall' s grandfather, when quite a young man, settled in Chenango county, 
N. Y., where he held several local offices, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. 
He rose to the rank of colonel of the State militia, and in 1840 removed with his 
family to Waterville- His son, Dr. James S. Coggeshall, the senator's father, was a 
physician of wide and honorable repute. Henry J. Coggeshall was educated in the 
Waterville Seminary, but on account of impaired health, through overstudy, was 
obliged to give up a contemplated collegiate course, and decided, after a suitable 
rest, to enter upon the study of law. Having pursued his studies for a term of 
four years, he was admitted to the bar. He commenced the practice of law in 1866, 
and at once attained a prominent and successful position in the profession. 

Mr. Coggeshall was the possessor of a laudable and masterful ambition, and he 
likewise cherished a catholic and sympathetic spirit. His natural tendencies and his 
acquired tastes led him quite easily away from the active practice of the law, and 
into the broader and more exciting field of politics. He made an early alliance with 
the Republican party, and such was his zeal and energy and devotion to the prin- 
ciples of his chosen organization that he was called frequently to the occupation of 
public office. His first public position was that of assistant district attorney. In 
1872 he was elected to the Legislature as member of assembly from the Second 
District of Oneida county, and in 1879 was elected county clerk. He served in that 
office until January 1, 1883. In November of that year he was elected to the State 
Senate, and is still a member of that body. During his senatorial service (which has 
extended over a period of thirteen years) he has been a member of many important 




licutjuC 




BIOGRAPHICAL. 167 

committees; he has been chairman of the committees on miscellaneous corporations 
and of railroads, and a member of the judiciary, insurance, commerce and naviga- 
tion, canals, public buildings, engrossed bills, general laws, and grievance com- 
mittees. His work as senator has been characterized by patience and industry, 
fidelity to every duty, a strict attention to all demands of the public, a careful con- 
sideration for the general weal, and an earnest advocacy of legislation beneficial to 
his own immediate constituents. He is interested in agricultural pursuits, and, be it 
said to his credit, he has always taken great interest in legislation looking to the 
benefit of the agricultural classes; and, at the same time, he has been the champion 
of wise and consistent legislation in behalf of the laboring classes of the State. 
His eloquence, tact, and parliamentary skill have always been used to the advantage 
of the people. He has advocated and caused to become laws the bills to abolish the 
State paper, to prohibit the adulteration of food, to prefer soldiers in civil service ex- 
aminations to exempt disabled soldiers from poll tax, to make the 30th of May a 
legal holiday, to abolish imprisonment of insolvent debtors, to prohibit employment 
of children under thirteen years of age in manufactories and to regulate the hours 
of labor therein, to prohibit the use of substitutes for hops in the manufacture of 
ale and beer, to prohibit the manufacture and sale of oleomargarine, to compel the 
use of fire escapes in hotels, public buildings, and manufactories, to substitute elec- 
tricity in the place of hanging in the execution of criminals, and to prevent hazing 
in colleges. He has at all times been an earnest advocate and champion of the 
rights of the common people. 

Senator Coggeshall possesses great powers of persuasive eloquence, coupled with 
the fine intuitions and lofty aspirations of the genuine poet. As an orator he is the 
possessor of a quick perception, a ready tact, a fluent diction, a magnetic presence, 
a comprehensive judgment. He is not only an eloquent orator, but he is remark ■ 
ably ready as a debater; quick to observe the salient weaknesses of his adversary, 
and sure of aim when seeking to pierce the armor of his opponent with the feather 
tipped shafts of sarcasm, or beating back the force of every assault with the skillful 
application of the mitrailleuse of repartee. Possessing, as he does, remarkable and 
brilliant gifts, Senator Coggeshall has long been an effective speaker upon the 
stump, a place w T hich he has graced honorably and successfully for many years. He 
has wide repute as a lecturer, and has written several poems of merit, notable 
among them being the poems entitled, "Papa, be True to Me," and "The Silver 
Wedding Day." Mr. Coggeshall is not alone an orator and a poet, and likewise a 
man of great public spirit and enterprise, but he is also so genial and pleasant and 
unaffected in his bearing that he commands everywhere the esteem and the admira- 
tion of the common people. Like all progressive men, and men who believe in the 
final triumph of the best qualities of humanity, Senator Coggeshall is versatile, 
widely read, carefully cultured, and able to think and to speak upon a large variety 
of subjects, especially those subjects which affect most directly and most potently 
the active, every day interests of mankind. 

At his home Mr. Coggeshall has long been favorably known and so highly esteemed 
as to prove an exception to the old adage that "A prophet is not without honor save 
in his own country, and among his own km." Where he is best known he is most 
highly regarded. In the village of Waterville he has been identified with every pub- 



168 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

lie measure, and has at all times taken an active interest in the promotion of its 
prosperity and success. He has served as a member of the board of trustees, and 
has been president of the Fire Department, and a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion of the village. Mr. Coggeshall is a member of various orders and organiza- 
tions. He is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, a member of the Order of Red 
Men, of the Patrons of Husbandry, of the Benevolent Order of Protective Elks, and 
of numerous other societies. 

In 1867 Senator Coggeshall married Lillie Alene Terry, of Waterville, N.Y. The • 
result of this union is five children, all bright, active, and strong in body, and 
scholarly in mental habit. These children have enjoyed not alone the example and 
the training of their father, but they owe much to the patient and persevering and 
ever-watchful care of a most admirable and self-denying mother. Senator Cogges- 
hall's oldest son is married and now lives in California. 

In concluding this brief and imperfect sketch of a useful life it is proper to state 
that Senator Coggeshall unites in his character and composition the active energy 
and the great perseverance of his Puritan ancestors, with the broad and generous 
and optimistic tendencies of the present times. He is patriotic both in the service of 
his State and in the frequently voiced sentiments of his heart. In fact it may be 
truthfully asserted that in Mr. Coggeshall are found those highest and best qualities 
which characterize a well-rounded, thoroughly ripened, and fully developed American 
citizen. 



FREDERICK G. WEAVER. 

Frederick George Weaver was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, August 7, 1843, 
and descends from one of the oldest and most respected families of that town. His 
father, the late George F. Weaver, was also born there, and was a successful farmer 
and brick manufacturer. He was a staunch Republican, served for several years 
as supervisor, and in 1867 was elected sheriff of the county. He died in 1889. His 
wife, Margaret A., was also a native of Deerfield and died there in 1888. The 
Weaver family was first represented at Deerfield Corners by George G. Weaver, 
father of George F. , who came there with Capt. Mark Damoth and Christian Real 
in 1773, but hearing that a band of tories and Indians were planning a descent upon 
the settlement they retreated to Little Stone Arabia. In 1784 they returned, and 
about the same time Peter, Nicholas, and George Weaver came in and located.. 
These and a few others were the first settlers in the town. 

Frederick G. Weaver was reared on the parental farm, attended the public schools 
of Utica, and finished his education at Fairfield Seminary. He commenced his busi- 
ness career with his father in the manufacture of brick, with which he has contin- 
uously been identified, being now extensively engaged in that industry in partner- 
ship with his brother, Charles C. Weaver, under the firm name of George F. 
Weaver's Sons. In 1893 they manufactured 7,000,000 brick, and the output during 
other seasons has reached nearly these figures. Mr. Weaver is also engaged in 
farming, an occupation his forefathers followed with success. 




4^*^ 



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i 





^ /XW 



BIOGRAPHICAL, 169 

In politics Mr. Weaver is an unswerving Republican. For many years he has 
taken an active part in the councils of his party, and is recognized by his fellow citi- 
zens as a safe and influential leader. He served as supervisor of Deerfield three 
terms and in 1876 was elected sheriff of the county. In these capacities he discharged 
his official duties with impartiality, dignity, and satisfaction, and won the respect 
and confidence of not only his party constituents but the esteem of his political 
opponents. In the fall of 1895 he was the Republican nominee for the office of State 
senator, but owing to a division in the party he was defeated by Henry J. Cogge- 
shall, the independent candidate. Mr. Weaver on this occasion secured a most flat- 
tering vote, which well illustrates the esteem in which he is held throughout the 
county. He is a member of Utica Lodge, No. 54, F. & A, M., a director in the First 
National Bank of Utica, and president of the Deerfield and Utica Street Railroad 
Company since its incorporation in 1889. He was one of the prime movers in organ- 
izing and instituting this latter enterprise. 

In 1872 Mr. Weaver married Miss Sarah J. Budlong, of Schuyler, Herkimer county, 
and they are the parents of seven children. 



PHILIP OWEN'. 

Philip Owen, of the firm of Owen Brothers, extensive clothing manufacturers of 
Utica, was born in Boonville, Oneida county, June 1, 1830. Joseph Owen, his 
father, a native of Deerfield, Herkimer county, settled in Boonville about the year 
1818, and died there in 1882, aged eighty-three. He was a contractor and builder, 
owned a grist mill and saw mill, and bought and sold land quite extensively. He 
married Phebe McDonald, who died in 1869, at the age of seventy-two They had 
six children: Ephraim, deceased; Mary A. (Mrs. Robert Bamber), of Utica; John, 
born September 1, 1825; Eliza A. (Mrs. Ezekiel A. Butler), of Boonville; Philip, of 
Utica; and Harriet, who died in infancy. 

Philip Owen was educated in the public and select schools of Boonville, as was 
also his brother John. When sixteen John went to New York city and engaged in 
the dry goods business. Later Philip followed him and became a clerk in a dry goods 
store there, but subsequently returned to his native village and accepted a clerkship 
with John Cross. In 1854 the two brothers, under the firm name of P. Owen & Co., 
engaged in the general mercantile business in Boonville and continued successfully 
until about 1868. In the sprirg of 1870 they came to Utica and engaged in the manu- 
facture of clothing on a large scale, the firm name being Owen, Pixley & Co. The 
business proved a success from the start. On February 1, 1885, Henry D. Pixley 
withdrew, and since then the firm has continued as Owen Brothers. They are 
among the most extensive manufacturers of clothing, not only in Utica, but in 
Central New York, and have built up a trade which extends throughout this State 
and into western territory. They have eight or more branch stores, the principal 
one being in Indianapolis, Ind. The two brothers are representative business men, 
enterprising, public-spirited, and progressive, and during a long and successful 
career have won the respect and confidence of all with whom they have come in con- 



170 OUR COUNTY AMD ITS PEOPLE. 

tact. For more than twenty-five years they have been among the leading clothing 
manufacturers of Utica, and during that period many branches of business have felt 
the effects of their energy and good judgment. 

Mr. Owen, while a resident of Boonville, served for a time as town clerk, but aside 
from this he has never accepted political honors, although often urged to do so. He 
is treasurer of the Utica Mechanics' Association, a member of Fort Schuyler Club, 
and a member of the Oneida Historical Society, to which his brother John also 
belongs. 

On June 27, 1860, Mr. Owen was married to Miss Althea Wheelock, daughter of 
Col. Charles Wheelock, of Boonville. She died May 23, 1863, leaving a son, who died 
in infancy. In May, 1867, he married for his second wife Miss Jennie S., daughter 
of James Smith, of Houseville, Lewis county, N. Y. 



THE DEVEREUX FAMILY. 

Among the early setters of Utica, N. Y., were John C. and Nicholas Devereux, 
sons of Thomas and Catherine (Corish) Devereux, of County Wexford, Ireland. The 
family, originally of Norman French extraction, was wealthy and well connected, 
and lived at ease on their handsome estates at Davidstown, near Enniscorthy 
They sympathized warmly with and took an aggressive part in the agitations pre- 
ceding the rebellion of 1798, and on the defeat of the patriots or rebels the family 
was ruined. Thomas Devereux was arrested and imprisoned and pardoned just be- 
fore his death. A price was set upon the heads of three of his sons and his estates 
were confiscated. His family consisted of six sons and three daughters. The 
eldest son, Walter, was a man of powerful frame, distinguished for his strength and 
courage. The second son was John Corish Devereux, who during the agitation 
preceding the rebellion was obliged to fly from the country; he went first to France 
and afterwards to America. Thomas married Mary Redmond and they had one 
son, John C, jr., who was afterwards adopted by his brother, John C. Devereux, of 
Utica. The fourth son, James, was killed at the battle of Vinegar Hill. The fifth 
son, Luke, came to America and died of yellow fever at Natchez, Miss., in 1818. 
The sixth son was Nicholas, who came to America in 1806. 

John Corish Devereux was born August 5, 1774, and came to America in 1796 or 
1797. He settled in Utica in 1802. On the 8th of November, 1802, Mr. Devereux 
opened a dry goods and grocery store upon the site of a part of the present Bagg's 
Hotel ; the business prospered and became one of the most extensive in Western 
New York. Mr. Devereux was appointed president of the Utica branch of the 
United States Bank and held the position as long as the bank existed. He was the 
first president of the Savings Bank of Utica and was the first mayor of Utica 
elected by the people, in 1840. Mr. Devereux was a courtly and polished gentleman, 
most noted for his charity and hospitality. He was a devout Catholic, and was al- 
ways ready to assist others who differed from him in faith. He gave to the First 
Presbyterian church $300, to St. John's Roman Catholic church 87,000, to the Sisters 
of Charity .§5,000 at one time, and continued to assist them during his life. He con- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 171 

tributed generously to other charities, and was admired, respected, and beloved by 
all who knew him. Mr. Devereux died in Utica December 11, 1848, and was buried 
in the grounds of the Sisters of Charity, near St. John's church. He was twice 
married. His first wife, who was Miss Ellen Barry, of Albany, died in 1813. His 
second wife was Mary, daughter of Peter Colt, of Rome, N. Y. ; she survived him 
twenty-one years and died August 7, 1868. They had no children, but at different 
times adopted two: Ellen, who became the wife of Mr. Catlin, of Paterson, N. J., 
and his nephew, John C. Devereux, jr., son of his brother Thomas, who died in 
1861. 

Nicholas Devereux was born June 7, 1791, at Enniscorthy, County Wexford, 
Ireland, emigrated to America in 1806, and came directly to Utica, where he was em- 
ployed as a clerk by his brother John C. In 1808 he was employed by William 
James & Co., of Albany. In 1814 his brothej, John C, admitted him into partner- 
ship, which was dissolved in 1816 and a new one formed under the name of N. 
Devereux & Co., with George L. Tisdale as a partner. Afterwards there were 
numerous changes in the firm, and at various times Messrs. Horace Butler, James 
McDonough, and Van Vechten Livingston appeared as partners. The house was 
one of the largest in Western New York and ever maintained the highest position 
for honor and integrity. In 1821 Nicholas and his brother, John C, purchased to- 
gother the land above the canal between Genesee and Hotel streets (where the 
Devereux block is now located), where they erected a large store and warehouse. 
Mr. Devereux "was very successful as a merchant. In the fall of 1827 the firm was 
called on to pay $90,000 within ninety days. At that time he was living in the hand- 
some place which he purchased from Jeremiah Van Rensselaer for §7,000. He 
divided the beautiful grounds into lots, intersecting them by streets, and sold them 
at a handsome profrS In the interest of the New York Life and Trust Company he 
spent some time in Albany and while there took an active part in the organization 
of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad, of which he became a director. With a 
few gentlemen of New York he bought of the Holland Land Company the residue of 
their lands in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, amounting to 400,000 acres. The 
general care and disposal of this land engaged much of his time during the re- 
mainder of his life, its immediate sale being committed to his son, John C. Devereux. 
He was mainly instrumental in procuring the establishment at Utica of the first 
branch of the United States Bank that was located west of Albany. He was the 
founder of the Savings Bank of Utica, for which he obtained a charter. His brother, 
John C, was elected president, but Nicholas Devereux gave his best attention to 
the affairs of the institution. Largely through his efforts the State Hospital was 
located in Utica and he was one of the first board of managers. He was a director 
in the Utica Steam Woolen Mills and of the New York Life and Trust Company. 
He owned at various times large quantities of real estate in Utica and Western New 
York and in the vicinity of Scranton, Pa. He held at one time title to over 50,000 
acres of land in this State. He never' accepted political distinction, though often 
requested to do so. Nicholas Devereux contributed equally with his brother towards 
the establishing of the Sisters of Charity in Utica and was the founder of the school 
of Christian Brothers in that city. Many years ago, when a Douay Bible was 
scarcely to be had, he purchased in company with Lewis Wilcox and Robert Len- 



172 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

nox, of New York, a set of stereotyped plates of the New Testament in this version, 
from which Messrs. Seward & Williams printed numerous editions that were circu- 
lated chiefly in the West and sold for little more than the cost of paper and binding. 
Mr. Devereux afterwards became sole owner of these plates and sold them to the 
Messrs. Sadlier, of New York, by whom over 40,000 copies printed therefrom were 
thrown into circulation. Mr. Devereux passed the winter of 1853-5,4 in Rome, Italy, 
and induced the Franciscan Friars to come to America ; he gave them at Allegany 
a tract of land and $10,000; this was the foundation of the flourishing college of St. 
Bonaventura. He made the proposition and was one of the hundred men to give 
$1,000 each to found the American College in Rome, Italy. Besides contributing so 
largely to the Catholic church, he and his brother, John C, headed the subscription 
to build the First Episcopal church in Utica and was always ready to assist others 
who differed from him in faith. 

Nicholas Devereux was married in 1817 to Miss Mary Dalbear Butler, of New 
York, daughter of Dr. Benjamin and Hannah (Avery) Butler. He died December 
29, 1855. His children were Hannah Avery (Mrs. Francis Kernan), John C, Cor- 
nelia (Mrs. Richard Lalor), Catherine, Mary, and Thomas B. 

John Corish Devereux, son of Nicholas Devereux, was born at Utica, N. Y., April 
24, 1823, and was educated at Hobart College, Geneva. After leaving college he 
went to Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, to look after the interests of his father 
and to sell the lands purchased by him from the Holland Land Company. In 1847 
he sailed from Boston for an extended tour in Europe. After his return he again 
went to the village of Ellicottville, where he resided for more than twenty years and 
managed the great property under his care with skill and judgment, returning to his 
native place (Utica) as soon as the task was accomplished. He returned to Utica 
with his family October 28, 1866, and took up his residence at No. 1 Rutger Place, 
which he had purchased of Samuel Remington, where he resided until 1880. After 
the death of his venerable mother, December 12, 1881. his oldest sister, Mrs. Francis 
Kernan, purchased the old homestead, No. 62 Elizabeth street, and Mr. Devereux 
bought of her husband their former residence, No. 5 Kent street, where he resided 
until his death. 

Mr. Devereux was treasurer of the Remington Agricultural Works and was in- 
terested in several large corporations. He was appointed commissioner of the State 
Board of Charities and Correction by Gov. S. J. Tilden, and afterwards reappointed 
by Gov. Grover Cleveland. As at this time he had retired from active business he 
gave this work his undivided attention, serving without compensation and devoting 
almost his entire time to it. At the time of his death he was vice-president of the 
board. Mr. Devereux was a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica. When the Fort 
Schuyler Club was organized he was elected its first vice president. 

Mr. Devereux was a devout Catholic, but, like his father, had the greatest toler- 
ance for those differing from him in religion. He was noted for his piety, hospitality, 
and sociability. He had a fine selected library and devoted much of his leisure to 
reading and study. He had a handsome presence, was courtly and polished in man- 
ner, and devoted to his wife and family. Mr. Devereux married Miss Ellen M. 
Jenkins, of Baltimore, Md. , February 13, 1844, who died December 12, 1879. Nine 
children survived them: Nicholas E., Mary L. (Mrs. James W. Hunter), Thomas 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 173 

Meredith, Ellen M. (Mrs. Scott Lord), Catherine M. C, Anna M., Harriet M., Rose 
Mary (Mrs. James McMahon), and M. Helena. 

Thomas Butler Devereux was born at Utica October 17, 1833, was educated in the 
public schools, and was graduated from • Fordham College. He was very enterpris- 
ing, and at one time was at the head of a very large and flourishing business. His 
business career was ruined through reverses in his own business and the failure of 
the Utica Steam Woolen Mills, of which he was a director and whose paper he had 
endorsed. 

Mr. Devereux was one of the directors and contributed largely of time and money 
to the St. Vincent Orphan Asylum. He was most generous and seldom or never re- 
fused an appeal for charity. He had a most happy disposition and was always more 
considerate for others than for himself. He died May 5, 1880. Mr. Devereux mar- 
ried Miss Emily C. Cummings, October 2, 1863, and they had one child, Mary 
Josephine, born December 5, 1868, died February 4, 1870. 



AMOS F. BREWSTER. 

Amos F. Brewster, only son of Justice and Polly (Foster) Brewster, was born at 
Blackman's Corners in the town of Verona, Oneida county, October 4, 1821, anddied 
there August 29, 1895. His family was of New England ancestry, though of mingled 
Scotch and Welsh origin, and its members for many generations represented the 
best elements of citizenship and patriotism. Mr. Brewster inherited all the sterling- 
characteristics of his ancestors, and exemplified in his life the attributes which dis- 
tinguish the successful man. His father was one of the earliest settlers of Verona, 
while his mother's father, Hosea Foster, was one of the first comers to Blackman's 
Corners. Both families, therefore, were prominently identified with the pioneer 
settlement of the town, and did heroic work in converting it from a wilderness into 
a fruitful section. With their few neighbors they suffered from all the privations of 
frontier life, yet they carefully planted the standard of civilization and left an heri- 
tage rich in its simplicity. 

Mr. Brewster was educated in the district schools of his native town. Born and 
reared to agricultural pursuits he was a life long farmer, and by thrift and industry 
accumulated a competency. For four years he resided in Wisconsin, but with this 
exception he spent his entire career in Verona, where he was well known and re- 
spected as a substantial enterprising citizen. Returning from the West he built, on 
a part of his father's homestead, the house where he lived and died, and which is 
now occupied by his widow. Hd took a lively interest in local affairs and in all 
matters affecting the general prosperity, but he gave himself wholly to his farm, an 
occupation for which he had a natural taste, and which he honored by his advanced 
methods. 

December 18, 1844, Mr. Brewster married Lydia A., daughter of Nathan Lewis, 
of Verona, and they had five children: Susan E. (Mrs. Lester E, Betson), of Rome; 
Jennie A. (Mrs Merritt Knight), of Lee Center, Oneida connty, who has one son, 
Newton W., a student at Cazenovia Seminary; Julia E. (Mrs. David F. Broughton), 



174 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of Little Falls, N. Y., whose children are Reba B., William, Clarence, and Julia; 
Lydia C. ; and A. Foster, who married Julia E. Burleigh, of Verona. 

[Nathan Lewis, father of Mrs. Lydia A. Brewster, was born in Grafton, Conn., 
in 1775, received a common school education, and was a life-long farmer. He came 
to the town of Verona when a young man, among the pioneers, and died in 1846. 
He married Hannah Gray, of Verona, who died in 1850. They had twelve children: 
Heaverland, Andrew R.. Benjamin G., David A., James O.. Susan, Maria, Eliza, 
Delia J., Sylvia, Lydia A. (Mrs. Amos F. Brewster), and Minerva. Mr. Lewis has 
a number of descendants living in the county.] 



EDWARD J. MILLSPAUGH. 

Edward Judson Millspaugh, who as the head of the firm of Millspaugh & Green, 
represents the coal supply of the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company for Central 
New York, was born in Richmond, Richmond county, Staten Island, N. Y., June 20, 
1861, and is the eldest son of Dr. Isaac Little Millspaugh and Deborah Barron 
Mundy, his wife. His ancestors originally came from Holland and settled in Orange 
county, N. Y., the first, so far as known, being Peter von Miltzbach in 1720. The 
name in its Americanized form has been Millspaugh for several generations. Dr. 
Isaac L. Millspaugh was born in Walkill, N. Y. , February 1, 1827, and is a promi- 
nent physician and surgeon in Richmond, Staten Island, where his wife, Deborah 
Barron Mundy, was born May 11, 1836. She died there July 7, 1890. 

Edward J. Millspaugh was educated in the public schools of his native town, and 
at the age of eighteen became a clerk in a hardware store in New York city. He 
subsequently accepted a position in the purchasing department of the New York 
Central railroad. In these capacities he developed those excellent business qualifica- 
tions which have contributed so materially to the success of all his subsequent efforts. 
On the 1st of January, 1887, he came to Utica as assistant to Jesse L. Eddy, then the 
resident sales agent for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, and on January 
1, 1890, he was appointed to succeed him. On the 1st of June of the latter year he 
founded the present firm of Millspaugh & Green. The company which this firm has 
since represented as sales agent handles more than one-third of all the coal shipped 
into Central, Western, and Northern New York and LTpper Canada. The firm of 
Millspaugh & Green has offices in Utica, Syracuse, and Kochester, and in the last 
two cities do both a wholesale and retail business. In Utica wholesaling is done 
exclustvely and this is the chief distributing center of their district. 

Mr. Millspaugh, from his connection with this vast business, is more prominently 
identified with the coal supply of Oneida county and adjacent territory than any 
other citizen within the province of this volume, and is therefore justly entitled a 
place in local annals. Outside of these interests, which command his chief atten- 
tion, he is actively connected with various other enterprises of local and general 
importance. He was one of the incorporators in 1890 of the Utica Cold Storage and 
Warehouse Company, a very successful corporation, and has continuously served as 
a member of the board of directors. He is also a member of the executive committee 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 175 

of the Extension Car Step Company of Utica. He is a member of the Fort Schuyler 
Club and the Oneida Historical Society of Utica, and of the Transportation Club 
of New York City. 

On June 20, 1887, Mr. Millspaugh was married to Miss Anna Bell Mase, of Mattea- 
wan, Dutchess county, daughter of Hon. Willard H. Mase, who for five successive 
years represented his district in the State Legislature, was the prime mover in 
securing the location of the State Hospital for Insane Criminals at Matteawan, N.Y., 
and was largely instrumental in organizing and establishing the State Lunacy 
Commission. They have one son, Francis Corwin Millspaugh, born in LTtica, No- 
vember 16, 1890. 



SQUIRE UTLEY. 

Sijuire Utley, son of David Utley, was born in North Western December 2, 1795, 
and died in the same town November 23, 1882, aged eighty-seven years, eleven 
months and twenty-one days. His father, of Quaker origin, came to North Western 
in 1794 and settled upon a farm of 200 acres, and followed the vocation of tiller of 
the soil through life, as did also his son, the subject of this sketch, upon the home- 
stead of his father. 

Squire Utley was a strong man among strong men, at a period when such men 
were notably plentiful in Oneida county. While as a citizen farmer he lived a useful, 
industrious life, earning and retaining the confidence and esteem of his fellow citi- 
zens and immediate neighbors, it was in the political field and as a public citizen 
that he wielded an influence remarkable in its strength and praiseworthy in its 
purity. 

Mr. LTtley grew up a Democrat of the old school and was a pioneer in that coterie 
of intelligent and powerful politicians embracing Judge Beardsley, Judge Denio, 
Judge Foster, John Stryker, David Moulton and John D. Leland; and in his own 
town, which is remarkable for the prominent men it has produced, he was a peer of 
the Wagers, the Hallecks, the Floyds, the Braytons and others. 

He was not a politician in the sense of being an office-seeker. Yet the confidence 
in him of his party friends was so great that he could not always decline their wishes. 
He was elected to the Assembly by the Democrats in 1833, and served his term with 
a record that brought him only good words. In 1843 he was nominated for sheriff, 
but was defeated by Palmer V. Kellogg, not through personal unpopularity, but be- 
cause of the factional differences which at that time were leading to the great met- 
amorphosis of the Democrat party following soon after. From 1858 to 18b0 he was 
supervisor of Western, and, as in all other positions in life, did his duty faithfully. 

When the war of the Rebellion broke forth, Mr. Utley ranked himself with that 
conscientious and firm-hearted section of the Democratic party which recognized it 
to be the obligation of every one to support the government, and, as a natural con- 
sequence, soon became affiliated with the Republicans. It was after this step that 
he became intimately associated with Thurlow Weed, with whom he had had an ac- 
quaintance for some years, and who, until his death, was his confidential friend, 



176 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Weed died but a few days before Mr. Utley. When the latter's son, Henry 
T., of Waterville, reached his father's bedside shortly before his death, he told his 
father of Mr. Weed's demise. Mr. Utley remarked, " I have outlived my old friend, 
but I soon shall follow him." 

He was one of the original directors of the Fort Stanwix Bank of Rome, and one 
of the founders of the Rome Savings Bank. After his affiliation with the Republican 
party he was deputy collector of internal revenue, but sought nor held no other 
office at the hands of that organization. 

Mr. Utley " was a man of great activity, and possessed remarkable natural ability. 
He had keen perception, sound judgment, and possessed great firmness. In politi- 
cal as well as in all other matters he was governed by his convictions of right and 
duty. He possessed remarkable influence over men, and carried measures when it 
was generally supposed that success was impossible." An instance of this latter 
characteristic was shown in the passage of the act establishing the Rome Savings 
Bank in 1851. The Legislature was politically opposed to him, and the members of 
Assembly from the county were in favor of a rival charter. Still, Mr. Utley secured 
the charter, and it afterwards transpired that his success was accomplished through 
Thurlow Weed, who was at that time the only person who could control legislation 
on that subject, which fact was learned by Mr. Utley, and through him the measure 
was carried, to the surprise of all. 

In his judgment of men he was peculiarly faultless. About 1850, during a great 
strife for the appointment of a canal superintendent for section seven the contest 
became factional. Thurlow Weed asked Mr. Utley who would make a good super- 
intendent for the political purposes he desired to accomplish. Mr. Utley named 
Amaziah D. Barber. Said Mr. Weed, " I never heard of the man." "Well," said 
Mr. Utley, " he is the most sagacious and fit man in the county for your pu .-pose and 
for the place." On that assurance, Mr. Weed had an audience with Mr. Barber, 
who later was appointed superintendent, to the surprise of the Whig party in the 
county, and to the indignation of many of them. Mr. Barber became one of the 
powerful political instruments in the hands of Mr. Weed, and remained such for 
many years. 

On one occasion, by a ten minutes' speech, hedefeated thenomination of a popular 
Union General in the face of overwhelming opposition, and secured the nomination 
of the man of his choice. Other equally pertinent instances of his ability to sway 
men and convert them to his ideas might be given, and in every case his judgment 
and action met with approval as time verified the worthiness of his course. 

The Methodist Episcopal society of North Western is largely indebted to Mr. 
Utley's liberality and instrumentality for its church edifice and parsonage. At the 
time of the erection of the church some who contributed largely for it proposed that 
it be made a union church. This he decidedly opposed, remarking that a union 
church belonged to no one, and as the M. E. society seemed likely to prevail, he 
caused to be deeded to it. 

Mr. Utley married, April 3, 1818, Clarissa, daughter of Josiah Tallmadge, and 
they had nine children. She died in 1880, aged 1 sixty-two. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 177 



PATRICK H. .COSTELLO. 

Hon. Patrick H. Costello, long a resident of Camden, and one of the best known 
citizens of Oneida county, has given the name of Camden a world-wide currency 
in connection with the famous ' 'Camden leather" turned out of his extensive tanneries 
during his long and successful business career of nearly forty years. He was born 
in County Cavan, Ireland, of an old and respected family. His father, Thomas 
Costello, and his grandfather, before him, were tanners, while three of his uncles 
were engaged in the same business. 

Mr. Costello was carefully educated, with the view of becoming a priest ; but at 
seventeen years of age the death of his father cast him upon his own resources (his 
mother was already dead), and the two years following were spent in acquiring the 
tanner's trade. At the end of this period he emigrated to America, accompanied by 
two sisters, and located at Vienna, Oneida county, whither an older brother, John 
Costello, had preceded them. This was in 1843, when he was nineteen years of age. 
He found employment in the tannery of Walter H. Cook, at Vienna, and continued 
with him until 1848, when he formed a partnership with his brother, John, and his 
cousin, P. C. Costello. This firm purchased the Camden tannery, and upon the death 
of John Costello in 1850 the partnership was continued by the cousins. In 1873 they 
joined with H. G. Lapham, forming the firm of Lapham, Costello & Co., which 
existed ten years. In 1836 the firm of P. C. Costello & Co. succeeded, composed of 
P. C. Costello (the present head), Patrick H. Costello, and the latter's two sons, 
Alfred and John H. The death of Patrick H., at his daughter's home in Brooklyn, 
N. Y., December 17, 1890, reduced the firm to its present partners. 

The extensive business was divided into two departments, Patrick C. managing 
the commercial and financial division in New York city, while Patrick H. and 
his sons had the entire direction of the practical manufacture of the leather. The 
excellence of the product which this firm placed upon the market was largely due 
to the skill of P. H. Costello. .Universal recognition of his unusual abilities ex- 
hibited in this department was manifested at the time of his death, in the 
regrets of the leading members of the leather trade in New York city. The Shoe 
and Leather Reporter declared that "P. H. Costello took a great interest in his 
trade . and paid close attention to its development." The special meeting of 
the New York Hide and Leather Club, in consequence of his death, was notable for 
the representative character of its attendance. Hon. Charles A. Schieren (since 
mayor of Brooklyn), who presided, expressed his sense of the honor conferred upon 
him in connection with one so distinguished'as Mr. Costello for " integrity in busi- 
ness life" and so "honorable a career as a merchant and tanner." Said Mr. T. M. 
Barnes: "He was a skillful manufacturer of leather, and gave the name of the 
'Camden tannage' a high reputation at home and abroad. His standing thirty 
years ago was of the best; he always kept it so. He was a public spirited man." 
Mr. George A. Vail thus characterized him : "He was a man of genial, hearty, social 
nature. I think the main aim, the one ambition of his life, was to make good 
leather and be a successful business man, and in that he succeeded remarkably. 
He was a kind father, an affectionate life partner to his wife, who survives him, and 
he will be sincerely mourned, not only by his family and business associates, but by 



178 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

many friends." The following resolutions were spread upon the minutes of the 
Hide and Leather Club, and presented to the family of the deceased, a committee 
appointed by Mr. Schieren, and consisting of George A. Vail, Justus L. Bulkley and 
T. M. Barnes, having formulated them: 

" Your committee request that the result ot their labor be placed on the minutes of 
the club, as an expression by the members of the trade of their appreciation of 
the late P. H. Costello, in consequence of whose death we were called together. 

" Mr. Costello had a long and favorable career as a tanner, and his name, in con- 
nection with his special production, has acquired a world wide reputation. This 
has been gained by great skill in the management of the business and a knowledge 
of the requirements of the trade. 

" From humble beginnings Mr. Costello gained his position by great industry and 
a strict integrity, which are never-failing factors in placing a man at the front in 
whatever walk of life his lot may be cast. 

" Modest and unassuming, but little known outside of those with whom he came 
in close contact, he has fulfilled his mission and passed from among us, and those of 
us who knew him remember him in kindness. 

" Our sympathies go out toward those of his family who remain, and to his sons 
we point to the honorable record of a parent whose life has ended without a stain, 
and whose career is worthy to be emulated." 

Mr. Costello was married to Almira Burr, a descendant of one of the most dis- 
tinguished Puritan families of Colonial Connecticut. This lady survived her hus- 
band, together with her three children- Alfred Costello, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; John 
H. Costello, of Costello, Pa. ; and Ella, wife of Dr. Theodore Brown, of Brooklyn. 
Mr. Costello was a devout Christian, active in church work and benevolent enter- 
prises, and one of the most prominent members of St. John's church at Camden. 

For the greater part of a half century, Mr. Costello was one of the best known men 
in Oneida county. During the greater portion of this time he was a resident of 
Camden, and even after his business required his presence mainly at Costello, Pa'., 
he still considered himself a resident of Camden, and generally spent his summers 
there with his family. He was deeply interested in the welfare of Camden, and 
served several terms as president of the village, and many years as president of its 
Board of Education. In politics he was an enthusiastic Republican, and an intimate 
friend of Roscoe Conkling. He had no taste for public life, however, although when 
prevailed upon to accept the Republican nomination for member of assembly, in 
1873, his popularity was demonstrated by his election by a large majority in a strong 
Democratic district. He was also a presidential elector in 1880. 



PATRICK C. COSTELLO. 

Hon. Patrick Carroll Costello, like his' cousin, Patrick H., who was also his 
partner in business, was for many years one of the most prominent figures in Oneida 
county, not merely as a successful business man but as an active leader of the Re- 
publican party. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 179 

He was born in 1830, in the parish of Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland, his family 
being one of the ancient Irish septs, and for a number of generations engaged in the 
manufacture of leather. His father, William Costello, and his grandfather, Thomas 
Costello, were both successful tanners. ' Mr. Costello was educated in the public 
schools, which he attended until nearly fifteen years of age, during the latter part of 
this period also working somewhat at the tanning trade, chiefly in the currying de- 
partment. 

In 1845, when fifteen years of age, Mr. Costello came to the United States, and at 
once located at New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., where he found employment in 
the currying business. He remained here until nearly 1848, and then removed to 
Camden, N. Y., where he entered into partnership with his cousins, Patrick H. 
and John Costello. This firm purchased the Camden tannery. Upon the death 
of John Costello, in 1850, the cousins continued the partnership under the firm style 
of P. & P. Costello, and during the next quarter of a century made their business 
one of the best known and most successful among the leading leather enterprises of 
the country. In 1873 they formed a partnership with H. G. Lapham, under the 
firm name of Lapham, Costello & Co. This association continued for ten years, 
giving place in 1886 to the firm of P. C. Costello & Co., composed of its present 
head, P. C. Costello, Patrick H. Costello, and the latter's two sons, Alfred and John 
H. The death of Patrick H. Costello, at his daughter's home in Brooklyn, N. Y., 
December 17, 1890, of pneumonia and paralysis of the heart, reduced the firm to three 
partners, the firm name of P. C. Costello & Co. remaining unchanged. 

In addition to the Camden tannery, which became an extensive establishment as 
the business developed the firm acquired the large tannery and bark-lands of Dwight 
F. Morse, at Williamstown ; while still later they purchased 25,000 acres of hemlock 
timber land in Potter county, Pennsylvania, where they built up the village of Cos- 
tello, and erected the largest tannery in the world, consuming about 25,000 cords of 
bark annually. On account of the scarcity of bark, tanning was entirely suspended 
at Camden, N. Y., in 1884 although the name which had become so famous was of 
course still retained, the present "Camden leather " being made at Costello, Pa. 

Throughout the earlier history of the business, both partners were employed in the 
manufacture of leather, and established wide reputations as skillful tanners. But 
with the development of the enterprise, and the removal of commercial headquarters 
to New York city, the two great departments of the extensive business of the firm 
were managed by the two cousins, P. C. and P. H. Costello, respectively, the former 
managing the commercial and financial department, and changing his residence to 
New York city, for thatpurpose, while the latter, with his sons, had the entire direction 
of the practical manufacture of leather. During the many years of his residence in 
Camden, Mr. P. C. Costello was actively interested in the welfare of the village, fill- 
ing such local offices as president of the village corporation and of its Board of Ed- 
ucation. He was the firm friend of Roscoe Conkling, and a leader of the Republi- 
can party in this section of the State. He was a member of the assembly of the 
State in 1859, and in 1868 was a Grant presidential elector. 

With his removal to New York city in 1873, however, Mr. Costello abandoned all 
activity in the direction of politics to devote his energies exclusively to the develop- 
ment of the business of his house. He thus continued until 1893, when the firm of 



180 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

P. C. Costello & Co. sold out its business to the United States Leather Company. 
Of this great corporation, as director and member of its executive committee, Mr. 
Costello has been one of the managing officers since its organization. 

Mr. Costello is a member of the Republican Club of New York city and of various 
other clubs arjd societies of New York and Brooklyn. He was married in 1855 to 
L. A., daughter of Edward Goodyear, of an old New England family', anda cousin of 
Charles Goodyear, the well known inventor of vulcanized rubber. Mr. Costello has 
three surviving children; a son, Harry Costello, now at school at Boonville, N. Y., 
preparing for Hamilton College, and two daughters, Anna, wife of E. W. Ropes, 
and Bertha, who is unmarried. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 



Anken, Samuel, was born in Switzerland, May 27, 1829, a son of John and Eliza- 
beth (Lenher) Anken. He came to America in 1850 and located at Lee Center, 
Oneida county, where he was employed by an uncle two years, after which he went 
to West Leyden, Lewis county, N. Y., where he engaged in business for himself in the 
manufacture of Swiss cheese, continuing there two years, and also for a period of 
two years each, engaged in the same business at North Western, Steuben, and 
Westernville. In 1859 he purchased a farm in Constableville, Lewis county, and 
engaged in farming for seven years, when he sold out, and in 1866 purchased the 
farm of 276 acres in the town of Western, where he now resides. He has one of the 
finest farms in the towns, on which he has made all the improvements in farm build- 
ings, the old ones having burned down October 5, 1878. Mr. Anken still continues 
in the manufacture of Swiss cheese, and is one of the most successful farmers in 
Western. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, and in politics is a 
Democrat. 

Abbott, John W., was born in the town of Annsville, July 12, 1818, and is a de- 
scendant of Peter Abbott, who was born in Connecticut and came to this town in 1806, 
being among the very first settlers. Peter Abbott, father of John W. , married 
Sophia, daugher of John Spinning, by whom he had two children: Betsey, deceased, 
and John W. , who received his education in the district schools, after which he en- 
gaged in farming. The Spinning family emigrated from Massachusetts to the town 
of Lee, Oneida county, in 1795, thence to the town of Florence in 1805, where they 
remained unhl death. They were among the five families to whom Gerrit Smith 
gave fifty acres of land each. John W. Abbott married Minerva Wetherbee, of Anns- 
ville, by whom he had eight children, four of whom are living: Frank L., Sophia, 
Ann and Jennie B. Mrs. Abbott died August 1, 1868. Mr. Abbott is a Democrat in 
politics, and has been assessor of the town for seven years and commissioner three 
years. 

Abel, William P., was born in Prussia, Germany, September 23, 1826, son of Will- 
iam and Catherine Abel, who settled in Montgomery county, N. Y. in 1834. William 
P. came to Oneida county in 1857. In 1849 he married Marie Keiner, by whom he 
had three children : Almira Tremain, Mary E. Kent ; and Nettie Peckham, all of 
whom are natives of Oneida county. Mr. Abel started in life as a farmer, which 
business he has followed to the present time, and is also an apiarist, having about 
seventy swarms of bees. He has been assessor of the town, also trustee of the school 
and cemetery. 



4 OtJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Atwood, Willard T. , was born in the town of Floyd, N. Y. , November 4, 1849, son 
of Sylvester B. and Margaret (Moulton) Atwood. He was one of four children: 
Windsor M. , Maggie, Francis and Willard. He married Addie, daughter of Melanc- 
ton Raymer, by whom he had two children : Florence M. and Grace M. (deceased). 
He started for himself at eighteen years of age, as station agent at Stittville, for the 
U. & B. R. R., which he followed until 1888. In 1872 he engaged in the produce, 
coal and lumber business, and which he continues to the present time. In 1881, he 
associated with C. W. Hacket, and bought J. S. Maxwell's interest in the knitting 
mill, which employs about 100 hands in the manufacture of men's underwear. He 
is president and general manager of the Stittville Canning Co. , and is a member of 
the Utica F. & A. M. No. 47, also chapter, council, and shrine of the I. O. O. F. of 
Trenton, and has held the office of chief counselor in the United States. 

Anderson, August, was born in Helsieberg, Sweden, in 1850, one of seven children 
born to Andrus and Elsie (Poison) Anderson: Peter, John, Martin, August, Butilda, 
Pertrollie, and Engried. At the age of sixteen August Anderson became a sailor 
and when twenty-one years old he came to the United States, remaining in New 
York city for six years as bdatman on the Hudson River. In 1878 he came to Forest- 
port and settled on his present farm of 300 acres. In 1871 Mr. Anderson married 
Hannah Louisa, daughter of Peter Lannstrom and Olena (Johnson) Peterson, of 
Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have three children : John Otto, Ida Caroline, and 
Jennie May. They are members of the Presbyterian church of Forestport. 

Baker, Philip J. , was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 18, 1839, a son of Ferd- 
inand and Doretta Baker, who settled at East Floyd in 1854. He was one of twelve 
children: Philip J., Conrad, Lewis, Albert, Frank, Henry, Christian, Louise, Sophia, 
Sarah, Emma and Etta. Ferdinand Baker engaged in farming, and was active in 
the educational interests and developments of the town. Philip J. Baker learned the 
carpenter trade, and in which he engaged until he enlisted August 7, 1862, Battery 
H, 3rd N. Y. Light Artillery, and joined Burnside's arm}- in North Carolina. He 
also served under Generals Foster, Butler and Grant, and was discharged June 24, 
1865, and was wounded twice at Petersburg. August 3, 1865, he married Sophia E., 
daughter of George Gerard of Morehouseville, N. Y., by whom he has six children: 
Hattie Young, Annie, Flora, Addie, Lena May and Philip J. jr., all natives of the 
town of Floyd. Mr. Baker is now engaged in the planing, saw and grist mill busi- 
ness at East Floyd, and is a manufacturer of cheese boxes, and is also interested in a 
farm at Remsen. He was elected justice of the peace one term and was supervisor 
in 1884-5, also 1893-4-5. He has been a deacon of the Baptist church for several 
years. . 

Bentley, Hon. Henry W., was born in De Ruyter, N. Y., in 1838, son of General 
Z. T. Bentley, a Democratic leader of distinction. Mr. Bentley was educated at the 
Yates Polytechnic Institute and elsewhere, then became principal of the Eaton 
Union School, and also taught at Madison, N. Y., and Bloomingdale, 111. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1861 and soon opened an office at Boonville, where he has 
become identified with the best interests of the town. He has served as village 
president for several terms. He was one of the original incorporators of the First 
National Bank, and has, from its first organization, been vice-president of that 
flourishing institution. He ably represented the counties of Oneida and Lewis in 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 5 

the Fifty-second Congress, and was there a prominent advocate for a ship canal 
from the Great Lakes to the Hudson. As receiver in the celebrated Taylor will con- 
test in New York city; as commissioner in West Shore Railroad claims and in claims 
for damages by reason of the taking of the waters of Skaneateles Lake by the city 
of Syracuse; as special commissioner for the investigation of Erie county politics 
which resulted in the removal of Sheriff Beck ; as surrogate of Oneida county, and 
in other affairs of wide import, he has repeatedly demonstrated ability and integrity. 
Mr. Bentley holds high rank, not only as a gentleman and a lawyer, but as an orator, 
financier and legislator. 

Boyd', Chauncey, was born in Western, December 11, 1809, son of James and Me- 
hitabel (Reynolds) Boyd, natives of Rhode Island, among the pioneers of Western, 
where they lived and reared a family of five children, and where they died. Chaun- 
cey Boyd has always resided in Western, and has lived on the farm he now occupies 
for sixty-four years. In 1831 he married Catherine, daughter of John and Rachel 
(Carpenter), of Western, by whom he had five children : Almira (Mrs. Edwin Fraser) ; 
Squire; Charlotte (Mrs. Wilbur Cummins); Jane (Mrs. Robert D. Phillips); and 
Emma (Mrs. Alvin R. Stone). Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are probably the oldest living 
married couple residing in Western, this date, August 16, 1895. 

Ballou, Hon. Walter, was born' in Boonville, in 1839, son of William Ballou. His 
grandfather, Pelatiah Ballou, is of Huguenot extraction, and came to Boonville in 
1799 from Rhode Island, whither he had fled, to escape the religious intolerance of 
Massachusetts. Walter Ballou began his legal studies with H. R: Hadley of this 
place, and after admission to the bar in 1868, began practice here, where his genial 
nature and professional ability have made for him a wide circle of friends. At his 
election to the Assembly in 1876, he was the first Democrat elected in twenty years. 
In 1862 Mr. Ballou went to the front as first lieutenant in the 126th Regiment, and 
after Fredericksburg, was discharged for disability, making a protracted but com- 
plete recovery. In 1864 he married Eugenia Brinkerhoof of Boonville, by whom he 
has two daughters ; Harriet and Eugenia, the former a graduate of Cornell Univer- 
sity, and the latter of Boonville Academy. 

Barton, Seth E., was born in the town of Marshall, N. Y., December 16, 1839, son 
of Eliphaz and Polly M. Barton, Polly, a daughter of Wardwell Barker, who came 
from New Lebanon, N. Y., about 1797, when three years old. Eliphaz, a son of 
David, who came from Granby, Mass. , in 1793, and was the first white settler in the 
town of Marshall, and he was engaged in pioneer farming, lumbering, and custom 
milling. Seth E. Barton married Mina (deceased), daughter of Martin and Elizabeth 
Brigham, by whom he had one child, Mary E., wife of Gardner T. Wells. In early 
life, Mr. Barton was engaged in general merchandise business at Deansville and 
Clinton, and later years has been engaged in farming. He is interested in educa- 
tional work, and was formerly a member of the Board of Education of Holland Pat • 
ent, and president of the village. 

Brown, Thomas S., was born in the town of Vienna, December 8, 1838, son of 
John and Jane Brown. John Brown was a native of the county, a son of Asa, who 
settled here about 1800. Thomas S. Brown married Margaret, a daughter of Robert 
and Mary Bentley, who came from England and settled in Rome about 1843. Mr. 



6 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and Mrs. Brown have six children ; Alberta, Cora, Jessie, Gracie, Seymour, and 
Maggie, all natives of Oneida county. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Brown en- 
gaged in farming, which he still follows. He has served as justice of the peace and 
assessor for two years. He was formerly president of the Patrons of Industry. 

Birdsey, George L., was born at Leyden, September 7, 1864, son of the late Linus 
Birdsey of that place, who was a citizen of much local prominence, having repre- 
sented the town in the county legislation, for a number of years. George Birdsey 
completed his education at Cazenovia, graduating in 1887, and for a time was en- 
gaged in teaching school in the vicinity of his boyhood home. In 1892, he embarked 
in the retail business now operated under his name. He carries a large stock of 
millinery, furnishing goods, books, jewelry, and toilet goods. In 1891 he married 
Ora Wardell, daughter of a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of 
which he and his wife are both valued members. Mr. Birdsey has been superintend- 
ent of the Boonville Sunday school since 1888. On February 1, 1806, Mr. Birdsey 
transferred his entire stock from Boonville to Waterloo, N. Y. , where he is now do- 
ing a thriving business. 

Chassell, George G. , was born in Newport, N. Y. , August 30, 1840, son of Rev. 
David Chassell, D.D., and Eliza A. (Griswold) Chassell. David was a native of 
Scotland, where he was born in 1778, and came to Vermont when eight years of age. 
He was a graduate of Dartmouth College and ordained by the Presbyterian church. 
He was principal of Fairfield Academy many years and was a man who was re- 
spected by all who knew him. George G. married Sarah E. , a daughter of John and 
Eliza Hutchinson, and they have one child, Frances, who attends Emerson College 
of Boston. Mr. Chassell engaged in dairy farming in 1861, and at which he still 
continues. He is president and director of the Bank of Holland Patent, and has 
been since its organization. From 1876 to 1881 he was interested in cheese manu- 
facturing. He is president of Black River Fish and Game Association, and a mem- 
ber of the State Association. 

Clark, Charles H., was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., Sep- 
tember 12, 1852, but with his parents moved to the town of Marcy in 1858, where he 
has since resided. His father, William E. , in early life was a farmer and cheese- 
box manufacturer. He was elected supervisor two terms, highway commissioner, 
and was also captain of Home Guards many years. He was president of the State 
and County Apiarist Association, and has been worthy master of Floyd Grange and 
Pomona Society. Mr. Clark married Sylvia Davis, by whom he had these children: 
Charles H., Hattie E. (deceased), Ida May (deceased), William (deceased), Bertie 
(deceased), and George H. Charles H. is a farmer, lumberman and cheese-box 
manufacturer by occupation, also a member of the Stittville Canning Company. 
He married Estella Bartlett, by whom he had two children : Lynn Roy and Hattie 
May. Mr. Clark has been collector and supervisor, and was a member of the build- 
ing committee of the new Oneida County Home for the Poor, is a member of United 
Friends, and in 1895 was a delegate to the Grand Council of the State of New 
York. He is also a member of the K. P. , and was a delegate to the Grand Lodge in 
Watertown in 1894. 

Curtiss, Heman, was born in the town of Camden, Februar}' 18, 1859, son of the 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 7 

late Linus Curtiss, who was born in this town April 16, 1818, where he engaged in 
farming in connection with the saw mill business, which he followed up to the time 
of his death, which occurred October 29, 1891. He married Nancy B. Upson, Janu- 
ary 12, 1848, by whom he had six children: Ibri (who died in childhood), Lyman W., 
Angeline E., Heman D., Hiram L. , and Addie M. The death of Nancy B. Curtiss 
occurred April 9, 1895. Heman Curtiss now owns the mill which was built by his 
father, and is also engaged in farming and lumbering, owning a farm of 242 acres, 
including a portion of woodland. He married Lizzie M. , daughter of O. C. Woods, 
of Camden, by whom he has two children: Ralph W. , and Louise B. Mr. Curtiss is 
a member of Camden Grange, and in politics is a Republican. 

Curtis, Lyman W. , was born on the old homestead farm, which adjoins his farm, 
May 18, 1850, son of the late Linus Curtis (mentioned elsewhere). Lyman W. was 
educated in the district schools of West Camden, where, like many others of this 
town, he acquired a knowledge that has been useful to him in his life as a farmer 
and lumberman. Mr. Curtis married Ella, daughter of Gaston Comstock, of the 
town of Florence, by whom he had two children: Flora and Maud. In politics Mr. 
Curtis is a Republican. 

Coombs, Orville, was born in West Stockbridge, Mass., in 1807, and came to 
Trenton with his father, Solomon Coombs, about four years later. With very limited 
school advantages, but with unlimited determination and energy and a natural bent 
for mathematics, he fitted himself for a land surveyor with such success that in the 
last year of his life he was able to say that in nearly fifty years of practice no line or 
bounds in his surveys had ever been set aside. He also conducted a farm, upon 
which his entire life was passed until his death in 1876. Although with decided 
opinions on political as wellas other matters he had no taste for political methods 
and never aspired to hold other than town offices. 

Grossman, George H., jr., was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y., December 
29, 1846, son of George H. Crossman. In 1869 he married Hester A., daughter of 
Orin and Lois (Powell) Smith. Mr. Smith was born in Deerfield, N. Y., and his wife 
in Trenton; both died in Westmoreland, she October 24, 1886, aged seventy-two 
years, and he January 19, 1885, aged seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Crossman 
have three children: Cora, Curtis, and Clara. Mr. Crossman has 250 acres of land, 
and rents part for the Hygienic Dairy, keeping about thirty cows, and selling milk 
in the city. He is also engaged in threshing, and runs a fodder cutter, also a 
machine for cutting standing corn and does custom work. 

Colton, C. W. , was born at Turin in 1832, son of Leonard Colton, a farmer, who 
came from Springfield, Mass. C. W. Colton is of English descent, and was edu- 
cated at Turin, and Whitestown Seminary. After having taught school in that 
locality, he came to Boonville in 1858, and established the business he has been 
successfully engaged in, and is one of the leading hardware dealers of the place. 
The firm was first knpwn as Riggs & Colton, but in 1869 Mr. Colton became sole 
proprietor. He came to his present location in 1863, where he has three floors 
containing a large stock of furniture, general household goods, hardware and 
crockery. Mr. Colton is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
having been a steward most of the time for thirty years. He has been president 



8 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the Board of Education, and has also been village president for several years. 
In 1859 he married Louise M. Riggs, daughter of C. G. Riggs, a hardware mer- 
chant of Turin, by whom he has had five children: Julia, wife of G. A. Willard; 
Louise G., Florence, Charles, and Frederic (deceased). 

Cox, Truman, was born in the town of Deerfield, N. Y., December 14, 1829, son 
of John and Mary (Smith) Cox, natives of Oneida county. The parents of John 
Cox were Joseph and Catherine (Sterling) Cox, who were natives of Herkimer 
county and pioneers of Deerfield. The parents of Joseph Cox were John F. and 
Katrina (Petre) Cox. The father of Mrs. Katrina Cox, Daniel Petre, came from 
Holland to Little Falls prior to the Revolutionary war, where he built a grist mill. 
He was killed in the mill during the war by Indians and his mill burned. His 
daughter and husband, J. F. Cox, were in the mill when the attack was made. Mr. 
Cox went for help and while he was gone the mill was fired, Mr. Petre killed and 
Mrs. Cox taken prisoner with her two children, one being Joseph Cox, the above 
mentioned ; and they were to be carried to Canada, but Mrs. Cox bought her free- 
dom. Joseph Cox was a farmer and miller, and John Cox, father of our subject, 
born March 21, 1799, was also a farmer and miller. He died in 1857, and Mrs. Cox 
died in 1871. Mr. Truman Cox has been engaged in farming and milling in the 
town where he has always resided. In 1849 he married Eliza R., daughter of Dr. 
Thomas (born November 15, 1809, died November 1, 1847) and Maria (Coppernall) 
Pell (born April 15, 1806, died November 1, 1869), who was born in Herkimer county, 
June 9, 1831. Dr. Thomas Pell was a native of Lee, and son of Thomas and Mary 
(Cook) Pell of Long Island. Thomas was born March 1, 1775, and came to Lee at an 
early day ; and he was a son of Thomas Philip Pell, who was born in England De- 
cember 5, 1731, and emigrated to Long Island. His father, Thomas H. W. Pell, 
Duke of York, was born August 13, 1701, and died in England. Mrs. Cox's maternal 
grandfather was George Coppernall, an early settler at Little Falls. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cox have three children: Truman H., born November 16, 1853, a graduate of 
Cincinnati Medical College, and a physician at Lee Center; John T., who was born 
August 20, 1857, and educated at Whitestown Seminary and Poughkeepsie Business 
Institute. He died April 3, 1893 ; and Frances E. , who died in infancy. 

Cogswell, George, was born in Steuben, Oneida county, September 29, 1834, a son 
of John and Eliza (Grimshaw) Cogswell, grandson of Job and Rebecca (Pike) Cogs- 
well, natives of Vermont who settled in Western in 1801, cleared a farm and died 
there, and is a descendant in the ninth generation from John Cogswell, who came 
from England to America in 1635, and settled at Ipswich, Mass. John Cogswell 
father of George, was born in Western, April 22, 1806, and died in March, 1892. He 
was a harnessmaker and saddler by trade, having served his apprenticeship in West- 
ernville. In 1834 he embarked in business for himself in Steuben, where he remained 
for eight years. He then removed to Western, where he engaged in farming during 
the summer and worked at his trade during the winter. Mr. Cogswell was thrice 
married: first, to Eliza, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Grimshaw, by whom he 
had five children: George, Elizabeth (Mrs. J. M. Ballou); Sarah P. (Mrs. Sylvester 
Hartson) ; Orris W. ; and Eliza R. (Mrs. Leonard Bullock). His second wife was 
Catherine Eychanaer,,by whom he had two children: Albert J. and Alfred M. His 
third wife was Mrs. Olive (Sizer) Webster. George Cogswell was reared in Western 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 9 

from eight years of age, educated in Holland Patent and Whitestown academies, be- 
gan life as a clerk, in which he continued for twelve years, and worked at the car- 
penter trade twenty years, but since 1885 has been engaged in farming. January 
26, 1859, he married Ellen M., daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Wager) Halleck, a 
pioneer of Western who lived to the age of 103 years, and a sister of the late Gen. 
Henry Wager Halleck, a distinushed officer in the civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Cogswell 
have two children: Henry W. and Elizabeth W. 

Courtney, Humphrey, was born in Ireland, March 25, 1836, and came to the 
United States with his parents, Humphrey and Catherine Courtney, in 1839. Hum- 
phrey Courtney, sr., was employed in an iron foundry in the State of Connecticut, 
where he had charge of a coal yard until 1844, when he came to Florence and cleared 
a portion of the farm now owned by his son, which consists of 265 acres mostly im- 
proved land. He was much respected by his townsmen and held many important 
offices of trust in his day. Humphrey Courtney was educated in the town of Flor- 
ence, after which he engaged in farming, keeping a dairy of twenty cows, besides 
young cattle and horses, and is a prosperous and successful farmer. He married 
Ellen Boland of Florence, by whom he has had twelve children. Mr. Courtney has 
been a prominent man in politics, was assessor of the town for three years, and super- 
visor for the same number of years. While supervisor he caused to be made many 
wholesome changes in the local government of his town which was and is a benefit 
to the taxpayers then and for years to come. 

Durr, Charles J., was born in the village of Camden, N. Y., July 12, 1871, son of 
Patrick Durr, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States in 1855, first 
settling in Florence, but later coming to Camden, where he engaged in the hotel 
business, and was proprietor of the Durr's Hotel for about twenty-five years. Pat- 
rick Durr married Mary Lewis, by whom he had six children. Charles J. was edu- 
cated in the Camden Union school, since which time he has been engaged in the 
merchant tailoring business and also carries a fine line of ready made clothing and 
gents' furnishing goods. He married Hettie Ford. 

Denton, Alonzo, was born in Sandyhill, Washington county, in 1843, son of Daniel 

C. Denton, a native of Saratoga county and one of five children born to Denton, 

a soldier in the war of 1812: Richard, Daniel C, Clinton, Benjamin, and Phoebe. 
Daniel C- Denton spent most of his life in the lumbering business, principally in 
Washington and Oneida counties. He removed to Oneida county in 1854. He mar- 
ried Harriet Hovey, and their children were Melissa and Alonzo (twins), Charles, 
Mary E., William E. and Walter, of whom the two latter are deceased. Mr. Denton 
died in 1864 and his wife in 1889. In August 1862, Alonzo Denton assisted in rais- 
ing Company K, 117th Regiment N. Y. Vols, and went out as a private under Cap- 
tain Baggs. He was promoted to first lieutenant; was in the battles of Bethel, 
Bermuda, Drury's Bluff, Charleston, S. C, Petersburg, Cold Harbor, Fort Fisher, 
and Chapin's Farm, where he was wounded in the leg. He was transferred to 
Chesapeake Hospital at Fortress Monroe and from there returned home. After the 
war he attended business college at Utica for six months, then engaged as clerk in a 
general store at Forestport. Two years later, in partnership with Mr. Thurston, 
he engaged in the general mercantile business, and two years and a half later his 
b 



10 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

brother-in-law, N. G. Waterbury, purchased the interest of Mr. Thurston and the 
store is now carried on under the firm name of Denton & Waterbury. They also 
carry on a large and extensive lumber business, which Mr. Denton superintends. 
They erected a large mill, which was burned in 1882, and then erected their present 
mill of a capacity of 40,000 feet daily, and a large sash and door manufactory at 
Whitesboro, N. Y. They also own 10,000 acres of timber land. Mr. Denton has 
served as commissioner of highways, town clerk, and was postmaster for many years. 
He is senior warden of the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Henry Walker 
Post G. A. R. of Forestport. In 1869 Mr. Denton married Carrie A., daughter of 
Stephen N. Waterbury, and their children are Elmer A., a graduate of Cornell Uni- 
versity, now of the law firm of Halliday & Denton, of Ithaca, N. Y. ; Lena R., a 
graduate of the musical department of Hamilton Seminary ; C. Mildred, now a 
student in the Sage College, of Ithaca, N. Y. ; and Nathaniel W. Mr. Denton and 
his wife and children are members of the Presbyterian church. 

Evans, Charles H., was born in the town of Floyd, January 28, 1856, son of Owen 
J. and Rose Evans, who settled here about 1880. Their children were Jane, John, 
William, Owen J., Mary Jane, and Charles H., all natives of Floyd. Charles H. 
Evans married Ruth L., daughter of Rev. John R. Griffith, by whom he had three 
children: Flora R., Edwin J., and Erwin U. Mr. Evans has been trustee and is now 
secretary of Camroden Congregational church, also superintendent of the Sunday 
school. He is interested in educational affairs, also in town affairs and is post- 
master at Camroden, appointed by President Harrison Ma}' 11, 1892. 

Ellis, Hugh M., was born in Wales, October 9, 1844, son of Ellis and Mary (Morris) 
Ellis, natives of Wales, who came to Deerfield about 1847. Mr. Ellis died in Deer- 
field, December 18, 1888, at eighty-two years of age. The grandfathers, David Ellis 
and Hugh Morris, both died in Wales. Hugh M. Ellis has always been engaged in 
farming, owning a farm of 117 acres in Deerfiejd, which he bought in 1871, and keeps 
from thirteen to fifteen cows. In 1890, he married Emily M., daughter of Albert T. 
and Mary F. (Sharp) Wight, of Forest Hotel, Deerfield, and by whom he has three 
. children: Morris Walter, Laura Maud, and Iva Frances. August 12, 1862, Mr. Ellis 
enlisted in Co. F, 117th Regt. N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged at New 
York city, June 7, 1865; and he was injnany hard fought battles. He is a member 
of Post Thomas 39, G. A. R. at Prospect, and they attend the Methodist church. 

Fox, Henry, was born in Marcy, Oneida county, September 20, 1830, a son of 
Abraham and Nancy (Vanderwarker) Fox, natives of Connecticut and Oneida county, 
N. Y. , respectively, grandson of Abraham Fox, son of Abraham Fox, who settled on 
Tug Hill, Lewis county, N. Y. , in 1806. His maternal grandfather, John A. Van- 
derwarker, a native of Schoharie county, N. Y., was a pioneer of Western. Henry 
Fox was reared in Western from ten years of age, and was educated in the common 
schools and Whitestown Seminary, and is a basket maker by trade, which he has 
followed more or less for forty years in connection with farming, and has lived on 
the farm he now occupies since 1841. In 1854 he married Polly, daughter of Uriah 
Fitch, of Steuben, by whom he had three children : Ernest L. , an M. E. clergyman of 
N. Y. , Lucy A., and Sylvia F., a city missionary in New York city since 1889. Mt. 
Fox married for his second wife, Margaret A., daughter of Jacob Wollaber, of Steu- 
ben. Mr. Fox is a member of the M. E. church, of which he is a local preacher, and 
in politics is a Prohibitionist. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 11 

Fiske, Hon. L. W., was born at Boonville, in 1835, son of John M. Fiske, and 
grandson of Jeremiah Fiske, of the widely known Rhode Island family. After ac- 
quiring a good academic education at Worcester and Fairfield, he entered the law 
office of George W. Smith, where diligent application and inherent ability resulted 
in admission to the bar, October 4, 1860, and the establishment of an extensive prac- 
tice at Boonville. He went to the front with Company D of the 146th Regiment in 
August, 1862, but exposure and hardship resulted in disability and almost total deaf- 
ness; an unfortunate handicap for his talent as an attorney. In 1866, Mr. Fiske 
was elected to the Assembly, where he acquitted himself to the credit of himself and 
satisfaction of his constituents. The late Roscoe Conkling was an intimate personal 
friend of Mr. Fiske. In local affairs, he has taken an active place in village govern- 
ment; in establishment of the N. Y. State Soldier's Home; in the administration of 
the Grand Army organization ; and as librarian of the Erwin Library. 

Farley, George R., was born in Prospect, N. Y., December 3, 1840, son of Darius 
and Ann Farley, she is a daughter of Richard and Ann Jones, and a granddaughter 
of Richard Jones, familiarly known as Priest Jones, who settled in Trenton about 
1800. Darius Farley was a son of Rev. John and Susan Farley, who settled in Pros- 
pect about 1825. He was a farmer, and his children were John C, George R., 
Horace O., deceased, Garrett, Eliza, wife of Dr. Minor Wiggins, Abbie, deceased, 
Dean, deceased, and Julius, deceased. George R. Farley married Jennie, daughter 
of James and Mary Roberts, by whom he had two children: Frank, deceased, and 
Mabel. August 9, 1862, Mr. Farley enlisted as a private in Co. F, 117th Regt.', and 
was discharged as a sergeant December 31, 1864. He was wounded at Chapin's 
Farm. He is a charter member and commander of Thomas Post, No. 39, which 
position he held for eight years. He is also a member of Trenton Lodge, I. O. O. F., 
and I. O. R. M., No. 221, of Prospect. He was supervisor of the town of Trenton 
for three terms. 

Gallagher, James, jr., was born in Forestport, May 19, 1855, son of James Gallagher, 
who was born in Ireland, in 1S25, and came to Forestport in 1845, where he now re- 
sides on a farm ; he married Mary Gallagher, a native of Ireland, by whom he has 
seven children: John, James, Frank, Henry, Anna, Mary and Sarah E. James 
Gallagher, jr., began life for himself when he was twenty-one years of age, by work- 
ing in the woods, and also owned two boats, which he conducted until 1888, when he 
disposed of them, and erected a saw mill on Black River in the town of Wilmurt, 
where he manufactured hard wood lumber for five years ; in 1895 he erected his pres- 
ent mill, where he has been actively engaged in cutting pulp wood and manufactur- 
ing lumber, and he now owns 3,000 acres of timber land in the Adirondacks, and 
ships on the average of one boat load consisting of forty cords a day. In 1885 he 
married Mary Ella, daughter of Michael and Catherine Donovan of Ireland, and 
they have five children: Elizabeth Maud, Jennie Frances, Ellen Cecelia, Margaret 
Allena, and Charles Austin. 

Garrett, Henry L., was born in South Trenton, August 12, 1848, son of Henry W. 
and Sarah D. Garrett. Mrs. Garrett was a daughter of Aaron Savage. Henry W. 
was a son of Cheney and Lorena (Plant) Garrett, and Cheney was a son of John 
Garrett, one of the pioneers of Utica. Henry W. was married March 30, 1837, and 
Mr. and Mrs. Garrett have eight children: Frederick E., born January 1, 1838- 



12 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Emma C, born February 28, 1840, and who died June 28, 1855; C. Olivia, who was 
born March 12, 1842, and died February 29, 1852; Orrin R., born March 26, 1844; 
Julia L., born September 14, 1846, and died August 7, 1853; Henry L. ; Sarah R. , 
born March 26, 1850 ; and Lewis Seymour, born April 24, 1853, and died November 
18, 1893. Mr. Garrett was a farmer and a brick manufacturer at South Trenton, 
and taught school ten years. He enlisted in Co. E, 97th Regt. N, Y. Vols., on Sep- 
tember 13, 1862, and was discharged from service June 16, 1865. Henry L. married 
Minnie Waite, and is also engaged in farming and in brick manufacturing. 

Griffith, William Penn, was born in Boonville in 1846, son of Arthur Griffith, who 
was born in Cairffonshire, Wales, in 1814; was left an orphan at an early age and 
emigrated to America in 1824 with his grandfather and first settled in Steuben, 
Oneida county. In 1837 he started for the far west ; he took passage on the lake 
from Buffalo to Detroit, and from there he walked across the State of Michigan, a 
part of Indiana and to Chicago, where he found a small muddy village where loaded 
teams would get mired in the street ; then he returned to Boonville, where he en- 
gaged in farming, an occupation he pursued through life. In 1843 he married 
Eleanor Hughes, daughter of William R. Hughes of Lee. He was the father of 
three children; Jane and Ellen, both of whom are deceased, and William Penn, with 
whom he now resides. William Penn Griffith has devoted his life to farming and 
has always resided in Boonville, where he has a farm of 200 acres. He married 
Fidelia Piatt, of Steuben, N. Y. Mr. Griffith is possessed of sound common sense 
and unfaltering energy and has led a remarkably busy life. 

Gue, Jerome V., was born in Boonville, Oneida county, January 15, 1828, a son of 
David C. and Lucina (Jillson) Gue, natives of Ulster county, N. Y., and Massachu- 
setts, respectively. His maternal grandfather, Levin Jillson, a carpenter by trade, 
was among the first settlers of Boonville, where he resided until his death. David 
C. Gue, father Of Jerome V., settled in Boonville in 1817, where he cleared a farm, 
and in 1865, removed to Durand, Wisconsin, where he died in 1873. Jerome V. re- 
mained in Boonville until he was fifteen years of age, when he removed to Western. 
He is a boat builder and carpenter by trade, which business he has followed since he 
was twenty-three years of age, and has also had a dry dock for boats at North West- 
ern since 1865. In 1853 he married Clarissa, daughter of George and Rebecca 
Keech, of Western, by whom he has three children: Elma (Mrs. Jay McOmber); 
Nellie (Mrs. Dr. Gilbert L. Lear); and Charles. Mr. Gue has been supervisor of 
Western one term, and held the office of justice of the peace twenty-seven years. 
In politics he is a Democrat. 

Gliffe, Henry, was born in Prussia, December 8, 1849, son of Charles and Austenia 
(Creger) Gliffe, natives of Germany. Mr. Ghffe was a wagonmaker by trade, and 
died in Germany in 1867; Mrs. Gliffe also died in Germany, in 1885. Henry Gliffe 
was reared and educated in Germany. He served in the army and also served ap- 
prenticeship at the tailor trade, and after working five years at the trade in Germany, 
emigrated to America in 1874, settling first in Utica, and then in Oneida in 1875 ; 
whence in 1878, he removed to Deerfield Corners, where he has since resided and 
carried on the business of manufacturing clothing for Utica firms. In 1874 he mar- 
ried Mary, adopted daughter of John Summerfieldof Germany, where she was reared 
and educated, and came to America in 1873. They have three children : Adaline, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 13 

Lilly and Henry M. Mr. Gliffe is an active Republican, and has been overseer of 
the poor for seven years in succession. 

Garrett, Edward E., was born in South Trenton, N. Y., November 9, 1841, son of 
John P. and Elizabeth (Savage) Garrett. John P. was born in the house where 
Edward E. now lives, and is a son of Cheney and Lorena (Plant) Garrett, who came 
from Connecticut, and built the first frame house in the city of Utica. Cheney was 
engaged in the hotel business, also farming, and as a carpenter. John P. was also 
engaged in farming, and was town superintendent of schools, and has been constable 
and collector for many years. He was a member of Co. E, 97th Regt. N. Y. Vols., 
and was a private detailed as a musician. His children were William Henry, Edward 
Eugene, Cornelia Eliza, Ella Elizabeth and George W. Edward E. Garrett mar- 
ried Marian, adopted daughter of Charles Wall, by whom he has one child, John 
Cheney Garrett. Mr. Garrett enlisted in Co. D, 1st U. S. Sharpshooters, better 
known as Berdan's Sharpshooters, and is a member of the Thomas Post of Prospect, 
N. Y. He is engaged in farming. John P. Garrett is a member of the Hunt Post 
of Holland Patent. James Garrett, son of Cheney, was a missionary and died in 
Bombay, India, and his son, Samuel James, died in Andersonville Prison, a member 
of Co. D, 146th Regt. 

Gaus, Fred E., was born in Stittville, N. Y., May 3, 1861, son of Christian and 
Rosene (Sickenberger) Gaus, who settled in Stittville about 1852, and whose children 
were Mary, Christiana, Carrie Mularky, and Fred E. Fred E. Gaus married Mary 
E., daughter of John and Sylvia Merriman, residents of Prospect, N. Y., by whom 
he has two children : Winifred and John. When seventeen years of age he engaged 
in the general merchandise business, at which he now continues. He is also inter- 
ested in the Stittville Canning Company, and is one of its directors, and is also a di- 
rector of the Merchants Co-operative Fire Insurance Co., of Utica, N. Y. He was 
appointed postmaster under Cleveland, in 1888. Mr. Gaus is a member of the Rem- 
sen F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 677, of Trenton, also I. O. O. F., No. 577, of Trenton, 
and the United Friends. 

Hagedorn, Henry, was born in Hamilton county, N. Y., November 15, 1838, son 
of Henry and Margaret Hagedorn, of Hamilton county. Henry Hagedorn, jr., set- 
tled in Oneida county with his family about 1880. His wife was Amelia, daughter 
of Samuel Colwell, of Herkimer county, and they have one child, Katherine, who 
was born in Herkimer county, February 4, 1881. Mr. Hagedorn started for himself 
when twenty-one years of age as a carpenter, which business he followed until 1880, 
when he purchased the grist and grinding mill at Prospect, which he has run to the 
present time. He is a charter member of Lodge No. 221, I. O. R. M., of Prospect, 
and is active in lodge work. 

Hamlin, Fred W., was born near Holland Patent, October 9, 1819, son of Joseph 
and Catherine Hamlin. Joseph is a son of William Hamlin, whose children were 
Joseph and David, who came to Trenton with their father in 1807. Joseph married 
Catherine West, by whom he had five children: Joseph S., Marietta, Frederick W., 
David, and Sophia. He was actively interested in town and county affairs, and 
was assessor of the town many years. Fred W. married Mary Ann (deceased), 
daughter of Broughton White, by whom he had one child, Mary Ann (deceased). 



14 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

He married for his second wife, Millicent Le Moyne, a daughter of William Webb 
De Anglis, by whom he had three children: Charles F., Johnnie A. (deceased), and 
Mary A. Mr. Hamlin has always been engaged in farming, and also in live stock. 
He was active in the building and support of the Holland Patent Academy, and his 
wife and children are members of the Episcopal church. 

Hughes, Edgar, was born in Boonville, in 1863, son of John J. Hughes, who died in 
1886. His mother was Sarah A. McClusky of Boonville, and here he was educated. 
He was early connected with the flour and feed mill, and was also proprietor of the 
Washington meat market, and his first public office was that of president of the vil- 
lage in the years 1893, 1894; he was also a member of the Board of Health, and now 
holds the responsible position of canal superintendent, of section No. 1, Black River 
Canal over which he has charge, having seventy-two locks, requiring fifty-two tend- 
ers, which with other employees, constitute about 100 men under his direction. In 
1891 he married Lillie M. Burt, daughter of P. K. Burt, a lumberman. Mr. Hughes 
is president of the Acme Hose Co. , also secretary of the I. O. O. F. 

Franklin, James H., was born in Ava, Oneida county, N. Y., September 10, 1828, 
son of Gilbert and Sarah (Farr) Franklin, he a native of Herkimer county, N.Y. , and 
she of Remsen, Oneida county, N.Y. David Franklin, the great-grandfather of James 
H., was born in England, emigrated to America prior to the Revolution, was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war and there died, leaving a widow and three children : James, 
Wait and Mary Franklin. The grandfather, James Franklin, came from Connecti- 
cut to Herkimer county, thence to Remsen, Oneida county, where he died in 1825. 
The maternal grandparents, Peris and Dolly (Foster) Farr, came from New Hamp- 
shire and settled in Remsen where they died. Gilbert Franklm, father of Tames H. , 
came to Ava in 1826 and settled on the farm now owned by his son. He purchased 
154 acres of land, then an unbroken wilderness, and cleared 130 acres. He died in 
1854 and his wife died in 1885. James H. was reared on the farm and educated in 
the common schools. He taught school nine winters, farming summers, and now 
owns a farm of 192 acres, with a dairy of about thirty cows. In 1858 he married 
Caroline, daughter of Davis Tuthill of Ava, by whom he had three children: John 
C, a farmer on the homestead; Ellsworth D., proprietor of a cheese factory at Hill- 
side, N. Y. ; Elwin J., who died at twenty-four years of age. Mr. Franklin is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, has been commissioner of highways and is now assessor of his town. 

Halstead, Charles N. , was born in Redfield, Oswego county, March 19, 1852, son 
of Henry and Amelia (Nettleton) Halstead. Henry came here with his father, Tim- 
othy, when four years of age, in 1798 or 1799, and settled near McConnellsville. Mr. 
and Mrs. Henry N. Halstead's children were Henry J., Martha L., Charles N., 
Frank H., and three deceased. Timothy was in the Revolutionary war three or four 
years, and Henry served in the war of 1812. Timothy Halstead was the third settler 
in town, coming from Connecticut to the town of Trenton, and from there to 
Vienna. 

Harris, Henry, was born in Parish of Plynt, county of Cornwall, England, Febru 
ary 22, 1824, son of Henry and Ann (Bate) Harris, natives of England. Mr. Harris 
died in parish of Landreath, in 1841, and Mrs. Harris came to America in 1869 and 
resided with her daughter in the town of Lee, where she died in 1873. Mr. Henry 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 15 

Harris's grandparents, John and Elizabeth Harris, were farmers in England. Mr. 
Harris was reared in England, where he served seven years' apprenticeship at the 
tailor's trade, and came to America in 1854, where he served three years' apprentice- 
ship at the blacksmith trade. He later engaged in farming, which has been his life 
work, in connection with butchering, in which he has been engaged eight years; and 
he has a farm of 192 acres. In 1856 he married Hannah, daughter of Truman' and 
Eunice (Higbee) Harger, of Ava, by whom he has had seven children: James H. T., 
Eunice H. L., Eliza A. E. (deceased), Janet M. L., wife of N. Rockwell, of Iowa- 
Sarah E. J., wife of T. R. Walker, of South Dakota; Augusta E. M., wife of F. C.' 
Silberhorn, of Chicago; and Susan M. L., wife of Henry Pohl, of Ava. Mrs. Harris 
died in 1868, and Mr. Harris married for his second wife Rachel Sassenbury, a na- 
tive of Germany, by whom he had four children: Ella C, Samuel J., Edith R., and 
Rosena A. E. (deceased). Mr. Harris has been road commissioner for three years, 
and supervisor for four years. 

Jones, Richard J., was born in the town of Steuben, December 27, 1832, son of 
James R. and Ann Jones, natives of Wales. James R. came to Steuben about 1817, 
and one year later married Ann, daughter of Even Lewis, and they have six chil- 
dren: William J., Ellen Griffiths, Even J., Mary, Jesse N., and Richard J. Mr. Jones 
was engaged in farming, and was a member and deacon of the Presbyterian church 
of Steuben. Richard J. married Catherine, daughter of John W. Pritchard, by whom 
he has six children: Manzie, James R., John P., Jesse, Katie M., and Georgiana L. 
Mr. Jones in early life, with his brother Jesse, was engaged as a carpenter and 
builder, and in 1867 they engaged in farming, at which they still continue. Richard 
J. is a member of Trenton Grange, and an active worker and deacon in the Congre- 
gational church. 

Jones, Robert G., was born in Wales, May 25, 1852. He came to the United States 
in 1870 and settled in Oneida county, N. Y, where he has been a successful and 
prominent business man, being interested in the milling business, owning a grist 
and saw mill, and running a cheese box factory with a capacity of turning out 500 
boxes per day. Mr. Jones is also largely interested in the manufacture of cheese, 
owning at this time two factories, one in Annsville and one in Steuben, Oneida 
county. He married Jeanette Jones, of Western. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and in politics is a Democrat. 

Jackson, B. O., was born in Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y. . in 1831, son of 
Thomas Jackson, of Fairfield, Herkimer county, a descendant of the old renowned 
family of Andrew Jackson. His father came here in pioneer times of 1807, and 
cleared the land where his son now resides. The farm is devoted to dairying, and 
contains 240 acres, on which Mr. Jackson erected an elegant modern residence in 
1870. In 1863 he married Nancy C, daughter of Hamilton Rice of Fairfield, Her- 
kimer county, by whom he had two children : Clara E. and Ward R. 

Kilborn, Dr. George L. , was born in Jefferson county, in 1863. His father, Dr. 
Henry F. Kilborn, was born in Brockville, N. Y, in 1844, and practiced medicine 
for twenty-one years in Croghan, Lewis county. He is one of five sons and four 
daughters born to Lewis Kilborn, a farmer of Vermont. The Kilborn (or Kilnburn) 
family dates back many generations, three brothers from England, who settled in, 



16 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the east and burned lime, whence the name Kilnburn. Henry F. Kilborn, father of 
George L., now a practicing physician in Watertown, married Sarah Nichols, by 
whom he had these children: Anna, George, Mary, and Nellie. The daughters all 
married doctors. Mr. Kilborn has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows for 
twenty years, and in politics is a Republican. George L. Kilborn received his pre- 
liminary education in Lowville Academy and Utica Business College, after which he 
taught school for two years, and then took a medical course in the University of Ver- 
mont; in 1888 he was graduated from' the Kentucky School of Medicine in Louis- 
ville, Ky., after which he practiced with his father in Croghan one year, thence to 
West Leyden, Lewis county, where he remained for three years. In 1892 he re- 
moved to Forestport, where he now enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice. He 
is a member of the S. F. I., of which he is the medical examiner. In 1889 he married 
Laura, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Bush) Bush, by whom he has three chil- 
dren: Luverne, Blain, and Henry. 

Lewis, John M. , was born in Utica, March 24, 1824. Was the eldest son of David 
and Fanny Lewis. He received his education in the schools of that city. In early 
manhood he learned the drug business, and in 1847 located in Boonville, establishing 
the first drug store in the village, remaining in the business till his death, which 
occurred May 28, 1881. Within the year of his coming here to reside, he secured the 
appointment of postmaster succeeding Major Graves. Mr. Lewis continued in the 
office of postmaster during the changing administrations over twenty-five years, 
sustained alike by political friends and opponents, a result unparalleled in the 
county save in one instance. He was an ardent politician. Originally a Whig, he 
was one of the first to profess allegiance to the newly organized Republican part}', 
and never wavered from its principles. At the organization of Trinity Episcopal 
church, he was elected warden, an office in which he continued during his life. He 
was devotedly attached to his church and contributed liberally to its support, pecun- 
iarily, and still more effectively by his untiring efforts to sustain its influence and 
teachings. He was prominently connected with all that furthered the best interests 
of the village. In his intercourse with society Mr. Lewis was quiet and reticent, 
but there is not often found a heart so filled with the very spirit of love and kindness, 
of loyalty and devotion to friends, as many beneficiaries can attest. In October, 
1850, he married Lovina C, daughter of Thomas Jackson, one of the pioneer settlers 
of Boonville, who came here in 1805. 

Mayhew, Mortimer M., son of Merchant and grandson of Robert, was born on the 
farm where he now resides August 27, 1842. Robert Mayhew and his wife, Mary, 
came to this country from England in 1796, and settled in the town of New Hartford, 
N. Y. Here Merchant Mayhew was born. When a young man Merchant moved to 
the town of Marcy where he married Hannah Haskill by whom he had two children, 
Melissa M., wife of Thomas W. Carr, and Mortimer M. After his marriage Merchant 
Mayhew and his wife settled on a farm on the River Road in Marcy where they 
spent the remainder of their lives, Hannah dying in 1882 and her husband four years 
later. In 1865 Mortimer Mayhew married Jane C. Fuller, daughter of Austin and 
Laura Fuller, by whom he had two children, Laura F. and Carolyn H. Laura F. 
Mayhew was graduated from the Utica Free Academy in 1885. After her gradu- 
ation she taught school until 1890 when she was elected school commissioner of the 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 17 

first district of Oneida county, being the first woman ever nominated for office in 
Oneida county. Carolyn H. Mayhew was graduated from the Utica Free Academy 
in 1890 and subsequently from the classical course of the State Normal College at 
Albany. She is now a teacher in the public schools of Utica, N. Y. Mortimer May- 
hew was elected collector from 1862 to 1863, assessor from 1863 to 1878 and since 
1884 he has served his town as supervisor for seven terms. 

Mack, Jonathan, was born in Ireland, June 9, 1812. He came to the United States 
in 1850, settled in the town of Annsville, where he has since resided, and through 
his own energy and push has acquired quite an amount of property, and is the owner 
of 230 acres, mostly all improved. He married Mary Shaw, of Ireland, by whom he 
had six children who grew to maturity: Robert, Jacob, David, Isaac, Mary and 
Jennie. Mr. Mack is a member of the M. E. church, a respected citizen, and an in- 
dulgent husband and father. In politics he is a Republican. 

McGuire, Mrs. Mary (Coughlin), widow of the late Philip McGuire, was born in Boon- 
ville, now Forestport, in 1844, daughter of John and Catherine (McGuire) Coughlin, 
both natives of Ireland. In 1864, she married Philip McGuire, who was born in Ire- 
land in 1837. At twenty years of age, he came to America, where he settled in 
Oneida county, and engaged in farm work, and later worked in a tannery at Hawk- 
insville for five years ; he then spent a year at lumbering at Lyon Falls, after which 
he engaged in farming and lumbering in Forestport, in which he was very success- 
ful. He owned 350 acres of farm land, and 7,000 acres of timber. He purchased a 
tannery in 1891, which he conducted, and in 1874 he erected the grist mill in Forest- 
port, now owned by W. R. Stanbury ; in 1888 he erected a pulp mill which he operated 
until his death, which occurred October 15, 1894, by accidentally falling through a 
trap door in his barn. In 1881 he erected and operated for three years, the feed mill 
now owned by George Farley. He also erected large and commodious buildings, 
also a cheese factory, and in 1889, he was awarded the contract for building a State 
dam one and one-half miles above Forestport, consideration $45,000. Mr. and Mrs. 
McGuire had seven children: Anna, Catherine, Mary, Frank, Grace, Frances, and 
Bertha. Anna died in 1882. Frank was educated at Manhattan College; Mary, 
Grace and Frances were graduates of St Peter's Academy of Rome. Since Mr. Mc- 
Guire's death Mrs. McGuire with the assistance of her daughters has carried on the 
large business, which she is closing as rapidly as possible. 

Marsh, Lyman, was born in Salisbury, N. Y., August 25, 1812, son of Abram and 
Mary (Bleekman) Marsh ; he a native of Hoosac, and she of Massachusetts. John 
Marsh, father of Abram, came from the east and was an early settler of Salisbury, 
where he owned a large farm, and died at the age of ninety-four years. Abram 
Marsh was captain in 1812, at Sackett's Harbor, and he spent his life on the home- 
stead farm. He was a member of Salisbury Lodge, F. & A. M., and was supervisor 
of his town several terms. Lyman Marsh was reared on the farm, and his principal 
occupation has been farming. He came to Deerfield in 1845, where he has since 
been engaged in farming. In 1837, he married Achsa, daughter of Jacob and Lucy 
(Smith) Munson. Mr. Munson was a native of Wallingford, Conn., and Mrs. Munson 
of Littleton, N. H. The grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Hart) Munson, came 
to Salisbury in 1792. Jacob Munson died 1847, aged seventy-one years, and Mrs. 



18 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Munson died in 1827, at the age of forty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have one 
child: Emma, who was born August 29, 1839, married to Rev. John R. Lewis of the 
Presbyterian church; their grandson, John H., born January 3, 1865; he is complet- 
ing his musical education at Cincinnati. Mr. Marsh has been assessor several years. 

Moore, Maria. — Michael Moore was born in New York city, April 3, 1803, and set- 
tled in Oneida county in 1832. In 1831 he married Maria, daughter of Rev. John 
and Abigail (Perkins) Sherman, by whom he had these children: Michael, Archibald 
Dunlap, Julia Sherman, Charles Edward, John Robert, Maria Moore Jones, Roger 
Sherman, Samuel Glover, and Abbie Perkins Gouge, all of whom are natives of the 
town. In early life Michael was a wool merchant in New York city, but after his 
residence in Oneida county his time was spent in the study of geology and the im- 
provement of the Trenton Falls property, which the Rev. John Sherman had com- 
menced, making it one of the most noted resorts in New York State. These sons 
served in the army of the Rebellion, Michael, Charles, Edward and J. Robert. 

Miller, G. Adam, sr., was born in Weitenberg, Middlestadt, Germany, January 6, 
1827, son of George Miller. G. Adam located at State Bridge, N. Y., in 1851, and 
moved to Vienna in 1867. He married Christina Rung, and they have four children : 
Mary Olden, Libbie Cole, Jennie, wife of Charles Nobles; and three step-children: 
Frederick, George and Louise Rung. G. Adam, sr., follows farming, and is also 
connected with his son, G. Adam, jr., in the sand business, shipping for furnaces, 
etc. Mr. Miller is a public spirited man and has been very active in building up and 
improving the property at Sylvan Beach. He is a member of Vienna, F. &. A. M., 
No. 440. 

Miller, G. Adam, jr., was born in what is now called Sylvan Beach, January 4, 
1870, son of G. Adam Miller, sr. He married Virginia E., daughter of Washington 
Sewell Sautell, and they have three children: Sewell, G. Adam, jr., and Christiana 
V., all of whom were born on the homestead at Sylvan Beach. G. Adam, jr., is as- 
sociated with his father in business, and they ship from 7,000 to 10,000 tons of Oneida 
Lake sand yearly, which is used on railroads, cores for malleable castings, and also 
for furnace bottoms, and is of the finest quality in use. G. Adam, jr., is a member 
of Vienna, F. & A. M., No. 440. 

McClanathan, William, was born September 21, 1817, near Lake Champlam, Vt., 
and came to Higginsville about 1846, and one year later married Martha Jane, a 
daughter of John Babbitt, who resided at Fish Creek Landing, and they were the 
parents of the following children : Caroline Medora Baker, Lester, William Henry, 
Elmer E., Francis L. , Betsey M. Jones, Viola A. Cole, Benjamin F. , Eudora, and 
Ulysses Monroe, of whom the last three are deceased. William followed lumbering, 
farming, and boating until 1882, since which time until his death in 1887, he engaged 
only in farming. Lester McClanathan married Gertie E., daughter of Jay C. and 
Eunice Conger Bailey, and they have one child, Myrtle L. Lester is a carpenter by 
trade, has followed boating for a number of years, but is now entirely engaged in 
farming. 

Midlam, John W., was born in Utica, N. Y., December 4, 1832, a son of John and 
Jane (Smith) Midlam, natives of England, the former born in Callerton, Yorkshire, 
November 14, 1796, and emigrated to America in 1822, coming to Westmoreland, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 19 

Oneida county, thence to Utica, where he engaged in the butchering business. In 
1833 he removed with his family to Floyd, where he engaged in farming for thirly- 
five years. In 1868 he removed to Rome, where he died in 1878, aged eighty-two 
years. He was strictly honest and upright, scrupulously exact in his business trans- 
actions, and for upwards of twenty-five years was a member of the M. E. church. 
His children were Eliza (Mrs. George Massee), Frank S., Mary J. (Mrs. T. J. Selden), 
John'W., Hannah (Mrs. Ezra Clark), Samuel T., Susan, Carrie F. (Mrs. Thomas 
Warcup), and Safaria. John W. Midlam was reared in Floyd from infancy, and be- 
gan life as a farmer, in which he has been engaged more or less all his life. Janu- 
ary 11, 1865, he married Mary, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Simpson) Warcup, 
of Western, by whom he has one son, Robert W. 

Mullin, Martin H., was born in New York city, July 11, 1842, son of the late Mar- 
tin Mullin, who was also born in New York city. Martin H. came to the town of 
Annsville when seven years of age, with his stepfather, John Sheehan. The occu- 
pation of the father was stevedoring in New York. He married Mary Quinn, of Ire- 
land, who came to this country when ten years of age, by whom he had three chil- 
dren: Katie, Michael, who was killed in Sacramento, Cal., March 11, 1879; and Mar- 
tin H. , who received his education in the district schools of this town, after which he 
engaged in farming. May 4, 1861, he enlisted in the 26th N. Y. Vols., re-enlisted 
December 2, 1863, in the 24th N. Y. Cavalry, and was discharged August 1, 1865, as 
first lieutenant of Co. F, 24th Cav. He was in most of the noted battles, such as 
Cold Harbor, Antietam, Gettysburg, etc., and was at Lee's surrender, April 9, 1865. 
He married Maggie Enright, of Annsville, by whom he had six children : Molly, James, 
William, Michael, Nellie and Katie. Mr. Mullin is a Democrat in politics was com- 
missioner for four years and town assessor six years. He is commander of Ballard 
Post G. A. R., No. 551. 

King, William, was born in Holland, in 1850. His father, Henry King, was born 
about 1825, and was a barber in Holland. He came to New York about 1851, and 
soon after came to Forestport, where he worked many years for Dr. Piatt Williams. 
He married Hannah Nichols, daughter of Christian and Anna Nichols, natives of 
Holland, who came to America and settled in Forestport. Mr. and Mrs. King had 
these children: William, Charles, Anna, deceased, wife of Charles Cronan, Albert, 
Henry and Hannah ; the three latter died young. Mrs. King died in 1860. When 
twelve years of age William King began as a chore boy for Dr. Williams. When 
twenty-two years of age he began his apprenticeship as a blacksmith, and in 1883 
started a shop for himself on his present site in Forestport, where he has made a 
success, and up to 1893 manufactured wagons and sleighs. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, of Forestport. In 1876 he married Sarah, daughter of William 
Farley, of Boonville, by whom he had these children: Anson, Lee, Grace Mabel and 
Clarence. 

Beyel, Charles, was bprn in Ava, N. Y., March 22, 1854, son of Phillip and Eliza- 
beth (Fadner) Beyel, natives of Germany. Phillip Beyel came to America in 1829, 
and settled in Buffalo, N. Y. Mrs. Beyel came with her parents, Martin and Eliza- 
beth Fadner, in 1832 and also settled in Buffalo. In 1840 they came to Ava, where 
they spent the remainder of their lives. The grandparents, Phillip and Barbara 
Beyel, lived and died in Germany, and Phillip was a wagonmaker. Phillip, jr., was 



20 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a soldier in Germany eight years. He bought a farm in Ava of 165 acres, and died 
in 1870. Mrs. Beyel is still living on the homestead with her son, Charles. He re- 
ceived his education in West Le)'den school, and has always lived on a farm, and he 
owns 170 acres, and keeps from twenty to twenty-five cows. He is also a mason and 
carpenter. In 1876 he married Mary, daughter of Henry and Catherine Rbser, by 
whom he has one daughter, Alta. Mr. Beyel is a Democrat and has been assessor 
three years, and was elected justice of the peace for a full term in 1896 ; he is a mem- 
ber of the Grange at West Leyden. 

Spratt, Charles H., was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y. , June 21, 1845, 
son of Charles and Elizabeth (Hogbin) Spratt, both natives of England, she of 
Dover and he of Kent; they came to Utica, N. Y., in 1844, and engaged in market 
gardening, which business they followed through life. Mr. Spratt died in 1881, aged 
seventy years. Charles H. Spratt was educated in the district and Williams private 
schools of Utica, and has since been engaged in market gardening for special custom- 
ers in Utica. In 1865 he married Winifred, daughter of Robert and Winifred Evans 
Owens, both natives of Wales and early settlers near Utica. Mr. and Mrs. Spratt 
have four children: William H., a farmer of Deerfield; George H., a barber at Utica; 
Ella M. ; and Minnie E. , who died January 14, 1870, aged two years and six months. 

Rogers, J. W., was born in Boonville in 1836, son of Josiah Rogers, who was also 
born in Boonville, in 1797, and who spent his whole life in this vicinity. His name 
is a synonym for unswerving honesty of purpose, reliance and substantial worth. 
His father, Jacob Rogers, being one of the first comers here from Massachusetts, 
was the central firgure in the development of all its resources. Jacob Rogers was 
elected the first supervisor of the town of Boonville in 1805. Josiah Rogers married 
Achsah Pitcher, daughter of Daniel Pitcher, by whom he had nine children. He 
died in 1864, aged sixty-seven years. In 1872 J. W. Rogers married Ellen Grant, 
daughter of Nelson C. Grant of Boonville, by whom he has two children : Edgar, 
aged twenty, and Grace, aged seventeen. Mr. Rogers was a Republican, but is now 
a prominent Prohibitionist, and an earnest advocate of the temperance cause. His 
family are members of the Baptist church, of which he has been a deacon for twenty- 
five years, and an active worker in all movements for the uplifting of society. 

Waterbury, Nathaniel G., was born in Albany county, N. Y., March 12. 1847, son 
of Col. Stephen N. Waterbury, a native of Nassau, Rensselaer county, N. Y., born 
in 1805, one of nine children born to Joseph Waterbury. In early life Col. Stephen 
Waterbury was engaged in the manufacture' of woolen goods at Watervliet, Albany 
county, N. Y., but he afterwards disposed of his factory and purchased a farm, where 
he spent his remaining days. He was colonel of a company of State militia. He 
first married Caroline Sanford, and their children were Warren S., Joseph, Chaun- 
cey, and Mary C, all deceased except Joseph. Mr. Waterbury then married Ann E., 
daughter of Nathaniel and Esther Griffes, of Schenectady county, and their children 
were Carrie A., wife of Alonzo Denton, of Forestport; Angeline M., wife of Charles 
Denton of Forestport; and Nathaniel G. Mr. Stephen Waterbury died in 1857, and 
his wife in 1884, aged seventy-five years. In 1858 the family removed from the 
homestead to Schenectady, where Nathaniel G. attended school. At the age of 
fifteen he became a clerk in the boot and shoe store of John Consaul, with whom he 
remained seven years. In 1869 he came to Forestport and purchased the interest of 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 21 

Mr. Thurston in the firm of Denton & Thurston, general merchants, where he has 
since continued under the firm name of Denton & Waterbury. Under the manage- 
mont of these two gentlemen the business has been largely increased, Mr. Waterbury 
taking charge of the store and financial part of the business and Mr. Denton the 
manufacture of lumber. Mr. Waterbury was town clerk for several years and is now 
postmaster. He has often been elected delegate to county and district conventions. 
In 1869 he married Amelia, daughter of Angus Mcintosh a resident of Schenectady, 
and who was assemblyman from that district. Their children are Angus M., a grad- 
uate of Poughkeepsie Business College, now has charge of the retail lumber business 
of Denton & Waterbury, at Whitesboro, N. Y. ; Claribel, a graduate of Hamilton 
Seminary, an artist, having spent three winters at Cooper Institute in New York 
city; Clarence, and Warren C. 

Annis, Albert S., was born in Redfield, Oswego county, N. Y., March 16, 1855, 
son of Lury and Rebecca Brown Annis, who settled in Oneida county in 1862. Mr. 
and Mrs. Annis were the parents of nine children: Gardner C, deceased; John M., 
Volney P., Eleanor, Myron, Henry, Geraldine, Atwell, and Albert S. The latter 
married Mertie, daughter of John Auchard and a native of North Bay, and they are 
the parents of three children: Edith, Ola, and Lola. Albert has followed boat build- 
ing and boating as an occupation. Mr. Annis belongs to Sylvan Beach I. O. O. F. 
Lodge No. 326, the F. & A. M., No. 440, of Vienna, and at present is master of the 
Lodge, and has also held the position of junior and senior warden. Was elected 
supervisor of the town March 3, 1896. 

Kenyon, Dr. O. S., was born in the town of Lee, September 20, 1836, son of Joseph 
Kenyon, who was also born in Lee. The ancestors came here from Connecticut 
when the town was a wilderness, and took up farming. O. S. Kenyon is one of three 
children from the union of Jose'ph Kenyon and Julia Douglas, daughter of Dr. S. 
Douglas, Sandy Creek, N. Y. , with whom our subject began the study of medicine. 
He has been in practice and also ran a drug store in Taberg since 1868, twenty-eight 
years. He married Elizabeth J. Barton of Annsville. Under the administration of 
Grant and Hayes Dr. Kenyon was postmaster in Taberg from 1873 to 1881. 

Gifford, Hamilton W. , was born in the town of Smithfield, Madison county, N. Y. , 
August 3, 1820. The father, Elihu R. Gifford, was born in Massachusetts, October 
7, 1797, and came to Madison county when quite a young man, where he began life 
as a farmer, and remained there for a few years, then removing to the town of Flor- 
ence, Oneida county, where he spent the balance of his days. He married Diana 
Spencer of Saratoga county, N. Y., and they were the parents of four children: 
Hamilton W., Elmira, Jeanette, and Mary, the two latter being deceased. Hamil- 
ton W. , was educated in the district schools of Florence, and he has been a farmer 
by occupation. For his first wife he married Rosanna. daughter of Daniel Plumb, 
and they have three children : Electa, Sarah, and Eugenie. His second wife was 
Mary, daughter of Isaac Northrop, and to them have been born five children : Will- 
iam, Henry, Rosanna, Elihu, and Thomas. William Gifford is assistant county 
clerk in Oneida county, and supervisor of the town of Camden. This family have 
always advocated the principles of the Republican party. 

Neaskern, John, was born in Augusta, Oneida county, June 9, 1828, son of Henry 



22 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and Nancy (Utman) Neaskern, natives of Schoharie county, N. Y., who settled in 
Augusta in the early twenties, where the father engaged in farming, and died in the 
town of Paris, aged forty-seven years. John Neaskern was reared in Oneida county, 
and is a basketmaker by trade, and, with the exception of five years that he lived in 
Osceola, Lewis county, has resided in Western since 1842, where his principal occu- 
pation has been farming. In 1849 he married Sarah D., daughter of Abraham and 
Nancy (Vandawalker) Fox, of Western, by whom he has five children : Charles H. . 
Melissa J., Nancy (Mrs. Melvin Capron); Melva (Mrs. J. C. Stannard); and Lizzie S. 
Mr. Neaskern was in the late civil war, enlisting in 1861, in Co. I, 81st N. Y. Vols., 
and was honorably discharged from the service on account of disability in April, 
1862. He is a member of the M. E. church, and in politics is a Prohibitionist. 

Norton, William M., was born in Georgetown, Madison county, N. Y., November 
24, 1840, a son of Ezra and Margaret (Louk) Norton, natives of Chenango county, 
N. Y., and Western, respectively. His maternal grandfather, a native of Rensse- 
laer county, N. Y., was a pioneer farmer of Western. Ezra Norton, father of Will- 
iam M., was a stone and brick mason and plasterer by trade. In 1851 he located in 
Western and worked at his trade until the breaking out of the civil war, when he 
enlisted in Co. G, 2d N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and after two years service died of brain 
fever in a Washington hospital. William M. was reared in Western from eleven 
years of age, and was educated in the common schools. He has followed various 
occupations, including clerking, boating on the canal, farming, merchandising, and 
since 1881, has conducted a tin shop at North Western. In 1873 he married Martha, 
daughter of John and Catherine (Casler) Van Buskirk, of Western. He is a mem- 
ber of the F. & A. M., R. A. M., and K. T., has been town clerk of Western and 
served as justice of the peace sixteen years. In politics he is a Democrat. 

Nicholas, Henry, M. D., was born in London, England, October 28, 1826, son of 
Rober and Jane Nicholas, who settled in Oneida county in 1833, first in Utica, where 
Mr. Nicholas worked at shoemaking a few months, and then in Whitestown, where 
he followed farming. Henry married Rhoda Ann, daughter of Daniel and Nancy 
Redway, and they have two children: Elbert J., deceased, and Annie R., who is the 
wife of Frank A. Whittemore, and to them have been born six children: Ola A., wife 
of C. D. Sole, Elbert Nicholas, Hattie, Carrie Estella, Clarence F., and Hattie M., 
deceased. Henry attended Hamilton Academy, and the Monroe Academy of El- 
bridge, and then studied with Dr. Hiram Hoyt of Syracuse He was graduated 
from the Geneva Medial College, and commenced practicing in North Bay in 1856. 
He is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society, the Vienna F. & A. M. Lodge 
No. 440, and of the Baptist church. He has been town clerk two years, and twice 
represented the town in the Board of Supervisors. 

Nichols, Henry, was born in Winters, Holland, in 1845, son of Christ Nichols, who 
came to America and settled in Forestport in 1857, and followed various occupations, 
spending the remainding days with his son. He married Anna Oonk, by whom he 
had eight children : John, Garrett, Hannah, Jennie, Henriette. Catherine, Dora and 
Henry. Mrs. Nichols died in January, 1881, and he died in May, 1886. Henry 
Nichols, at twelve years, began at common labor, and by his industry and integrity, 
has made himself what he is; he at eighteen, learned the turner's trade, which he 
followed until he was twenty-five, when he engaged in the lumber business, pur- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 23 

chasing his present farm of 300 acres, and saw mill of about 1,000,000 feet yearly 
capacity. He now owns between 6,000 and 7,000 acres of timber land, all of which 
he has obtained through his own exertions. He devotes one of his farms to dairy 
produce, keeping about forty-five cows, besides other stock. In 1893 he erected the 
Adirondack and St. Lawrence Hotel at White Lake, and which he now rents. He 
was elected four successive terms as commissioner of highways, and is a member 
and one of the trustees of the Masonic order, and has an interest in the Masonic Hall in 
Forestport. In 1875 he married Sarah Stell, who was born in Forestport, a daughter 
of Philip and Lena Stell, of Germany, and they had three children : Albert, who died 
at the age of fourteen ; George, who died at the age of twelve ; and Lena. Mrs. 
Nichols died in 1885, and he married for his present wife, Sarah E., daughter of 
Zara and Mary J. Putney, of Forestport, by whom he has two children: Edith and 
Arthur. 

Owen, John, was born in Boonville, in 1825, of Welch and German ancestry. At 
twelve years of age, he went into the store of Peter Schuyler, and three years later 
to New York city as a dry goods salesman. His first independent business venture, 
was when he was nineteen years old, when he established the firm of Burns & 
Owen. In 1845 he came back to the town of his birth, and for twenty-five years, 
conducted a general store, and lumber business, with branch houses at Oriskany 
Falls, and Hamilton, and in 1865 erected a woolen mil] at Oriskany Falls. Since 
1870, he has been identified with the clothing trade, with headquarters at Utica, and 
in 1874 established a large and magnificent store at Indianapolis. Personally, Mr. 
Owen is most genial and unassuming. 

Phelps, Pliny, was born in the town of Camden, January 21, 1816, son of Benjamin 
Phelps, who was born in the town of Simsbury, Connecticut, in 1782. He came to 
the town of Camden in 1803, and cleared a farm of two hundred and twenty-five 
acres. He married Sallie Parke of Connecticut, and they were the parents of seven 
children. Pliny Phelps was educated in the district schools of Camden, and has been 
mostly engaged in farming and lumbering. He has also been a carpenter and 
builder, and has erected a great many buildings in the town of Camden. He mar- 
ried Nancy, daughter of John Robinson of Vienna, and they have five children: 
Byron, William, Adelia, Sophia, and Jennie. Mr. Phelps was commissioner of high- 
ways in 1859, '60 and '61, and supervisor in 1862. In politics he is a Republican. 

Roberts, Daniel J., was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida Co., A. D., 1833, July 
8, being the youngest child of the late John J. and Mary Roberts, who came from 
North Wales and settled in Oneida county in 1819. Their children were Owen J., 
Mary, Ann, Jeanette, Jane, and Daniel J., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Roberts 
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and became a contractor at the age of 
twenty-three, and followed the trade many years. After a tour of two years to the 
Pacific coast he returned and married Laura, daughter of the late William W. and 
Mary Prichard of the town of Remsen, Oneida county, by whom he has two daugh- 
ters, Mary E., and Margaret M. In politics he is a Republican, and has served his 
town as highway commissioner eight terms. He is now living at Hinckley, N. Y. 

Pillmore, William F., was born in Western, Oneida county, September 19, 1853, a 
son of William and Catherine (McAlpine) Pillmore, and is of English and Scotch 



24 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

parentage. He was reared on the farm he now owns and occupies, educated in the 
public schools and Cazenovia and Whitestown Academies, and has always followed 
farming as an occupation. July 4, 1877, he married Louisa, daughter of Christian 
and Margaret (Bienz) Stahl, of Western, by whom he has seven children : Chester 
C, Leonard R. , Ina E., Tina L., William Roy, Bertha M., and an infant daughter. 
Mr. Pillmore is a member of the F. & A. M. , has served three terms as supervisor of 
Western, and in politics is a Republican. 

Pillmore, Johnson, was born in Western, Oneida county, N.Y., January 23, 1848, a 
son of William and Catherine (McAlpin) Pillmore, natives of England and Scotland, 
respectively. William, who was born in 1821, was a son of William and Sarah (Row- 
botham) Pillmore, and came to America in 1833, and has spent nearly all of his life in 
Western, where he still resides as a retired farmer. His wife, Catherine,* was a 
daughter of William and Sarah (Johnson) McAlpin, natives of Scotland, and lately 
of Boonville. Mr. and Mrs. Pillmore are the parents of eight children: Sarah (Mrs. 
Evan Owens), Johnson, William, Mar)' (deceased), Frank, Robert, David, and Ed- 
ward (deceased). Johnson Pillmore was educated at Rome Academy, where he 
spent four years under the preceptorship of M. C. West, the University of Michigan 
at Ann Arbor, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, from where 
he was graduated in 1872, and College of Medicine and Surgery, Cincinnati, O., 
class 1871-2. He began the practice of his profession in the hospitals of the latter 
city, and in 1873 located at Delta, where he has since resided and built up a lucra- 
tive practice. November 13, 1872, he married Sarah, daughter of William and 
Martha (Evans) Reese of Western, formerly of Wales, and to them were born two 
children: Catherine E., and Susie B. For his second wife he married Mary, daugh- 
ter of Alfred and Sophronia (Rogers) Utley of Western, and they are the parents of 
two children: George U., and Sarah S. Dr. Pillmore is a member of the Methodist 
church, the F. & A. M., and Oneida County Medical Society. In politics he is a 
Democrat. Tradition links the family history of the Pillmores with that of Rev. 
Joseph Pilmore, one of the traveling preachers sent to America in 1769 by John 
Wesley. 

Potter, John H., was born in Lewis county in 1852, son of Stephen Potter, who 
was born in the town of Boonville in 1810, and he was one of five children born to 
John and Amy Potter. John Potter, grandfather of John H. Potter, was a native of 
Rhode Island ; he was a farmer and came to Oneida county, where he settled in 
Boonville in 1805. He was a great reader, and well informed on all subjects, and 
lived to be ninety-seven years of age, and his wife to be eighty-six years of age. 
Stephen Potter was a carpenter and farmer, and did a great deal of contracting and 
building. He lived in Lewis county many years, and is now residing with his son 
at West Branch, Oneida county, N. Y. He married Esther Harris, by whom he had 
eight children: Jerome, William, Norman, John, Almeda, Amy, Jeanette, and 
Gertrude. His wife died in 1890. John H. Potter was educated in the common 
schools, and at twenty years of age engaged in farming at Forestport, which he still 
continues ; and in addition to his farming he has conducted a fire insurance busi- 
ness. He has served as town constable, collector, poormaster, and is now serving 
his fourth term as justice. He is a member and one of the organizers of the 
S. F. I., of which he was commander. In 1872 he married Mary, daughter of 



FAMIEY SKETCHES. 25 

Anthony and Mary Parsons, of Leyden, N. Y., who died in 1895, leaving three chil- 
dren: Lizzie, wife of Fred Stephon of Boonville; Florence and Walter, who are all 
members of the Presbyterian church. 

Roberts, Thomas D. , was born in the town of Deerfield, August 24, 1825, son of 
David M. and Eleanor Roberts, who came to Deerfield in 1820. He was one of five 
children: David E., Thomas D., Robert M., John B., and Mary. His father, David 
M. , helped to build the Erie Canal and after his settlement in Deerfield followed 
farming, and was active in religious work. Thomas D. Roberts married Anne H., 
daughter of David Isaacs, of Utica. He was engaged in cheese-making for twenty- 
one years, after which he engaged in farming. He was elected supervisor of the 
town of Floyd in 1873^7, and to the Assembly in 1880-81. He is president of the 
Farmers' Insurance Company of Westernville, and director of the Farmers' National 
Bank of Rome, also vice-president of the Oneida County Savings Bank. 

Rogers, Stephen, was born in Western, March 12, 1836, son of James and Eve 
(Frank) Rogers, natives of Montgomery county, N. Y., who settled in Western 
about 1830 and engaged in farming, where they resided until their death. Their 
children wer,e Angeline (Mrs. Alfred Waldo), Andrew, Harriet, John J., Louisa, 
Stephen, and George. His paternal grandfather, Francis Rogers, also a native of 
Montgomery county, N. Y., was an early settler of Western, and a farmer by occu- 
pation. Stephen Rogers was reared and educated in Western, where he has always 
resided, and is a farmer by occupation. He is a member of the M. E. church, and 
politically is an advocate of prohibition. 

Rinkle, David, was born in the town of Steuben, N. Y. , May 9, 1826, son of Law- 
rence Rinkle, who was born in the town of Schuyler, N. Y., December 11, 1777, the 
only son of Lawrence Rinkle, sr. His grandfather, Lawrence Rinkle, was a native 
of Alsace, Germany, and was engaged in farming. He came to America before the 
Revolutionary war, and joined the army under General Herkimer, and was killed in 
the battle of Oriskany, August 11, 1777. Two years later the mother, while in 
search of a calf in the woods, with two neighbors, was fired upon by Indians ; her 
companions were killed and she taken prisoner, and transferred to the Genesee 
country on foot. She was held prisoner for three years until the close of the war, 
when she was escorted to her home, where she had been mourned as dead. Law- 
rence jr., was born after his father had been killed, and in early life learned the 
blacksmith trade, and later engaged in farming. In 1826 he came to Oneida 
county, where he became prosperous and owned considerable property. In politics 
he was a staunch Democrat, and was a great reader of German and English litera- 
ture.' His first wife was Catherine Yuker, by whom he had eight children, and his 
second wife was Catherine Lints, and they have two children : Jacob and David. 
He lived to be ninety-three years of age. David Rinkle was educated in the district 
school, and spent his life on his present farm of 140 acres in Boonville, where he 
moved in 1849. In 1849 he married Eliza, daughter of Henry and Miriam (Denslow) 
Shott, by whom he has two children : Rowena, wife of George Farley of Forestport ; 
and Dr. La Fayette Rinkle of Boonville. 

Rees, Thomas R., was born in Westernville, Oneida county, August 18, 1856, a 
son of William and Ann (Jenkins) Rees, natives of Wales, and is of Welch and 



26 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Scotch extraction. His parents came to America about 1854, and settled in Western- 
ville, where the father, who was a blacksmith by trade, followed that vocation up to 
his death, which occurred May 24, 1894. His children were Thomas R., William 
Warren (deceased), and Sarah J. Thomas R. was reared in Westernville, educated 
in the common schools and Cazenovia Seminary, and began life as a teacher, which 
he followed for two years, after which he served as clerk in a general store for four 
years. In 1881, with C. P. Remore, he purchased the Westernville Union Store, 
which was conducted under the firm name of Rees & Remore up to 1888, when he 
purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. In 
1885 he married Ida A., daughter of John D. and Lucy Sloat, of Canastota, N. Y., 
by whom he has one daughter, Vera M. Mr. Rees is a supporter of the Presby- 
terian church, has always taken an active part in politics, and is a staunch Repub- 
lican. 

Smith, George H., was born in the town of Camden, July 4, 1846. His father, 
Samuel L. Smith, was also born in this town, and was one of its prominent farmers. 
He married Amanda Munson, of West Camden, by whom he had five children. 
George H. was for a number of years clerk in the store of J. G. Dorrance, but in 1876 
started for himself, conducting a general store, carrying a full line of dry goods, 
groceries, etc. He married Caroline, daughter of J. E. Simmons, by whom he had 
four children : Edwin L. , Lucy H., Florence M., and Wilbert "B. 

Sporie, Charles, was born in Western, August 24, 1864, a son of David and Susan 
(Anken) Sporie, natives of Berne, Switzerland, who came to America in 1834 and 
located in Steuben, Oneida county, where the father spent five years as a farm hand, 
and in 1860 purchased the farm in Western, now occupied by our subject, where he 
engaged in farming and in the manufacture of Swiss and limburger cheese, and 
where he died. His children who grew to maturity were Katie (Mrs. Samuel Galle), 
Eliza (Mrs. Michael Surbeck), Adeline (Mrs. Charles Weismiller), Rosa (Mrs. Henry 
Bahr), and Charles. Mr. Sporie died December 20, 1885, sixty-two years. Charles 
Sporie was reared on the homestead, where he was born and which he now owns 
and occupies, and like his father is a farmer and maker of limburger cheese. March 
5, 1890, he married Clara, daughter of Philip and Catherine Miller, of Floyd. Mr. 
Sporie is a member of Trinity Lutheran church of Rome, and in politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

Swan, Gustavus, was born in Western, September 1, 1828, a son of Jonathan 
Swan, and Lydia Bradford Butts, his wife, who was a direct descendant of Governor 
Bradford, who came over in the Mayflower, 1620. The Swan family, two sons and 
three daughters, came from New Hampshire about the beginning of the present 
century, and settled in Western, where they lived and died, excepting one of the 
sons, Jonathan, who removed to Caj^uga county, and died there about 1825. John 
Swan, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Newport, R. I., 
emigrated to New Hampshire, and served his country through the war of the Revo- 
lution as a soldier from that State. Gustavus Swan early became connected with 
the telegraph system of Prof. Morse, and had charge of the offices at Rome and 
Rochester, N. Y. , from 1845 to 1849, when he removed to New York, where he re- 
mained unil 1878, and was prominently identified with the growth of and extension 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 27 

of the magnetic telegraph and railroad interests. In 1861 he married Mariette, sec- 
ond daughter of Charles W. Copeland, a civil engineer of eminence, and since' 1878 
they have resided in Western. 

Stevens, Walter T., was born in the town of Camden, July 3, 1839. His father, 
Martin H. Stevens, was born in Connecticut, in 1806, and came to the town of Cam- 
den in 1829, and settled on the land where the village now stands. He was a cabi- 
netmaker by trade, which business he followed up to 1860. Walter T. was educated 
in the district schools of Camden, and in 1860 engaged in the furniture and house 
furnishing business, which he followed up to 1893, when he sold to Williams & Nor- 
ton, who conducts the same at this time. Mr. Stevens now lives a retired life. He 
married Irene, daughter of Orson Norton, of Camden, by whom he has one daughter, 
Mrs. Robert A. Tuft, wife of Rev. Robert A. Tuft, of Brooklyn. Mr. Stevens is a 
prominent Mason in Camden Lodge, No. 164. 

Warcup, John, was born in Floyd, Oneida county, August 31, 1833, a son of Robert 
and Hannah (Simpson) Warcup, natives of Yorkshire, England. His father was the 
youngest son of a wealthy English family, and in 1827, to better his fortune, came to 
America, and soon after located in Oneida county, stopping for periods more or less 
in Utica, Floyd and Rome, up to 1850, when he removed to Western, where he re- 
mained until his death, which occurred November 29, 1883, aged seventy-nine years. 
His children were Matthew, John, Margaret (Mrs. Francis Van Dreasar), Thomas, 
and Mary (Mrs. John W. Medlew). John Warcup was- reared in Oneida county, and 
educated in the common schools and Rome Academy. He has always followed 
farming as an occupation, and since 1850 has resided in Western. In 1864 he mar- 
ried Cynthia, daughter of William H. Harrington, of Rome, by whom he had six 
children: Stanley, John Olin, Robert J., Frank, William H., and Thomas B. Mr. 
Warcup was for twelve years in succession a member of the executive committee of 
Oneida County Agricultural Society, president of the society in 1881, president of the 
State exhibition of butter and cheese held at Rome the same year, and in politics he 
is a Republican. 

Studor, George M., was born in Boonville, N.Y., in 1857, son of Jacob Studor, one 
of three sons (Jacob, Michael, and Philip) born to Michael Studor, a farmer. Jacob 
and Michael came to America in 1853, the former coming to Hawkinsville, where he 
remained seven years, employed as a lumberman. From there he moved to White 
Lake and engaged in farming. His wife was Elizabeth Shidner and their children 
were Philip, Lena, Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah, and George M. Mr. Studor died in 
1887 and his wife in 1885. George M. Studor was educated in the district schools 
and the Poughkeepsie Business College. At the age of twenty-six he began as a 
farmer and liveryman on his present site of 200 acres; his principal livery business 
is in transferring sportsmen and hunters who go to the Adirondacks. He has also 
devoted some time to lumbering and dealing in fine carriage horses. Mr. Studor 
has served as assessor several years and has often been elected delegate to county 
and district conventions. The winter of 1887 he spent in Albany as private messen- 
ger for Speaker Husted. In 1892 Mr. Studor married Helen, daughter of James 
Goodrich, born in Lewis county. Mr. Studor is a man of enterprise and is promi- 
nently identified with the political welfare of his town and county. 



28 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Stone, Walter C, was born in the town of Mexico, Oswego county, N. Y., Decem- 
ber 27, 1847, the oldest son of Benjamin S. Stone, who was born in Vermont and 
came to Mexico in 1835, where he has been engaged in the hardware trade for many 
years. Mr. Benjamin S. Stone is now at the head of the firm of B. S. Stone & Co. 
Walter C. was educated in the Mexico Academy, from which he was graduated in 
1867. He has been engaged in the newspaper business for about twenty-five years; 
He purchased the Canastota Herald in 1871, which he edited until 1873, when he 
came to Camden and established the Advance, a local paper in that village. Since 
1878 he has also conducted a stationery and book store. In 1872 Mr. Stone married 
Sarah C. Hosley, of Canastota, by whom he had four children: Benjamin H., Ralph 
W., Robert C, and Bessie. Benjamin H. is in business with his father. Mr. Stone 
is secretary of the Camden Opera House Company, has been a member of the Board 
of Education and is now serving his third term as city father. He is a member of 
the K. of P. and the Royal Arcanum. 

Sippell, William D., was born in Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y., December 4, 
1856. His great-grandfather, Peter Sippell, was a soldier of the Revolution, and a 
resident of the town at a very early period in its history. His grandfather, and his 
father, Peter B. Sippell, are well remembered as men of sterling integrity, lifelong 
residents of the town. William D. Sippell was educated in the schools of the village, 
finishing at the Dorchester Street High School of Montreal, where he spent the last 
school j'ear, and was graduated with rank which would have entitled him to enter 
the second year's course of McGill University of that city. Returning to Boonville 
he read law with Hon. Henry W. Bentley, and was admitted to the bar January 6, 
1882. He never entered upon the practice of his profession, as having become in- 
terested in the business of insurance through a partnership with Hon. A. L. Hayes, he 
found that line of work more congenial to his taste. The local agencies of Hon. A. 
L. Hayes and of Brinckerhoff C. Tharratt at Boonville were consolidated by him as 
purchaser, and he has since for many years conducted the largest and most success- 
ful insurance agency of Boonville and adjacent towns. He has never held public 
office other than trustee of the Board of Education of Union Free School, district 
No. 1, of Boonville, to which he was elected August 5, 1890, and of which he is still 
a member. April 23, 1879, Mr. Sippell married Jennie C, daughter of William H. 
Cole, of Boonville, N. Y. She died April 5, 1890, leaving a son and a daughter of 
the marriage. March 9, 1892, he married his present wife, Mrs. Antoinette M. Fin- 
layson, daughter of W. W. Harris, of Boonville, N. Y., with whom, and his two 
children, Frederick W. and Clara M., he now resides at No. 41 Schuyler street. 

Stedman, R. Willett, was born in Lee, February 15, 1854, son of George W. and 
Lydia J. Perry Stedman, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively, who 
were among the pioneers of Western, and later of Lee. Hazard Stedman was born 
April 2, 1777, son of Trustum and Penelope Stedman, was a farmer by occupation, 
and a soldier in the war of 1812. He died March 18, 1864. George W. was born in 
Western, July 23, 1822, a resident of Lee from boyhood, and a farmer by occupation. 
His wife was a daughter of Robert and Lydia Wilkinson Perry, of Lee, and they were 
the parents of seven children : R. Willett, Amelia M. (deceased), Charles E., E. Mae. 
M. Frances (Mrs. G. E. Teeple), Aziel G. (deceased), and Hattie L. (Mrs. F. C. York), 
Mr. Stedman died April 18, 1891. R. Willett was reared on the homestead in Lee, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 29 

of which he is the owner, was educated at Lee Center Union Free School, and began 
life as a teacher, following that occupation ten years, and since 1879 has been en- 
gaged in farming in Lee, having bought the Curtis Spinning farm, where he resides. 
March 13, 1879, he married Lucy C, daughter of Hugh and Mary Munsell Kenyon, 
of Annsville. Mr. and Mrs. Stedman are' members of the Methodist church. He is 
a member of the P. of H., P. of I., and Order of the World. He is a Republican, 
and has held town offices continuously for nineteen years, and is now serving his first 
term as justice of the peace, and of ninety-seven judgments rendered by him in 1894, 
but one was appealed to a higher court, which sustained his opinion. 

Stamburg, William Riley, was born in Brookfield in 1827. In the spring of 1851 
he left Deansville and located in Forestport without a cent in money or any other 
means. He first obtained employment in a saw mill, but soon after his employer 
failed and he was unable to secure compensation for his labor; he then went out and 
chopped wood in the winter and worked in the mills summers for nine years, until 
he was able to erect a small mill on Pine Creek, which he conducted for a short time 
when he sold it and returned to Deansville and engaged in hop farming for nine 
years. He afterward sold the farm and returned to the scene of his early struggles 
and purchased what is now known as the Stamburg grist mill, which still remains 
his property; he also engaged in the lumber business and built a mill on the Big 
Woodhull Creek, the property now known as the Meeker mill, with an annual output of 
three or four million feet ; he soon after sold this mill, but in 1883 again became its 
owner. About this time Mr. Stamburg erected a large mill in the village of Forest- 
port, and his business so increasing that water-power was found too slow and steam 
was substituted, and with all his enterprises furnishing employment to about 100 
men. He also owned and conducted a general store in the village, and is one of the 
largest real estate owners in that section of the country. He also owns 3,000 acres of 
timber land, and owns and conducts a farm of 140 acres. In June, 1892, he lost 
his large Forestport mill by fire, thus throwing out of employment a large number 
of men. In 1893 he sold his store. In politics Mr. Stamburg is a Republican, was 
assessor for six years, and has filled other offices. He is a member and treasurer of 
the Masonic fraternity. October 1, 1856, he married Louisa S. Hovey, daughter of 
George and Sybil (Sweet) Hovey, and they have one adopted child, Bertha Ann. 

Seymour, Henry A., was born in the town of Redfield, Oswego county. His 
father, Alphonso H. Seymour, was born in the same town and county, and is a 
miller by trade, and is now manufacturing shingles in the State of Washington. 
He married Sarah Allen, by whom he had four children: William, Ella, Bertie, and 
Henry A. , who has conducted a tannery in Florence for thirteen years, in which he 
is still engaged, making a rough upper leather, and is a thorough business man in 
this line. He married Olive, daughter of the late William Graves. 

Simmons, Cyrus C, was born in the town of Annsville, N. Y., July 25, 1838. His 
father, Oran F. Simmons, was born in Paris, N. Y., July 28, 1811. He married 
Betsey, daughter of Ira Robinson, by whom he had six children: Alma C, Ira A., 
who enlisted in the 146th N. Y. Vols., and was killed in the service, Rosanna, Olive 
J., Ezra D., and Cyrus C, who was educated in the district schools of this town and 
remained with his parents until he was thirty 3'ears of age, when he started in life 



30 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

for himself. He married Elnora C, daughter of H. T. B. Hannay, bv whom he had 
five children: George G., Delbert, Fayette E., Rollo O., and Benjamin C. In 1861 
Mr. Simmons enlisted in Co. A, 97th N. Y. Vols., and served eleven months. He is 
a member of Ballard Post No. 551, and in politics is a Republican. 

Teachout, Asa, was born in Western, November 16, 1818, a son of Isaac and Anna 
(Tubbs) Teachout, natives of Dutchess county, N. Y. , who settled in Western about 
1800, where Mr. Teachout engaged in farming and resided until his death at the age 
of seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Teachout were the parents of fourteen children : 
Lydia (Mrs. Isaac Teachout), Ruth (Mrs. Benjamin Chapman), Franklin, Olive (Mrs. 
Jerome Clark), Catherine (Mrs. David Blasier), Sally (Mrs. Henry Hart), Abram, 
Betsey (Mrs. John Dillenbeck), Cyrus, Asa, Cynthia (Mrs. John Sterrett), Harvey, 
James, and Diana (Mrs. Isaac Blasier). Asa was reared in Western, and in early 
manhood went to Philadelphia, Jefferson county, N. Y., where he was employed on 
a farm eleven years, and then engaged in farming on his own account in Western, 
in which he continued until. 1881, when he retired. He married Sarah, daughter of 
Henry Blasier, and to them have been born ten children, six of whom grew to ma- 
turity: Horace, Emma (Mrs. Martin Ruppert), Elmina (Mrs. Reuben Grimes), Will- 
iam, Sarah (Mrs. George Kelley), and Ella (Mrs. Henry Morehouse). For his second 
wife he married Mrs. Eliza H. (Lewis) Dillenbeck of Western. In politics Mr. 
Teachout is a Democrat, and has served twelve years as assessor of Western. 

Tuttle, Rufus, was born January 26, 1843, and married Francelia, a daughter of 
Edmond and Julina Yager of this county, and they have one child, Carrie, who mar- 
ried George J. Zimmerman of Detrpit, Michigan. August 7, 1862, Mr. Tuttle en- 
listed in Co. H, 117th Regt. N. Y. Vols., and was mustered out June 28, 1865. He 
acted as corporal, and retained the same gun throughout the war. and was in every 
battle in which the company took part, and was never wounded or taken prisoner. 
He is actively interested in school affairs. 

Tanner, W. Ray, was born at Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., June 23, 1822, 
son of Alva Tanner. The American ancestors of Mr. Tanner settled in Rhode Isl- 
and. His paternal great-grandfather, Ebenezer Tanner, was a somewhat celebrated 
captain in the merchant marine of colonial days. When nineteen years of age Mr. 
Tanner engaged in the manufacture of carriages, first locating at Fairfield, jobbing 
at various points, Middleville, Lee, etc., until 1852, when he settled in Utica, but, 
owing to failing health, returned to Fairfield, and in 1857 located permanently at 
Boonville in partnership with E. G. Wooley. This firm did a large business until 
Mr. Wooley's death in 1891, when Mr. Tanner disposed of his interest in December, 
1892, and now lives a retired life. 

Tuttle, Lansing, was born in the town of Vienna, February 14, 1835, son of Lent 
and Catherine (Hosmer) Tuttle, and grandson of Oramon, who was one of the ear- 
liest settlers of the town of Paris. Mr. and Mrs. Lent Tuttle's children were Lan- 
sing, Abi Collins, Rufus, Alta, Sophia, and two deceased. He followed farming and 
lumbering. Lansing married Julina, daughter of David and Sallie Yager, and they 
have one son, Hiram R. , who married Emma Ashpole, and their children are Grace, 
Lansing, and Margaret. Mr. Tuttle was appointed postmaster in 1875, and con- 
tinued in that capacity for twelve years. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 31 

Tuttle, Noah, was born in the town of Vienna, August 12, 1842, son of Oramon and 
Eliza (Bennett) Tuttle, who settled in this town about 1816, coming from Connecti- 
cut. Oramon Tuttle's first wife was Abi Barnes, who bore him the following chil- 
dren: Emily, Sallie, Daniel, Lent, Mary, Alma, Thankful, Sophia, Nancy C, Oramon, 
jr., and Mary Nancy. Oramon followed surveying, farming, and lumbering. He 
was a member of the Presbyterian church of Camden, and very active in church 
work. Noah married Marietta, who was born in a log house near North Bay, 
daughter of Aaron and Mary Ann (York) Bushnell. They have had two children : 
Johnnie Griffith, and Janie Eliza, deceased. In early life, Noah followed farming, 
but is now one of the firm of Tuttle & Co. , who are engaged in the corn canning 
works. August 7, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 117th Regt. N. Y. Vols., as corporal, 
and was mustered out June 28, 1865. 

Vary, Gideon, was born in the town of Stephentown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., 
December 29, 1824, son of Nathan and Phoebe (Carrier) Vary. His grandfather, 
Samuel Vary, settled in Dutchess county, prior to the Revolutionary war, and emi- 
grated to Rensselaer county ; and his grandfather, Amasiah Carrier, was also a pio- 
neer of Rensselaer county. Nathan Vary came to Oneida county in 1840. He was 
a Federalist, and voted for Washington ; and later a Whig, and voted for Henry 
Clay. He died in 1850. Gideon Vary has always been successfully engaged in farm- 
ing. He bought and cleared twelve acres, and has added to it, until he had 500 
acres, 100 acres of which he sold in 1894. He is a Republican, and has been justice 
for twenty-four years, and supervisor of Ava for two years. In 1846 Mr. Vary mar- 
ried Jane, daughter of Daniel E. Edgerton of Ava, who died in 1893, and he is now 
married to Erminie Leader, of Utica, N. Y. He has reared and educated two sons 
of his brother Samuel, who died in Michigan: Nathan C, who is engaged in farm- 
ing at Ava; and Ezra, who was for twelve years teller of the Farmer's Bank in 
Rome, N. Y., and now a manufacturer of knit goods at Rome. Mr. Vary is a mem- 
ber of the Baron Steuben Lodge, No. 264, F. & A. M. 

Vandawalker, Milton, was born in Western, November 8, 1843, son of Abram and 
Lucinda (Neaskern) Vandawalker, both natives of Oneida county. His paternal 
grandfather, John A. Vandawalker, formerly of Schoharie county, N. Y. , was a 
pioneer farmer of Western, where he lived and died. His maternal grandparents, 
Henry and Nancy (Putnam) Neaskern, formerly of Schoharie county, N. Y., were 
pioneers of Augusta, Oneida county. Abram Vandawalker spent all his life in 
Western, where he engaged in farming, and cleared and improved the farm now oc- 
cupied by his son, where he died. His children were Cordelia (Mrs. Charles Wesley 
Teachout), Jane (Mrs. John Betzinger), Milton, and Caroline (Mrs. David Paddock). 
Milton Vandawalker was reared on the old homestead, where he has always re- 
sided. He received a common school education, and has always followed farming 
as an occupation. In 1879 he married Nettie, daughter of James and Susan (Eddick) 
Paddock, of Steuben, by whom he has one daughter, Susie N. In politics Mr. Van- 
dawalker is a Republican. 

Van Dresar, Steward, was born in Western, April 12, 1844, a son of Ezra and Mary 
J. (Steward) Van Dresar, both natives of Western. His paternal grandfather, Jacob 
Van Dresar, was a resident of Western, and son of James Van Dresar, one of the 



32 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

pioneers of Western, and of Holland Dutch descent. His maternal grandfather, 
Jonathan Steward, of Scotch parentage, was also one of the first settlers of Western. 
Ezra Van Dresar, father of Steward, was born November 30, 1814, and died in 
Western, January 23, 1892. He was a successful and prosperous farmer and 
accumulated a competency. His children were Francis and Steward. Steward 
Van Dresar was educated in the common schools and Whitestown Seminary. 
He began life as a teacher, teaching eleven winters in succession, farming summers, 
and is now one of the leading farmers of Western. April 6, 1876, he married Cor- 
nelia, daughter of Levi and Adelaide (Van Vorhis) Crill, of Western, by whom he 
has one son, Arthur. Mr. Van Dresar is a member of the M. E. church, of which 
he is trustee, and is also a member of the P. of I. , and politically is a Republican. 

Van Dresar, Francis, was born in Western, August 23, 1838, a son of Ezra and 
Mary J. (Steward) Van Dresar. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Van Dresar, was a 
resident of Western, a son of James Van Dresar of Holland Dutch descent and a 
pioneer of Western. Jacob Van Dresar's wife was Peggy Clark, daughter of 
Matthew Clark, of Irish parentage, a soldier of the Revolution, and pioneer of 
Western. The great-great-grandfather, Thomas Selden, participated in the war of 
the Revolution, and also the French war, and was among the first to form the first 
religious society in Rome, Oneida county. Ezra Van Dresar was a life-long resident 
of Western and a prominent and successful farmer. Francis Van Dresar was reared 
in Western, where he has always resided, and now owns and occupies the old home- 
stead of 167 acres, and is a prominent and enterprising farmer. In 1859 he mar- 
ried Rose Ellen, daughter of Alexander and Esther (Boyd) Bowman, of Rome, by 
whom he has seven children living: Ann (Mrs. Charles W. Mason), Frank E., Jane, 
Ezra, Alexander, Maria (Mrs. Will E. Stone), and Ruth. Mr. Van Dresar was a 
soldier in the late Civil war, enlisting August 12, 1862, in Co. D, 117th N. Y. Vols., 
was wounded in the right foot at the battle of Chapin's Farm, near Fort Gil- 
more, September 29, 1864, and was honorably discharged from the service July 8, 
1865. He is a member of the M. E. church, and in politics is a staunch high tariff 
Republican. He was in every engagement of the regiment up to September 29, 
1864, never applied for a pension, and never joined any secret oath bound lodge, be- 
lieving such to be detrimental to the free institutions of America, and not in har- 
mony with the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Van Home, Nicholas, was born in the town of Stark, Herkimer county, N. Y., 
April 14, 1854, son of Walter and Eliza Van Home, who are residents of Herkimer 
county, N.Y. He married Ida Countryman, of Poland, Herkimer, N. Y. , December 
18, 1878, daughter of John I. and Elizabeth Countryman, and they have two children : 
Leda E. and Victor C. Van Home. He first engaged in the cheese business in 
Salisbury Corners, Herkimer county, N.Y., in 1876; has since worked at Van Hornes- 
ville and the town of Ohio, Herkimer county, and in the town of Avoca, Steuben 
county, N. Y., and located permanently at North Bay, town of Vienna, Oneida 
county, N.Y. , in 1880, buying the cheese factory at that place in 1881, and has for the 
last twelve years been salesman and treasurer of the factory and in 1883 was elected 
collector of the town on the Republican ticket of which party he belongs, and for the 
last four years has bought cheese for the export trade, and on May 10, 1895, he 
passed the Civil Service examination at Albany and on July 15, 1895, was appointed 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 33 

milk expert and agent of the agricultural department, and he is a member of Vienna 
Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M. 

Whiter, Hiram A., was born in Boonville, Oneida county, in October, 1861, son of 
Abram V. Whiter, one of two sons born. to Meltire Whiter. Abram V. Whiter has 
spent his life as a boatman, lumberman, and farmer. He was a soldier in the war 
of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company I, 117th N. Y. Vols., and was twice wounded. 
He married Nancy Smith, daughter of John Smith, a soldier in the war of 1812, by 
whom he had these children: Helen, deceased, Esther and Hiram. In 1871 they re- 
moved from Boonville to Forestport, where they now reside. Hiram A. Whiter was 
educated in • the district schools, and when seventeen years of age he purchased his 
time of his father and began lumbering in the woods by the month, and later took 
logging contract jobs, which he followed until 1889, when he traveled in the interest 
of the Singer Sewing Machine Company for three years. In 1892 he opened an 
undertaking establishment in Forestport, which he now conducts with success. In 
politics he is a Republican and served as constable for several years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Lodge, No. 809, of Forestport, and is senior deacon. In 1885 Mr. 
Whitney married Ermina M., daughter of Thomas Pilbean, by whom he had these 
children : Roscoe, Charles died in 1888 ; Vernon and Clarence. H. A. Whiter is a 
member, class leader and steward and vice-president of the Epworth League of the 
M. E. church at Forestport. Mrs. H. A. Whiter is also a member of the M. E. 
church. 

Woods, Orson C, was born in the town of Camden, Oneida county, N. Y. , Decem- 
ber 24, 1831, son of Junius Woods, who was born in New Haven, Conn., and came 
to the town of Camden about 1799 with his father, Samuel Woods, also of Connecti- 
cut, and engaged in farming. The grandfather was in the Revolutionary war nearly 
eight years. Junius Woods was in the war of 1812. He married Deidamia Cook of 
Camden, and they were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living. 
Orson C. was educated in the Camden schools, and is a farmer by occupation, now 
owning a farm of ninety acres improved land. August 30, 1862, he enlisted in the 
146th N. Y. Vols., and served for about three years, being on detached duty. He 
married Louise Torrey of Camden, adopted daughter of Daniel Bickford, and they 
have four children: Lizzie M., now Mrs. H. D. Curtis, Albert J., Nellie B., and 
Henry S. In politics Mr. Woods is a Republican, and has been town collector two 
terms, also supervisor two years. He is a member of the Congregational church of 
Camden, the Camden Grange, and the J. Parsons Stone Post, No. 482 G.A.R. 

White, I. J., was born in Oneida county, N. Y. , May 2, 1846, a son of the late 
Israel White, who was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, N. Y. Israel 
White came to the town of Annsville when twenty- two years of age. He married 
Abigail F. Taft, by whom he had six children. His ancestors came from Massa- 
chusetts. I. J. White was educated in Annsville and the Whitestown Seminary. 
He then followed farming until 1887, at which time he entered into partnership with 
Frank White, establishing a corn canning factory at Blossvale. They continued in 
partnership until January, 1895, since which time I. J. White has conducted the busi- 
ness alone. He also owns and conducts a general merchandise store in Blossvale, 
and owns a factory at Wilhamstown, Oswego county, N. Y. Mr. White is now 



34 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

erecting a hotel at Blossvale, which will contain twenty rooms, and will also run a 
livery. He married Etta O., daughter of James Ellis, of the town of Annsville, by 
whom he has two children ; I. G. and Abigail O. Mr. White was supervisor of the 
town in 1882-83 and was elected member of assembly in 1885. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity. 

Ward, G. C, was born in Westchester county in 1863, son of James Ward. G. C. 
Ward is a man prominent in both business and political circles, and held in high 
esteem by his fellow men. After he became efficient in engineering, he spent two 
years at Andover, Mass. , and was afterward employed as an engineer on the Adiron- 
dack and various other railroads. He also had charge of the building of a large 
bridge at Ogdensburgh. Mr. Ward is a staunch Democrat, and has held many posi- 
tions of responsibility. He was for five years superintendent of canals, and also 
supervisor for two terms. He was married to Katie, daughter of N. Schwienburg, 
by whom he has one daughter, Louisa. 

Warfield, Prof. C. H., A. M., was born in Prattsburg, in 1867, son of M. F. War- 
field, then a druggist there, and captain of a company in the late war. The family 
is of English ancestry, and first settled near Baltimore, Md. . in 1632, where their 
posterity still retains the original homestead. Mr. Warfield graduated at Franklin 
Academy in Prattsburg, at fifteen years of age, with a Regents' classical diploma. 
After a four years' course at Hamilton College, he graduated in 1889, with the high- 
est honors at the disposal of his alma mater, and became instructor in mathematics 
in the Florida State Seminary, at Tallahassee, Fla., and then was for two years 
principal of the Union School at Bergen, N. Y. He assumed the principalship at 
Boonville in 1892, where his ability is highly appreciated. 

Webb, Alvin, was born in Delaware county, N. Y., May 22, 1844, son of the late 
Paul Webb, who was also born in Delaware county. The family came from Vermont 
to Delaware county in 1819, and the father was a shoemaker by trade. He married 
Ester, daughter of John Mott, by whom he had four children : Alison, Maria, Ester, 
deceased, and Alvin, who was educated and reared in Delaware county until he was 
fourteen years of age, when they moved to Oneida county. His business was princi- 
pally farming all of his life, and now owns a farm of 140 acres. He married Nancy, 
daughter of Adam Campbell, by whom he had nine children : Fred A. , Kate E. , Eva 
L., Alice I., Alson H., Arthur S., Clarence (deceased), Grace M., Flossie M. Mr. 
Webb is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Grange. 

Walker, Peter, is a native of Deerfield, N. Y., where he was born in November, 
1823, son of Alexander and Annie (McKercher) Walker. Mr. Walker was a native of 
Scotland, and came to Deerfield in 1802, and in 1803, settled on land now owned by 
his son, Peter Walker, near North Gage, where he died in 1848. Mrs. Walker was a 
native of Saratoga county and her father, Mr. McKercher, came from Scotland to 
Saratoga county in pioneer days ; and she died in 1875. The paternal grandfather, 
Gilbert Walker, lived and died in Scotland. Peter Walker was reared on the farm, 
and took charge of his parents in their old age, and he has always resided on the 
home farm of 156 acres. He keeps a dairy of thirty-two cows. In 1850 he married 
Mary, daughter of Duncan Blue, of Deerfield, by whom he had two children: James 
A., who died in 1878, at twenty-seven years of age, and John K, who was born in 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 35 

1855, and he married Maria, daughter of Malcolm A. Blue, and he works the home 
farm. 

White, Caroline.— Moses T. White, deceased, was born in Western, July 12, 1796, 
a son of Otis and Mercy (Comstock) White; and grandson of Levi White. His father 
and grandfather were natives of Rhode Island, who settled in Western prior to 1795, 
and were farmers by occupation, both of whom died in Western. Moses T. White 
cleared and improved a good share of the farm now occupied by his daughter, Caro- 
line, where he settled in early manhood, and where he died in 1876. In 1819 he 
married Phoebe, daughter of Otis and Phoebe (Edmunds) Phillips, of North Adams, 
Mass., arid their children were Mercy (Mrs. Edwin Brainard), Otis P., Orson, Julina,' 
Phoebe R., Israel, Belinda, Caroline, Moses T., and Franklin. Mr. White was a 
member of the Presbyterian church of Westernville, and of the Masonic fraternity, 
was justice of the peace of Western for some years, and politically was a Republican. 
Of the above named children only three at this date, 1896, are living. Orson died in 
California near Stockton, in 1853, Mercy, in Oneida, 111., in 1887. The others died 
in Western. In a field above the house on the farm adjoining on the east, that of 
the late Moses T. White, stands a large and aged white ash tree, consisting' of two 
trees grown together, one much smaller than the other, and twisted partly around 
the larger. This tree to Mr. White was pleasantly associated with the memory of 
his grandfather, Levi White. When a child, he was one day walking with him 
through this field, which then was probably partly or wholly covered with trees; 
coming to these two, standing so near together, the grandfather bent the smaller one 
around the larger, and remarked "This will make a good scythe snath for somebody 
some day." The tree has outlived for many years the use of the snath as a handle 
for the scythe that cuts the meadow grass, and now his children's children's children 
love to visit it, and they call it "The Twisted Tree." 

Walters, James N., was born in Russia, Herkimer county, November 27, 1824, son 
of William and Fannie Walters, whose children were James N., David A., Susan 
Smith (deceased), Celia Newman, William W. and Irwin M., all natives of Her- 
kimer county. James N. married Mary E., daughter of Frederick E. Kiesinger, of 
Oswego, by whom he has two children: William J., of Guthrie, O. T., and Charles 
F., of Prospect, N.Y. James N. started for himself as a millwright in Pearl Mills of 
Oswego in 1847. In 1848 he built the lumber mills of Hinkley & Ballou at Hinkley. 
N. Y. , and at its completion assumed the position of superintendent, which position 
he held until 1890, since which time he has lived retired at Prospect, N. Y. He is 
actively interested in the town and county affairs, has held the office'of postmaster 
many years, and was elected supervisor of Russia, Herkimer county in 1866 1867 
1868, and 1869. 

Wood, John W., was born on the farm where he now lives, son of Anthony and 
Laura S. Wood, who settled on the farm about 1823, and whose children were Ellen 
(deceased), wife of James Sweet; Henry C. (deceased); Laura (deceased); Rev. Abel 
S. ; John W. ; and Matilda R., wife of Edward Wagner. Anthony Wood was a 
private contractor, and the latter part of his life followed farming. He was active 
in all affairs of his town, also educational work, and was very active in church work 
Under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church he contributed to the Syracuse 



36 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

University, and was a founder of the Marcy M. E. church. John W. married 
Jennie C, daughter of Daniel Knowlton, by whom he has had four children; Minnie 
E., Clara M. (wife of William A. Markwick), May N., and A. Wayne. Mr. Wood 
is engaged in farming. 

Walker, Henry J. , was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, November 
20, 1852, son of the late G. W. Walker, who was born in New Hampshire, February 
2, 1823, and came to Oneida county when the country was new, settling in the town 
of Deerfield, where he assisted in clearing a farm. He married Mary Pugh, of 
North Wales, and moved to Camden, where he bought a farm and lived there the 
remainder of his life. They had five children: M. P., Sarah J., Emma, Nellie B., 
and Henry J., who was educated in the district schools, after which he engaged in 
farming, which business he conducts an a scientfic principle, and is also a large 
dealer in stock, raw furs, etc., and owns a farm of 270 acres. He married Emma, 
daughter of Elias Chapman, by whom he had four children : Oatley, Sarah, Bessie 
and Lloyd C. Mr. Walker has been prominent in politics, has held the office of 
collector, and at present is justice of the peace. In politics he is a Democrat. 

Warcup, Edwin S., was born in Westernville, November 28, 1864, a son of Matthew 
and Mary J. (Smith) Warcup. His paternal grandfather, Robert Warcup, was a 
native of Yorkshire, England, who came to America in 1827, locating in Oneida 
county, and for many years was a resident of Western, where he died. His maternal 
grandfather, John Smith, was also a native of England, and a resident of Floyd, 
Oneida county, for many years. Matthew Warcup, father of Edwin S., is a native 
of Oneida county, is a carpenter by trade, and resides in Westernville. He has 
three children: Edwin S., Preston, and Sylvia (Mrs. William Mudge). Edwin S. was 
reared in Westernville where he has always resided. He was educated in the pub- 
lic schools, is a tinner by trade, and has been engaged in business for himself at 
Westernville since 1892. He is a member of the M. E. church and politically is a 
Democrat. 

Marsh, Thomas, was born in the town of Rome, Oneida county, October 20, 1861, 
son of James and Elizabeth (Harvey) Marsh, natives of Canterbury, England, who 
settled in this county in 1855. He was reared to manhood in the town of Lee, 
educated in the common schools, is a farmer by occupation, and has lived on the 
farm where he now resides since 1889, though owning a farm of 141 acres near the 
old homestead. December 25, 1883, he married Carrie D., daughter of Joseph and 
Elizabeth (Fillmore) Golly, by whom he had three children : Two daughters, Lillie, 
and Ethel, also a son, Earl T., who died February 3, 1894. Mr. Marsh is one of the 
representative farmers of Lee, a member of the M. E. church, a member of P. of H., 
and politically is a Democrat. 

Comstock, Gastin E. , was born in Williamstown, Oswego county, May 27, 1823, 
and was educated in the district schools of Williamstown and Florence, after which 
he engaged in farming, which has been his principal occupation, and now owns a 
farm of 260 acres in the town of Florence. He married Betsey, daughter of Oliver 
Davis, of Florence, by whom he had eleven children: Roxcy Ann, Herbert G., Perla 
E., Sylvester D., Ella A., Cora B., Iann A., Allace M., Caroline G, Henry O., 
Hattie. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 37 

Hamlin, Joseph Eugene, was born on the farm where he now resides, July 6, 1848 
son of Joseph Sprague and Delia (Willard) Hamlin. The latter have eleven chil- 
dren: Charles W., C. Louise Hall, Edward Augustus. Maria C. Gosnell, Joseph E., 
Frederick H., George Thomas, Mary Adelaide, William G. , Frank Melvin and 
David West. Joseph S. Hamlin was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida county in 
1810. Joseph Eugene Hamlin married Louise, daughter of Henry J. and Mary 
(Strickland) Wetmore, by whom he has four children : Annie Gertrude, Willard De- 
Lancy, Mary Ethel and Genevieve Adelaide, all natives of this county. Mr. Ham- 
lin is interested in church and educational interests, also town and county affairs. 
He has been assessor for the past seven years, and is engaged in farming on the old 
homestead. 

Ellis, Thomas T., was born in the town of Western, N. Y., November 15, 1853, son 
of John and Ellen (Griffith) Ellis, who came from Wales and settled in Remsen in 
1845. Their children were: John, jr., Jennet Catherine, wife of Griffith Thomas; 
Ellis; Ellen, wife of Griffith Evans; Jane, wife of William T. Hughes; William and 
Thomas T. John Ellis, sr., was a grain and dairy farmer by occupation, and was 
active in religious and educational affairs. Thomas T. Ellis married Mary Anna, 
daughter of John W. and Annie Elizabeth Jones, by whom he has four children : 
Nellie, Jennie, Lizzie and John Elmer. Nellie and Jennie attend the Holland Pat- 
ent Academy. Mr. Ellis is engaged in farming, and is active in the promotion of 
the schools of the town. The family are members of the church at Camroden, 
N. Y. 

Kilts, Andrew, was born in Ava, Oneida county, N. Y., June 27, 1831, son of Jacob 
and Elizabeth Kilts. Andrew Kilts was reared on the farm and educated in the 
common schools of Ava and Lowville Academy. He has worked some at the car- 
penter trade, being a natural mechanic, but farming has been his principal occupa- 
tion. He has a farm of 120 acres and makes a specialty of sheep husbandry. In 
1881 he married Mary M. Hugunine, of Western, by whom he had four children, one 
living, May C, who was born June 27, 1888. Mr. Kilts is a Republican in politics, 
and has been commissioner of highways and assessor. He is a member of the Boon- 
ville Grange. 

Babcock, E. C, M.D., was born at Oriskany Falls in 1872, son of Welcome E. 
Babcock, who was a prominent physician at Oriskany Falls, and grandson of Wel- 
come A. Babcock, who was also a practicing physician at Oriskany, and examining 
surgeon at Utica through the Civil war. E. C. Babcock, choosing the profession of 
his father, and grandfather, at eleven years of age he went to Madison, and in 1888 
entered Colgate University, where he took a three years' scientific course; thence to 
New York Homoeopathic Medical College in 1891, from which institution he gradu- 
ated in 1894, with a standing of ninety-seven per cent. He now holds diplomas from 
New York Homoeopathic College and Hospital, and from New York University. 
Upon coming to this place, he resigned position as physician to the Central and 
Yorkville Dispensaries, surgeon to the Hahnamann Hospital, and to the New York 
Homoeopathic Medical College. He makes surgery a specialty, and had charge of 
the surgical clinic at college dispensary during the last year. 

Taylor, George, was born in Boonville in 1834, where he is a prominent farmer, 



33 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

held in high repute in both business and social circles, and is one of the seven chil- 
dren of John Taylor, a farmer from Rhode Island, who settled in Boonville in 1817 
purchasing 100 acres of land for §600 in what was then a bleak wilderness. George 
Taylor received his education in Boonville, devoting his time since to agricultural 
pursuits and the manufacture of cheese, for which he has received special orders from 
consumers in San Francisco, Cal., and London, England. He now has his home 
where the late Amos Tyler resided, and whose daughter, Helen E., he married in 
1874. Her father, Amos Tyler, was a native of Woodstock, Vt. , and cousin of ex- 
President Tyler, came here in 1850, his death occurring in 1878. Mr. Taylor's sym- 
pathies are with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Presby- 
terian church. They have one son, J. Albert, aged twenty years, who is possessed 
of marked dramatic ability, and who is now manager of the Empire Specialty Co., a 
variety show touring Northern and Central New York. 

Jackson, W. H., is a descendant of an old family identified at an early period with 
the history of Boonville. His father, William Stuart Jackson, was born in Boonville 
in 1815 and was a farmer by occupation. In politics he was a Democrat, and was 
supervisor of the town for several years. He was a member of the Masonic order, of 
which he has been master. He died November 9, 1887. W. H. Jackson was also 
born at Boonville in 1853. In 1876 he married Flora E., only daughter of William H. 
Cole of Leyden, by whom he had four children: Jennie Laura, aged eighteen gradu- 
ated from Boonville Academy in 1893 and has since become a successful teacher ; 
William Carroll, aged seventeen, is taking the agricultural course at Cornell Univer- 
sity ; and two daughters who died in infancy. Mr. Jackson has officiated as master 
of the local grange for three years, of which his daughter Jennie was secretary for 
two years. He occupies the old homestead of 200 acres just north of the village of 
Boonville and is a prominent and successful farmer. 

Adsit, Leonard E., was born in the town of Steuben, on the farm and in the house 
where he now lives, in 1842, son of Erastus Adsit, who was born in Columbia county 
in 1802, one of ten children, born to Stephen Adsit of Columbia county. Stephen was 
a son of one of three brothers, who came from England before the Revolutionary 
war. He was a farmer, and came to Steuben, where he purchased the farm now 
owned by Leonard E., in 1805. He cleared a good portion of it, and here spent his 
last days. He participated in the war of 1812. Erastus Adsit spent his life on the 
homestead, which he purchased of the .heirs after his father's demise. He was a 
Whig until 1862, when he became a Democrat, and was well known as " Squire 
Adsit," having been justice for twenty-four years, and always took an active interest 
in town and county affairs. He married Parmelia, daughter of Daniel Tripp, who 
was born in Oneida in 1801, and by whom he had four children: Mrs. Alzina Fuller, 
of Iowa; Mrs. Susan Mcintosh (deceased) ; Stephen W., of Steuben; and Leonard 
E. Mrs. Adsit died in 1875, and Mr. Adsit in 1886. Leonard E. has spent his life 
on the homestead to which he has added forty- five acres. His principal occupation 
is dairying, and he has been auctioneer for the past twenty-five years. He is inter- 
ested in the bee culture, also a dealer in agricultural implements, and is the owner 
and agent of the telephone office, known as Adsit Station, which is located on his 
farm. He is now treasurer of the Steuben Cheese Association. He has served one 
term as supervisor, and eight terms on board of equalization, also commissioner of 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 39 

highways and poormaster. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Remsen 
Lodge ; United Friends of Stittville and the Grange Lodge in Holland Patent. In 
1866 he married Ellen, daughter of Nicholas Suits, who was a native of Western, N. 
Y. They have one child by adoption, Mrs. Jesse Bennett. 

Owen, F. W., was born at Albany in 1860. The late Ephraim Owen, his father, 
was born in Boonville, and was one of the most enterprising citizens of that town. 
He married Aurelia Riggs of this place, by whom he had three children : Frank, 
Jennie, and James (deceased). Mr. Owen died in 1877, aged fifty-six ; and he was 
brother of John and Philip Owen. Mr. Frank Owen was educated at Trinity Col- 
lege, arid upon the completion of the collegiate course, became associated with the 
canned goods business. He is secretary and treasurer of the Turin Canning and 
Pickling Co. , having their factory at Turin, and office at Boonville. 

Porter, Chester Winfield, was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, Sep- 
tember 3, 1861, a son of Joel and Ann A. (French) Porter, natives of Oneida and 
Montgomery counties, respectively. His paternal grandfather, Chester Porter, a 
native of Connecticut, was a pioneer of Steuben, Oneida county, and was a tanner 
and shoe manufacturer. His paternal grandfather, a native of Massachusetts, was a 
woolen and shoepeg manufacturer. Joel Porter, father of Chester W. , taught school 
in early manhood, but most of his life was spent in farming and cheese manufactur- 
ing, and he died in Western, March 2, 1895, aged seventy years. Chester Winfield 
Porter was educated in Syracuse Classical school and Syracuse University, 
and was graduated from the latter in 1884. He began life as an agriculturist and 
cheese manufacturer, in which he still continues, having been associated with his 
father until the death of the latter. In 1892-93 he served as member of assembly, 
representing the Third and Second districts of his county, respectively, and acquitted 
himself of his duties to the general satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Porter is a 
supporter of the First M. E. church of Western, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and 
Psi Upsilon Fraternity, and politically is a Republican. 

Kent, John S., was born in Remsen, on the farm he now owns, December 18, 1841, 
son of Silas Kent, who was born in Remsen, July 7, 1808, the fifth of seven children 
born to Silas Kent, a native of Connecticut, born in 1787, son of John, son of Silas, of 
Connecticut, of Scotch ancestry. Silas Kent, father of John S. , from five to sixteen 
years of age was reared by an uncle, when he returned to the homestead, which he 
and his brother, Chester, conducted for eleven years. They cleared a large amount 
of land, cut the timber and made it into potash, and bought two other farms; 
he then purchased a farm of 400 acres, where he resided until 1870, when he sold the 
farm to his son, John S., and removed to the village of Remsen, where he now re- 
sides, the only surviving member of his father's family. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Evan Thomas, by whom he had nine children. His wife died in April, 
1878. John S. Kent remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-eight 
years of age, when he purchased the farm, which then contained 600 acres and paid 
for said farm §16,630, 180 of which he sold, but has since purchased two more farms 
of 133 and 100 acres, and is the most extensive farmer in the town, and also conducts 
a large dairy of forty cows. In politics he is a Republican, has served as assessor 
three terms, supervisor three terms, and has often been elected delegate to County 



40 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and District Conventions, also a member Equalizing Board Oneida county, 1895. In 
1869 he married Naomi, daughter of Robert Roberts, of Remsen. She died in 1884, 
and he married for his second wife, Mary C. , daughter of John G. Hughes, of Rem- 
sen, by whom he had two children: J. Grant and Clara May. 

Crandall, Enos T., was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1832. 
His grandfather, Lewis Crandall, a native of Dutchess county, was a farmer and 
carried provisions to Sackett's Harbor during the war of 1812. About 1797 he came 
to Oneida county, settling in Westmoreland, where he purchased 300 acres of land. 
He married Clara Shute, by whom he had four children. He died in 1875 aged 100 
years and four months, and his wife died at the age of sixty-five years. William 
Crandall, father of Enos T., was born in Westmoreland in 1800 and was a carpenter, 
noted for his fine workmanship; he also farmed some in early life. He was captain 
of a company of State militia. His wife was Laura Church and their children were 
Lowell, Ann, Enos T., Charles, Willard (deceased), Jason, Orville A., Irvin, and 
Winifred S. Mr. Crandall died in 1850 and his wife in 1891, aged eighty-five years. 
Enos T. Crandall, at the age of ten years, left home and engaged in farm work, but, 
being a natural mechanic, he later followed carpentry for many years. In 1860 he 
removed to Boonville and five years later purchased a farm and saw mill, conducting 
them both successfully until 1880, when he removed to his present site, where he 
purchased a saw mill and 325 acres of land and engaged extensively in the manufac- 
ture of hard wood and lumber. He has also since 1889 conducted a grocery store 
and in 1891, through his efforts, the post-office of Enos was established with Mr. 
Crandall as postmaster. He has served as justice of the peace for many years, com- 
missioner of highways, and has been a school trustee for twenty-five years. He has 
been a Mason for thirty years. In 1857 Mr. Crandall married Mary, daughter of 
William and Sarah Shephard, all natives of Manchester, England, who came to the 
United States in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have two children: Ella B., wife of 
Charles Miller; and George W., all of whom live in the immediate vicinity. Mrs. 
Crandall died January 13, 1896, aged sixty-one years. 

Rice, Charles F., was born in Paris, in 1835, son of E. D. and Sally A. (Chapman) 
Rice, of Eastern birth, who settled on a farm in Paris at an early date. They had 
four children, three of whom are now living. After the completion of his education 
at the Albany Normal School, he engaged in teaching for several years in local 
schools and with good success. In 1856 he entered the employ of S. A. Millard at 
Clayville as shipping clerk, and in 1863 he engaged in the lumber business, renting 
a mill on Black River, and in 1867 purchased of J. M. Fiske the present business, 
manufacturing of sash, blinds, doors, mouldings and a general lumber business, 
which he has built up into a very important industry, now employing eight people. 
He married Sarah A. Lee, who died July 29, 1885. Her son Charles died when six 
months old and before his mother ; he died July 28, 1872. In 1887 he married for his 
second wife Eliza Reynolds, by whom he has one son, Henry H. Rice, who was born 
in 1891. Mr. Rice has been a member of the Board of Education six years, and has 
been president of the board of trustees, and is much esteemed as a citizen. 

Powell, J. L., was born in Lanesboro, Mass., in 1780, and moved to Trenton in 
1801. He was twice married; first to Nancy Peck, by whom he had three children: 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 41 

Melancthon, George and John. His second wife was Margaret Hulburt, by whom 
he had eleven children : Nancy, Sophia, Hulbert, James, Frederick W., Jane, Joseph 
P. , Helen, Henry W. , William and Francis. John L. Powell was engaged in teach- 
ing and farming. He was educated at "Williams College and took a great interest in 
educational affairs, William Powell, the youngest son, was born December 7, 1829, 
and was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Curtis Hinman, by whom he had two 
children : Fannie Elizabeth and John Curtis. He afterward married Ann Elizabeth, 
daughter of Henry Miller, an old resident of this town. 

Lawrence, A. W., was born at Lee, Oneida county, in 1829, son of Edward T. 
Lawrence, a millwright, and his mother is a daughter of the late Abner Wood, a 
well known pioneer settler of Ava. In October, 1853, A. W. Lawrence went to Bed- 
ford, Va. , on a visiting and hunting trip on the Blue Ridge Mountains. From Oc- 
tober 2, 1854, to May, 1855, he was proprietor of a hotel in Lee, whence he went on 
a farm in Leyden, Lewis county, for a year ; he then followed carriage painting for 
a year. In May, 1858, he went to Chicago, where he was employed at railroading ; 
returning in 1859, he became proprietor of the Moose River Hotel, where he 
remained eighteen years, and then removed to Boonville where he has led an active 
life as a mechanic. He is a member of the Republican party, and has served as 
deputy sheriff three years, the sole policeman of the village of Boonville for fourteen 
years, and town constable for twelve years. In 1854 he married Susan M. Meeker, 
who bore him two children : Alice (deceased) and Estella R. He was married in 
1869 to his present wife, Jessie M. Hazard, who is a descendant of an old pioneer 
family of New Hampshire, by whom he has three children : Edward f . , J. Minnie, 
and LouaM. 

Kennedy, Michael, was born in Ireland, December 2, 1815. son of Michael and 
Mary (Wallings) Kennedy. Michael Kennedy, jr., settled in New York Mills, Oneida 
county, June 27, 1841, and was followed in 1842 by his mother, where they lived 
until 1851 when they moved to Marcy. He married Sarah, daughter of George Pad- 
ley, by whom he has four children: Elizabeth Gates, Sarah A. Morris, Mary and 
Joseph. In early life he was employed as a general laborer, but since his residence 
in Marcy has been engaged in farming. He is a member of the Farmers' Club of 
Oneida county, and has a farm of 168 acres, with 3,000 rods of ditching. 

Cook, Caspar I., was born in Vienna, N. Y., June 7, 1838. His father, Andrew 
Cook, a grandson of Captain Andrew Dillenbeck who was killed at the battle of 
Oriskany, August 6, 1777, and grandson of John Cook who also participated in the 
battle of Oriskany, and son of John I. Cook who served in the war of 1812 as captain 
at Sackett's Harbor. Andrew Cook settled in Vienna about 1823, coming from 
Palatine, Montgomery county, N. Y., where he was born November 11, 1880; died at 
his home in Vienna December, 1893. He married Jane E. Covell by whom he had 
seven children: Betsey C, John, George, Charles, Caspar I., Joseph A., and Verena 
J. Joseph A. enlisted in Co. C, 50th N. Y. Engineers, and served three years; Cas- 
par I. enlisted December 14, 1851, in Co. C, 81st Regiment, N. Y. S. Volunteers, and 
received a 1st lieutenant's commission in 1864, and a captain's commission January 
1, 1865; discharged June 22, 1865; is now a member of Constantia Post No. 519, and 
was married February 18, 1866, to Julia E., daughter of Elijah and Prudence Wat- 



42 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

rous of Bolton, Conn., by whom he had four children: De Witt C, a graduate of 
Rome Academy, class of 1889, who also attended Cornell University one year, and 
in 1891 received an appointment in the pension office in Washington, where he at- 
tended the evening sessions of Columbian University for three years, but was pre- 
vented from finishing the course on account of failing eyesight; J. Carlotta, and M. 
LeVanch, graduates of Rome Academy, class of 1891 ; Jessie Watrous, a graduate 
of Rome Academy, class of 1895. 

Halstead, Charles N, was born in Verona, August 2, 1849, adopted son of Joseph 
and Betsey (Cook) Halstead. The grandfather, John P. Halstead, who was a 
farmer and lumberman, and furnished the lumber for and built all the locks in the 
Oneida Lake Canal, which intersected the Erie Canal at Higginsville, married 
Phila White, by whom he had twelve children: Nathaniel, John B., Joseph, Clark, 
Laurie, George, Sarah, Louisa, Morris, Emily, Nelson, and Maria. Joseph Hal- 
stead was justice of the peace for many years, and was engaged in the mercantile 
business at Fish Creek Landing, and took a very active part in improving the town 
and county. 

Ward, John L. , was born in the town of Annsville, June 25, 1856, son of James 
and Martha Loaks Ward, who was born in England and emigrated to the United 
States in 1846 and settled in this town, where he took up sixty acres of land and 
cleared a farm. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 81st N. Y. Vols., Co. I, 
and was wounded at Cold Harbor, from which he died before reaching home. He 
had seven children: Eliza, Mary, Elizabeth, Giles C, Robert, James, and John L. , 
who was educated in this town, after which for fifteen years was engaged in the 
livery and express business, which he afterwards sold to the Taft Bros. He is now 
engaged in farming and in running a grist mill in Taberg village, with a capacity to 
grind 500 bushels per day. He married Cornelia, daughter of Rufus Taft, by whom 
he had these children: Flossie G., Lorna A., and Harrison Morton. Mr. Ward is a 
Republican in politics, and was commissioner of highways for two years. He is a 
member of the Royal Arcanum. 

Walters, Charles F., was born November 8, 1859, son of James N. and Mary E. 
Walters. In 1879 he engaged in the general merchandise business at Prospect, in 
company with C. B. Hodge, but in 1881 he sold his interest and entered the general 
merchandise store of T. B. Balou, at Hinckley, of which he was manager for five 
years. In 1886 Mr. Walters started a general merchandise store at Prospect, which he 
has conducted to the present time. He is a member of Remsen Lodge, F. & A. M., of 
Trenton, Oneida Chapter No. 57, of Utica, I. O. O. F., of Trenton, and I. O. R. M., 
of Prospect. He married Helena B., daughter of James and Betsey Dickson, of 
Antwerp, Jefferson county, N. Y., by whom he has three children: James D., Mary 
E., and Charles F., jr., all natives of Oneida county. 

McClusky, Henry, was born at Boonville in 1845, son of John McClusky, who was 
born in Ireland, and who without capital came to this country and settled in Boon- 
ville, N. Y. He succeeded in clearing a farm of sixty acres, to which from time to 
time he made many additions. He was a conscientious man, for a long time elder 
of the Presbyterian church, of which he was one of the founders. His wife, Mary 
Cummings, was also of Irish birth. Henry McClusky spent his boyhood days on 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 43 

the farm, which is now in his possession. He is of the undertaking establishment of 
Bateman & McClusky, with which business he has been connected since 1888. After 
finishing his education at Whitestown Seminar)', he engaged in the lumber business 
at Forestport, thence to Boonville, and entered mercantile business with his brother 
James, where he remained about ten years, dealing principally in groceries. In 
political life he is popular, and has held positions of trust and prominence, and was 
postmaster under Hayes's and Garfield's administrations, also president of village 
in 1876 and 1877. He is prominent in Masonic circles, was master of Boonville 
Lodge No. 165, F. & A. M., for three terms, and maintains associations with the 
church, with which his father was so closely identified. For five years, he has held 
the responsible office of secretary of the Boonville Fair Association. In 1890 he 
married Ida Tallcott of this place 

Prendergast, Rev. E. R., was born in Syracuse in 1862, son of Edward R. Prender- 
gast, a jobber of clothing, and prominent as a man of great intellect and ability. 
He inherited his scholastic attainments, and was a graduate of Dublin Academy. 
Until his death in 1869 he was trustee and treasurer of St. John's Cathedral for three 
years, and was superintendent of St. John the Baptist church, also promoter and 
founder of St. John's Cathedral school. He was organizer and captain of the Mili- 
tary Guards, called out to quell the riot at the occasion of the " Jerry Rescue," and 
for many years he was agent for the old steamship line from Ireland. E. R. Pren- 
dergast's boyhood was spent in Syracuse, and in 1873, he entered Manhattan College 
near New York, where he remained six years; then entered St. Joseph's Seminary 
at Troy, N. Y. , remaining there five years, where his ordination was celebrated in 
1884. His first charge was at Whitesboro where he remained till January, 1888. He 
came to Boonville in 1888, and in 1891 the degree of A. M. was conferred from Man- 
hattan College. Father Prendergast is a man of great ability, and much esteemed 
outside of his own parish. 

Johnson, Samuel, was born near Burlington Flats, Otsego county, in October, 1811, 
son of Jared Johnson, a farmer of English ancestry. When twenty years of age, he 
came to Paris and engaged in the tanning business, which was his occupation 
through life. For eight years he acted as clerk in the well known hide and leather 
house of Hubbell & Curran of Utica, from 1841 to 1849 ; then came here, where he 
has been a tanner for forty years. In 1889 he was burned out, and has since retired 
from active labor. As a politician, he was originally a Free Soil Democrat, but in 
1856 united his interests with the Republican party at its organization. For four years 
he was supervisor of his town. He first married Sarah S. Campbell of Rome, who 
died in 1864, leaving two children ; Mrs. J. S. Haseldon, whose husband is superin- 
tendent of the Rome Brass and Copper Co. ; and one son, Walter B. Johnson, super- 
intendent of the Rome Manufacturing Co. His present wife was Sarah L. Stevens, 
by whom he had one daughter (deceased). 

Whiter, Andrew J., was born near Oneida Lake, in the town of Vienna, Oneida 
county, N. Y., February 9, 1837. When about fourteen years of age, 1851, he with 
his two brothers, Abram and Hiram, together with their parents, Meltiah and Lydia 
Whiter, removed to Hawkinsville, Oneida county, N. Y. His father was then em- 
ployed in a saw mill owned and operated by the late Benjamin Kipp ; while thus 



44 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

employed he had the misfortune to have his right hand and arm terribly mangled 
with a saw, which resulted in his death in about six years afterward. During this 
time and thereafter the support of the family was furnished by Mr. Whiter and his 
younger brother Hiram. In the year 1859 he purchased a farm of 110 acres one mile 
east of Hawkinsville, in the town of Boonville, N. Y. September 10, 1860, he was 
married to Miss Ellen J. Johnson, daughter of Elijah and Cyntha Johnson, who was 
born August 3, 1841, at Frankfort Hill, Herkimer county, N. Y., at which place she 
resided until the time of her marriage. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Whiter, namely; Albert C, Frank W., Alice E., all of whom are now living. Mr. 
Whiter was a canal boatman by occupation until the year 1865, at which time he re- 
tired to his farm where he has since resided, devoting his time to the best interest of 
his home and his surroundings. In politics he is a Democrat, much interested in the 
public welfare. He was appointed several times as inspector of election. Also he 
was a Democratic nominee for assessor and highway commissioner at different times. 
Mr. Whiter is widely known and esteemed by all. 

Kent, Justus Vinton, was born at Remsen in 1827, son of Ezekial Kent, who came 
to this place in 1829, settling about two miles south of Boonville, where he engaged 
in farming, yet devoting much time to public affairs. He was a man of prominence, 
and officiated as assessor for many years. He married Laura Dayton, of an old 
Connecticut family, who were early settlers in Remsen, by whom he had eleven 
children. His father was Capt. John Kent, who was well remembered for his zeal 
and patriotism, and who achieved much fame in the Revolutionary war. Ezekial 
Kent died in 1861. In 1848 Justus V. Kent married Louise Owen, daughter of John 
Owen, by whom he had eight children, six of whom are now living. He has a farm 
of ninety acres, in the suburbs of the village, adjoining Erwin Park. He also has 
charge of the Summit Hotel, which he entered in 1890. This hotel is beautifully 
located, commanding a view of the Adirondacks, and of the adjacent territory. 

Parks, Perry, was born on the farm he now owns in the town of Camden, March 
14, 1842, son of Marshall F. Parks, who was born in Connecticut. Marshall F. came 
to Camden in an early day and took up the farm now owned by his son Perry, which 
consisted of 200 acres, about 125 acres of which were improved. He married Eliza 
Hall of Connecticut, whose parents were among the first settlers of Oswego county, 
by whom he had six children: Daniel, Joshua, Hannah, Sarah, Perry and Clara, 
only four of whom are now living. Perry Parks was educated in the town of Cam- 
den, and is now engaged in farming on the old homestead. He married Ella, daugh- 
ter of Henry Hall, of Annsville, by whom he had one son, Charles, who resides on 
the farm with his parents. 

Scoville, Samuel T. W., was born in the town of Camden, N. Y., October 17, 1842, 
son of Riley Scoville, who was born in Connecticut and came to Camden in 1840. 
He was a farmer by occupation, which line of business Samuel Scoville has followed 
for some years. Mr. Scoville married Maria Upson, of Camden, by whom he has one 
son, Riley A. He is an enterprising and thrifty business man and in politics is a 
Democrat. 

Phelps, C. A. , senior member of the dry goods firm of C. A. & A. C. Phelps, was born 
in Camden, June 21, 1856. He was a farmer and corn packer up to twelve years 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 45 

ago, since which time he has been in the mercantile business. They purchased the 
stock and good will of Frisbie & Stansfield, and have now the leading business in 
that line in Camden. Albert C. was born in this town, and they have always been 
associated together in business. 

Tripp, Franklin, was born in Floyd, December 27, 1831, son of Isaac Tripp (who 
married Mary Brooker in 1812), and he was one of eleven children, seven sons and 
four daughters: Henderson, Septimus, Savinah, Julia Ann, Isaac, jr., William, Mar- 
quis De Lafayette, Helen, Franklin, Jeanette and Orris B. Isaac, sr., was born in 
Dutchess county, December 17, 1792, a son of William Tripp, who served as a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war (and was consequently a pensioner till his death). Will- 
iam moved with his family to Floyd, Oneida county, when Isaac was quite a small 
boy. His other children were Stephen, William, Mary and Clara. Isaac settled 
permanently in Floyd, and being possessed of an energetic disposition, progressive 
ideas, and strong business capacity, naturally his influence was felt in the town and 
in his surroundings. He served as assessor for many years. Was cotemporary and 
intimately associated with General Floyd (after whom the town was named, and 
who was then a resident of the town of Western). One of his sons, Isaac, jr., settled 
in Utica as a lawyer; three settled in Cortland county, one in Cayuga, while Frank- 
lin and Orris remained on the old homestead with additions thereto. Franklin mar- 
ried Carrie, daughter of David and Mary Fulmer of the town of Steuben. They 
have two children who are at present pupils at the Holland Patent Academy. (Orris 
married Esther, daughter of Hugh and Sally Jones also of Steuben). They are both 
farmers. 

Evans, John, was born in the town of Floyd, March 25, 1842, son of Owen and 
Rose Evans, who settled in Floyd about 1831. They had six children: Jane (de- 
ceased), John, William (deceased), Owen J., Mary Jane (deceased), and Charles H. 
Owen J., jr., is a farmer and is active in the development of the town. John Evans 
married Libbie, daughter of William W. and Catherine Jones, by whom he had one 
child, Mary Jane, who died October 9, 1884, aged seven years. Mr. Evans is a dairy 
farmer. He served as collector for the town one term. 

Vanderhoof, Thomas J., was born in the town of Floyd January 25, 1837, son of 
Nathaniel and Susan (Soule) Vanderhoof, who was born in Wellstown in 1805, whose 
father came from Vermont and. was a soldier in the war of 1812. Nathaniel settled 
in Oneida county in 1830; he had five children: Frances, Catherine, Thomas J., 
Mary E. and Nathaniel, jr. Nathaniel Vanderhoof, sr., was a captain of artillery in 
the State militia, and Francis was a drummer. Nathaniel, sr. , was engaged in farm- 
ing and also worked at weaving and shoemaking and was commissioner for many 
years. Nathaniel, jr., was first corporal in Co. B in the Fifth Oneida, 146th Regt, 
and after several engagements in battle was wounded and died in the hospital at 
Falmouth May 16, 1863. Thomas J. married Sarah A., daughter of Austin and 
Malinda Nutt, by whom he has two children: Olive and Mary, and one, Henrietta, 
deceased; he engaged' in farming at twenty-seven years of age, and is active in town 
and educational affairs. 

Pepper, Edwin J., was born in Oswego county, N. Y., February 3, 1845. He mar- 
ried Nancy, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Lewis) Paul, by whom he has four 



46 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

children: Cora E., wife of Fred Wickham, Roscoe H., Bertha H., and Arthur M., all 
natives of Floyd. He studied law in Cape Vincent. N. Y., and which, at the present 
time, he practices in the justice court of the county ; although his chief occupation 
has been farming. He enlisted August 24, 1863, in Co. G. , 20th N. Y. Cav. , and 
was mustered out July 31, 1865, and served as a non-commissioned officer. He be- 
longs to Post Hunt, No. 510 of Holland Patent, and has been commander and junior 
vice-commander of the same. He is the present justice of the peace and has held 
most of the elective offices of the town. He is trustee of the Floyd Methodist Epis- 
copal church and contributed liberally at the rebuilding of the same. 

Ulrich, Simon, was born in Massachusetts, April 2, 1837, son of Simon and Kather- 
ine Ulrich, who settled in Floyd about 1842. Their children were Katherine, Simon, 
Elizabeth and Mar}'. Simon Ulrich, sr., in early life followed the weaver's trade in 
Germany. He moved to Massachusetts, where he engaged in burning charcoal and 
worked in an iron furnace. In 1842 he came to Floyd, since which time he has fol- 
lowed farming. Simon Ulrich, jr., married Grace, daughter of Joseph Wintemeyer, 
by whom he has six children: Simon J., Joseph A., Katie M., MaryT., Frank T., 
and Albert L., all born in Floyd. Mr. Ulrich's chief occupation has been farming, 
and he is also interested in school work. 

Golly, Andrew, was born on the Golly homestead in the town of Lee, March 4, 
1814, son of Joseph and Ann (Jardin) GoTly, natives of Count}' Tyrone, Ireland, who 
settled in the town of Lee in 1811, where they cleared and improved a farm from the 
wilderness and died there. Their children were Eliza J., John, Andrew, Mary A., 
Joseph, Martha, Jardin, William, Benjamin, and Esther. Andrew has spent the 
most of his time in Lee, and owns two hundred acres of land, a part of which is the 
Golly homestead. In 1854 he married Ellen, daughter of John and Mary (Cummins) 
McClusky of Boonville, and they were the parents of six children Frank, Albert, 
George, Eliza (Mrs. Fred S. Fish), Mary, and Margaret. Mr. Golly is one of the 
oldest native residents of Lee. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held the office 
of supervisor. 

Willsoi, Merritt N., was born in town of Lee, Oneida county, May 14, 1854, son of 
Wright and Lydia (Tracy) Willson, both natives of Lee. His paternal grandparents, 
Roswell K. and Susan (Tyler) Willson, and maternal grandparents, Frederick and 
Chloe Tracy, were natives of Massachusetts, and all pioneers of the town of Lee. 
Wright Willson, father of Merritt N. , was born in 1817, still resides in the town of 
Lee, and by occupation is a farmer. Merritt N. was educated in the Union schools 
of Lee Center and Rome Academy, and was graduated from the latter in 1875. In 
1877 he began the study of law with Hon. Edward L. Stevens of Rome, was 
admitted to the bar in 1880, and in September of the same year established himself 
at Lee Center, where he was located until November 12, 1895, when he sold his resi- 
dence in Lee Center and purchased a residence at No. 416 William street Rome, 
N. Y. , where he has since been located. His office is No. 103 S. James street. 
November 5, 1882, he married Edith C, daughter of John C. and Jemima (Kniskern) 
Brown, of Oriskany Falls, Oneida county, by whom he had four daughters: Maud J., 
Mabel S. , Mary B., and Edith A. Mr. Willson is a member of Roman Lodge, 
F. & A. M., No. 223, of Rome, the Rome Council No. 150, the Royal Arcanum, 
P. of I., and K. of R., and in politics is a Republican. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 47 

Parsell, Charles D., was born in Western, December 8, 1858, a son of Alanson and 
Mary A. (Bullock) Parsell; the former was born in Ulster county, N. Y. , in 1815, and 
came with his father to Parish, Oswego county, N. Y. , in 1824, and the latter in 
Norway, Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1825. About 1837 Mr. Parsell settled in West- 
ern, where he worked at the carpenter and joiner trade until his death, January 31, 
1892. He was twice married, and his first wife was Eliza Shott, by whom he had 
two children: Martha (Mrs. Silas Ball), and Parisade (Mrs. Russell M. Frazer). His 
second wife was Mary A. Bullock, by whom he had two children, of whom our sub- 
ject is the only survivor. Charles D. was reared in Western, and educated in the 
common schools, Rome Academy and Holland Patent High School. For seventeen 
winters he taught school and worked at the carpenter trade with his father in the 
summer, and since 1882 has been engaged in the manufacture of cheese, averaging 
about 100,000 lbs annually. November 22, 1882, he married Lizzie A., daughter of 
Owen D. and Eleanor (Jones) Jones, of Lee, by whom he has three children : Bessie 
A., Anson Dudley and John C. 

Edic, Alson A., was born in Marcy, N. Y., October 8, 1858, son of Amos L. and 
Clista R. (Payne) Edic. Amos L. was a native of Marcy, son of Jacob and Esther 
(Levensworth) Edic, very early settlers in the town of Marcy. Mrs. Clista (Payne) 
Edic was a native of Deerfield, and a daughter of Edward Payne, who came from 
Vermont in 1820, and settled on the farm in Deerfield where Alson A. Edic now re- 
sides. Amos L. was engaged in farming in Marcy for many years, and also survey- 
ing, at which he still works, having taken up his residence in Utica, since the death 
of Mrs. Edic, which occurred in 1876. He was supervisor in Marcy, and also held 
the office of town clerk and justice of the peace ; and he is a member of the Masonic 
lodge. Alson A. Edic was educated at Whitestown Seminary, and has always been 
engaged in farming. In 1880 he settled on Payne Farm in Deerfield, where he still 
resides. The farm consists of 209 acres and he keeps thirty cows. In 1882 he mar- 
ried Hattie M., daughter of John and Almena (Irons) Penner of New York Mills, by 
whom he has three children: Allie L., Willie and Florence. 

White, George W., was born in the town of Annsville, January 9, 1844 son of 
Israel White, who was born in the town of Western, Oneida county. This family 
was among the first to settle in this section of the county, and have generally en- 
gaged in farming. George W. was educated in the schools of Annsville, Whitestown 
Seminary and Eastman's Business College. He was for some time connected with 
the American, Wells Fargo, and United Express Companies in Kansas City, but 
since 1873 has devoted his time to farming, owning a farm where he now resides of 
120 acres, besides several other farms in this county. Mr. White is a Republican in 
politics, was elected supervisor in 1891, and has held other minor offices in the town. 
He married Ella L., daughter of Calvin M. Waterman, by whom he had seven chil- 
dren: Byron E., Georgie B., Edna M., Amy O., Ella I., Marjory A., and Hazel I. 

Bemister, Alfred, was born in England, June 10, 1845, son of Stephen and Mary 
Ann Bemister, who came from England, and settled in Marcy about 1849, and whose 
children were Ann, Eliza, Harriet, Alfred, Stephen, Henry, John, Emma, Josephine 
and Nettie. Stephen Bemister was a self-made industrious man, and was engaged 
in farming. Alfred Bemister was assessor of the town for three years, and a veteran 



48 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the late Rebellion. October 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 14th N. Y. Vols., and 
served about twenty months ; May 20, 1863, he enlisted in Co. F, 44th N. Y. Vols. , and 
was transferred to Co. K, 146th N. Y. Vols. He was wounded at the battle of Gaines 
Mills, and was three months in the hospital at Philadelphia ; he was also wounded 
in the battle of the Wilderness, from which at present he is suffering the injuries. 
Mr. Bemister belongs to the McQuade Post No. 14, of Utica. 

Van Hatten, Michael, was born in France, May 10, 1828, son of Lewis and Mary 
A. Van Hatten, who settled in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, in the fall of 
1832 and whose children were Michael, Lewis, Mary Ann, Charles, Delia, John, 
Magdalane, and Francis. Lewis Van Hatten was engaged in farming and was 
actively interested in both church and educational affairs and was much respected 
by all his acquaintances. Michael Van Hatten settled in the town of Marcy in 1852, 
married Maria R. Hersdel by whom he had ten children : Frances R. , wife of John 
Eaton, Francis L. (deceased), Francis M., Mary L., wife of George Kunkel, Jeanie 
M., wife of Fred M. Seavy, George E., Lewis A., Annie V., Charles L., and Clara 

E. In early life Mr. Van Hatten was engaged in farming and school teaching, later 
years in farming, saw mill and as auctioneer. He was supervisor in 1866 and 1867 
and has been highway commissioner for many years, letting the contract for the 
first stone bridge that was built in Marcy in the year 1857 ; also built the first stone 
road in said town in 1881-2 and has held several minor offices. 

Hicks, John W., was born near where he now resides, April 24, 1842, son of Will- 
iam, jr., and Mary (Wright) Hicks. His grandfather, William, sr., came from Eng- 
land and settled here about 1824 ; he engaged in pioneer farming, and was known as 
Judge Hicks, who accumulated considerable wealth and was a large land owner. 
William, jr., was prominent in all affairs of his town. John W. was one of nine 
children: Sarah Martha (deceased), Mary E., John W., Annie M., Thomas J. (de- 
ceased), Agnes L. (deceased), James S. (deceased), George E. and Fred H. He 
married Harriet A., daughter of George and Nancy Powell, by whom he has one 
child, William P. He has been elected assessor for the past nine years. He is a 
member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church at Oriskany, and belongs to the Oriskany 

F. & A. M., No. 799, and has been junior warden of the Hampton Lodge No. 347, 
also senior master of ceremonies, and senior deacon. Of the United Friends, he 
has been chief councilor for four years, and delegate to the Grand Council. He is 
also a member of the Marcy Grange, Patrons of Industry, and now holds office of 
county vice-president and past president of the Stittville Lodge No. 315; and of the 
Grand Orient of Stittville. He is a director of the Black River Fish & Game Asso- 
ciation, and is also its vice-president. William Hicks married Carrie J. Bolton, and 
they have one child, Alice Alma. 

Ritchie, Thomas, was born in Scotland, September 15, 1819, son of Rev. Daniel 
and Margaret Ritchie, who settled in Oneida county in 1829, and whose children 
were Daniel, James, ( harles, Thomas, Isabelle, Margaret, Harriet and Jane. The 
Rev. Daniel Ritchie was a carpet manufacturer by trade, and which he followed for 
the greater part of his life. Hispreaching he did without reward. Hewas an honest, 
industrious man, and interested in all things for the good of his fellowmen. His 
sons, Daniel, James, and Charles, were engaged in business in the Southern and 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 49 

Western States, where they reside. Thomas Ritchie married Mehitable, daughter 
of William and Lois Hill, who settled in Marcy in 1811, by whom he has two sons: 
Ward T. and Franklin W. 

Olney, George B., was born in Western, December 7, 1852, a son of George J. and 
Harriet (Brill) Olney, grandson of James Olney, who was born October 26, 1783, 
and who married Lucy Burt, and great-grandson of William and Mary (Myers) Olney, 
who were among the pioneers of Western, and is a lineal descendant of Thomas 
Olney, of Hertfordshire, England, who settled in ,,'alem, Mass., in 1635, where he 
followed his profession of surveyor, and filled many positions of trust. He was the 
founder of the Olney family in America. In later life he left Salem on account of 
religious persecution and went with Roger Williams to Providence, R. I. On No- 
vember 6, 1793, a deed was executed by Thomas and William Burling, merchants of 
New York, conveying to William Olney the first real estate owned by the family in 
Oneida county. It consisted of 1500 acres of land in the tract known as the Thomas 
Machin patent, in what is now the town of Western, then a part of Herkimer county ; 
consideration, 600 pounds sterling. This tract joined land laid out for Jelles Fonda. 
The deed was acknowledged before John Ray " One of the masters in chancery for 
the State" and is still in possession of the family. George J. Olney, father of George 
B., was born in Western, February 28, 1821, where he has spent all his life engaged 
in farming. He was twice married, first to Harriet, daughter of Ezra and Lydia 
(Parks) Clark, of Western, by whom he had one daughter, Harriet (Mrs. Frank 
White). His second wife was Harriet, daughter of John Brill, of Saratoga, N. Y. , 
by whom he had three children: George B., Willard, and Minnie (Mrs. Charles Pill- 
more). George B. Olney was educated in the public schools and Whitestown Sem- 
inary, and since 1880, has been a member of the firm of Olney & Floyd, manufac- 
turers of canned goods, with factories at Westernvilleand Delta. December 10, 
1879, he married Amelia, daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Carey) Hill, of Western, by 
whom he had two children; George J. and Max H. 

Curtiss, Hiram L., was born in the town of Camden, February 18, 1859, a twin son 
of Linus Curtiss (mentioned elsewhere). Hiram L. has been a man of health and 
vigor, always pushing ahead in life, and was educated in the district schools, where 
he built a foundation for a useful man and successful farmer. He married Ida E., 
daughter of Charles F. aud Hannah M. Green, of Florence, and granddaughter 
of Asa Kelsey, the oldest resident in that town, he now being ninety-five years of 
age. Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss were the parents of four children: Olive M., deceased, 
Leila E., Christine M. , and Ward L. Mr. Curtiss and wife are members of the Cam- 
den Grange, No. 354, P. of H., also of the Congregational church of West Camden. 

Farnsworth, Theron A., one of Camden's prominent business men, was born in 
Hernion, St. Lawrence county, September 13, 1851. His early life was spent on the 
farm, and at the age of fourteen moved into the village, where he was educated in 
the common school of that place and Lowville Academy. Since leaving school he 
has been in the mercantile and manufacturing business, and is well known in North- 
ern New York. He became a manufacturer of post-office supplies in 1882, which 
business he now superintends for the Corbin Cabinet Lock Company, in their branch 
factory at Camden. In politics Mr. Farnsworth is a Republican, and has held sev- 



50 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

eral government appointments ; was president of the village of Camden in 1893, and 
is now serving a second term. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights 
of Pythias and Royal Arcanum Lodges in Camden. 

Dorrance, John G. , was born in the town of Florence, Oneida county, December 
17, 1837, and is one of the leading business men of Camden. Daniel G. Dorrance, 
his father, was for many years the leading merchant in Florence, and first settled 
there in 1832. John G. is one of a family of five children living. He located at East 
Troy, Wis., in 1856, where he was engaged in the mercantile business until 1865, 
when he came to Camden. Here he commenced trade again in what was then 
known as the old "Trowbridge Store," located on the corner of Main and Mexico 
streets. In May, 1876, he established a private bank under the name of D. G. and 
J. G. Dorrance. This bank was succeeded in January, 1880, by the First National 
bank of Camden. Mr. Dorrance has been cashier of this bank since its organiza- 
tion. He was married February 5, 1861, to Miss Ellen E. Brown of Oneida, N. Y., 
by whom he had two children, Daniel J. (teller and assistant cashier in the bank of 
Camden), and Mrs. Davies, wife of Deputy Attorney-General John C. Davies of 
Camden, N. Y. In politics Mr. Dorrance is a Republican. In June, 1895, he was 
appointed by Governor Morton to the office of commissioner of State Prisons for 
the Fifth Judicial District, for the term of five years. 

Flanders, Thomas, was born in Vermont, October 23, 1841, one of ten children of 
Moses and Maria (Towle) Flanders, of Vermont. Thomas Flanders has resided in 
this town and Vienna since 1865, and now owns a farm of 100 acres in the town 
of Annsville, and runs a dairy of thirty cows. In 1861 he enlisted in the 8th Vt. 
Vols., served for a period of four years, and was engaged in the battles of Cedar 
Creek, at the siege of Port Hudson, and the battle of Winchester. He married 
Jane, daughter of George Husted, by whom he had two children: Myrtie and 
George. Mr. Flanders is a member of Ballard Post, G. A. R. , No. 551, of which he 
was officer of the day for three years, and is also a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity. In politics he is a Republican. 

Lehr, Charles M., was born in Ava, Oneida connty, N. Y. , November 3, 1854, son 
of George and Catherine (Yourdon) Lehr, he a native of Germany, and she of Ava, 
N. Y. The grandparents came to America when George was three years of age, 
and settled in Ava, where they lived and died. He was a soldier in the French war. 
George Lehr was reared on a farm. He was a Republican in politics, and was 
justice of the peace for twenty years, highway commissioner, assessor, etc. He 
died in 1878, and his wife in 1871. Charles M. Lehr settled on the farm of 100 acres 
he now owns in 1881, where he keeps about twenty cows. In 1882 he married Annie, 
daughter of Owen and Esther Humphrey, of Ava, by whom he had four children: 
Susan, Myron, Esther and George. Mr. Lehr is a Republican in politics, and has 
been collector, highway commissioner, etc. 

Kilts, Jacob, was born in Ava, N. Y. , September 5, 1829, son of Jacob and Eliza- 
beth (Zolver) Kilts, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1828, and settled 
in Boonville. They were among the first settlers in Ava, and took 120 acres of land, 
which they cleared, and engaged in farming. In Germany Mr. Kilts was a cabinet- 
maker. He died in 1872, and Mrs. Kilts died in 1874. Jacob Kilts, jr., worked for 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 51 

thirteen years at the carpenter trade, and has since been engaged in farming. In 
1805 he bought a farm of 150 acres in Ava, where he has since resided. In 1861 he 
married Humility Daniels, by whom he has five children: William A., hotelkeeper 
at Redfield, N. Y. ; Emma J. , wife of Byron L. Edgerton, of Annsville, N. Y. ; 
Homer J, a manufacturer at Rome, N. Y. ; Carrie E., wife of Frank Lock, a 
mechanic at Redfield, N. Y. ; and Warren R., who is living at home. Mrs. Kilts 
died May 25, 1885. Mr. Kilts has been justice of the peace and constable for 
seven years. 

Blue, Malcolm A., was born in Deerfield, N. Y., January 27, 1822, son of Alexan- 
der and Christa (McVean) Blue, natives of Scotland. Alexander Blue came to Deer- 
field with his parents, Malcolm and Flora Blue, in 1803. Mrs. Blue came with her 

parents, Peter and McVean, who settled at Johnstown, Genesee county, where 

they died. Alexander Blue was a carpenter by trade, but spent the latter part of his 
life on the farm. He was town school superintendent and road commissioner. Mrs. 
Blue died in 1822, and Mr. Blue married the second time. He died in 1872. Mal- 
colm A., at the death of his mother, was adopted and reared by Daniel McKay, who 
•was an early settler on the farm where Mr. Blue has always resided, except four 
years in the banking business, and he is now president of the bank at Poland. Mr. 
Blue has given his attention principally to farming, and has owned about 816 acres 
of land, 320 of which he has deeded to his sons. He has been supervisor and road 
commissioner seven years. In 1847 he married Maria, daughter of Isaac and Mary 
Hetherington (who died in August, 1887), farmers of Deerfield ; and Mr. Hethering- 
ton was a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Blue have three children : Arch. M. and 
Grant A., who are both engaged in farming and in the manufacture of cheese, also 
dealing in stock; and Maria, wife of John K. Walker. The family are Presby- 
terians. 

Carleton, Charles, was born at Clingara, County Meath, Ireland, December 25, 
1820. He was the oldest child of James and Eleanor Carleton, to whom six children 
were born, five of whom came to the United States. His mother's maiden name 
was Raymond, and she was one of a numerous and prosperous family. His parents 
were natives of Ireland, followed the occupation of farming there and afterwards 
came to America. It was Mr. Carleton's fortune to have first seen the light of day 
in one of the most historic and romantic places in Ireland. The Hill of Tara, the 
ancient capital of Ireland, was to the north in sight of his home. There remains 
to the present time there the ruins of the ancient palace of the Ard Ri or the High 
King of Ireland. Among the evidences of Tara's former greatness is found the 
ruins of the legislative hall in which laws for the Irish nation were once made; the 
ruins of the Military School and of the National Court House, which was in its day 
the court of last resort in Ireland. To the northeast of his home and about three 
miles distant was the famous Dangan castle, in which the Duke of Wellington was 
born. To the north was the famous Boyne River. About twenty miles down the 
stream from Tara is fhe battlefield were on July 1, 1690, was fought the famous 
battle of the Boyne. It was there that the Irish army under James II of England 
received its death blow. It was on the bank of this old stream that Mr. Carleton 
attended the little country school and with his little companions many times ran 
away from school and went swimming in the Boyne River. The little ivy covered 



52 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

church which Mr. Carleton attended, tradition had it that it was the church attended 
by Dean Swift's ancestors. Mr. Carleton came to the United States in 1849 and in 
1870 married Henrietta Deering, by whom he had two children: Ella M. and Will- 
iam. He has always been engaged in the business of lumbering and farming and 
so has his son. He is now the owner of 700 acres of land. 

Syphert, William E., was born in Forestport, N. Y., in 1862,. son of William 
Syphert (Seifert), who was born in Jauer, Germany, in 1821. William Syphert is a 
miller by trade, and upon coming to America in 1853 he went directly to Hawkins- 
ville and engaged in working in a saw mill. From thence he went to White Lake 
and in 1854 to Forestport, where he followed lumbering and farming and ran gang 
saws in mills for many years. He married Augusta Fredericka Hennich, of Ger- 
many, who died in 1869. Their children were Augustus, Paulina, Herman, Robert, 
William E., Charles, and Mary E. William E. was educated in the district schools 
and at the early age of eleven began life as a canal driver and when a little older he 
became a steersman, which vocation he followed until eighteen years of age, when 
he began lumbering and for twelve years rafted spar and pile timber ready for the 
canal to go to New York city. In 1891 he entered into partnership with Albert Har- 
rig and engaged in the lumber and long timber business. In the spring of 1895 they 
erected a pulp wood mill, and saw mill from which they send a boat load a day ; they 
also furnish a large amount of logs for a Utica lumber firm. They own a tract of 
2,000 acres of timber land. In 1891 Mr. Syphert married Rosetta E., daughter of 
Michael and Catherine Fischer, of Buffalo. He is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, Urial Lodge, No. 908, and Mrs. Syphert is a member of the Lutheran church. 

Stannard, J. R., was born in the town of Western, May 19, 1853, son of John L. 
Stannard, the scion of an old Scotch English family, who migrated from Massachu- 
setts to this county when it was a vast wilderness. Mr. Stannard's mother, Betsey 
Hill Clark, is the descendant of an old Connecticut family who settled in the Mohawk 
valley soon after the Revolutionary war. Her grandfather, Ichabod Hill, was body 
guard to General Washinton and served with distinction throughout that memorable 
contest, while her father, Ezekiel Clark, was a soldier in the war of 1812. After at- 
tending several terms at Holland Patent Academy and Whitestown Seminary, Mr. 
Stannard taught school in Western and Boonville with marked success until March, 
1883, when he removed to Boonville and began his career as a merchant, dealing in 
pianos, organs, sewing, machines, musical merchandise, school supplies, books, sta- 
tionery, etc. , a business which he has successfully conducted since and which has 
assumed large proportions. In politics Mr. Stannard is a Democrat and a great 
admirer of President Cleveland. He was one of the organizers of the Anti-Snap 
movement in 1893, and a delegate to the Syracuse Convention in May of that year. 
After Cleveland's re-election he became a candiate for postmaster and demonstrated 
his popularity by winning the prize over several candidates, some of whom were as- 
sisted by some of the ablest politicians in the county and State. He took possession 
of the office March 6, 1895, and at once entered upon the work of improving the 
service by putting in one of the finest outfits in the State, one that Boonville is justly 
proud of. That he will make an ideal postmaster is predicted by those who know 
him best. April 7, 1881, he married Irene Van Voorhis, of Steuben, and has one sou, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 53 

Leland, born January 15, 1894. Mr. Stannard is a charter member of Summit Lodge, 
No. 246, I. O. O. F. 

Wilson, Robert, was born at Thompson, Windham county, Conn., October 16, 
1829, son of Robert Wilson, a linen weaver of Irish birth, who came to America in 
1818 at the age of forty-two; after spending ten years in the New England States, 
he settled in Boonville in 1829, and engaged in farming ; he died November 2, 1856. 
He was a man of rare inteligence, and possessed a well cultivated mind. Robert 
Wilson, jr.. is a man possessed of highly respectable abilities, and whose character 
is one worthy of emulation. He acquired his education with but little aid, by inflex- 
ible purpose, and untiring application. Bred to the occupation of a farmer, he has 
always followed that pursuit. He is a member of the M. E. church. In politics he 
was a Whig, brft united with the Republican party at its formation, was supervisor 
in 1872, and for the last eight years has voted with the Prohibition party. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Hayes, September 10, 1851, by whom he had four 
children, but none survived early infancy. 

Clefford, Daniel B., was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Aprils, 
1838, son of Peter C. Clefford and Charlotte L. Clefford, who settled in Rome in 1839. 
Mr. and Mrs. Peter C. Clefford had nine children: Christopher E., Daniel B., Watie 
E., Guilford D., Clifton C. (deceased), Chancellor C, Perry C, Lottie and Huldah, 
of whom the latter seven were born in the town of Rome. Mr. Clefford was a 
farmer and a public spirited and charitable man and a large owner of real estate in 
Rome and Vienna; also a farm in Scott township, Johnson county, Iowa. He died 
December 30, 1893, aged eighty-one years, five months and thirteen days. Daniel 
B. Clefford married Julia A., daughter of the late Nehemiah and Sarah A. Halladay, 
January 4, 1859, by whom he had four children, Watie M. (deceased), Julia Blasier, 
Pearl E. and Clara E. In early life Mr. Clefford taught school in winters but has 
always been engaged in farming and has made a success at that business and now 
owns and conducts three farms. He is interested in educational affairs. Though a 
life long Democrat he never would accept of any town office. He belongs to Vienna 
Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M., and now holds the office of treasurer, and is vice-pres- 
ident of Plains Lodge, No. 339, P. of I. of North America. 

Jones, William Jay, was born near South Trenton, June 20, 1832, son of Jacob and 
Mary Jones, who came from Wales about 1818 and were engaged in farming. Their 
children were Margaret, John, Hannah, David, Thomas and William Jay. Mr. 
Jones helped to build the Welsh M. E. church, and used to go twelve miles to church 
on foot. He also cut the first tree on the road where William Jay now lives. Pre- 
vious to building the church meetings were regularly held at his house for many 
years. He was a strong anti-slavery man and among the first Abolitionists in the 
place; he became a Free Soiler and then a Republican. He wished to see the sin of 
slavery wiped out before his death, but he died April 9, 1859. His wife died Decem- 
ber 25, 1870. At fifteen years of age, William Jay started for himself as a laborer on 
a farm, and is now engaged in farming. He married Mary L. , daughter of David 
Winston, by whom he has three children: Jacob H., David Cephas, and W. Herbert. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Trenton, and of which he has 
served as trustee, secretary, steward, and treasurer. He is a strong Prohibitionist. 
His wife, Mary L. Winston, died January 17, 1893. 



54 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Johnson, Stephen Albert, was born in Constableville, Lewis county, N. Y., May 
23, 1840. He attended the local schools, also private schools at Lockport and Fre- 
donia, N. Y. Being in Philadelphia at the time of the outbreak of the Rebellion, he 
enlisted in the 3d (afterwards the 72d) Regiment of that State among the first of the 
three years men; and was in the battle of Ball's Bluff and the battles of the Penin- 
sula campaign. At the battle of Antietam he was severely wounded and soon after 
honorably discharged. He then went West and engaged in the nursery business at 
New Albany, Ind., with his brother, Senator F. C. Johnson, of that State. At the time 
of the Morgan raid he was chosen captain of a company in the 8th Indiana Regi- 
ment and served throughout the campaign. In 1865 he returned to Lewis county, 
and in June, 1866, he maried Emeline, daughter of Schuyler C. Thompson, by 
whom he had three children, two sons and one daughter. The eldest s»n, Franklin C. , 
a young man of bright literary attainments, died at Nice, France, in January, 1895. 
The younger son, William Schuyler, is now in the bank -with his father. S. C. 
Thompson & Co.'s Bank was founded in 1867. Mr. Johnson became its cashier and 
has been in the banking business ever since, being now, and since the death of Mr. 
S. C. Thompson, in 1879, the senior member of the firm. He was for many years a 
member of the Board of Education of the Boonville Union Free School and 
Academy, and is one of the wardens of the Episcopal church at that place. Mr. 
Johnson's ancestry on both the paternal and maternal side is of the Colonial Puritan 
stock. Thomas Johnson came from Yorkshire, England, and settled at New Haven, 
Conn., in 1638. His son, William, was one of the original proprietors of Walling- 
ford, Conn., founded in 1670, and there the family lived for several generations, 
being large land owners and prominent in government and military affairs. De- 
scendants of William Johnson still own land near Wallingford, which has been in the 
family since its purchase from the Indians. Jacob Johnson, son of William 
(1694-1749), was a member of the Colonial Assembly several terms, and was a man 
of large wealth. Capt. Andrew Johnson, son of Jacob (1702-1757). served during 
the Indian and French wars; while Capt. Hezekiah Johnson, his son (1732-1810), 
was a soldier of the Revolution, and served from the Lexington alarm until the close 
of the war. Belcher Johnson (1767-1837), son of Capt. Hezekiah, removed to New 
York State in 1790 and settled at Salisbury, Herkimer county, where his son, Horace 
Johnson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1799, and in 1822 married 
Eliza Pratt. Shortly after this he settled at Constableville, Lewis county, and en- 
gaged in the tanning business. He was commissioned captain in the militia by 
Governor De Witt Clinton in 1826. He died at Boonville, January 10, 1885. Mr. 
Johnson is descended through both of his parents from the Merriman family of Con- 
necticut, who for several successive generations were prominent in the Colonial gov- 
ernment, and held military commissions in the Indian and French wars; also from 
the Sedgwick family of Massachusetts, the first ancestor in this country being 
Major General Robert Sedgwick, who was a distinguished and trusted officer under 
Cromwell, and a charter member and captain of the "Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery Co., of Boston," the first military company formed upon this continent, and 
which possesses its identity to this day. In Mr. Johnson's family there is an 
unbroken line of military service from the Pequot war to the war of the Rebellion. 
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, also of the ' ' Society 
of Sons of the American Revolution" and of the " Society of Colonial Wars. " 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 55 

Chrestien, Theodore, was born in the town of Rome, February 26, 1847, son of 
Martin and Margaret (Rougert) Crestien. Theodore married Emma, a daughter of 
William H. and Matilda Carnrile, and they have four children: William Alfred; 
Kittie, wife of William Brewster of Annsville ; Alice ; and Edith, all of whom are 
natives of Oneida county. At the age of twenty-four he engaged in business as a 
distiller of oil of wintergreen, which he followed ten years, then he went into the 
canning business, in which he engaged about six years, when he associated himself 
with the firm of Tuttle & Co., who are still in business. In 1878 he was elected jus- 
tice of the peace, which office he holds at the present time. He was one year justice 
of sessions, and served two terms as postmaster under Cleveland's administration. 
He is a member of Vienna Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M. , of which he has been master 
twelve years. 

Brown, James, was born in the town of Floyd, Oneida county, January 29, 1837, 
son of John and Jane Brown, who came from Dutchess county and settled in Floyd 
in 1826. Their children were Harriet, Charles Henry, James, Thomas, William H., 
and Betsey Ann, all natives of this county. Charles Henry was a veteran of the 
late war. James married Susan Faulkner, daughter of William and Harriet Faulk- 
ner, by whom he had three children; Hattie Jane, Charles E. , and William G. 
William G. Brown was graduated from Union College in 1895; and is now studying 
law at Albany. He also spent three years at Cazenovia Seminary. Susan, wife of 
James Brown, died January 1, 1870. For his second wife James married Helen, 
daughter of William and Eliza Bowman, by whom he has one child: Nellie E. 
James and his father followed farming and boat-building, and have been actively in- 
terested in educational affairs. James has been highway commissioner two terms, 
and also loan commissioner. 

Hudson, Joel, was born in Stockport, County Cheshire, England, January 29, 1840, 
son of Thomas and Mary (Cheatham) Hudson. His mother with four children came 
to America in 1854 and located in Rome, where she resided until her death in 1862. 
Her children were Henry, Joel, Sarah M. (Mrs. Jacob Groff), and Martha, deceased. 
Joel Hudson was reared in England and Oneida county, N. Y. He received a com- 
mon school education, and began life as a farm laborer, which he followod until 
1864, when he purchased a farm of ninety-three acres in Lee, which he sold and now 
owns two adjoining, farms in the same town, comprising 145 acres. In February, 
1864, he married Sarah, daughter of William and Alvira (Dunbar) Robinson, of Lee, 
by whom he has one daughter, Edith (Mrs. Frank Affolter). Mr. Hudson started in 
life with nothing, and by his own efforts has secured a competency. He is a mem- 
ber of the F. & A. M. Mrs. Alvira Robinson will be eighty-five years old the 19th 
day of May, 1896. She has three daughters living : Sarah Hudson Stokes ; Samantha 
Rector, Utica; Mary Perkins, Lee Center. 

Jones, Owen E., was born on the farm where he now resides. His father, William 
Jones, was a farmer by occupation. He and wife were very active in church work. 
He married Eleanor, daughter of John and Mary Edwards. William Jones settled 
in Utica, coming from Anglesay, North Wales, about 1832, and to Floyd in 1841. 
Mr. and Mrs. William Jones had eight children: John J., Mary S., Catherine, Ellen 
Roberts, William J., Hugh W. (deceased), Owen E.. and Jane A., all of whom are 



56 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

residents of this county except John, who is in Canastota. Owen E. married Sarah 
J., daughter of Even T. Jones, of Pickett, Wis, by whom he has two children: 
Edith Ellen, and Emrys Tutur. Mr. Jones is a farmer by occupation, and is active 
in town affairs. He is a charter member of Camroden Patrons of Industry and has 
held all the offices in the I. O. G. T. Lodge; also of the Sabbath school and is now 
secretary and deacon of the C. M. church. 

Davis, Pratt M., was born in Deerfield, N. Y., December 3, 1849, oldest son of 
John H. and Ellen M. (Smith) Davis, natives of Deerfield. The grandparents, Rowland 
and Margaret (Roberts) Davis, were natives of Wales, and came to America about 
1817, settling near Deerfield Corners. Mr. Davis died in 1853, and Mrs. Davis in 
1846. The great-grandfather of Pratt M., Jonathan Davis, was a miller and con- 
ducted a large grist mill in Wales. In early life John H. Davis was engaged in gen- 
eral mercantile business at Deerfield. This he gave up and engaged in farming un- 
til his death in September, 1885, at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Davis is still 
living and resides on the farm. Pratt M. was reared on the farm, and has always 
been engaged in farming. He conducts the home farm of 110 acres, and also has 
fifty acres of his own on which he resides. December 3, 1890, he married Mary A., 
daughter of Charles S. and Mary (Jones) Balcom of Redfield, Oswego county, by 
whom he has three children: Ella I., born March 10, 1892; Charles R., born Septem- 
ber 28, 1893, and Alta Mary, born April 4, 1895. 

Dorrance, W. H., was born in the town of Florence, Oneida county, July 18, 1844. 
He is one of nine children, and was educated in the district schools of Florence and 
Whitestown Semieary. He has for twenty-five years been engaged in the hardware 
trade, and now conducts one of the largest retail hardware stores in Camden, known 
as W. H. Dorrance & Son. He married Emma Fifield, of Camden, by whom he had 
four children: Franklin F , John P., Bertha and Anna. Mr. Dorrance is a Repub- 
lican in politics. 

Nelson, William H., M. D. , was born in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida county, 
N. Y., April 25, 1830, son of Elijah P. Nelson, who was born in Stillwater. The 
grandfather, Moses Nelson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was an eye 
witness of the murder of his mother by the Indians. Elijah Nelson married Mary, 
daughter of Joseph Wallace of Rome, formerly of Rensselaer county. They had 
three children: George W., M. D., Mary E. and William H. The latter began read- 
ing medicine with Dr. J. V. Cobb, of Rome, and later graduated with honor from the 
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pa. In 1857 he began practicing in 
Taberg ; where he is at the present time. He married Mary L. Wheelock, by whom 
had three children: Charles W., a farmer; William W. , a doctor, a graduate of the 
University of the City of New York ; and Stuart W., also a graduate of that institu- 
tion, now a physician in the Kings County Hospital. Dr. William H. Nelson was 
acting assistant surgeon in the late war, and supervisor of the town of Annsville in 
1874, '78, '84, '88, '89. He is a member of the N. Y. State Medical Association, 
American Medical Association and the Oneida County Medical Society. 

Clark, John F. , was born in the town of Florence, August 2, 1861. He was the 
son of Thomas Clark, who was born in Albany, July 4, 1835, and came to the town 
of Florence when one year of age with his father, Mathew Clark, who was born in 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 57 

Ireland. It is said that the grandmother pf our subject was the first Irish woman in 
the town of Florence. Thomas Clark, who was a farmer by occupation and still resides 
in the town, married Rose Morris, of Ireland, and to them have been born nine chil- 
dren, six of whom are living: Peter, Mary, William, Lizzie, Fannie and John F. 
Peter and William are proprietors of the Grove Hotel ; William is serving his third 
term as supervisor. The subject of our sketch, John F., was educated in the schools 
of Florence and for the past twelve years has been one of the leading merchants of 
the town, doing a general county business. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1888 
he was elected supervisor and served three terms, was town clerk two years and is 
now serving as postmaster. In 1890 he married Anna C. Crowley of Oswego, a 
Normal School graduate, who was principal of the Florence village school for five 
years. Two children have been born to them, one of whom is living, Rose Marie. 

Taft, Rufus, was born in the town of Annsville, N. Y., May 12, 1831, son of Lyman 
and Betsey (Storey) Taft. The grandfather, Daniel Taft, came from Connecticut 
and settled in this town when it was a wilderness, as early as 1806. Rufus Taft was 
educated in the town of Annsville, and was for many years a boatman, but is now 
engaged in farming, owning a farm of ninety-six acres, most of which is improved. 
In 1861 he enlisted in the 81st N. Y Vols., served until the close of the war, and was 
in many noted battles, such as Petersburg, Cold Harbor, etc. He married Clarissa 
A., daughter of David Putnam, by whom he had four children: David H., Cornelia 
N., Genevieve and Frank M., who, in connection with his oldest brother, David H., 
conducts a prosperous livery business and stage route in Taberg village and sur- 
rounding towns and villages. Mr. Taft is a member of Ballard Post, No. 551, G. A. 
R., and in politics is a Republican. 

Smith, Clarence D., was born in Rome, May, 31, 1865, son of Daniel and Cleore 
(Peck) Smith, grandson of Daniel, and great-grandson of Arnold Smith, a native of 
Rhode Island, who settled in Steuben, Oneida county, about 1800, where he engaged 
in the merchandise business and operated a potash factory. He later removed to the 
town of Western, where he engaged in farming, and finally located in North Bay, N.Y., 
where he died. Daniel Smith, his son, was a farmer nearly all his life in the towns 
of Steuben and Western, and died in the town of Rome, at ninety years of age. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of the few who adhered to Masonry after 
the Morgan feud. Daniel, his son, and father of Clarence D., was born in Steuben, 
September 15, 1815, began life as a carpenter and joiner and at thirty years of age 
engaged in farming in the town of Rome, where he died June 18, 1884. He was 
identified with the State militia twenty-five years, and most of that period was cap- 
tian of a company of artillery. His wife, a native of Rome, was a daughter of Capt. 
Gates Peck, a veteran of the war of 1812, who came from Norwich, Conn., to Rome 
in 1803, a granddaughter of Phineas Peck, who served in the Revolutionary war, 
marched from Norwich, Conn., at the Lexington alarm, served under Generals Sul- 
livan, Gates, and Count D'Estaing and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne 
at Saratoga, and a descendant of Deacon Henry Peck, who, in 1637, sailed from 
England in the ship Hector, and settled in New Haven, Conn., on land, a portion of 
which is still owned by his descendants. Clarence D. was reared in Rome, educated 
in the public schools, began life as a farmer, in which he is still interested, and is 
also engaged in milling and dealing in all kinds of agricultural implements in the 



58 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

village of Delta. He is a member of the P. of H. His grandfather, Capt. Gates 
Peck, named the present village of Delta. 

Wolfe, George, son of George Wolfe, was born in Deerfield, Oneida count}', N.Y., 
October 12, 1840. He was reared on a farm, and has always followed farming and 
market gardening. In 1872 he married Barbara Geerer, of Utica, by whom he has 
one daughter, Henrietta M. Mrs. Wolte died in 1881, and he married for his second 
wife, Mary Reusswig, daughter of William and Katherine Reusswig, of Utica, by 
whom he has two sons: William G., born in 1885, and George E., born in 1886. 

Amann, Magdalen. — The late Anthony Amann was born in Alsace, France, No- 
vember 4, 1835, and came to the United States September 25, 1855. He was edu- 
cated in the schools of his native place, and in the evening schools in Vernon, N. Y. 
He was a bootmaker by trade in his early life, and afterwards engaged in farming, 
in which he was very successful. April 14, 1863, he married Magdalene Stoltz, of 
the town of Vernon, formerly of his native place, who came from Alsace, France, 
with her parents when a year old, by whom he had seven children : John, who died 
at fourteen years of age; Mary R., who died at seven years of age; Joseph N., who 
died in infancy; Francis A. ; Theresa J. ; Magdalene K. ; and Mary W. Francis A. 
married Elizabeth M. Quarty, and they had five children : J osie, who died in infancy ; 
Mary M. ; Florence L. ; John J. ; Anna M. Theresa J. married Lewis Ritter, of 
Oneida, and they had four children: William J., Frederick D., Mary R., and Louis. 
Mr. Amann died March 10, 1887. Mrs. Amann's father, John Stoltz, was born in 
Alsace, France, September 26, 1817. He was educated there and came to the United 
States when about twenty years of age. After a time he returned to his native place 
and married Mary E. Stoltz, and returned to the land of his adoption. They had 
seven children: Magdalene, as above, Rachina, Francis, John, Joseph, Lewis, and 
Lawrence. Mr. Stoltz was a blacksmith by trade, and afterwards a farmer. He 
died January 13, 1892, and his wife December 7, 1S88. The ancestry of the family is 
German and French. 

Lowe, Charles, was born near London, England, December 6, 1839. He was 
partly educated there, and came to the United States in 1850, locating at Pratt's 
Hollow, Madison county, N. Y. When seventeen years of age he went to Norwich, 
Chenango county, where he learned the tanner's trade, and in 1864 he came to 
Oneida, where he worked for Hon. George Berry for fifteen years, most of the time 
as foreman. In 1877 he purchased the David and Hezekiah Brooks farm, improving 
it in many ways, erecting a new residence, barns, and fences. October 25, 1860, he 
married Mary J. Manchester, of Pratt's Hollow, by whom he had seven children: 
Nellie I., Roscoe C, Fenton E., Cora M., George E. , Libbie J., and Jesse E., who 
died in infancy. Nellie I. married John B. Williams, now of Denver, Col., and 
they have one son, Paul L. Cora M. married George Clark, of Oneida, N. Y., and 
they have one son, Charles L. Fenton E. is a resident of Quincy, Mass. Mr. 
Lowe's father, Thomas Lowe, was born at the old home in England, in 1810. He 
married Elizabeth Thaxter, of Elson, by whom he had nine children: John, William, 
James, Charles, as above, Robert, Walter, Septimus, and Sarah and Elizabeth, 
twins. The family came to the United States in 1850. Mrs. Lowe died in England 
about 1848, and for his second wife Mr. Lowe married Sarah Barnes. Mr. Lowe died 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 59 

in 187a. Mrs. Lowe's father, William Manchester, was born in Rhode Island. He 
was educated there, and married Catherine Oderkirk, of Hoosick, by whom he had 
thirteen children, only two of whom are now living: Mary J., and James. Mr. Man- 
chester died in 1836, and his wife in 1861. Mr. JLowe has been a member of Oneida 
Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., since 1867, of which he was master in 1895. He has 
held the office of assessor six years. The ancestry of the family is English on both 
sides. 

Hicks, William Harrison, was born in Western, Oneida county, August 28, 1824, 
son of Alpheus and Mary (Lane) Hicks, natives of Massachusetts and New York 
respectively. His paternal grandfather, David Hicks, was one of the four original 
settlers of Western, where he located in 1788 and cleared and improved a farm from 
the wilderness, and there he died. He assisted in building a bridge across the Mo- 
hawk River, this side of Albany, near Elmer Hill in Western, in 1798, also assisted 
in organizing the First Baptist church in Steuben, now called Western, was an ex- 
horter and deacon in this church. He brought a bushel of potatoes on his back 
through the wilderness from Whitesboro to his home, a distance of fifteen miles in 
1789. He married Mary Sprague. Alpheus Hicks was born in 1775, and from thir- 
teen years of age lived on the old homestead in Western, where he died in 1861. 
During the war of 1812 he was in the service of the United States in the transporta- 
tion of provision and other necessaries for the Federal army. He married Mary, 
daughter of George and Hannah (Wiggins) Lane, a descendant of the Lanes who 
came over in the Mayflower in 1620. Her father assisted in throwing the tea over- 
board in Boston Harbor, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hicks were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom grew to maturity: Han- 
nah, Ephraim, Jacob, Isaac, Mary, Sarah, John, Eliakim, and William H., of whom 
the latter and Sarah are the only survivors. William Harrison Hicks owns the old 
homestead in Western, where all but fifteen years of his life has been spent. Since 
1884 he has resided in Delta. In September, 1855, he married Angeline E., daughter 
Alfred and Rhoda (Denison) Martin, of Floyd, Oneida county, N. Y. 

Yerdon, James H., was born in the town of Boonville, N. Y., the son of John, who 
was born in Canajoharie, Montgomery county, in 1822, the youngestof four sons and 
five daughters born to Henry I. and Elizabeth (Castler) Yerdon. Henry I. was the 
son of John, great-grandfather of James H. of Mohawk Dutch ancestry, a soldier in 
the Revolutionary war, where he was badly wounded. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation and spent his life in Montgomery county. Henry I. was a carpenter by trade 
and spent his last days in Boonville, living with his son John, where he died in 1858. 
His wife died in the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery county, in 1825. John, father 
of James H., came to Boonville in March, 1837, at the age of fifteen and worked in 
the lumber woods for his brother-in-law at §5.00 per month. Seven years later he 
purchased 100 acres of timber land and began lumbering and farming, and later 
added thereto until he owned 425 acres. He has also been engaged in the saw mill 
business, but since 1889 has been retiredfrom the more active work, leasing hislarger 
farm and conducting the smaller one. In 1846 he married Lovina, daughter of Jacob 
Bellinger, by whom he had four children : Mary E., Emma A. Jackson, James H., 
Mrs. Addie Wollaber. James H was born July 6, 1854, in a log house just a short 
distance north of the present house that marks the place, which was erected the 



60 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

same vear that he was born, located five miles south of Boonville village, on the 
west side of the Lansingkill and Black River Canal. Received a limited education 
in the common schools, assisting his father in lumbering and farming until he was 
twenty-one years of age. February 14, 1878, he married Alice C. , daughter of George 
H. Wollaber, of Steuben, to which town he moved and engaged in farming. He 
owns 170 acres of land and carries on general farming, but is especially interested 
in the breeding of Holstein-Friesian cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Yerdon are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, he having been Sunday school superintendent sev- 
eral seasons, trustee and steward. March 3, 1896, Mr. Yerdon was elected for a 
term of two years, to represent his town as supervisor. 

Van Buskirk, Marcus, was born in Western, December 11, 1829, a son of John and 
Catherine (Casler) Van Buskirk. His paternal grandfather, Lawrence Van Buskirk, 
of Holland Dutch descent, was among the pioneers of Floyd, Oneida county, where 
he engaged in farming and where he died. His maternal grandfather, Marcus 
Casler, was a pioneer farmer and blacksmith of Western. John Van Buskirk, 
father of Marcus, was a native of Floyd, and in early manhood settled in Western, 
cleared a farm, and assisted in building the Black River Canal. He was for several 
years prominently identified with the quarry interest of the county, being superin- 
tendent of several stone quarries, and lived for many years on what is now known 
as the Stephen Rogers farm. His children were Marcus, Martha (Mrs. William 
Norton) and Martin. Marcus Van Buskirk was reared in Western, where he has 
always resided. He followed boating on the canal for twenty-five years, and has 
since been engaged in farming. March 28, 1850, he married Hannah, daughter of 
William and Phoebe (Brooks) Whipple, pioneers of Steuben, by whom he had two 
children (twins): Henry T. and Helen H., both deceased. Mrs. Van Buskirk is a 
member of the M. E. church. Mr. Van Buskirk is a Democrat in politics, and has 
been commissioner of highways two years. 

McClements, James, was born October 20, 1843, in the town of Ballykelly, County 
Down, Ireland ; his parents, Grace and Robert McClements, were well to do farmers 
and had nine children. James, the eighth child, at the age of seventeen came to 
America where he became a butcher. After working a year at the butcher business 
he enlisted as a soldier in the 16th N. Y. Vols., Co. H. From exposure while on duty 
he contracted ailments which resulted in deafness and chronic diseases for which he 
is now pensioned. After returning from the war he continued the butcher business 
and also worked in the Globe Woolen mill of Utica as a weaver, and in 1882 com- 
menced farming. In 1871 married Charlotte Simmons, by whom he had nine chil- 
dren: Roberts., W. J., George, James S., Grace E., George E., Charles S., Albert 
F., Francis Harvey. Of the nine children, two have died, George and Grace E. 
McClements. Robert S., W. J. and James S. have attended the Whitesboro and 
N. Y. Mills schools. James and Robert have attended the Utica graded schools. In 
1891 Mr. McClements removed to Marcy, where he now resides. He is active 
in educational and religious works. 

Chrestien, Martin, was born in France, September 22, 1819, son of Joseph and 
Mary Ann Chrestien, and was one of three children, Nicholas and Mary Ann being 
the other two. Martin came here in 1842, and was followed by his father in 1848. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 61 

He married Margaret, daughter of Francis N. and Annie Rougert, who were among 
the early settlers of the town of Rome. Their children were Augustus, Theodora, 
Hattie Lynch, Frank, Alfred Louisa, Olive Harding, Charles, Edward, Adelaide, 
and Mary. In early life Martin was a weaver by trade, which he followed until he 
settled in Oneida county, when he engaged in farming, and from 1866 to 1892 kept 
the hotel at McConnellsville, but has now retired from business. He has been an 
active Democrat, and was elected overseer of the poor, serving two terms. 

Benton, Eugene C, was born at Sherburne, Chenango county, N. Y., March 23, 
1846, son of Sylvester C. and Fannie A. Benton, who settled in this county about 
1852, and who have three children : Emerette C. Reed, Lucretia A. Simmons, and 
Eugene C. Benton. Sylvester Benton was a painter and carpenter by trade, and is 
now living retired. He was a veteran in the late war and belonged to the 117th Regt. 
N. Y. Vols., enlisted as a teamster and returned as a wagonmaster. He is a mem- 
ber of Post Bacon of Utica. Eugene C. married Kate M., daughter of Henry and 
Mary Ann Peek, by whom he has four children: Henry E., Eugene C, jr., Fannie 
and Samuel M. Mr. Benton learned the painter's trade at twelve years of age; he 
also clerked for several firms, and was interested in the manufacture of bricks; but 
late years has been engaged in farming, dealing in produce and the breeding of fine 
Jersey cattle. Henry E. attended the Colgate University of Hamilton, N. Y. Mr. 
Benton belongs to the Orient Lodge No. 224 F. & A. M. of Utica, N. Y., also Wash- 
ington Chapter No. 212 of New York city. 

Towsley, Dr. William Dealton, was born in Oneida county, December 14, 1856. 
In 1857 his parents moved to Sandy Creek, Oswego county, N. Y. , where he spent 
his boyhood days on the farm and attended the district schools, and later became a 
pupil in the Union High School of Sandy Creek, where he remained one year, and 
then entered Pulaski Academy, where he spent three years. After teaching school 
two winters at Port Ontario, N. Y., entered the office of Dr. Frank S. Low, of 
Pulaski, and began the study of medicine. In 1878 he entered the University of 
New York City, from which he was graduated with honors March 8, 1881, and be- 
gan practicing at South Richland, N. Y. In the spring of 1887 he located in the 
thriving village of Camden, where two years later he erected a fine residence at No. 
135 Main street. In June, 1881, he was elected a member of the Oswego County 
Medical Society, and in 1887, a member of the Oneida County Medical Society. 
While a resident of South Richland he was postmaster and coroner of the county. 
April 27, 1881, he married Jennie, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson 
Calkins, of Dexter, Jefferson county, and they have one daughter. Dr. and Mrs. 
Towsley have been members of the Methodist church many years. 

Paddock, Daniel, was born in the town of Steuben, Oneida county, N. Y., Febru- 
ary 20, 1834, a son of James Paddock, who was born in the town of Western, April 
12, 1804. James Paddock was a farmer and always resided in the towns of Steuben 
and Western. He married Susan Edick, of Herkimer county, N. Y. , by whom he 
had ten children: James H., Mary A., Daniel, Loleyann, Joseph, David, George, 
Philo, Susan, and Nettie. Daniel Paddock was educated in the town of Steuben, 
then engaged in farming, now owning a farm of eighty acres of mostly improved 
land and has a small dairy. Mr. Paddock married Maria, daughter of Uriah Fitch, 



62 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of Steuben, by whom he had three children: Albert, a farmer; Esther, wife of 
Andrew Balcom ; and John E,, at home. The family are members of the M. E. 
church. 

Schilz Peter, jr., was born in the town of Deerfield, N. Y., August 19, 1864, son 
of Peter and Margaret (Servatius) Schilz, natives of Germany. The grandparents, 
Christ and Mary (Snyder) Schilz, were farmers of Godendorf, Kraes Tries, Helen- 
bach, Germany. Mr. Schilz came to America in May, 1857, and settled in Deerfield, 
where he engaged in farming, and in 1891, retired to Utica, where he now resides. 
He was reared and educated in Germany and served in the army. Margaret Ser- 
vatius Schilz was born in Koblentz, Naevit, Germany. She came to this country in 
1838 with her parents, John and Catherine Servatius ; they settled in West Utica 
where some of the family still live and where she (Margaret) lived until the age of 
twenty-three, when she married Peter Schilz and went to reside in Deerfield, in 
which place they stayed until 1892, when they went back to Utica, where she died 
in February, 1896. Peter, jr., was reared on the farm in Deerfield, and commenced 
business in the sash and blind factory in Utica, where he was engaged for three 
years ; and then was in the grocery of William Rim for five years. He was next 
engaged in the box factory, where he met with a severe accident, which resulted in 
the loss of a hand. In 1891, he engaged in the hotel business at Deerfield Corners, 
being proprietor of the Union House. In 1895, he erected a building for town hall, 
and for the use of the Deerfield Fire Co., of which he is a member. In 1891, he 
married Mary A. , daughter of David D. (a native of Deerfield, who was born Feb- 
ruary 10, 1827), and Julia (Monaghan) Jones, who was born in Ireland in 1827. The 
parents of Mr. Jones were David I. and Catherine (Jones) Jones, who came from 
Llannwellyn, near Bala, Maireonydd Sir, North Wales, to Deerfield. They settled 
on Smith Hill and were farmers. He died February 15, 1884, aged ninety-two years, 
and she died August 28, 1868, at the age of seventy- four years. The parents of Mrs. 
David D. Jones were Thomas and Mary (Martin) Monaghan, of Ireland. Mrs. Jones 
came to America forty-seven years ago and was employed in the home of Horatio 
Seymour for twelve years. Mr. Jones was a carpenter by trade, and all over the 
town his handiwork can be seen, About the last large job that he did was the 
erection of the Deerfield street car barn. He learned his trade at the age of twenty- 
four, and up to the time of his death was continually in the employ of Geo. F. Weaver 
& Sons, who always found him honest and faithful. His father, David I. Jones, 
came to Deerfield at the age of thirty ; this place at that time was nothing but a 
wilderness and swamp lots. A few who had cleared land here in the valley forthem- 
selves urged him to stay here, but he did not seem to think much of our now beau- 
tiful valley of the Mohawk, so went farther out and settled on Smith Hill on a farm 
lying between two gulfs. The house is old-fashioned and built of logs, and was sit- 
uated about half a mile back from the main road ; just before the house is a deep 
gully, which makes it quite a picturesque little place, with the road winding down 
on the one side across the little stream, and up on the other into a large yard. The 
house is still standing, but not in the same place as then : it is northeast of there. 
The picture of the house is now in the family. Mrs. Schilz has it painted on a slate 
which was used by her cousin, Owen J. Roberts, when a schoolboy on Deerfield Hill, 
but which in reality belonged to her father when he was a schoolboy, and so it is 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 63 

doubly dear to her. The painting was done by a very dear friend of the family 
(Mrs. Geo. W. Rapelye), now of Staten Island, daughter of David Richards of Utica, 
who formerly lived on Smith Hill, and who at the present time is owner of a part of 
Mrs. Schilz's grandfather's farm. Mr. Schilz is a Catholic, and a member of the 
C. M. B. A. No. 55 of Utica, and of St. Anthony's Sick Benefit Society. 

Harrig, Albert, was born in New London, Oneida county, in 1867, son of Michael 
Harrig, who was one of five sons born to John Harrig, a native of Germany. Michael 
Harrig was a boatman on the Erie Canal, owning and conducting his own boats. 
His wife, Mary Morreall, was born in Oneida county, daughter of Joseph Morreall, 
who was killed in the war of the Rebellion, and by whom he had three children : 
William, Albert and Frank, who was drowned in Forestport. Mr. Harrig died in 
1870, at the age of forty years, and after the death of the father and husband, Mrs. 
Harrig removed to Forestport, whore she provided for her family, until they were 
old enough to provide for themselves. She later became the wife of W. G. Sands of 
Forestport. Albert Harrig, at the age of twelve years, engaged as driver on the 
canal; when sixteen was promoted to steersman, and four years later, he purchased 
a boat and began for himself. In 1889 he, in partnership with William Syphert, 
engaged in the lumber business, getting out spar timber in the winter, which they 
shipped to New York city in the summer. In 1892 he left the canal, and engaged 
exclusively in the lumber business, and in 1893 they purchased the stage route be- 
tween Alder Creek and Forestport. In the spring of 1895 they erected the present 
pulp mill, from which they ship six boat loads a week of forty cords each. They own 
a 1,200 acre tract of timber land, and in connection with their pulp wood business, 
they furnish a Utica lumber company with logs ; by contract they also ship a large 
amount of spar timber to New York city. Mr. Harrig has served as excise commis- 
sioner, town committeeman, etc., and is member and junior deacon of the Masonic 
fraternity, Uriel Lodge No. 809, of Forestport, and is also a member of the S. F. I. 
In 1892 he married Estella, daughter of Daniel and Anna Briggs, a native of Forest, 
port, by whom he has one daughter, Denzil Lena. 

Studor, Philip, was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1842, son of Jacob Studor. Jacob 
Studor with his brother Michael came to America in 1853. The former to came Haw- 
kinsville, where he remained seven years, employed as lumberman. He removed to 
White Lake and engaged in farming, where he spent his remaining days. He married 
Elizabeth Snyder, by whom he had seven children: Philip, Lena, Jacob, Henry, 
Elizabeth, Sarah and George. He died in 1881 and his wife in 1878. Philip Studor 
began for himself when seventeen years of age, and spent eight years as employee 
in a saw mill, after which he purchased a stage route from Hawkinsville to Boonville, 
which he conducted for a year. In 1868 he removed to his present farm and hotel, 
where he is proprietor of the Studor House, and which he has largely improved, 
making it a very desirable retreat for summer resorters, fishermen and hunters, and 
his farm and wood land contain 200 acres. For some time he was interested in the 
spile and long timber business. He has served as road commissioner and poormas- 
ter, and through his efforts in 1880, a post-office was established at White Lake 
Corners, and of which he has been postmaster ever since. In 1875 he married 
Addie, daughter of Randolph and Phoebe Evans of Lowville, by whom he has three 
children : Mabel, Ray and Anita. 



64 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Nichols, Dexter E., was born in Vienna, March 5, 1848. His grandfather, Allen 
Nicholls, came here from Vermont about 1798. John H., father of Dexter E., mar- 
ried Catherine Yager, by whom he had three children: James R., Elnora, and Dexter 
E. Mr. Nichols married for his second wife Margaret Seaton, by whom he had six 
children: Theodore M. , Marcelia, Hattie, John, Nellie, and Nettie. Mr. Nichols has 
always followed farming, and was" interested in educational and religious affairs. 
He enlisted in the 81st N. Y. Vols., and was active in recruiting his regiment. 
Dexter E. married J. Eliza, daughter of John B. and Emma Ann Halstead, and they 
.have one adopted child, Sarah. In early life Dexter E. attended school at Uticaand 
at Whitestown Seminary, after which he taught school eight years; was engaged in 
selling musical instruments and sewing machines five years. In 1883 he started in 
general merchandise and has been town clerk two years. 

Kinne, Eri, was born in Vienna, October 15, 1834, s»n of Hiram and Eliza Kinne, 
who settled in the town of Vienna in about 1800, and their four children were born 
on the place where Eri now resides. Hiram Kinne died August 29, 1844, and Mrs. 
Eliza Kinne died March 3, 1870. Eri Kinne married Lydia L., daughter of George 
and Rebecca Remington. When nineteen 3*ears of age Eri learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed until 1857, when he entered the general merchandise busi- 
ness at Vienna, which he followed for ten years. In 1872-3 he had an appointment 
in the canal superintendent's office at Rome, and in 1875 he was bookkeeper in the 
commission business for H. Morse & Co., No. 16 Central wharf, Buffalo, and in 
1880-1-2 he was engaged in the general merchandise business at Vienna with J. H. 
Meays. He followed farming from 1882 to 1887, when he entered the employ of the 
E., C. & N. Railroad and National Express Company as agent at Vienna. In 1868 
he was elected supervisor, which office he held four years, and from 1875 until 1892 
he was justice of the peace, has also been railroad commissioner for two terms, and 
notary public from 1891 to date. 

Harden, Frank S., is a native of Oneida county, and a son of Charles Harden. 
He married Olive, a daughter of Martin and Margaret Chrestien, and they are the 
parents of three children: Charles, Clarence, and Harry, all of whom are natives of 
this county. Frank S. is a charter member of McConnellsville Lodge, Order of the 
World. In early life he followed lumbering, contracting, and building, but is now 
engaged in the manufacture of chairs. 

Strewn, George W., was born in Lee, Oneida county, August 10, 1864, son of John 
and Rosena (Ubelheart) Strewn, natives of Berne, Switzerland. John Strewn came 
to America in 1849 and located at Lee Center, Oneida county, where he worked at 
the cooper's trade for eight years, after which he purchased the farm now occupied 
by his estate, cleared and improved it, and in 1875 he purchased the farm now occu- 
pied by George W. , where he lived until his death, which occurred September 5, 1890, 
aged sixty-three years. His wife died April 21, 1891, aged fifty-five years. They 
were -the parents of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity: Rosa (Mrs. 
Charles F. Meyer) ; Mary (Mrs. Enoch Pritchard) ; Julia (Mrs. Samuel Krebs) ; Emma 
(Mrs Rudolph Jenny); John A., who married Matilda Zimmer, by whom he had one 
daughter, Lillie M. ; George W. ; Clara ; Frank B. ; and Isabel. George W. was 
reared in Lee, where he has always resided. He was educated in the common 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 65 

schools, and is now engaged in farming. He is one of the enterprising and public 
spirited citizens of Lee, a member of P. of I., K. of S. F. I., and P. of H. , and in 
politics is a Democrat. 

Jones, Seymour, was born in Steuben, Oneida county, February 1, 1834, a son of 
of Hugh W. and Sarah (Smith) Jones, both natives of Steuben. His paternal grand- 
parents, William R. and Mary (Mendith) Jones, natives of Wales, were among the 
pioneers of Steuben, and cleared a farm from the wilderness, where they died. 
Hugh W. Jones, who was born February 14, 1809, was a cooper by trade, which he 
followed up to 1845, and then engaged in farming until he retired on account of age, 
and has spent all his life in Steuben and Western. He married Sarah, daughter of 
Henry Smith, a pioneer of Steuben, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom 
survive: Seymour; Mary (Mrs. Sanford Oaks); Henry; Catherine (Mrs. Joseph 
Brown); Esther (Mrs. Orris Tripp); Lydia A. (Mrs. John Maydole); and William. 
Seymour Jones was educated in the common schools and Whitestown and Holland 
Patent Academies, and on attaining his majority engaged in farming until 1860, 
after which he engaged in merchandising in Steuben for eight years. In 1869 he 
located at North Western and engaged in the same business nine years, erected a 
tannery there in 1871, which he operated until 1890, and has also been engaged in 
farming since 1883. December 25, 1859, he married Julia A., daughter of Saul U. 
and Catherine (Adams) Miller, of Steuben, by whom he has two children: Gary M. 
and Anna K. Mr. Jones is independent in politics, and has been supervisor of West- 
ern two terms. 

Harris, John W., was born in Westernville, Oneida county, August 2, 1819, son of 
John and Mary (Sheldon) Harris, natives of Sharon, Conn., and Providence, R. I., 
respectively. His paternal grandfather, David Harris, was a prominent builder of 
his day, and for many years a resident of Lansingburg, N. Y. He spent the later 
years of his life in Westernville, where he died. The maternal grandfather, James 
Sheldon, a native of Providence, R. I., was among the pioneers of Remsen, and for 
many years was agent of the John Brown tract in the Adirondacks. In early life he 
was a distiller of essential oil. John Harris, father of John W. , was born February 14, 
1785, came to Trenton, Oneida county, in 1793, and served an apprenticeship at the 
tanner and currier trade. He located at Westernville in 1814, where he embarked 
in business for himself, in which he continued for twenty years, when he sold out 
and in 1835 located on the farm now occupied by his son, John W., where he died 
August 10, 1860. His children were Mary (Mrs. Gustavus S. French) ; Emeline (Mrs. 
Horatio Castle); Abbie M. (Mrs. Freedom French); and John W., our subject, who 
has always been a resident of Western, where he engaged in farming, and has lived 
on the old homestead since 1835. Mr. Harris is a member of the Presbyterian church, 
of which his father was an elder for many years. He has been president of the 
Oneida County Farmers' Insurance Company, and in politics is a Republican. 

Jones, Richard R., was born in Sarnfollteyra, North Wales, April 25, 1850. He 
received his early education in Wales, where he afterward taught in the National 
School for two years. He came to the United States in 1870, where he attended 
school, fitting himself for a business life, in which he has been successful. He 
learned the boot and shoemaker's trade, which he followed a short time. He was in 



66 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the Western States for a short time and since 1882 has been engaged in the mercan- 
tile business in Glenmore, in the town of Annsville, Oneida county. He married 
Ellen Hopper, of Janesville, Wis. He is a Republican in politics, was justice of 
sessions for six years, also justice of the peace for nine years, and at present is 
notary public. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., Rome Lodge No. 266, 
Stanwix Encampment, No. 73, and Canton Stanwix, No. 3. 

Graves, William B. , was born in the town of Vienna, Oneida county, in January, 
1853, the only surviving child of William H. and Minerva (Wade) Graves. This 
family was among the Puritans who came to Connecticut, emigrating to this country 
when it was quite young. William B. was educated in the schools of Annsville and 
Whitestown Seminary, and since 1882 has been engaged in the mercantile business 
in Taberg. He is a prominent business man and stands high in the political field as 
a staunch Republican, and was school commissioner from 1888 to 1891. He married 
Elma, daughter of Peter Flanigan, of North Bay, by whom he had three children: 
Celia M., born February 1, 1885; Bessie, born January 10, 1887; and Elma A., born 
in December, 1890. Mr. Graves is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of Lee 
Center Council of Royal Arcanum. He was elected member of assembly in 1895 
and was one of the eighty-four that voted for the Raines Bill. His ancestors were 
among the early settlers in the towns of Annsville and Vienna, moving here in the 
latter years of the last century. 

Scott, Walter F., was born in the town of Annsville, April 18, 1859. His father, 
Otis Scott, was born in Deerfield, and came to the town of Annsville in 1840. He 
was an extensive farmer and lumberman, always being a man of high standing in 
the town where he resided. He married Julia, daughter of John Bloss, of whom 
Blossvale derived its name, by whom he had one child, Walter F. , who was educated 
in this town and Whitestown Seminary, after which he engaged for some time in 
farming and owns a farm of 200 acres. He is an active Republican in politics, and 
was in New York city for two years, in the office of the subtreasurer of the United 
States. He married Adella, daughter of N. B. Taft, of Taberg, by whom he has 
four children: Otis, Pauline, Northrup and Howard. 

Reed, Leonard R., was born at Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., November 26, 1832, 
son of Joseph M. Reed, who was born at Chester, Vt. , February 5, 1802, of English 
ancestry, and settled at Turin in 1825. Besides being a farmer, he was an expert 
mason, and carried on this trade with his farm work. He was prominent in both 
political and religious circles, and captain of a company in the militia. He has been 
an active worker and a deacon in the Baptist church for nearly forty years. After 
his residence in Turin he came to Martinsburg, thence to Leyden, and thence to 
Boonville in 1864, purchasing a farm of Albert E. Jackson, one mile north of Boon- 
ville village. He married Lois Marsh Seymour, who was born at Hartford, Conn. , 
January 14, 1805, by whom he had eight children. He departed this life July 19, 
1881. Leonard R. Reed completed his academic education at Lowville, and March 
3, 1858, he married Sarah E. Goodrich of Martinsburg, Lewis county, by whom he 
had one daughter, Ella A. , who married Elroy C. Hall, a Leyden farmer ; she died 
at twenty-seven years of age, leaving a son, Clifton Reed Hall, who now resides 
with his grandparents. Mr. Reed and wife are members of the Presbyterian church 
and are highly respected citizens. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 07 

Bellinger, Henry H., was born in Forestport, N. Y., August 29, 1855, son of John, 
who was a native of the Mohawk country, and Elizabeth (Merville) Bellinger, a 
native of German Flats, N. Y. The village of Enoch was originally called Bellin- 
gertown, taking its name from the grandfather of Henry M. He was a pioneer there, 
and was a soldier in the war of 1813. John Bellinger was engaged in farming 
at Forestport, where he lived and died, and was also a noted trapper and hunter, and 
cleared a farm at Forestport. Henry M. was engaged as a farm hand at Lowville 
nine years. He then came to Ava, and after working for H. J. Lewis one year, 
rented the farm for seven years, and in 1891, bought the farm in Ava, where he now 
resides. - He kept a dairy of ten cows, and made choice butter. In 1875 he married 
Jennie Congdon of Forestport, by whom he has three children : Bertha, Hattie and 
Leon. Mr. Bellinger is a member of the Boonville Grange. 

Wells, Albert B., D. D. S., was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., June 1, 1833, 
son of Ira and Abigail Wells. Ira was a son of Elisha Wells, who settled in Trenton 
about 1800, and was engaged in general and pioneer farming. He was known 
as Captain Wells, and his children were Chester, Ira, Elizabeth G. , Nancy, and 
Mary. Ira Wells was also engaged in farming. He married Abigail Austin, by 
whom he had three children: Albert G., Chester, and Austin. By his second wife, 
Patty Hemingway, he had one child, Henry H. Albert B. married Dora E., daugh- 
ter of Gardner Townsend, by whom he had three children: Alberta, deceased, 
Gardner T. , deceased, and Ira G. Mr. Wells was a student of Dr. A. N. Priest from 
1857 to 1860, and from 1861 to 1864 he practiced in Connecticut. Since his marriage, 
September 15, 1864, he practiced in Holland Patent. Ira G. was graduated from the 
Pennsylvania Medical College in 1894, and was associated with his father in business. 
Alberta was a graduate of Albany Normal School, and died October 30, 1887. Albert 
Wells died March 19, 1896. 

Witherstine, Willard, was born in the town of Steuben, N.Y., in 1843, son of Will- 
iam, who was born in Herkimer county in 1820. He was a son of John Witherstine, 
whose father, John, was a native of Germany, and a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. John., jr., was a farmer by occupation, and came to Steuben in 1828, settling 
in a forest, where he later cleared a farm. He married Catherine Harter, by whom 
he had nine sons and three daughters. He lived to the age of ninety-two years and 
seven months, and died in 1863. His wife died at the age of sixty-three. William 
Witherstine has always been engaged in farming in the town of Steuben, where he 
now lives. In 1841 he married Catherine, daughter of Piatt Weed, of Steuben, by 
whom he has had three children : Matilda (deceased), Willard, and Lavina, wife of 
Oscar Hall, of Egypt, N. Y. Willard Witherstine was educated at the common 
schools and Rome Academy, and at eighteen years of age he began to teach school, 
and also engaged in farming. In 1866 he purchased his first farm of fifty acres, to 
which he has added 150 acres, and he is principally engaged in dairy farming. In 
1866 he married Clarinda Stannard, by whom he had four children: Minnie (de- 
ceased), Winnie (deceased), Frank, aid Edith. 

Haven, A. G., was born in Sangerfield, N. Y., September 23, 1846, son of P. B. 
and Elizabeth (Putnam) Haven. His grandfather was John Haven, a native of 
Connecticut. Mr. A. G. Haven has been engaged in the brick manufacturing busi- 



68 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ness all his life. In 1865 the firm of P. B. Haven & Son was formed ; P. B. Haven 
began the business in 1835. A. G. Haven was a charter member of the Waterville 
Grange, and justice of the peace of the town of Sangerfield. In 1869 he married 
Frances M. Bartholomew, by whom he has two sons: George B. and Sherman W. 
George B. is a professor in the Institution of Technology in Boston, Mass. Sher- 
man W. is a student at the Auburn Theological Seminary, preparing for the 
ministry. 

Osborn, William, was born in Sangerfield, May 9, 1809. As a boy he worked in 
his father's store and taught school for two winters. At the age of twenty-seven he 
was one of the commissioners for distributing the stock of the Oneida National 
Bank. In 1837 he went to Michigan to join an emigrating corps to locate the line of 
the Michigan Central Railway, and in 1841 he returned to Waterville and engaged 
in farming until 1845, when he sold his farm, excepting ten acres for a homestead, 
and went to Missouri, where he took an interest in the contract for building the 
Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, a contract amounting to $6,000,000, and they 
completed the railroad in 1849-50. He then organized the company to build the flat 
country railroad to Council Bluffs. In 1865 he took the contract to construct the 
central branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, extending from Atchison 100 miles 
west. All of his railroad contracts were of large magnitude, and were carried 
through most successfully by him. In 1830 he married Amelia Waldo, by whom he 
had one son and six daughters. 

Hanchett, Julian A., was born in the house where he now resides, May 18, 1838, 
son of Ansel D. and Mary (Peck) Hanchett. Ansel D. was born April 4, 1815. He 
has spent his life in Marshall, and has been engaged in farming. His father, Silas 
Hanchett, was one of the early settlers in this part, and was a native of Vermont. 
Mrs. Hanchett died January 27, 1892. Julian A. was one of three children: Julian 
A., L. M., and Mary E., now Mrs. W. H. De Viney. Mr. Hanchett has been 
engaged in farming all his life, and has been a prominent hop grower for thirty-five 
years. He is at present one of the excise commissioners, and is one of the leading 
farmers of Marshall. 

Barton, J. F., was born in the town of Marshall, Oneida county, N. Y., June 16, 
1823. His father, Eliphaz B. Barton, was a native of Granby, Mass., and one of the 
early settlers in this section of the country, coming here about 1797. He married 
Polly M. Barker, a native of this county. J. F. Barton has been a farmer all his life, 
and has always taken an intelligent interest in the affairs of his town, and was super- 
visor for six years. 

Cady, A. B., was born in Sangerfield, in 1836, son of A. B. and Harriet (Terry) 
Cady, natives of Herkimer county and Sangerfield respectively. He was a mechanic, 
and became a prominent builder in Waterville, nearly all of whose fine buildings he 
erected, including the Candee block, Buell's shoe factory, the National Bank, the 
school buildings, etc. He has been trustee of the village, water commissioner, and 
chief engineer of the Fire Department. 

Reed, John J., was born in Marcy, N. Y., January 11, 1840, son of John and Sarah 
(West) Reed, natives of Rensselaer county. John Reed came to Marcy over seventy 
years ago, and was in the war of 1812. He died at the age of seventy-one, while 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 69 

Mrs. Reed lived to be ninety-four. John J. Reed spent a great deal of his early life 
in Brooklyn, N. Y., and has been in Waterville for twenty-seven years, during- which 
time he has been engaged in the liquor business. 

Roberts, R. Wilson, was born in the 1own of Augusta, N. Y., August 8, 1840, and 
came to Waterville with his parents in 1841. He is a son of Thomas and Irene (York) 
Roberts. Thomas Roberts was a native of Wales. He was twice married ; his first 
wife dying in 1845. He died in 1882, and his second wife, Sarah Jones Roberts, in 
1878. R. Wilson Roberts is engaged in milling and farming, in which he is success- 
ful. In politics he is a Democrat, and stands high in his party, which has offered him 
nominations for assemblyman and senator, besides electing him supervisor of Mar- 
shall in 1868, 1874, 1875 and 1876. He was also trustee of the village of Waterville 
in 1875. 

Conger, Daniel, was born in the town of Sangerfield, and has been a resident of 
Sangerfield and the village of Waterville all his life. He is and has been for forty- 
eight years a dealer in hops. He was connected with the promotion and building of 
the Utica and Chenango railroad, and is at present one of its directors. He has 
been a director of the National Bank for thirty years, of which he has been vice- 
president since 1884. In 1851 he married Polly Janes, by whom he had one son, 
De Witt, who is a resident of Waterville. She died in 1884, and Mr. Conger married 
his present wife, Keokee Smith, in 1892. 

Preston, Medina, M.' D., was born in Sangerfield. He studied medicine with his 
father, graduating in 1865. He practiced medicine at Sangerfield until 1891, when he 
moved into Waterville. He is United States pension examiner, and has been 
overseer of the poor. He has the oldest medical library in Oneida county, which 
contains some very rare and valuable old books. His grandfather, Dr. Stephen 
Preston, was the first physician in Sangerfield, and his father also being a physician, 
the Preston family has been represented in this town, by a physician for over a cen- 
tury. Dr. Stephen Preston was born in Ashford, Conn., December 29, 1767. He 
came to Sangerfield in 1790 and died February 28, 1835. He married Clarissa 
Loomis, who was born in 1772, and died February 24, 1831. Dr. Medina Preston, sr., 
was born in 1793, and died in 1874, and he married May Gove, who was born May 
16, 1805, and died March 21, 1876. The Preston family is one of the oldest in San- 
gerfield, and has always been prominent in public affairs. James G. Preston, brother 
of Dr. Preston, is now a resident of Utica, and was supervisor of Sangerfield for 
fourteen years. Dr. Preston is a notary public and registrar of vital statistics of the 
corporation of Waterville, and health officer. 

Morgan, Albert C, D. D. S., was born in the town of Madison. Madison county, 
N. Y., son of John and Lucretia (Hazzard) Morgan. He was educated at Cazenovia 
Seminary, and then learned dentistry, studying at Norwich, N. Y. He practiced 
dentistry for sixteen years, ten of which were in Waterville, N. Y., two in Wiscon- 
sin, one in Chicago, 111., and one in Carthage, N. Y. He now devotes his attention 
to the interests of the Local Anaesthetic Company, of which he is president. This 
company makes a speciality of Denlofine, a preparation for painless dentistry, and 
minor surgical operations, which was invented by Dr. Morgan. The company's 
office is at 1 and 3 Union Square, New York, N. Y., and also branch office in Utica, 



70 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

N. Y. , the only dental office west of New York using this process. The Utica office 
is in charge of Dr. Morgan himself. In 1881 Dr. Morgan married Gertrude Fuller of 
Lowville, N. Y., and they have two sons and three daughters. 

Utley, Henry T., was born in the town of Western, Oneida county, March 3, 1821, 
son of Squire and Clarissa (Tallmadge) Utley, natives of this county. Heny T. Utley 
was educated at the old Oneida Institute at Whitesboro, the Clinton Liberal Insti- 
tute, and Cazenovta Seminary. He then took up the study of law, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1846. He practiced in Rome until 1857, and during that time was dis- 
trict attorney for three years. In 1857 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and remained 
five years. He left there and came to Waterville, because of the depression in busi- 
ness caused by the war, and when the war had closed, he found himself in the pos- 
session of a fine practice in Waterville. Mr. Utley married for his first wife, Eliza 
Carmichael, who died leaving one daughter, Mrs. Samuel Nicklin of Newcastle, Pa. 
He afterwards married Mary, daughter of Aaron Stafford, one of the prominent res- 
idents of Waterville. 

Bennett, C. H., L. D. S., was born in the town of Kirkland, January 22, 1841, son 
Julius and Charlotte (Griffin) Bennett, natives of Connecticut. His father is dead, 
but his mother is still living at the age of eighty-two, and her residence at West- 
moreland is probably the oldest house in that part of the country, and was built by 
her father, William Griffin, one of the early settlers. Dr. Bennett was educated in 
this county, and studied dentistry in Waterville, beginning in 1865, and he has had 
his dental offices here since that time. In 1868 he married Anna C. Terry of Sanger- 
field. Dr. Bennett is a member of the Masonic frateanity, both of the Blue Lodge 
and Chapter ; also of the Y.M. C. A., Pickwick Club and G. A. R. He enlisted in 1861 
in Co. B, 81st N. Y. Regiment, and served thirteen months, subsequently he enlisted 
in the navy, and served on the U. S. gunboat Grand Gulf. He is also a member of 
the life saving corps, of which he is captain, on Oneida Lake, where he has a sum- 
mer residence, and a private yacht, " Water Witch." 

Buell, C. E., is a native of Waterville, and a member of the firm of Buell & Son, 
shoe manufacturers. This business was established in 1837 by Chauncey Buell, 
grandfather of C. E. Buell. C. E. Buell and his father came into the business in 
1862, and in 1883 the present firm was formed. They do a large manufacturing 
business, employing 115 hands and turning out 350 pairs of shoes daily. Mr. Buell 
is a prominent Mason and master of the lodge in Waterville, and is also a Knight 
Templar. In 1889 C. E. Buell married Clara G. Andre, a native of Saginaw, Mich. 

Bigelow, H. P. , was born in the house where he now resides in Waterville, son of 
Horace Bigelow, a hat manufacturer in Waterville and Julia A. (Porter) Bigelow, 
daughter of Noah Porter of New Hartford, N.Y. He was graduated from the Ham- 
ilton College in the class of 1861, and December 28, 1887, he married Pauline C. 
Mayer of Cincinnati, by whom he has two children: Frederick and Frieda. Mr. 
Bigelow was treasurer in the village of Waterville for a number of years, and was 
supervisor of the town of Sangerfield for a term. He is a member of the Pickwick 
Club and of the Patrons of Husbandry. 

Mayer, W. G., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was educated in the public 
schools of that city, the United States Naval Academy, and the University of Cin- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. ■ 71 

cinnati, from the law department from which he graduated in 1875. Mr. Mayer was 
engaged in the practice of law in Cincinnati fourteen years, and came to Waterville 
in 1889. After graduating as midshipman from the Naval Academy, he spent eight 
years in the naval service, during which time he was twice promoted. In 1880 he 
married Esther L., daughter of Amos 6. Osborn, of Waterville, by whom he has 
three children : Ada, Rosalie and Amos. His father, Frederick J. Mayer, was a na- 
tive of Wurtemburg, Germany, and came to America in 1849. He belonged to the 
Revolutionary party in Germany, and on that account came to America. He was 
prominent in politics in Cincinnati; was county commissioner for Hamilton county, 
Qhio ; postmaster of Cincinnati by appointment of President Lincoln ; and was a 
trustee of the Cincinnati Hospital for twenty-five years. He was also county treas- 
urer of Hamilton county for four years. He died in 1882. Mr. Mayer's mother died 
in 1883. He is president of the Pickwick Club and is a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation, Board of Health and Board of Library Trustees in Waterville. 

Haviland, L. P., was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., December 6, 1848, son of Lyman 
Haviland, who was born in Connecticut. L. P. was educated in Brooklyn, and his 
long experience as a manager of the canning business has given him a great knowl- 
edge of that business, until at this time he is known as a thorough expert, and now 
conducts one of the largest canning factories of Oneida county, which is located at 
Camden, the old plant of John Mix. In 1866 James Day started business, but the 
plant was destroyed by fire in 1868. Mr. Day rebuilt the factorv, which Mr. 
Haviland now owns, where he turns out canned goods in large quantities. He 
is president of the Board of Water Commissioners, and in politics he is a Repub- 
lican. 

Steates, Andrew, was born in Keil, Baden, Germany, December 1, 1848. His 
father died when he was a child, and he came to this country with his mother in 
1854. They lived for a few years at Deerfield Corners, Oneida county, N. Y. , when 
they removed to New Jersey, but in 1862 returned again to Deerfield Corners. 
Andrew had but little opportunity for schooling, attending for a few terms the pub- 
lic schools. He worked, as a youth, at various trades, cigarmaker, carpenter, baker, 
and wood polisher, working at the latter trade for the firm of Lennebacker & De 
Long in the city of Utica for nineteen years. In February, 1884, h'e formed a 
partnership with William F. Ryan, and they started a wood polishing business on 
Bleecker street. Two years later they established a furniture business ; success at- 
tended their venture, and. in June, 1894, the firm opened its fine establishment at 
219-221 Bleecker street. June 26, 1870, Mr. Steates married Mary Merringer, of 
Deerfield Corners, by whom he had seven sons, of whom two, Andrew W. and Fred 
H., are living. Mr. Steates is a member of Skenandoah Lodge, I. O. O. F. , Orien- 
tal Lodge, F. & A. M. , Knights of Honor, Utica Maennerchor, and treasurer of the 
Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company. He is a member of the Tabernacle Baptist 
church. 

Agne, Jacob, jr., was born in Utica, N. Y., March 15, 1859, son of Jacob Agne, 
who was a native of Rhine, Bavaria, having been born near Zweibruken within a 
few miles of the spot where the French attempted to cross the Rhine during the 
Franco-Prussian war, and Margaret Schlamp, who was born in the province of 



72 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Darmstaat, near Bingen on the Rhine. Jacob Agne, jr., was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Utica and studied architecture with William H. Hamilton of that city. 
He worked with builders for two years and was then associated with A. I. Simmons, 
the architect, for three years, perfecting himself in the practical work of his pro- 
fession. He then established a business for himself and in a few years had attained 
distinction as an architect, especially in the designing and construction of residences 
and school buildings. Among the more notable structures designed by him are the 
Oneida County Home at Rome, the Home for Aged Men, the Martin office building 
and the German Music Hall at Utica. Mr. Agne has been chairman of the Excise 
Board of Utica and in 1894 was appointed a member of the City Civil Service Com- 
mission by Mayor Gibson. -January 26, 1894, Mr. Agne married Katharine, daugh- 
ter of Henry Roberts, the hardware merchant of Utica, by whom he has one son, 
Henry Roberts. Mr. Agne is a Mason, a member of the Royal Arcanum and a Fel- 
low of the American Institute of Architects. 

Biddlecome, William D. , son of William W. and Catherine (Steel) Biddlecome, was 
born at Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y. , November 30, 1857. His father is a farmer, 
and still resides on the family homestead in Deerfield. William D. was educated at 
the Utica public schools, Whitestown Seminary and Hamilton College Law School. 
He was elected school commissioner of the first district of Oneida county in 1881, and 
re-elected in 1884. He has practiced his profession as a lawyer at Utica since 1888. 
Mr. Biddlecome is a Republican in politics, and was secretary of the Republican 
County Committee several years, also chairman of the Executive Committee of the 
County Committee in 1894. Mr. Biddlecome is a Mason, and a member of Utica 
Lodge, No. 47. He has never married. 

Goodier, Lewis Edward, was born in the city of Utica, March 23, 1857. His father 
was Jonathan Goodier, a native of Litchfield, Herkimer county, whose father, Aaron 
Goodier, an Englishman, settled there in 1794. His mother was Clarissa Sill Tread- 
way, a native of Connecticut and descendant of an old Middletown family. The 
subject of sketch attended the public schools of the city, graduating .from the acad- 
emy in 1873, entered Yale College and received the baccalaureate degree in 1877. 
From Hamilton College Law School he was graduated as Bachelor of Laws in 1878. 
He was connected with the law firm of Lindsley & Dunmore from 1878 to September, 
1881, when, with David C. Wolcott, he formed the partnership of Goodier & Wolcott, 
which conducted a general law business in the Parker block and the Arcade until the 
death of Mr. Wolcott in July, 1895. His office is now at No. 65 Arcade building. 
Has never held office and has not been a candidate except at the charter election of 
1886 when he was the nominee of the Republicans for special city judge and met de- 
feat with the rest of the city ticket of his party. He is an enthusiastic national 
guardsman and has been connected with the military organizations of the city since 
1878, when he joined the Utica Citizens Corps. Was active in the movement which 
carried that organization in the fiftieth year of its existence into the National Guard 
as the Forty-fourth Separate Company of the State troops, in 1887, and has been its 
commandant since March, 1888. He served with his company at Buffalo for eight 
days during the railroad strike riots in 1892, and has been on several occasions as- 
signed to the command of battalions of Nationnl Guard troops at the Camp of In- 
struction maintained by the State at Peekskill. He married Miss Jane Estelle North- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 73 

rop in 1882, and has four children : Chester Jennings, Lewis Edward, Mabel Estelle 
and Helen Munn. 

Grant, John H., was born at Liberty, Sullivan county, N. Y., June 15, 1857, son of 
Daniel and Mary (Howell) Grant. Daniel Grant was a contractor and farmer. John 
H. was educated in the schools of Afton and Bainbridge, N. Y. He studied law with 
Alexander Cumming, at Bingharaton, and was admitted to the bar at Albany in 
January, 1883, and commenced the practice of his profession in the city of Utica the 
following February. Mr. Grant is studious and one of the most promising of the 
younger, members of the Oneida county bar. March 6, 1889, he married Libbie 
Yale, of Bainbridge, N. Y. Mr. Grant is a Mason. 

Nutt, Albert, was born in Floyd, August 2, 1842, son of Austin and Melinda Nutt, 
Austin Nutt was born in Floyd, in 1800, a son of David Nutt, who came here with 
his family among the early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Austin Nutt had nine children : 
John M., Austin, Portus, Hiram, Richard W., Edwin, Albert, Sarah, and Melvina. 
Albert Nutt married Annie, daughter of John O'Brien, by whom he has one child, 
Ella M. He is engaged in general farming and dairying. He has served as town 
collector. 

Smith, Giles, was born in the town of Florence, Oneida county, April 20, 1863, son 
of William Smith, who was born in the same town, and was a farmer up to his death, 
which occurred in 1880. He married Martha, daughter of Daniel Wilson, one of the 
old families of Annsville, by whom he had six children: John, Giles, Roena, Eunice, 
Charley and Myron. Giles was educated in the town of Camden, and has since 
been engaged in farming and owns a farm of eighty-nine acres in the town of Cam- 
den. He married Minnie C, daughter of Jacob Zimmerman. Mr. Smith is a mem- 
ber of the Camden Grange and in politics is a Republican. 

Berical, Anthony, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), January 20, 1844, 
and came with his parents to the United States when about two years of age, locat- 
ing in the town of Rome, Oneida county, where he was educated in the district 
schools. He was a boat owner on the canal for several years, but has been a small 
farmer and hotel keeper at Higginsville for the past twelve years. In 1869 he mar- 
ried Adelia Dunn, of the town of Verona, by whom he had five children: William 
W., Edward G., Mabel A., Agnes M., Anthony E. (deceased), and Vivien L. Will- 
iam W. married Cora Lepert, of this town. Mr. Berical's father, Anthony Berical, 
sr., was born at the old home in 1810. He married Catherine Augustine, of his 
native place, by whom he had nine children: Christina, Theresa, Anthony, George, 
Lawrence, Joseph, Michael, Ferdinand, and Francis. Mr. Berical died in 1894. 
Mrs. Berical's father, Dennis Dunn, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1806. He was 
twice married, and for his second wife he married Adelia Daley, of County Cork, 
Ireland, by whom he had nine children: Mary A., Walter W., Adelia, Thomas, John, 
Catherine, Edward, Agnes and Theresa. 

Burback, Joseph H, was born in the town of Verona, in a log house, near State 
Bridge, May 26, 1854. He was educated in the district schools, and is by occupaticn 
a farmer. October 14, 1880, he married Margaret E. Kennedy, of this town, and 
they have one adopted son, James William. Mr. Burback's father, Florence Bur- 
back, was born in Alsace, Germany, October 20, 1821, and was educated there. He 
i 



74 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

married Mary Fox, and came to the United States and located near Higginsville, 
Oneida county. He carried the mail twenty-one years. They had eight children : 
Mary, Joseph H., Carrie, Peter P., Alansou, John H., George, and Leo, who died in 
infancy. Mr. Burback died November 4, 1892. Mrs. Burback's father, Thomas 
Kennedy, was born in Ireland, December 22, 1815. He was educated there and 
came to the United States in 1845, where he engaged in farming. .He married Eliza 
Gleason of this town, formerly of Ireland, by whom he had seven children : Margaret 
E., Nora A., Michael J., Mary A. (deceased), Thomas A., Theresa M., and Frances 
J. Mrs. Kennedy died in 1867. The ancestry of the family is French, German and 
Irish. 

Allen, George H., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December 29, 1857, son of W. J. 
and Laura A. (Hoyt) Allen. He was reared on a farm and at the age of seventeen 
started to learn the trade of furniture finisher. At the end of five years, not seeing 
all he could desire for a lifework at his trade, he started out as commercial traveler 
in the interest of the house he worked for as a finisher of furniture, for which con- 
cern he traveled three years. At this time connecting himself with some of the lead- 
ing furniture manufacturers of Grand Rapids, Mich., he continued his road life, 
covering the entire United States and Canada in the interest of the houses he rep- 
resented. While so engaged, seeing the need of a really good furniture polish, he 
formulated one calling it " Cedarine." By advertising it in a small way its merits 
soon won for it considerable trade. In 1891 Mr. Allen organized the Cedarine Mfg. 
Co. with a capital stock of $25,000, for the purpose of pushing the sale of Cedarine 
and gave to this company all his energies as its secretary, treasurer and general 
manager. The fact that to-day Cedarine is recognized as the standard piano and 
furniture polish in America, being shipped to every State and Territory in the Union 
and steadily working its way to the front in England, whither Mr. Allen went in 
1895 to introduce it, attests to what purpose his efforts have been given in the in- 
terests of the company he organized and now serves. In 1884 Mr. Allen married 
Mary E. , daughter of Rev. Dwight Scovel, by whom he has one son, George H., jr. 
At present Mr. Allen is a member of the Board of Education and a sewer commis- 
sioner. 

Burdett, Miner E., was born at Oriskany Falls, N. Y. , December 31, 1841. His 
father, David M., was born in the town of Brookfield, Madison county, N. Y., in 
January, 1811, and was of New England parentage. At the age of twenty-two he 
came to Oriskany Falls and was engaged in teaching school for a number of years, 
after which he interested himself in agriculture which he continued until his death, 
November 6, 1880. He served as school commissioner, supervisor four years, was 
elected to the State Legislature in 1870-71 ; also was railroad commissioner at the 
time of his death. He married Arabell Willard of Oriskany Falls, N. Y. , who was 
born December 25, 1820. and still survives him. They had six children: Ellen L., 
E. Burdett, Jennie M., Charles E., Willard M., and Minnie F. ; all except the last 
named are still living. E. Burdett was educated at the public school at Oriskany 
Falls and was engaged in farming with his father until the latter's death; is still in 
the same pursuit on the old homestead and has been prosperous. He married Eliza- 
beth, youngest daughter of Charles B. and Sophia Kinney of Madison, N. Y., where 
she was. born September 3, 1847. They had six children : Charles D. , born October 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 75 

24, 1872; Jennie M., born May 1, 1875; Ralph K., born January 17, 1877; Harry V., 
born December 19, 1878; Dana M., born March 6, 1881; and Wilford, born February 
19, 1884. 

Baker, A. E., was born at West Monroe, Oswego county, in 1838, son of Samuel P. 
Baker, one of the early settlers of Oswego county, who was originated from an old 
New England family, and was colonel of a militia regiment and justice of the peace 
for twenty years. A. E. Baker received his education at Mexico Academy. His 
first business was in 1862, when he came here with James Armstrong and established 
a knitting mill, which has proved a successful enterprise. In 1867 he married Cor- 
delia, daughter of Capt. J. P. Richardson, the well-known provost-marshal of the 
early war days. They have two sons: Joseph Richardson and Edwin Carlos, both 
of whom are graduates of Hamilton College, and who are now reading law, with the 
intention of making it their chosen profession. 

Hubbard, Edward, was born in the town of Kirkland, on the farm where he now 
resides, June 16, 1836. His father, Anson Hubbard, emigrated from Connecticut, 
with his father, John Hubbard, when eleven years of age. The}' cleared a farm of 
150 acres, living in a log cabin for five years, after which they built a frame house, 
part of which now stands to their memory. Their ancestors came over on the 
Mayflower. Anson Hubbard married Abigail Tompkins of Paris, Oneida county, 
by whom he had seven children, Edward, now being the only one living. Edward 
Hubbard received his education in this town, and married Caroline, daughter of Will- 
iam C. Burrett, of the town of Marshall, by whom he has three children: Will- 
iam A., Grace and Charles. 

Hovey, George I., was born in Deansville, March 6, 1871, son of Charles and Amelia 
(Skinner) Hovey. His grandfather, Isaac Hovey, came to this place in 1848, where 
he was a physician and prominent man of his day. George I. was educated at the 
Cazenovia Seminary and Syracuse Commercial College, and outside of this college 
life his residence has been in Deansville. In November, 1892, he married Eva L. 
Skinner. In March, 1893, he was elected justice of the peace, which office he now 
fills with much ability. He is also interested in educational affairs, and was elected 
a member of the Board of Education in August, 1894. 

Jones, Thomas F., was born in Wales, March 30, 1851, and came to the United 
States when five years of age, with his widowed mother and two sisters. They first 
settled in Bridgewater, Oneida county, later moving to Chuckery, town of Kirkland. 
When twenty- two years of age Thomas F. engaged in farming, and in 1885 purchased 
the old Jones homestead in Chuckery, where he now lives. He married Alice 
Woodin, of Kirkland, by whom he had three children: Eva M., Alta L. , and Francis 
M. Mr. Jones is a member of Amicable Lodge, Free & A. M., No. 664, and of Sau- 
quoit Grange, of which order his family are also members. 

Ronspees, Herman, was born near Berlin, Germany, November 30, 1856. He was 
educated in their schools, and came with his parents to the United States when four- 
teen years of age. He learned the blacksmith's trade in Rome, which business he 
has carried on successfully eleven years in Higginsville. He was elected town clerk 
of the town of Verona in 1892, and was re-elected in 1894. February 27, 1884, he 
married Louise C. Baker of this town, by whom he had two sons: W. Clarence and 



76 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

John F. Mr. Ronspees's father, Charles F., was born at the old home in Germany in 
1826. He was educated there and was a blacksmith by trade. He married Henri- 
etta Splitgerber of his native place, and came to the United States in 1870. They 
had four sons: August, Herman, as above, Charles, and Gustave. Mr. Ronspees 
died in 1876, and his widow resides with Herman. Mrs. Ronspees's father, Daniel 
Baker, was born in Germany about 1831, and came to the United States with his 
parents when fourteen years of age, locating in Utica. He married Eliza Ague, by 
whom he had four children: Louise C, as above, William P., Frederick E., and 
Henry L. Mr. Ronspees is a member of New London Lodge No. 420, F. & A. M. 

Walker, Aaron C, was born in Yorkshire, England, May 8, 1841, son of Thomas 
and Elizabeth Walker, who came to the United States in 1842. Thomas Walker first 
worked out, then hired a farm, and finally purchased one through his own efforts. 
He is now retired, living in the village in comfortable circumstances; is in good 
health, and in his eightieth year. Mrs. Walker died in 1855. Aaron C. Walker was 
educated at the district school in Westmoreland, after which he engaged in farming, 
which he still continues, conducting the old homestead, which he bought of his father. 
Mr. Walker married L. Eunette Bicknell, granddaughter of Elder James Bicknell, one 
of the prominent men of the county, by whom he had ten children : Giles B. , Glen 
A., M. Ellen, Thomas M., Edith E., Mary J., Grant Eugene, Frank S., who are still 
living, and Ruth I. and Eva E. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Walker and Giles B.Walker 
are members of the Methodist church in Westmoreland. Mr. Walker is a staunch 
Republican, and actively interested in the success of his party. This family is 
among the representative agricultural families of the county. 

Burr, Henry A., was born at New York Mills, N. Y., March 9, 1859, son of William 
and Sarah Burr. William Burr was born in 1823, and has always been engaged in 
farming, and he and his wife are both living in good health at New York Mills. 
Henry A. Burr was educated partly at New York Mills, and partly at Whitestown 
Seminary, after which he was engaged in the office of the Quigley Furniture Co. 
He entered the coal business July 1, 1888, under the firm of Haynes & Burr. This 
firm is located on the Erie Canal, and have remarkably good facilities for receiving 
coal, also for storing and housing it. Their business extends through Whitesboro, 
New York Mills, and the adjacent territory. The firm is now composed of F. D. 
Haynes and Henry A. Burr, and the business is one of the representative interests 
of Whitesboro. He married Rachael C. Reese of Whitesboro, by whom he has two 
children Helen and William Richard. He has been postmaster of Whitesboro for 
four years, being appointed under President Harrison, and holding over two years 
under President Cleveland. He is also interested in the Whitesboro Canning Co., 
of which he is one of the directors. 

Brayton, Mrs. Frances A. — The late Stephen H. Brayton was born at Newport, 
Herkimer county, January 12, 1845, son of Stephen and Sarah Brayton. Stephen 
Brayton was engaged in farming in Herkimer county. Stephen H. was educated at 
Utica and Poughkeepsie, and then engaged in farming, at which he has always con- 
tinued. He conducted a farm in Deerfield, and was a man highly respected as one 
of the representative agriculturists of that place. He married Frances A., daughter 
of George F. Weaver of Deerfield, N. Y., by whom he has two children: Helen A. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 77 

and Stephen H. Mr. Brayton died in Deerfield, March 29, 1892. Mrs. Brayton and 
her children are members of the Presbyterian church at Whitesboro. 

Allen, Fred C, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., August 6, 1868, son of Alonzo 
and Nettie Allen. Alonzo Allen died in 1888. The grandfather, Charles Allen, 
came from New England. October 12, 1892, Fred C. Allen married Maggie Pugh. 
He owns a fine farm of 130 acres in the town of Paris, near Cassville. 

Clark, Charles W., was born at Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., December 23, 
1858, son of James Clark, a native of Cranbrook, England, who was born July 16, 
1825, and at the age of twenty-one came to Waterville, Oneida county, N. Y. , where 
he engaged in farming ; after seven years residence there, he moved to East Hamil- 
ton, N. Y., where he bought a large farm, and after a few years' residence there, he 
removed to Palmyra, where he still engaged in farming; after residing six years 
there, he returned to East Hamilton, where he has since resided. He served in the 
late Rebellion, and is now a leading member of the G. A. R. In August, 1851, he 
married Maria Rogers, of Hubbardsville, Madison county, who died at East Hamil- 
ton, in May, 1888. Charles W. Clark received his education at East Hamilton, 
Waterville Union School and Academy, Hamilton Union School, Eastman's Busi- 
ness College, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which institution he graduated in April, 
1884. In 1878 he took up his residence at Oriskany Falls, and was engaged as clerk 
and bookkeeper in a hardware store for eleven years. He has been an active worker 
in the Republican party, and March 16, 1889, he received the appointment of post- 
master at Oriskany Falls, and held the position nearly five years. He has held 
many minor offices, and is also a 32d degree Mason. He was for two years engaged 
with A. T. Davis, under the firm name of Davis & Clark, in the general mercantile 
business, and now in the insurance business, and has been clerk of the village of 
Oriskany Falls since March, 1893. February 25, 1885, he married Mary H. Greer, of 
Pitcher, Chenango county. 

Beach, John J., was born in Augusta, N.Y., July 25, 1838, son of Jacob Beach, who 
was born in Connecticut, August 14, 1805, and came to Augusta in 1820, where he 
engaged in the agricultural industry. September 21, 1824, he married Laura A. 
Doolittle, who was born in Greene county, N. Y., in 1808, and died May 27, 1882. 
In connection with his farm interests Mr. Beach was engaged as a carpenter, joiner 
and builder. He died May 30, 1882. John J. was educated at the old Augusta 
Academy, and after his school days he rented the farm of his father, upon which he 
still lives, later buying it, and has occupied and conducted it since. In 1860 he mar- 
ried Ann M. Morrell, of Rome, N. Y. and she died in 1885, leaving three children: 
Almond D., born July 16, 1861 ; Flora A., born September 22, 1863; and Ina S., born 
March 3, 1868. June 21, 1888, he married Mrs. Julia (Lewis) Vaughn, who was born 
in Leray, Jefferson county, July 5, 1849, by whom he has one child, Foster J., born 
July 10, 1891. 

Wheeler, Prof. William H., was born in the town of Stockbridge, N. Y., July 19, 
1864, son of Hibbard Wheeler, who was also born in Stockbridge, in 1835, and 
Jeanette (Royce) Wheeler, who was born in Pinckney, N. Y., in 1845. Hibbard 
Wheeler was a noted hop grower of Madison county. He died December 7, 1894, 
and Mrs. Wheeler is now living on the old homestead at Munnsville, N. Y. Prof. 



78 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

William H. Wheeler has been principal of the Knoxboro Union School since 1892. 
He received his education mostly at the Cazenovia Seminary, from which institution 
he was graduated in the academic course in 1886, after which he taught school for 
one year, and then engaged in farming for one year ; after which he engaged with a 
surveying party for one year. In 1890 he took charge of the Munnsville school and 
remained in that position two years, and in 1892 he assumed the principalship of 
the Knoxboro school, where he is still engaged. He married Ha'rriet La Munion, 
who was born in Stockbridge, February 14, 1873, and was educated at Gloversville, 
N. Y. Her father, Abel La Munion, was born in Stockbridge in 1849 and died there 
in 1891. Mrs. Wheeler is now engaged in teaching with her husband, having charge 
of one of the departments of the school. 

Burleson, William Jay, was born in the town of Stockbridge, N. Y., February 19, 
1845, son of Ira Burleson, a native of Rhode Island, where he was born March 22, 
1809. He was an early settler in Augusta, having come with his parents in 1818. 
In early life he removed to Stockbridge, where he followed the occupation of a 
farmer until ten years before his death, at which date he changed his residence to 
Vernon, where he spent the rest of his life. He married Sarah Jakeways, of French 
descent, who was born in the town of Augusta in November, 1810, and died in 
Stockbridge August 6, 1855; and Mr. Burleson died April 18, 1881. William J. 
Burleson came to the town of Augusta in 1867. He lived in Vernon during the 
early part of his life, except a short time spent in Stockbridge with his parents dur- 
ing his childhood. He received his education at the Augusta and Stockbridge 
schools, after which he bought the farm which he now occupies, on the summit of the 
road leading from Knoxboro to Valley Mills. January 24, 1871, he married Lucretia 
Stanford, of Annsville, N. Y., daughter of Hiram and Lucy A. Stanford, who was 
born April 7, 1851. and was educated at the school in Annsville. They have four 
children: Charles E., born January 12, 1873; Lena I., born January 19, 1877; 
Frank J., born February 29, 1881; and Mary L., born May 1, 1884. 

Van Evera, Virgil E., was born in Knoxboro, N. Y., September 20, 1851, and has 
been identified with many interests in the village. His father, Philemon Van Evera, 
came from Montgomery county, and settled in Knoxboro in 1848. He was born 
December 15, 1825, and for thirty years, after taking up his residence in this place, 
carried on a boot and shoe establishment. He gradually developed an exten- 
sive business in that line of goods, at that time purchasing the Howard House, 
which he conducted for several years, and retired about two years ago. His 
wife, Olivia Shepard, was born in Canada, February 25, 1826, and died at Knoxboro, 
April 26, 1869. After receiving his educatfon at Knoxboro and Augusta Academy, 
Virgil E, at once entered his father's establishment, and continued actively there for 
ten years, when he bought the interest of H. P. Pond, his father's partner, and with 
his father conducted the business for five years. Business having prospered, he be- 
came sole proprietor, buying his father's interest in the stock, and enlarged the busi- 
ness opening a general store on larger scale. He then conducted it for a period of 
nine years, when he sold to M. F. Smith & Sons, and entered into partnership with 
his father in the Van Evera House, the name having been changed from Howard 
House, and he is now conducting the house alone, and the hotel has a history dating 
back for more than seventy years. He married Ella A. Lewis, a native of Knoxboro, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 79 

who was born February 24, 1854, by whom he has two daughters: Lena O., born 
August 17, 1876; and Floy R., born September 1, 1877. 

Whitford, H. P., was born in Canterbury, Conn., October 45, 1826. Was educated 
at Bridgewater Seminary, and Clinton Liberal Institute. Studied medicine in Ham- 
ilton, N. Y., graduated in medicine from Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, O. , 
February, 1860. Shortly after March, 1860, began practice in Bridgewater, and has 
been a successful practitioner. Dr. Whitford has been a resident of Bridgewater 
since March, 1842. Has been twice married; his first wife being Miss Melissa Har- 
rington, by whom he had two children : E. P. Whitford, M. D. , now of Westboro, 
Mo., and Miss L. R. Whitford, of St. Paul, Minn., a trained nurse, a graduate from 
Cook County Hospital, Chicago, 111. His present wife is Jennie (Doty) Whitford. 
Dr. Whitford's father was also a native of Canterbury, Conn., and his mother, Lucetta 
(Tillinghast) Whitford, was the daughter of Rev. Pardon Tillinghast, of Rhode 
Island. Dr. Whitford served four years as justice of peace, and has also served as 
health officer for a number of years. 

Butler, Mrs. Marianne H. — The late Morgan Butler was born June 7, 1807, son of 
Eli Butler, who came from Middletown, Conn., with his father in 1792. His death, 
which occurred August 3, 1892, removed from Oneida county, one of its oldest, most 
generous and best known citizens. He was a man of commanding presence and 
splendid physique, and was a devout man and a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal 
church, being one of its wardens and treasurer for many years. Among his many 
benevolences which most evince his generous nature and noble character, is his gitt 
to the townspeople, the Butler Memorial Hall, a monument built during his lifetime. 
This beautiful structure was erected in 1889 at the cost of $15,000, and though 
advanced in years, the giver personally supervised the building daily, which resulted- 
in a building complete in every part. His mother, Mrs. Rachel (Kellogg) Butler, 
was the daughter of Truman Kellogg. He took great pride in carrying on the farm 
of his ancestors, which had remained in the family over 100 years, and personally 
superintended the farm till eighty-two years of age. Being possessed of great 
energy and enterprise, he was progressive and took a lively interest in the improve- 
ments of agricultural machinery, and became a model American farmer. With his 
sixty years' experience of agricultural life, he was a valuable member of the Central 
New York Farmers' Club, and assisted at its organization, and was the beloved 
and venerable president at the time of his death, having been annually elected by a 
unanimous vote for five years, and as vice-president for fifteen years. In 1841 he 
married Marianne, daughter of Rufus Howard, of Forestport, sister of Gen. Rufus 
Lombard Howard, of Buffalo, N. Y. 

Taft, George H. , was born in Oswego county, son of Nathaniel and Lydia (Simpson) 
Taft. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. A, 110th N.Y.Vols., and served until the end of the 
war. He served in the Nineteenth Army Corps under General Banks, and after the 
war he took up his trade as builder and mason, which he has followed ever since. In 
1872 he came to Waterville, and with his brother did a great deal of important 
building all over the county, including the opera house and Ayers blocks at Earlville, 
the opera house at New Berlin, N. Y. , and the County Home at Rome, etc. He is a 
prominent Grand Army man, and is a Royal Arch Mason. He has been commander 



80 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the post eight years, and trustee of the village of Waterville. Alphonse Taft, 
secretary of state under Garfield, was a member of the family. In 1868 he married 
Helen M. Peaslee, by whom he has two children : Fred P. and Vira. Fred P. Taft 
is a physician in Rothsay, Minn. 

Wickwire, C. M., was born in Hamilton, N. Y., in May, 1857, son of Jarit Wick- 
wire, a native of Connecticut, where the family had lived for over a century. His 
ancestors were soldiers in the war of 1812 and in the Revolutionary war. His 
mother was Orissa Eason. C. M. Wickwire was educated in the Hamilton public 
schools and Madison University, and studied law with Judge Joseph Mason and 
Hon. D. G. Wellington, as well as in the Albany Law School. He was admitted to 
the bar at the General Term of the Supreme Court at Albany and practiced law 
in Hamilton for some time, but came to Waterville in 1892. Mr. Wickwire is a 
prominent Mason, and is a member of Sanger Lodge No. 129, F. & A. M., at Water- 
ville ; has been district deputy grand master of the 17th Masonic district, and is one 
of the grand trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund of State of New York, 
who have in charge the Masonic Hall of New York city and the Masonic Home in 
Utica, and the large fund connected with the same. In 1883 Mr. Wickwire married 
Louise Parker, daughter of N. W. Parker of Hamilton, who was a prominent politi- 
cian; he was a large manufacturer and State contractor, and was superintendent of 
the Chenango Canal. He died in 1893. 

Martin, Leander, was born in Ephratah, N. Y., August 24, 1836, and came to 
Stittville in 1855. He was educated in Holland Patent, and learned the currier's 
trade. Mr. Martin volunteered in the late Civil war, and went to the front with 
the 146th Regt. N. Y. Vols., serving until mustered out by the close of the war, 
and was in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon R. R., Five Forks, 
Chapel House, White Oak Road, and Appomattox. Mr. Martin was promoted to 
sergeant and also was brevetted lieutenant, and, although taking part in some of 
the fiercest battles of the war, had the rare good fortune of escaping without a 
wound. After the war Mr. Martin bought his present farm. Mr. Martin has made 
many improvements, and one that is worthy of note is a strikingly handsome barn, 
hardly equaled on any farm in the county. Mr. Martin married for his first wife 
Sarah E. Wiser, by whom he has one son, Fred L. Mrs. Martin died February 27, 
1892, and Mr. Martin married for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth Egert. Mr. 
Martin is a member of Hampton Lodge, No. 347, F. & A. M., also G. A. R. Post, 
No. 47. 

Barns, Henry D., was born in Westmoreland, January 11, 1844, youngest son of 
Capt. Amos Barns. Henry D. Barns attended the district school and high school, 
and finished his education at the Whitestown Seminary. He then learned the car- 
penter's trade, and now conducts a building business, and has put up a. number of 
buildings throughout the county. He has been road commissioner, and is a member 
of the County Committee. Mr. Barns is a staunch Republican, and takes an active 
and efficient interest in the success of his party. April 2, 1874, Mr. Barns married 
Anna M. Dodge, of Glen, Montgomery county, N. Y. He is one of the rep- 
resentative citizens, and active business men of the township of Westmoreland. 
Merriman, Mrs Emma, — George S. Merriman was born in Lowville, Lewis county, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 81 

August 29, 1838. He came to Westmoreland about 1867, where he was always en- 
gaged in farming, buying the place when he first came to Westmoreland now con- 
ducted by his widow. He was a prominent Democrat, and a very active and influ- 
ential citizen. He married Emma Cleveland, daughter of Ward Cleveland of Sodus, 
Wayne county. He died February 26, 1890. Mrs. Merriman has three children: 
Hattie, Ward and Mabel. There was one son of Mr. Merriman's by his former mar- 
riage, George Merriman. This farm is among the largest in the township, and is 
operated and conducted entirely by Mrs. Merriman, who keeps the farm in cultiva- 
tion, superintending it in every department. This farm is notable for being one of 
the largest in the county, and being conducted by a lady. 

Avery, Joseph S., was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, August 7, 1826, son of 
the late Prof. Charles Avery, LL. D., who was born in Munson, Mass., July 29, 1795, 
and for thirty-four years was professor of chemistry in Hamilton College. Joseph S. 
Avery was graduated from Hamilton College in 1848. He studied law in the office 
of the late Hon. O. S. Williams. He was postmaster for three years (1857-9). In 
1864 he was elected surrogate of Oneida county, an office which he held for three 
successive terms, fourteen years in all (1864-78). He was an expert in testamentary 
law, and administered the responsible duties of the office with unquestioned fidelity 
and satisfaction. After 1878 and until his death. Mr. Avery had his law office in 
Utica. In politics he was a strong Democrat up to 1860, when he avowed himself a 
Lincoln Republican, and continued active and earnest in that party during the rest 
of his life. On May 8, 1856 he married Jennie M. Wilcox, of Middle Settlement. 
From this marriage one daughter was born, Isabella, now the wife of Rev. Theodore 
A. Allen of Mendota, 111. From this marriage there are four children: Josephs., 
Dorothy, Ruth, and George E. Mr. Avery was justice of the peace for several years 
and president of the village of Clinton for ten years. He was for many years an 
officer in the Presbyterian church, active in its interests and conspicuous for his 
charities. He died at Clinton November 14, 1895. 

Ferris, Reynolds, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., February 27, 1816, son of 
Zadock Ferris, who was also born in Otsego county, where he resided until his death. 
He married Polly Houcks. Reynolds Ferris is one of six children, and started for 
himself when ten years of age. He learned the mason's trade, which he followed 
for several years, after which he engaged in farming, and also worked on the Che- 
nango Canal, but now lives retired in the village of Franklin, in the house where he 
worked as a mechanic over fifty years ago. He married Lucj r M. Smith, of Marshall, 
February 15, 1843. 

Mills, Andrew W., was born in the town of Kirkland, November 30, 1836, son of 
Andrew and Marilla (Wetmore) Mills, who were both born in this county. Andrew 
Mills came to this county in 1802, when the county was new, where he engaged in 
farming, and continued until his death. They had four children : Charlotte L. , An- 
drew W., Harriet (deceased) and E. Delos. Andrew W. Mills attended the district 
schools until fifteen years of age, when he entered the Whitestown Seminary and 
later the Cazenovia Seminary, and was at Fort Plain one year, after which he began 
reading law with Judge Williams of Clinton; then entered the law department of 
Hamilton College, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. Since then he has been in 



82 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

active practice in this village and Utica. He was the means of the Rome and Clin- 
ton railroad being built of which he was a director, and was secretary and treasurer 
for years; also of the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton railroad, and was commissioner 
for the bonding of the town when these roads were constructed. He is an active 
worker in the Telegraph and Telephone Co. of Central New York. Mr. Mills mar- 
ried Mary E. Foote, daughter of Noel Foote, of this town, by whom he has four 
children: Mrs. Cora E. Larrabee, wife of Charles D. Larrabee, who is assistant post- 
master at Clinton ; Charles A. Mills, Herbert F. and Fred W. Mr. Mills is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity; also member of Utica Commandery No. 3, K. T., and 
Ziska Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine ; in politics he is a Democrat. 

Bryden, Edward N., was born in the village of Clinton, October 10, 1869, son of 
George and Mary (Norton) Bryden, and was reared in the city of San Francisco, Cal., 
where his father was one of the leading draymen. His mother is a descendant of 
the Rev. Ashel Strong Norton, who was pastor of the Presbyterian church in Clinton 
for forty years, and who was also one of the founders of Hamilton College. Edward 
N. Bryden has traveled over a great part of the country, and was at one time engaged 
in the lumber business at Oklahama. He is now engaged in the dry goods business 
in Clinton, being one of the leading firms in the town. He is a member of the 
Smyth Hook and Ladder Co. and Skenandoah Club. 

Nichols, George A., was born in Kirkland, February 26, 18 5, on the homestead 
which was cleared by his ancestors, and has been handed down for five generation?. 
His great-grandfather, Jacob Nichols, purchased this property at a low figure, and 
he could have purchased the land at the same price where the village of Clinton now 
stands. His father, Cyrus Nichols, married Mary, daughter of Capt. Chester Par- 
melee, who served in the war of 1812, by whom he had three sons: C. P., R. L., and 
George A. George A. Nichols was educated in the district schools, and is owner of 
the farm purchased by his father in 1860, and where his father died in 1891. He 
married Sarah Armstrong of this town, who died December 16, 1890. He married 
for his second wife Mrs. Flora Searles, of New Haven, Oswego county, widow of 
Herbert Searles. She had one daughter, Lena, who was married to Wm. C. Bur- 
nans, of Oswego county, January 23, 1895. 

Billingham, Richard J., was born in Whitestown, March 4, 1835, son of William R. 
Billingham, who was born in Yorkshire, England, August 8, 1792, and came to the 
United States in 1832. He settled in Whitestown where he worked at his tra.de as 
shoemaker; this he followed for about fifty years. He came to the town of Kirkland 
in 1852. He married Mary, daughter of John and Polly Bellinger, by whom he had 
three children : Richard J., William C, and Anna E. Richard J. Billingham at 
twenty-two years of age worked a farm on shares, and in 1861 he bought a farm, and 
is now the owner of several farms in this town. In 1875 he engaged in buying hops, 
which business he continues. He was elected road commissioner in the years 1873 
and 1874. Mr. Billingham married Jane Laville of Whitestown, by whom he has 
four children: Armenia, Christopher H., Fred G., and Charles A. 

Babcock, Dr. Henry E., was born in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, 
N. Y., in 1827. His education was obtained in the district schools and the Westerlo 
Academy. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. S. Ingraham, of his native 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 83 

town, and graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1855. He is a member of 
the New York State Medical Association. He has practiced in Albany, Greene, 
Saratoga, Wayne, and Oneida counties with success. In 1853 he married Elizabeth 
Winston, of Westerlo, Albany county, by whom he has two daughters: Ruby E., and 
Alice. The doctor's father, David, was born in Albanjr county, and married Hannah 
. Vannatten, by whom he had one son, Henry E. David Babcock died when Henry 
E. was a child. The family is of English and Dutch descent. 

Castle, Charles C, was born near Chatham, Mass., June 7, 1828, and came with 
his parents to East Lebanon, N. Y. , when four years of age. He was educated in 
the common schools, and from ten years of age followed the canal for forty years. He 
is also a farmer. He was elected road commissioner on the Democrat ticket in the 
spring of 1890, and has held the office continuously since ; he also served his district 
as school trustee. He has been trustee of the church at Higginsville, and was in- 
strumental with others in erecting a new church and school house. November 7, 
1847, he married Lydia J. Downes, of the town of Verona, by whom he had two 
sons: Charles H. and Hollis Y. Charles H. married Matilda Reeves, of Rensselaer 
county, N. Y., and they have two children. Hollis Y. married Carrie Mehrhoff, of 
this town, and they have four children : Charles D., Hugo, Ethel M., and Ruth. Mr. 
Castle's father, John Castle, was born at the old home in Massachusetts in 1803. He 
married Lucinda Crane of his native place, by whom he had six children : George 
A., Lewis S., Charles C, as above, Ruth M., Harriet E. , and John H. The family 
came to this locality in 1832. Mr. Castle died in 1868, and his wife in 1893. Mrs. 
Castle's father, Walter Downes, was born in Shropshire, England, about 1794, and 
came to the LTnited States when twenty-one years of age. He married Catherine 
Suits, of Stone Arabia, and they had five children: Walter, Mary, Peter, Lydia J., as 
above, and Catherine. He died jn 1860, and his wife in 1849. Mr. Castle is a mem- 
ber of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. 

Beardsley, Backus A., was born in the town of Sangerfield, December 3, 1816, son 
Rev. Evans and Hannah (Magoon) Beardsley. Evans Beardsley was a Presbyterian 
minister, and came from Vermont to Sangerfield in 1815. His father, Gershom 
Beardsley, was a native of Connecticut, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
Backi:s A. Beardsley spent six years of his active life in farming, and two years in 
the patent right and stove business in Wisconsin and Illinois. He then returned to 
Waterville and engaged in the foundry business until 1887, when he disposed of it 
to his son, B. B. Beardsley. Mr. Beardsle}' married Cornelia Pangman, and they 
have four children living: Brace B. Beardsley, Mary B. Foster, Grace Mott, and 
Cornelia Beardsley. Mrs. Beardsley died September 9, 1893. Mr. Beardsley was a 
delegate to the first Republican convention in Rome, and was appointed deputy col- 
lector during the war, which office he held for three years, when he resigned. The 
original William Beardsley and Mary his wife came from Stratford-on-Avon, Eng- 
land, and settled in Stratford, Connecticut, and from him the Beardsleys have de- 
scended. 

Brockway, William H., was born January 6, 1856, son of Thomas and Eliza Brock- 
way. The family dating back to 1660, settled in Lyme, Conn. Lathrop Brockway 
came to the village of Clinton in the fall of 1811, and in 1812 bought and settled upon 



84 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a farm, where he resided up to his death. He early identified himself with the agri- 
cultural, educational and religious interests of the town, and died at Clinton, Octo- 
ber 17, 1879, and Thomas H., his son, now resided on the old farm. William H. 
Brockway is one of seven children, and was reared on the farm owned by his grand- 
father, Lathrop Brockway. He was identified with the Franklin iron works, and 
received the appointment of postmaster at that place. February 17, 1875, he married 
Sarah Boon, who was born January 6, 1855, and by whom he has seven children: 
Harry Lathrop, Mabel Eloise, Flora May, Robert Clinton, William Frederic, Carl 
Watson, and Sarah Hazel. W. H. Brockway is one of the representative men in 
Clinton village, and has been engaged in buying hops, which business he still follows, 
and he is prominently connected with the Masonic fraternity. 

Cruikshank, J. Robert. — George C. Cruikshank was born in Deerfield, February 
21, 1850, son of Robert M. and Elizabeth (Pearce) Cruikshank. The grandparents, 
David and Mary (Stephenson) Cruikshank, were natives of Scotland, and emigrated 
to Ireland; and thence to Salem, Washington county, N. Y., in 1807, after which 
they came to North Gage, Oneida county. They both died at Deerfield, he in 1847, 
and she in 1855. Robert Cruikshank was a native of North Gage, Deerfield, and 
was a manufacturer of edge tools. In 1844 he bought 250 acres of land and en- 
gaged in farming. He is a Republican, and was assessor and road commissioner. 
He died in 1886. Mrs. Cruikshank was a native of Newport, Herkimer county, and 
she died in 1855. George C. was educated at Whitestown Seminary, and taught for 
a few terms. For three years he run an express route from Poland to Utica, but his 
principal occupation has been farming. He has the homestead farm. In 1875 he 
married Rachel, daughter of John and Christina Herpy of Ohio, Herkimer county, 
by whom he has three children : J. Robert, May, and Milton. Mr. Cruikshank has 
been assessor for two terms. 

Hallenbeck, William A., was born in Greene county, N. Y., November 21, 1832, 
son of Abraham and Rachael Hallenbeck. William A. settled at Fish Creek Land- 
ing about 1847, where he started at blacksmithing, which he followed for five years, 
then engaged in boating for six years, after which he went into the commission busi- 
ness at Buffalo, where he remained for eight years, since which time he has fol- 
lowed farming. He married Agnes, daughter of Edward and Sarah Maddock, by 
whom he has nine children: Sarah Maria Brodock, Cataline Smith, James V., Nellie 
Agnes Howe, Casper W., Almeda Lyon, Matilda French, Mary Elizabeth Oliver, 
and Isabelle. Mr. Hallenbeck has been very active in educational interests, and is 
a member of Vienna Lodge, No. 440, F. & A. M. ; and also a member of Camden 
Chapter. 

Dunham, George Earl. — Mr. Dunham is best known in Oneida county through his 
connection with the Utica Daily Press, which, from anything but an auspicious be- 
ginning, has become one of the leading and most prosperous papers in Central New 
York. The Press was started in March, 1882, by printers who had left the Herald 
two days before and whose facilities were decidedly limited. The first number had 
four small pages by no means of attractive appearance. Mr. Dunham went with the 
Press the following July and at one time or another has held every situation on the 
editorial staff. In 1886 he became president of the company and editor of the paper 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 85 

and has continued in these positions ever since. At the same election T. R. Proctor 
was chosen vice-president and Otto A. Meyer secretary, treasurer and business man- 
ager. The improvement and growth of the Press have been steady and permanent, 
till now it enjoys the largest circulation in its field. Mr. Dunham was born at Clay- 
ville, April 5, 1859, the only child of Moses E. Dunham, D. D , Ph. D., and Harriet 
(Hughston) Dunham. He was graduated at Whitestown Seminary in 1875 and Ham- 
ilton College in 1879, the youngest member of his class at both institutions. He 
was for a year a clerk in the office of Edwin Baylies at Johnstown, N. Y., one of the 
ablest law writers of his time, and the author of Baylies' " Questions and Answers," 
Baylies, on " Guaranty and Suretyship" and other standard works. In 1880 he was 
admitted to practice law and became a member of the firm of Baylies & Dunham. 
The firm did much work in the line of law book writing, being employed on various 
of William Wait's publications and several other legal books. A year later Mr. 
Dunham returned to Oneida county to become vice-principal of Whitestown Semin- 
ary, of which his father was principal. In 1882 he came to Utica as a reporter on 
the Press and has since remained with that paper. In 1888 he was appointed a 
manager of the United States Hospital for the Insane and was reappointed by 
Governor Flower and three years later by Governor Morton. He was appointed 
by Mayor Kinney chairman of the Utica Electric Light Commission and served 
three years. He was elected a trustee of Hamilton College in 1891 and was re- 
elected in 1895. Mr. Dunham married Helen L. Jones of Utica, January 9, 1884. 
They had one child, a daughter, who died in infancy. 

Lewis, Elias, was born in Steuben, N. Y., in November, 1852, son of William Lewis 
who was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1812, and grandson of William Lewis, a native of 
Wales who came to the United States in 1800, and died in New Orleans in 1820, at 
thirty-two years of age. William, jr. , was reared by relatives. When a young man 
he taught school, later engaged in farming, and has resided in Steuben since he was 
eight years of age. He was active in gathering recruits during the war and was 
commissioned by Governor Seymour to secure colored recruits in Virginia in 1861. 
He was an assemblyman, and introduced and worked for the bill which resulted in 
an appropriation of §500.00 made by the government for a monument to perpetuate 
the memory of Baron Steuben. He was for forty-four years justice of the peace, 
and for thirteen years supervisor, also filled many other offices and was well liked 
and prosperous. He was married three times, his first wife being Catherine, daugh- 
ter of William R. and Mary Jones, by whom he had two children, one of whom died 
in childhood ; the other, Mary, died in Williamsburg, Iowa, in October, 1894. Oc- 
tober 31, 1840, Mr. Lewis married for his second wife, Jeanette, daughter of Elias 
and Berry Williams, who immigrated in 1830 and located in Steuben. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lewis had nine children, five of whom grew to maturity: Washington, Martha, wife 
of R. H. Hews, M. D., of Rockwell City, Iowa, Laura E., wife of T. W. Evans Price, 
of Rockford, 111., who died April 22, 1891, aged forty-six years, and Elias, as above. 
For his third wife Mr. Lewis married Mrs. Margaret Davis, of Remsen, N. Y., who 
still survives. Mr. Lewis retired to Remsen, where he died in 1892. Elias Lewis 
was educated in the district school and Whitestown Seminary, and remained with 
his father until the latter retired, and since then he has conducted the farm. In 
1891 he purchased the farm where he now resides, and also is the owner of another 



86 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

farm of 290 acres. Mr. Lewis has filled the offices of town clerk and supervisor. 
In 1877 he married Margaret, daughter of William P. Thomas, of Steuben, by whom 
he has seven children ; Price, Clara, William, Jeanette and Sarah (twins), and Ethel, 
and the oldest, a daughter, died when sixteen months months old. 

Dewey, Charles M., was born in Deerfield, N. Y. , June 17, 1833, son of Selotus 
and Mehitable (Roberts) Dewey, natives of Connecticut, who were among the first 
settlers in Deerfield. They took 450 acres of land and cleared a large farm. Mr. 
Dewey died January 31, 1844, aged fifty-eight years, and Mrs. Dewey died Novem- 
ber 30, 1855, aged sixty-three years. Charles M. has always been engaged in farm- 
ing in Deerfield, and settled on the farm of 220 acres in 1866. In 1859 he married 
Jane, daughter of Jacob and Abigail (Cute) Rudd, of Marcy, by whom he had four 
children: Zettie J., wife of John C. Davis, a farmer in Deerfield; Aldis M , who died 
at the age of twenty-nine years ; Cora E. , wife of William R. Harvey, a cheesemaker 
in Saint Mary's, Elk county, Pa,: and Ida M., wife of Frank Donnafield of Deer- 
field. Mr. Dewey is a Republican, and has been assessor and road commissioner. 
They attend the Presbyterian church, 

Smith, Giles, was born in Deerfield, N. Y. , August 30, 1825, only son of Pratt, a 
native of Taunton, Mass., and Elenore (Wheeler) Smith, a native of Dutchess county, 
N. Y. His grandfather, Ephraim Wheeler, came from Holland, and was a pioneer 
of Dutchess county. His paternal grandfather, Timothy Smith, came from Massa- 
chusetts, and was one of the first settlers at Deerfield, settling on Smith Hill. He 
removed to Jefferson county where he died. Pratt Smith was engaged in farming 
in Deerfield, and died at the age of eighty-six, and Mrs. Smith died in 1870, at the 
age of seventy. Mr. Smith was one of the founders of the Union church at Deer- 
field. He had a 400 acre farm in Deerfield, N. Y., and land in the West. In 1853 
Giles Smith married Eliza, daughter of Lewis and Mary Cole, of Rensselaer county, 
N. Y., by whom he had three children: Pratt G. , a merchant at Utica; Mary, wife 
of M. T. Jones, of Utica ; and Elenore, wife of Marshall Brown, a commission mer- 
chant in Brooklyn. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, .and has been assessor and 
supervisor of Deerfield, and is at present road commissioner.' Mr. Smith has been 
one of the most successful farmers in the community, having taken an active inter- 
est in the business, and owns a large farm in the best part of the town. Mrs. Smith 
died in October, 1891. 

Crosby, Anson T., was born in Deerfield. N. Y. , December 16, 1828, son of Isaac, 
a native of Norway, and Mary (Fox) Crosby, a native of Ohio, Herkimer county, 
N. Y. The grandparents, Isaac and Mary Crosby, came from Saratoga and settled 
in Norway, where Mr. Crosby was killed by the cars. Isaac, jr., came to Deerfield 
when twenty-five years of age and took up 269 acres of land, where he cleared a 
home, remaining until he retired to Chatfield, Filmore county, Minn., where he died 
at the age of seventy-three, and Mrs. Crosby died at the age of sixty-five years. The 
great-grandfather Crosby was a soldier under Gates at Saratoga; and the great- 
grandfather Fox was at the same battle under Burgoyne in the Revolutionary war. 
A. T. Crosby was educated at Whitestown Seminary, and has always been engaged 
in farming and keeps a dairy of twenty Holstein cows. He has been justice of the 
peace for several years. In 1857 he married Margaret Holmes, by whom he has five 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 87 

children: John D., a druggist at Long Island; Lottie E., wife of John Cook, a wheat 
grower in North Dakota ; Mary, wife of Charles Green, in the sash and blind factory 
at Torrington, Conn.; Emily C, wife of James Fuller, a farmer in Deerfield, and 
Edith N., a teacher in Yorkville. 

Ackerman, Charles, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, April 23, 
1837. He received a mercantile education there, and came to the United States at 
the age of sixteen and became a clerk in a grocery in New York city, where he re- 
mained for two years. He came to Verona in 1855 and has been engaged in the 
general merchandise business most of the time since. In 1863 he married Theresa 
Berical,' of Verona, and they have five children: Allie, Eugenia, Gustave, Arthur, 
and Clara. Allie married Eugene C. Dunham and resides in Auburn, N. Y. Eugenia 
married Robert W. Potter, of State Bridge. Mr. Ackerman enlisted in Co. E, 26th 
N. Y. S. Vols., and was promoted along the line from corporal to adjutant and was 
honorably discharged May 28, 1863, at Utica, N. Y. In February, 1864, he joined 
the 2d United States Veteran Volunteers as first lieutenant, after a rigid examina- 
tion by a military commission, serving in that regiment for two years. He was post 
adjutant for six months at Albany, N. Y. ; was honorably discharged June 18, 1866. 
John Ackerman, his father, was born at the old home in Germany and married 
Wilemena Fitler, by whom he had six children: Matilda, Charles, Louis, William, 
Allie and Gustave. Mr. Ackerman is now in business with Mrs. Rachel B. Stark, 
under the firm name of Ackerman & Stark, at Higginsville, N. Y. He is a member 
of Joseph H. Warren Post, No. 615, G. A. R., and of New London Lodge, No. 420, 
F & A. M., of the town of Verona. The family is of German and French descent. 

Wendt, Frederick S., was born in Lewis county, N. Y. , October 6, 1852. He was 
educated in the district schools and in his early years was a farmer. October 30, 1878, 
he married Lottie J. Armstrong, of Higginsville, N. Y. , by whom he had three chil- 
dren: George A., Frederick W. and Florence M. (twins). Mr. Wendt since 1880 has 
been engaged in the general merchandise business and has recently become inter- 
ested in the coal business. In 1887 he was appointed justice of the peace to fill 
a vacancy and in 1888 was elected to a full term and has served continually since. 
William C. Wendt, his father, was born in Mecklenbergh, Germany, about 1823. He 
married Caroline Runge, of his native place, by whom he had ten children : Freder- 
ick S., Augustus, William, Albert, Charles, Minnie, Frances, Pauline, Emma, and 
Annie. They came to the United States in 1851, locating in Lewis county, N. Y. 
William H. Armstrong, Mrs. Wendt's father, was born in Utica, N. Y., February 15, 
1828. He was educated in the common schools and is now carrying on a general 
blacksmithing business at Durhamville, N. Y. He followed the canal for several years. 
In 1852 he married Amanda M. Morse, of Higginsville, N. Y., by whom he has one 
child, Lottie, J., now Mrs. Frederick S. Wendt. Mr. F. S. Wendt is a member of 
New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. , and Mrs. Wendt is a member of the East- 
ern Star, Visha Chapter, O. E. S. 

Merry, Gotleib, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1843 and came with his 
parents to the United States in 1851, locating first in Toledo, Ohio, coming to the 
town of Verona, N. Y., in 1852. He was educated in the public schools and the 
Business College of Utica, N. Y. , and is a cheesemaker by occupation and owner 



88 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the Merry Cheese Factory, which manufactures into cheese two and one-half 
million pounds of milk, annually. For the past three years he has been manager and 
superintendent of the Oneida Canning Co., of Verona. He is also president of the 
Board of Education ; they have just completed a fine school edifice in that district. 
March 7, 1870, Mr. Merry married Sarah McGann ; of this town, by whom he has 
seven children: Fred H., S. Alice, Ellen S., George G., H. Seymour, Wilson J., and 
C. Lester. Frederick J. Merry, his father, was born at the old home in Germany in 

1811. He married Christina Winnie, by whom he had nine children ; Jacob, Ann, 
Sophia, Frederick, Gotleib, Conrad, Peter, Charles, and Michael. He died in 1852. 
Mr. G. Merry was elected supervisor in 1879 and served until 1884. He began life 
empty-handed and has been the architect of his own success. 

Frisbie, Charles P., was born in Harwinton, Litchfield county, Conn., October 18, 
1830, and came with his parents to this town in 1836, where he was educated in the 
district schools and Vernon Academy. September 25, 1855, he married Sarah A. 
Sage, of the town of Verona, N. Y., by whom he had two children: Emily S., 
and George R. Emily S. married Julian E. Taft, of this town, and they have two 
children; Charles F., and James. George R. is a resident of Bloomington, 111., in 
the employ of the Soper Foundry Factory Company. Mr. Frisbie's father, John 
Frisbie, was born in Connecticut, in 1797. He was educated in the schools of 
his day, and was a salesman when a young man, and afterwards a farmer. He mar- 
ried Hulda Nobles, of his native State, by whom he had ten children : Noble W., 
Eliza B., Charles P., as above, Mary A., Enos, George W., Henry, John W., who 
died in infancy, Jeannette, and Caroline. He died in 1847, and his wife March 1, 
1889. Mrs. Frisbie's father, Roswell Sage, was born in Massachusetts, September 6, 
1789, and was educated there. He was a carpenter and afterwards a farmer. Sep- 
tember 12, 1810, he married Mercy Enos, by whom he had five children: Caroline E., 
Chauncey S. , Emily F., Dorliskie, and Sarah A., as above. He served in the war of 

1812, and died April 17, 1879, and his wife October 17, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Frisbie 
are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he was trustee for twelve vears. 
The ancestry of the family is Scotch and English. 

Weaver, Frederick G., was born in Deerfield August 7, 1843, son of George F. and 
Margaret A. Weaver, natives of Deerfield. George F. was a successful business 
man as farmer and brick manufacturer. He was a Republican in politics and was 
supervisor for a number of years ; was elected sheriff of the county in 1867. He died 
in 1889 and Mrs. Weaver died in 1888. Frederick G. Weaver was reared on a farm 
and was educated at Utica schools and Fairfield Seminary. He commenced his busi- 
ness career with his father in the manufacture of brick, in which business he is still 
engaged, being in partnership with his brother, Charles C. Weaver. They do an 
extensive business, and in 1893 turned out seven million brick. Mr. Weaver is also 
engaged in farming. In 1873 he married Sarah J. Budlong of Schuyler, Herkimer 
county, by whom he has seven children. He is a Republican in politics ; has been 
supervisor of Deerfield three terms and was elected sheriff of the county in 1876, and 
was the Republican nominee for the office of senator in 1895. He is a member of 
Lodge No. 54, F. & A. M. He is president of the Deerfield and Utica R. R. Co. 
since its incorporation in 1889, and a director of the First National Bank of Utica, 
N. Y. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 89 

Broadbent, Frank, was born in Manlius, Onondaga county, N. Y., May 28, 1855, 
son of Giles Leon Broadbent, a native of England, who came to America when about 
nineteen years of age. He was a machinist by trade and was engaged in different 
woolen mills in this State for many years. • His wife, Mary Haynes, was born in the 
town of Western, N. Y., daughter of Solomon and Amanda Haynes. They had but 
one child, Frank. Mr. Broadbent died in 1863, from injuries he received while 
alighting from the cars. His wife survives him. Frank Broadbent first engaged in 
farm work, and when seventeen years of age learned the trade of cheesemaker, in 
which he has been engaged in various factories throughout the county. He was 
cheesemaker for the Steuben Association in the town of Steuben for eight years. 
During the years 1892-3 he owned a half interest in the Willow Grove cheese factory 
in the town of Trenton. For a time he owned a factory on Floyd Hill in the town of 
Floyd, and in 1893 he purchased his present farm of 203 acres, on which be conducts 
a dairy of thirty cows, and having a factory in addition to this on his farm, he also 
manufactures cheese. In 1876 he married Estella E., daughter of Hiram G. and 
Mary E. (Dustin) Bullock, who was born in the town of Western. They have six 
children: Leon G., Robert A., Homer F., Frank A., Lester F. and Erwin J. Mr. 
Broadbent is a member of the F. & A. M. 

Spencer, Lyman C, second son of James D. Spencer, was born in West Monroe, 
Oswego county, N. Y., March 17, 1841, and came with his parents to Sylvan Beach 
when he was two years old. His education was received in the public schools, and 
his early life was spent on his father's farm. He erected the first hotel on Wood 
Creek outlet on Oneida Lake, on the Vienna side of the creek (it is now known as 
the Forest Home), which he conducted seventeen years, but it is now conducted by 
his son-in-law, Frederick B. Randall, of Oneida, Madison county. The Spencer 
family have done much towards the growth and prosperity of Sylvan Beach. Sep- 
tember 2, 1865, Mr. Spencer married Marian Keohane, who was born in England, by 
whom he had four children: Alice E., Lillian F., L. May, and L. Ernst. Alice E. 
married Frederick B. Randall, of Oneida, N.Y. , and they have four children : Lyman 
F., Harriet M., Spencer B., and Marian A. Mrs. Spencer's father, James Keohane, 
was born in England. He married Marian Scammel, of London, England, by whom 
he had nine children: P. Henry, Marian E., Peter, Nellie, Catherine, Anna C, 
Eliza, John D., and Theresa. Mr. Koehane died September 2, 1867. Mr. Spencer 
is a member of Sylvan Beach Lodge, No. 326, I. O. O. F., of which he has been 
treasurer four years. 

Spencer, Reuben J. . oldest son of James D. Spencer, was born in West Monroe, 
Oswego county, N.Y., August 27, 1838. and came to this town with his parents when 
about four years of age. He was educated in the public schools, and is a real estate 
dealer, and assists his father in superintending and developing the same at Sylvan 
Beach and vicinity. April 27, 1864, he married Amy Maxfield, of this locality, by 
whom he had one son, James D., who died in infancy. Mrs. Spencer died in 1883, 
a'ld November 5, 1890, he married for his second wife Inez E. Poppleton, of this 
town, by whom he had one daughter, Ada M., born April 10, 1892. Mr. Spencer is a 
member of Sylvan Beach Lodge No. 326, I. O. O. F., and has also been president of 
the village since it was incorporated in 1887. Mrs. Spencer's father, James Popple- 
ton, was born in this town in 1822. He was educated in the district schools, and was 



00 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a farmer by occupation and later a grocery merchant. He married Mary Kelly, of 
this town, by whom he had three children: Ada E., Inez E., and John F. Mr. Pop- 
pleton died in 1856, and Mrs. Poppleton married Newton Poppleton, and they had 
two children: Mary E., and Matilda. Mrs. Poppleton died in 1890. 

Sawtelle, Washington Sewall, was born in Sidney, Me., August 3, 1827, son of 
Major Amaziah and Malinda (Black) Sawtelle, who had eight children : Washington 
S. married Caroline Amelia, daughter of William T. and Mary (Wright) Fowler, by 
whom he had six children: Chester W., Vergie, Clarence, Marion, and Mary and 
Charles A. (deceased). Washington S. attended school at West Point and at seven- 
teen years of age enlisted in the Mexican war, 5th Regiment, Company D, and served 
one year and five months. He was taken prisoner at Vera Cruz and was confined 
for five months at Cordoba and Orizaba, when he escaped and joined his regiment. 
He was one of the fourteen who made the ascent of Mt. Popocatepetl. He first came 
to Utica in 1850, and in 1856 he published the Mohawk Valley Register at Fort Plain. 
By profession he is an artist and painter. He is an extensive traveler, having trav- 
eled over the United States, Canada, Mexico and Cuba. He made an overlaud trip 
to California before there was a railroad to the western country. He is now living a 
retired life. 

Shoewalter, Joseph H., was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., February 15, 1846, 
and was educated in the district schools and Oneida Seminary. He has followed 
the canal thirty-one years in all, twenty-five years as boat owner, being known as 
C aptain Shoewalter, but is now living a retired life. December 29, 1868, he married 
Ella A. Shattuck, of this town. Mrs.. Shoewalter died July 8, 1882, and January 2, 
1889, he married for his second wife, Ida E. Dunn, of this town. His father, Henrv 
Shoewalter, was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 11, 1811, and came to the United 
States with his sister in 1839. finally locating in the town of Verona, where he was a 
tailor and afterward a farmer by occupation. He mai-ried Mary Poplet, of this town, 
by whom he had one son, Joseph H., as above. Mr. Shoewalter died January 5, 
1883, and his wife May 18, 1851. Mrs. Shoewalter's father, Dennis B. Dunn, was 
born in Kings County, Ireland, in 1837, and came to the United States with his 
grandfather in 1844, and was educated in the district schools of Verona. He 
married Mary Hyland, of this town, by whom he had thirteen children: Francis A., 
Ida E., as above, Udella, Rose A., Catherine, Dennis P., Marsella C, Sarah A., 
Theresa, Jennie E., William J., Lucy M., and Anna S. 

Calder, Hon. Frederick Manwell, elected surrogate of Oneida county in 1894, was 
born in the village of New York Mills, Oneida county, N. Y. , March 20, 1861, son of 
John and Margaret (Huton) Calder. He was educated in the public schools and 
was graduated from Whitestown Seminary in 1878 and from Hamilton College in the 
class of 1882. He studied law with P. C. J. De Angelis, at Utica, N. Y, also with 
the firm of Miller & Fincke, of that city, and was admitted a member of the bar in 
June, 1884, after which he was managing clerk for Miller & Fincke for three years, 
when he opened an office on his own account in the Mann building in the city of 
Utica, and won for himself in a short period an extensive and valuable clientage. 
Judge Calder was chairman of the Republican County Committee in 1891-92, and in 
1892-93 was corporation counsel of the city of L T tica. June, 17 1891, he married 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 91 

Elizabeth N. Holbrook, of Utica, by whom he had one son, Frederick Holbrook Cal- 
der. Judge Calder is an Odd Fellow and Mason, and a member of the Fort Schuy- 
ler, Arcanum, and Masonic Clubs. 

Coleman, George, was born in Ava, N.Y., November 25, 1834, son of Phineas and 
Bersheba Coleman. Phineas Coleman was a native of Rome, N. Y., and Mrs. Cole- 
man a native of Hoosac, Conn. Mr. Coleman was an early settler in Ava, where he 
died in 1876, and Mrs. Coleman in 1863. The father of Phineas was a farmer at 
Lockport, and a pioneer of Rome. George Coleman has spent most of his time at 
the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1852 he married Catherine Handly, daughter 
of Patrick Handly, by whom he had five children : Maria, John, Will, Frank, and 
Mary, who died in infancy. Mrs. Coleman died in January, 1891. In 1867 Mr. Cole- 
man bought a farm in Ava, which is conducted by his son Frank, who, in 1887, mar- 
ried Cora, daughter of Patrick and Margaret Nolan, natives of Ireland, who came 
to America in 1845, and settled at Little Falls, where Mrs. Nolan died in 1868. Mr. 
Nolan is a carriage manufacturer at Brockville, Ontario, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. 
Frank Coleman have had four children : Charles W. , who died at the age of seven 
years, Frederick P., George F. and Emerson S. 

Dorrance, Daniel G.. jr. (third son of Hon. Daniel G. Dorrance of Oneida Castle, 
N. Y.), was born in the town of Florence, Oneida county, N. Y., February 28, 1850. 
In 1859 he removed with his father's family to Oneida Castle in the town of Vernon. 
He was educated in the schools of Oneida Castle and the Oneida Seminary and was 
graduated from Hamilton College in the class of 1872. After leaving college he set- 
tled in Camden and engaged in the mercantile business; but since 1885 has been in 
the employ of his father at Oneida Castle as confidential clerk, although retaining 
his residence in Camden. In 1876 Mr. Dorrance married Ellen, daughter of the late 
John Lambie, a prominent farmer of Camden. Their children are Ella M., Bessie 
L., James G. , and Harold S. Mr. Dorrance is prominently connected with the offices 
of the village and town, being a justice of the peace and a member of the Board of 
Education and is also one of the stockholders in the First National Bank of Camden, 
N. Y. 

Keller, Hugo, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 26, 1845. He came to 
the United States in 1862, first locating in New York. His purpose in leaving his 
native land was to enlist in the Union army, and early in 1863 he enlisted in the 16th 
Cavalry, N. Y. State Vols. , under Col. Armstrong in the Shenandoah valley, and 
served until October 1, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. After the war he 
was engaged as a clerk in a grocery store for one year, then learned the baker's 
trade, which he followed four years. In 1870 he located in Durhamville, Oneida 
county, N. Y., and first served as a grocery clerk, but in 1874 began business on his 
own account as a general storekeeper, and was also in the milling business. He 
married Julia Schotthamer, formerly of his native place, by whom he had six chil- 
dren: Frank, Herman, who has purchased the mill from his father and is conduct- 
ing the same, Adelaide, Hugo, jr., Julia, and Sophia. Mr. Keller has filled the office 
of trustee of the village. He is a member of Oneida Lodge, No 270, F. & A- M., of 
Oneida, N. Y. He is also a member of John R. Stuart Post, No. 176, G. A. R. De- 
partment of N. Y. 



92 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Macomber, Jay, was born in Western, March 25, 1848, son of Theophilus W. and 
Sa ah A. (Bugbee) Macomber, both natives of Oneida county. His paternal grand- 
father, Abner Macomber, formerly of Dutchess county, N. Y. , was among the pio- 
neers of "Western, settling on Quaker Hill, where he cleared and improved a farm. 
In later life he removed to Tug Hill, Lewis county, where he died. Theophilus Ma- 
comber, father of Jay, was born in Western, August IS, 1815. He is a cooper by 
trade, and has also worked as a sawyer and carpenter, but has -lived a retired life 
since 1890. His children were Calista(Mrs. Martin Van Buskirk), Nelson, Jay, Dick, 
and Sarah C. (Mrs. Horace Gillett). Jay Macomber was reared in Western, where, 
with the exception of ten years that he spent in Lee, he has always resided. For 
nineteen years he was engaged in cheesemaking, was manager of factories in Lee, 
Western, and Steuben, and since 1893 has been engaged in farming. In 1880 he 
married Elma, daughter of Jerome V. and Clarissa (Keech) Cue, of Western, by 
whom he has two children: Fred J. and Clara B. Mr. Macomber is a member of 
Baron Steuben Lodge, F. &A. M., No. 264, Fort Stanwix Chapter, No. 153, R. 
A. M., Lee Center Council, No. 1225, R. A. In politics he is a Democrat. 

Ferris, Timothy Harvey, one of the most energetic of the younger members of 
the bar of the city of LTtica, was born in the town of Russia, Herkimer county, N. 
Y., September 4, 1871, son of Charles S. and Gertrude (Terry) Ferris. He was edu- 
cated at the district school in Russia and at Prospect village school, but at the age of 
fourteen he was compelled to give up his studies on account of ill health, and worked 
on his father's farm for a time. During the winer of 1888-89 he took a course in 
banking and bookkeeping at the Utica Business College. He taught the district 
school at Russia for two terms in 1889. In January, 1890, he commenced the study 
law in the office of Charles G. Irish, where he remained for a year and a half, during 
a portion of which time he acted as assistant secretary of the Merchants' & Manufac- 
turers' Exchange. He afterward pursued his legal studies with Dunmore & Sholes, 
and was admitted as an attorney and counselor in February, 1893. The following 
March Mr. Ferris was taken in as partner, and the firm became Dunmore, Sholes & 
Ferris. September 1, 1895, he organized the N. E. White Company, of Utica, N. Y., 
wholesale grocers, feed, grain, and produce dealers, with a capital stock of 825,000, 
and was made its president which position he still occupies. His father having died 
he also manages the home farm at Russia. Mr. Ferris takes a keen interest in 
politics, and was a member of the Democratic County Committee of 1894. In 1895 
he ran for State Senator in the Utica district as an Independent Democrat. He is 
unmarried. 

Cunningham, John Howard, editor-in-chief of the LTtica Herald, wields a facile 
pen. His leaders are always dignified in tone; the language is forcefully used, and 
the point aimed at is sharply defined. Under his management the Herald remains 
as before the leading organ of the Republican party in Central New York. Mr. 
Cunningham was born in Ithaca, Tompkms county, N. Y., November 29, 1843. 
His parents, American born, were of Scotch descent. Mr. Cunningham was educated 
at Ithaca Academy and Hamilton College. From the latter he was graduated in the 
class of 1866. After leaving college he taught, as vice-principal, in the Waverly In- 
stitute, at Waverly, N. Y., and afterward was principal of Chester Academy at 
Chester, Orange county, N. Y. In 1868 he joined the editorial staff of the Herald, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 93 

as news editor, and has remained on that paper since, excepting the years 1871-72. 
He became its chief editor when, in 1891, the paper was transferred to The Utica 
Herald Publishing Company. May 27, 1869, Mr. Cunningham married Annie, 
daughter of Edward German (deceased), of Utica, by whom he had two children: 
Carl German, and Frederick Haines. Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Fort 
Schuyler and the Arcanum social clubs, of Utica. He has been a member of the 
Masonic fraternity since 1865. 

Constable, James, the architect, is a son of the late John Constable and was born 
at Constableville, Lewis county, N. Y. He was educated in a military school in 
Connecticut and also three years in Europe; he studied civil engineering at Cam- 
bridge, Mass. In 1868 he became assistant engineer in building the Newark (N. J.) 
aqueduct, and later was assistant engineer on the construction of the Orbisonia Iron 
Works at Orbisonia, Pa., and afterward he was engaged in engineering in the South 
and West. He was afterward assistant superintendent of the Glendon (Pa.) Iron 
Works for nearly eight years, during which period he devoted himself almost wholly 
to the building and construction of extensive works and the construction of many 
buildings. About 1888 he removed to Utica, N. Y. , and has since devoted himself 
exclusively to architecture. Some of the buildings designed by him and constructed 
under his supervision in Utica are the Second National Bank, the Church of the Holy 
Cross, T. R. Proctor's stables and the remodeling of the Butterfield House. 

Baker, Thomas F. — The Utica Saturday Globe is one of the phenomenal journal- 
istic enterprises of the country. It was founded in May, 1881, by the business as- 
sociation of the brothers, William T. and Thomas F. Baker. Its success pecuniarily 
and its growth in circulation as well have been so remarkable as to approach the 
marvelous. Copies of the paper are weekly sold on the Pacific slope, as far south as 
Florida, and in Northern Ontario. It is a true monument to the spirit, sagacity and 
force of the men who founded it and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Thomas F. 
Baker was born in Hartford, Conn., April 5, 1847. In 1850 his parents removed with 
with their family to Utica. There, when old enough to go to school, Thomas at- 
tended the Assumption Academy. While yet a lad he worked for a few months in 
the Washington Mills factory, and began his newspaper career by selling The Utica 
Observer on the streets. At, the age of sixteen he entered the composing room of 
the Observer, as an apprentice, and in 1867 he was admitted to the rank of journey- 
man printer. But young Baker was ambitious and anxious to branch out for him- 
self, and in October, 1870, he, with others, established the Utica Daily Bee. It was 
a brave struggle upward for a time, but the hill was steep and the way rough. The 
paper was transferred to other parties in 1872, and soon disappeared from the field. 
Mr. Baker went back to his case, this time in the composing room of the Utica Her- 
ald, and in 1877, in partnership with Dennis T. Kelly, he started the Utica Sunday 
Tribune, which soon secured and retained a place among the papers of that city. 
In 1879 he retired to make way for Patrick E. Kelly. In that year he formed the 
business association with his brother, William T., and founded the Sunday Tribune 
at Binghamton, N. Y., which they continued for two years, when they returned to 
Utica and started the Globe. The first issue of the latter paper was published May 
21, 1881, from the third story of the Thomas Block, later the Lux building. Illus- 
trations have from the first been one of the features of the paper, the first number 



94 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

containing a rather rude wood-cut of Horatio Seymour. Of that issue only 2,000 
copies were struck off and only 700 were sold. The supply of advertising was very 
meagre, but its publishers, like brave mariners, clung close to the course they had 
marked out before they launched their craft, and finally found the track to summer 
seas. In 1882 the Globe had removed its quarters to the Kinney Block, on the west 
side of Charlotte street, and in 1886 it was removed to its present well equipped and 
imposing edifice on Whitesboro street. 

Beardsley, Hon. Samuel A., comes of a race of long lived and vigorous minded 
men. His father, Arthur M. Beardsley, has been in active practice as a lawyer for 
more than fifty years. His grandfather, Samuel Beardsley, for whom he was named, 
was one of the prominent statesmen and jurists of his time. He was appointed 
United States district attorney for the northern district of New York by President 
Andrew Jackson in 1823, an office he held to 1830, when he was elected member of 
congress from the Utica district, re-elected in 1832 and 1834, and again in 1842. 
He was also attorney-general of the State of New York, associate judge and chief 
justice of the Supreme Court of the State. In 1834 Governor Marcy tendered Mr. 
Beardsley an appointment to the bench of the Supreme Court. President Jack- 
son, in the presence of his cabinet, requested the congressman to decline the 
proffered place on account of the valuable services he could render the country and 
his party in Congress, and Mr. Beardsley yielded to the president's importunities. 
Samuel A. Beardsley was born in the city of Utica, N. Y. , December 1, 1856, and 
was educated in the Utica public schools and Williston Seminary at East Hampton, 
Mass. He studied law in his father's office, the firm being Beardsley, Cookingham 
& Burdick, and was admitted to the bar in 1879, at which time he became a member 
of this firm. In 1884 this partnership was dissolved, and father and son united 
forces under the firm title of Beardsley & Beardsley. Mr. Beardsley was elected 
special city judge of Utica in 1886, and city judge in 1888, which he resigned four 
years later to accept the appointment of State railroad commissioner which was ten- 
dered him by Governor Flower. Mr. Beardsley was chairman of the Democratic 
County Committee in 1886-87-88, and was also State committeeman from his con- 
gressional district and secretary of the Democratic State Committee from 1889 to 
1893. Mr. Beardsley married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Hopper, of Utica, by 
whom he had three children. He is a Mason. 

Richards, Edward, was born in Deerfield, N. Y., April 2, 1836, son of Richard D. 
and Mary (Jones) Richards, natives of Wales. David Richards came from Wales to 
Deerfield about 1820, where he engaged in farming, and here lived and died. 
About one year later Richard D. Richards came to Deerfield and built a saw mill 
in partnership with a John Davis; they continued in partnership until said Davis's 
death which was caused by the falling of a tree which struck him. Then Richard 
D. Richards rebuilt the mill and continued in the business till his death. He was 
a Whig, and was for several years assessor of the town. He died in 1854 and his 
wife in 1888. Edward Richards was reared on the farm, and has always been en- 
gaged in farming, excepting three years at the carpenter trade. He has a farm of 
128 acres, and keeps about seventeen cows. In 1892 he married Elizabeth, daughter 
of Even and Ann (Roberts) Jones, natives of Wales. Mrs. Jones's father, Even 
Roberts, was about the first settler at Turin, Lewis county. He first bought land at 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 95 

Whitesboro, whence he removed to Turin, and engaged in farming, milling and 
mercantile business, being an active, energetic man. Mr. Jones's father, Jacob 
Jones, died in Wales. Mr. Jones was a miller at Turin, but spent his last days in 
Pennsylvania. 

Roser, Charles, was born in Lewis, Lewis county, N.Y., July 10, 1861. His father, 
Henry Roser, was a native of Germany and came to America in 1849, settling in 
Ava, where he engaged in farming. He married Catherine Schwaub, who came to 
America in 1852, daughter of George and Louise Schwaub, who lived and died in 
Germany. Charles Roser was educated at West Leyden, and has since followed 
farming, now owning a farm of 125 acres, on which he keeps about twenty-five cows. 
In 1885 he married Amelia, daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Ruby) Gerwig, of 
New London, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Roser have two children: 
Winifred, born September 12, 1886; and Emerson, born September 2, 1890. 

Morgan, William A., was born in Connecticut May 16, 1824, son of Israel F. and 
Lucy (Stoddard) Morgan, who settled in Trenton about 1828. Their children were 
Clarissa S. , Austin A., Israel F. , Lucy A., William A., and Jane Elizabeth. Colonel 
Morgan, as he was usually called, was born December 11, 1792, and in his early life 
was engaged in farming. Living in Connecticut at the time of the war between 
England and the United States in 1812, and belonging to a military organization, he 
was called out to prevent the landing of British troops at New London. In 1840 he 
purchased the grist and saw mills, store and farm at Trenton Falls of Gardener 
Sherman, which he managed in company with his oldest and youngest sons until his 
death October 14, 1842. He was at one time supervisor of the town of Trenton and 
took an active part in the organization of the Trenton Falls school district. His sec- 
ond son, Col. Israel F. , jr., remained on the farm in South Trenton where he first 
settled until his death, October 30, 1861. His granddaughter, Mrs. L. G. Wanful still 
lives on the same farm. William E. married S. Marie, daughter of Col. Timothy H. 
Ferris, of Herkimer county, N. Y. , by whom he had six children : William C. , Harvey 
Ferris, Elizabeth B., Bela Brewster, Israel F. (deceased), and Austin A. (deceased). 
Mr. Morgan was one of the builders of the present school house at Trenton Falls, 
also with the help of his sons, young boys at the time, built the dam across the West 
Canada Creek, which has stood the annual freshets for which that stream is noted' 
for more than twenty years and furnished power to operate the mills. It is in the 
management of these mills since the death of his father and brother that he is best 
known. Mr. Morgan arrived at manhood at the period when all young men were re- 
quired by law to do military duty, and was commissioned first by Gov. William L. 
Marcy as paymaster, then adjutant, and by Gov. Silas Wright as major, all of which 
he still has in his possession. 

Wilmarth, Mrs. Margaret. — The late Isaac Wilmarth was born in Deerfield, 
August 2, 1830, son of Scott M. and Marcy Wilmarth. Scott M. Wilmarth was born 
on the farm now owned by Mrs. Margaret Wilmarth, September 22, 1793, and died 
April 14, 1879. Mrs. Marcy Wilmarth died February 10, 1857. The grandparents, 
Isaac and Rhoda (Mason) Wilmarth, were natives of Rhode Island, born January 10, 
1768, and April 10, 1772, respectively; and they came from Rhode Island and settled 
on the farm now owned by Mrs. Wilmarth in 1792. The father of Mrs. Rhoda Wil- 



96 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

marth, Philip Mason, was a native of England and came to America. Isaac Wilmarth, 
only brother of Scott M., was a graduate of Hamilton College, and was the first Bap- 
tist missionary from the United States to France. Isaac Wilmarth, our subject, was 
a graduate of Whitestown Seminary. He engaged in farming, market gardening, 
and also beekeeping, making a specialty of the latter. He was justice for eighteen 
years. September 23, 1852, he married Margaret, daughter of Roland and Margaret 
Davis, a pioneer of 1817, by whom he had five children : Josephine, wife of Rev. E. D. 
Mason, a Baptist minister of Cottage City, Mass. ; Roland S., who died at one year of 
age ; Robert, a physician in South America ; Isaac Judson, living at home ; and Evan- 
geline, wife of Alfred Coram, of Utica. Since Mr. Wilmarth's death, his wife has 
conducted the farm of about 120 acres. 

Hayes, Charles R., was born in West Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., in 1868, son of 
Matthew Hayes, a native of Germany, born in 1821. Matthew Hayes was a shoe- 
maker and came to America in 1841, going directly to Lewis county, where he pur- 
sued his trade for twenty years. He then engaged in farming, where he now re- 
sides. He has served as justice of the peace for twenty years. He married Cather- 
ine Haller, a native of Germany, and their children were Henry, who was drowned 
in Woodhull in 1893 ; William, and Charles R. Mrs. Hayes died in 1886. At the 
age of fourteen years, Charles R. began to learn the millwright's trade and has suc- 
cessfully followed it up to the present time. In October, 1892, he came to Forestport 
and engaged as manager of the Woodhull Lumber Company, but in 1894 he went 
into business for himself and erected a turning and planing mill and engaged in the 
lumber business. In 1890 Mr. Hayes married Caroline, daughter of Michael and 
Adeline (Croup) Miller, of Leyden, Lewis county, N. Y., by whom he has one child, 
Harry. 

Snow, Arch. B., was born in Boonville, January 30, 1841. His father, S. E. Snow, 
was also born here January 1, 1809, and is to-day the oldest inhabitant of local birth. 
Mr. Snow's paternal ancestors were from Massachusetts, and he was an active par- 
ticipant in not less than twenty battles in the Civil war. He first enlisted in 1861, in 
Co. I, 97th Regt, was soon promoted to corporal, then to first sergeant, then to lieu- 
tenant, and in 1865 received commission as captain. He was disabled by a shot in 
the face at Gettysburg, and was captured while acting as aid-de-camp at Weldon 
Railroad in 1864, remaining a prisoner of war at Libby, Salisbury, and Danville 
prisons for six months. Mr. Snow is now a dealer in boots and shoes at Boonville, 
and in 1881 he married Jennie Muller, by whom he has two children : Archibald and 
Martha. He was the charter commander of Wheelock Post, No 97, G. A. R. , and 
is of high rank and degree in the Masonic fraternity. He has had a varied experience 
beyond the lot of most men of his age. We quote the following from a short bio- 
graphical sketch in the Grand Army Journal: "For many years, under the stage 
name of A. A. Armstrong, he acted in the best theatres of the United States, Canada, 
and the British West Indies, and as a dialect actor, personator of quaint character 
parts, and high class vocalist, obtained an enviable reputation." During the past 
three years he has taken a prominent place among monologue entertainers, and as a 
humorist, sensational reciter, and descriptive vocalist, ranks with the best. His fun 
is infectious, and the moral tone of his entertainments is high and pure. His "Ran- 
dom Recollections of the Field and Camp fire," in Grand Army entertainments have 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 97 

been a great success, and of late there has been a growing demand for his services 
at church society entertainments. He also contributes much valuable historical 
material to the local press, and an occasional war-story from his pen finds ready sale. 

Fitzgerald, Edward, was born in St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, N. Y., in 
June, 1839. His parents were born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 
1830 and first settled in Albany, whence they came to Utica, and in 1840 to the town 
of Florence. Mr. Fitzgerald was a farmer by occupation and cleared a farm of about 
one hundred acres, where he resided until his death. Edward Fitzgerald is one of 
five children. He acquired a good education and taught school in the town of Flor- 
ence for several years and is a farmer by occupation, now owning a farm of ninety 
acres. He married Hannah, daughter of David Barry of Seneca county, N. Y., and 
to them have been born ten children: Ella, Maud J., Lulu E., Katie B., Mary A., 
Margaret T., Agnes L., Grace B., Evangeline, and Edward, jr. Politically Mr. 
Fitzgerald is a Democrat, and in 1871 was elected supervisor of the town, which 
office he held for nine years, was collector for two years, and has held the office of 
justice since 1891, and was re-elected justice March, 1896, for the term of four years; 
he has also held the office of inspector of election for several years. He has held 
some town office every year since he became a voter. 

Cruikshank, James M., was born in the town of Deerfield, N. Y., November 29, 
1840, being the eldest son of James and Malintha (Reed) Cruikshank. His father, 
James, sr., was of Scotch-Irish descent, and in 1807, when seven years of age, emi- 
grated from Ireland with the family, and came to the town of Deerfield where the 
family located and purchased a farm of seventy-five acres. In 1837 James, sr., was 
married to Malintha Reed, a native of Deerfield. He purchased his father's farm 
and engaged in farming, and subsequently increased his farm to 250 acres on which 
he resided until his death April 24, 1877. His wife died March 16, 1884. On March 
31, 1863, James M. was married to Mary A., daughter of David and Elizabeth Evans, 
natives of Wales, who came to America and located in Deerfield, where she was 
born May 8, 1841. Afterward they removed to Newport, Herkimer county, where he 
purchased a farm, on which they resided until their death. He in February, 1879, 
aged seventy-eight years. His wife September 18, 1890, aged eighty-seven years. 
In 1863 James M. settled on the farm where he now resides. They have four chil- 
dren: Fred J., born May 19, 1864, and was married to Cora E., only daughter of 
William and Eliza Kane of Newport, N. Y., March 10, 1886, and is at present en- 
gaged in farming at Newport, N. Y. ; Edgar C, born October 9, 1865, was married 
to May, only daughter of Dr. Seavy of Poland, N. Y., September 17, 1890. He has 
been in the mercantile business for ten years and is now general agent for " The 
Poland Union," at Poland, N. Y. ; Millard S., born August 1, 1867, graduate of 
Fairfield Academy, and for seventeen terms has been a teacher in the schools of the 
county, and is at present in possession of the same farm bought by his grand- 
father's father ninety years ago; Avis E., born October 10, 1870, wife of Benjamin 
L. Ford, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Newport, N. Y. In politics 
Mr. Cruikshank is a Republican. He has occupied various positions of public trust 
in his town. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cruikshank have been for many years members of 
the Presbyterian church of North Gage, 



98 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Flint, James H., was born in Ava, December 6, 1857, son of Peter A., who was 
born in Montgomery county, N. Y. , January 8, 1820, and Catherine (Walradt) Flint, 
a native of Otsego county. His grandparents, John R. and Lana (Yerdon) Flint, 
were both natives of Montgomery county ; and his great-grandparents, Robert C. 
and Mary (Bartlett) Flint, were pioneers of Montgomery county, and they spent their 
last days on the Flint homestead in Ava. John R. came to Ava in 1841 and bought 
a farm of 370 acres, and he died in March, 1891, at the age of ninety-four, and his 
wife died in 1885, at the age of eighty-five. Peter A. Flint was reared on the farm 
and has made farming his principal occupation ; but having united with the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church in 1851, he was given license to preach in that church, has 
been local minister since. He sold his farm of 180 acres to his son in 1895 and has 
retired. He has been supervisor for several years, and assessor for nine years. In 
1882 James Flint married Amelia E. Pohl, by whom he has one son, Clarence, who 
was born September 25, 1883. Mr. Flint commenced farming in Lewis county, and 
in 1887 he rented the farm of 213 acres of Sarah A. Wood, in Ava, and has a dairy 
of thirty to thirty-five cows. He also has the homestead farm of 182 acres, where 
he keeps twenty-two cows. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been excise com- 
missioner, and is now assessor. 

O'Mara, Daniel, was born in the town of Florence, November 3, 1855, son of Pat- 
rick O'Mara, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1851, and 
settled in Florence, where he has worked at his trade, as blacksmith. He married 
Mary Horrigan, who was born in New York State, and they have been the parents 
of eight children: Daniel, William, deceased, John, Michael, Joseph, George, Mary, 
and Kate. He is engaged in the undertaking business in the village of Florence, 
and is also one of the leading merchants of the town, carrying a full line of gro- 
ceries, crockery ware, etc. In politics Mr. O'Mara is a Democrat and in 1881 was 
elected supervisor of the town, which office he held for three terms, was appointed 
postmaster in 1884, and served through Cleveland's first administration. At the 
present time he is justice of the peace, having held that office since 1886. He was 
instrumental in getting the telephone system in the town and village of Florence. 
He married Ella, daughter of Richard Willis, who was among the first settlers of 
the town, and their children are John R. and Mollie. 

White, Charles M., was born on the farm whore he now resides, November 25, 
1817, son of Aaron and Rhoda (Bagg) White. Aaron White settled in the town of 
Marcy about 1810, and was followed by his father, Samuel, from Middletown, Conn. 
Samuel's children were Aaron, Nancy Gitteau, Elizabeth Perry, Sophia, Walter, and 
Laurie Buck. Aaron White had two children . Charles M. and Martha White Fuller. 
Aaron White followed farming and at one time was the largest distiller of pepper- 
mint in the United States. He was colonel of the N. Y. State Militia, and was su- 
pervisor of his town for several years. His (C. M. White's) grandfather was in the 
Revolutionary war, also his great-grandfather. 

Wood, Mrs. Permelia I., is the widow of Horace Wood, who died in Deerfield, in 
1868, son of Calvin and Sarah Wood of West Schuyler, Herkimer county. Mrs. 
Wood is the daughter of Franklin (a native of Massachusetts) and Phoebe (Brown) 
Whitney, a native of Connecticut. Her grandfather was a pioneer of Herkimer 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 99 

county, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Franklin Whitney came to 
Deerfield in pioneer days, where he cleared a home. He kept a tavern on the farm 
now owned by Mrs. Wood, and also owned a large tract of land and was engaged in 
farming. Mr. and Mrs. Wood had four children : Julia, who died June 9, 1895; 
Murray, a butcher at Schuyler, N. Y. ; Horace, a farmer of White Hall, 111. ; and 
Charles, who conducts the home farm, and has a dairy of twenty cows. Franklin 
Whitney was a captain in the war of 1812, and died in 1845. 

Lloyd, David R., son of Richard and Winifred Lloyd, was born in Wales in 1834. 
He was one of six children: Evan, John, Mary, William, Catherine, and David R. 
In 1854 he settled in Utica. There he married Sidna, daughter of Lewis Owen, by 
whom he has had eight children : Winifred (deceased, wife of William D. Edwards) ; 
Mary, wife of John P. Jones; Harriet, John Lemuel, William, David R., jr., and 
Evan H. After leaving Utica, where he resided for some time, he became engaged 
in farming. He now resides on what is known as the Fox farm, two miles from 
Holland Patent. Mr. Lloyd is a deacon in the Bethany Presbyterian church, of 
which he has been trustee. Evan H. is employed by the N. Y. C. R. R. as sten- 
ographer and typewriter at Utica. David R. , jr., was graduated from the State 
Normal School at Oneonta and is teaching at Forestport, N. Y. William, after tak- 
ing a course in music, is engaged in giving vocal lessons. 

Thomas, Evan T., was born in the town of Steuben, Oneida county, N. Y. , August 
25, 1833, son of Thomas J. and Ann (Jones) Thomas. Mrs. Thomas was a daughter 
of John F. and Mary Jones, who settled in Trenton about 1800. John F. Jones was 
a private in the war of 1812. Thomas J. Thomas settled in Trenton about 1825, and 
in 1828 he married and moved to Steuben. They had three children: Capt. John T. , 
who enlisted in Co. F, 117th Regt., N. Y. Vols., and was killed January 15, 1865, at 
Fort Fisher, N. C. ; Evan T. , and Maria (deceased). Evan T. Thomas married 
Priscilla, daughter of Meredith H. and Jane Meredith by whom he had four chil- 
dren: Anna, John, Clarence D. , and Jennie (deceased). His wife died in 1874. He 
was married December 22, 1875, to Ann, daughter of John O. and Jeanette Roberts, 
of Remsen. In 1857 Mr. Thomas engaged in the limestone and quarry business 
near Remsen, and in 1869 he removed to Prospect, where he has since been engaged 
in the same business. He has always been interested in educational and church 
work. 

Wilson, Benjamin F., was born in the town of Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y., 
November 11, 1819. He was educated in the common schools and has always been 
a farmer. He came with his brother George to the town of Westmoreland in 1841, 
and March 7, 1849, he married Susan F. Brewster, of the town of Verona, by whom 
he had eight children: Emma J., George B., Alice C, James H., Frank B., Herbert 
E. , Julia C, and Seymour E. Emma J. married William H. Soper, and they have 
two children : Alice L. and Willard P. George B. married Anna Maycock, and they 
have three children: Minnie, George H. and Henry B. Alice C. married William 
Brewster, and they have two daughters: Maud and Susan. James H. married Lulu 
Palmer, of Verona village, and they have seven children: Benjamin W. , William, 
Dwight, George, Hubert, Nellie, and Irving. Frank B. married Emma Soper. 
Herbert J. married Emma Youngs, and they had two daughters: Susan and Flora. 



100 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

He died January 2, 1891. Julia C. married H. Wylie Adams, and they have two 
children: Henry and Ruth. Seymour E. married Ellen J. Huminston, and they 
have one daughter, Florence V. Mrs Wilson died September 1, 1890. Mr. Wilson's 
father, John Wilson, was born in the town of Thompson, Conn., September 16, 1780 
and was educated in the schools of his day. He married Sarah Wheaton, who was 
born July 12, 1782, in Swansea, Conn. They had twelve children: Lyman, Nancy 
A., Simon W. , Sally, Ruth, Harriet, John, George, Benjamin, who died in infancy, 
Benjamin F., as above, Lanard K. , and Samuel S. Mr. Wilson died December 16, 
1873. Mr. Wilson's grandfather, John Wilson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. 

Perry, Gilbert, was born in Franklin county in 1855, son of Frank Perry, who was 
born in Canada in 1830, son of Martin, who was a laborer. Frank Perry was a 
farmer and woodsman, and came to Franklin county about 1845, where he still re- 
sides. He married Betsey Farmer, by whom he had one child, Gilbert, who at- 
tended the district school and was brought up to lumbering. When sixteen years of 
age he began for himself and when eighteen years of age took his first lumber con- 
tract. From 1878 to 1888 he was employed as foreman under a superintendent in the 
lumber woods, and during 1888 acted as superintendent, putting in a stock of 21,500,- 
000 feet of lumber. In 1889 he was sent to Oneida county and the Adirondacks 
prospecting for timber, the result of which was the purchasing of 93,000 acres of land 
by a syndicate, and the following year he came to Forestport as superintendent of a 
logging crew. He built the first logging camp on Black River and began operations 
with twenty-five men, the next year he entered into contract with the Forestport 
Lumber Company to clear Black River Valley of the lumber timber. In 1894 he 
took another contract of Denton & Waterbury to clear from a large tract of land the 
timber amounting to 400,000,000 feet and to deliver the logs at their mill at Forest- 
port ; these two later contracts he is still operating on. Mr. Perry owns a farm in 
Franklin county and one in Forestport, where he now resides and which he superin- 
tends. He is an active, enterprising business man, and to him is due the opening of 
the Black River country. In 1892 he put in a general store in Forestport and in 1895 
erected a store at North Lake, which he stocked with general merchandise. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1877 he married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Charles Camp, of Franklin county, by whom he has three children: Violet, May and 
Jane. 

Krebs, Albert, was born in Annsville, October 12, 1858, a son of Samuel and 
Rosanna (Yutzler) Krebs, both natives of Switzerland. His father, who was a cabi- 
netmaker and cheesemaker by trade, came to America in the early fifties, and for a 
short time lived in Lee, and then removed to Annsville, where he engaged in farm- 
ing for eight years. He then conducted a Swiss cheese factory at Blossvale about 
three years, and later operated a cheese factory at Lee State Road for two years, 
and since 1869 has been a resident of Lee, on the farm he now occupies, engaged in 
farming and the manufacture of Swiss and Limburger cheese. During the late Civil 
war he was a member of Co. F, 146th N. Y. Vols., and after serving nearly a year 
was honorably discharged on account of disability. Mr. and Mrs. Krebs were the 
parents of seven children, five of whom survive: Samuel, jr., John F. , Albert, Ed- 
ward F. , and Susan K. (Mrs. Jacob Abbuhl). Albert was reared in his native coun- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 101 

try and educated in the common schools and Utica Business College, from which he 
graduated in the spring of 1882. The following year he conducted a Swiss cheese 
factory at Lee State Road, and has since been engaged in the business at home, be- 
ing associated with his father and brother. He married, October 16, 1893, Hattie 
M., daughter of Cornelius J. Western of Boonville. He is a member of F. & A. M., 
Royal Arcanum, S. F. L, and P. of H. In 1888 he was appointed justice of the 
peace to fill a vacancy, and elected the following spring for a full term, and resigned 
in 1889 to accept an appointment of supervisor to fill an unexpired term, and was 
subsequentlv elected to the same office four successive terms, one year being placed 
at the head of the Republican and Democrat tickets. Mr. Krebs is a Democrat. 

Miller, Dr. Frederick Munger, was born in Clinton, N. Y., November 22, 1868, son 
of George L. and Cornelia (Foote) Miller. George L. is a native of Oneida county, 
sou of Phineas C. and Mary E. (Munger) Miller. Phineas C. is a native of Hanover 
Green, son of Isaac Miller, who came from Middleville, Conn, to Hanover Green 
about 1775, being one of the first settlers there. He took up 400 acres of land and 
cleared a home. In 1809 he went to Deansboro, where he died about 1840. Mrs. 
Cornelia (Foote) Miller was a native of Vernon, N. Y. , daughter of Daniel B. and 
Eliza M. (Yale) Foote, who were early settlers of Vernon, where they came from 
Norfolk, Conn. George L. Miller was reared on a farm, and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business in Clinton. He then went on the road as a commercial traveler, 
and settled in Utica in 1881, and in 1891 took up his residence at Deerfield. Dr. 
Frederick Miller was educated at the Clinton Grammar School and LTtica Academy ; 
he was for one year at the University of Maryland, and two years at Long Island 
College Hospital, and he was graduated from the Long Island College Hospital in 
the spring of 1891, after which he commenced his practice at Deerfield; he also has 
an office in Utica. He is health officer of Deerfield and Marcy. He is a member of 
Shenandoah Lodge, I. O. O. F. In 1891 he married Marie A. Tefft, daughter of Dr. 
Charles B. Tefft of Utica, by whom he had two children : Charles Tefft, who died at 
the age of sixteen months, and Frederick M. 

Pratt, Charles A., was born in Verona, N. Y., in 1849. At the age of twelve he 
went to live with his uncle, N. J. Blackman, and attended the district schools. The 
early years of his life were devoted to dairy farming on a large scale and he also did 
a large lumbering business, together with the manufacture of cider and vinegar in 
company with his uncle. Mr. Pratt now owns the Summit View Stock Farm, where 
he makes a specialty of breeding the best strains of trotting horses. Among the 
best ones he has developed are Repetition 2:14J; Bon Homie, 2:17J; Charley 
Green, 2:19^, etc. Mr. Pratt has held the position of highway commissioner for 
six years. May 7, 1874, he married Mary L. Beck, formerly of Herkimer, and they 
have three sons: Jay H., W. Spencer, and Nahum B. Jay H. Pratt is actively en- 
gaged in the horse business with his father. Mr- Pratt's father, William, was born 
in the town of Westmoreland, November 29, 1823. He married twice, first to Sarah 
M. Blackman, by whom he had three children: one died in infancy, Charles A., and 
Herbert W. Mr. William Pratt died January 22, 1891, and his wife died February 
19, 1864. Mrs. Charles A. Pratt's father, Jacob Beck, was born in Germany, in 
March, 1830, and was educated in their schools. He came to the United States when 
eighteen years of age, first locating in Herkimer county. He married Elizabeth 



102 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Brandenstein, a native of Germany, by whom he had seven children: Mary L. , 
William, Caroline, Oliver, Julia, Frances, and Elizabeth. The family came to the 
town of Verona in 1854. The family is of English, Scotch and German descent. 

Potter, Carroll C, was born on the farm where he now resides, September 18, 1832, 
son of William and Angeline (Briggs) Potter, who settled in Marcy about 1824. They 
had eight children: Caroline Mattison, John, Betsey Fox, Carroll C, Roderick, Mary 
Ann Wilcox, Angeline and Henry J. William Potter was a farmer by occupation, 
and held the office of justice and assessor for about thirty years. He was also active 
in educational and church work, and helped to build the first school house in dis- 
trict No. 5, in the town of Marcy in 1832. He also helped to organize the Baptist 
society, and was trustee at the time the church was erected in 1842. Carroll C. 
Potter married Sarah S., daughter of Hiram Getman. Mr. Potter has been justice 
of the peace for twenty years, and was appointed postmaster at Marcy in 1868. 
He was captain in the 41st Regt, 21st Brigade, 6th Division, N. G. S. N. Y. Mr. 
Potter has been connected with the School Board since 1857, and has been an officer 
of the church for twenty-five years, also takes an active part in agricultural societies, 
and is a member of the New York Central Farmers' Club. He is a secretary of the 
State Good Roads Committee, also a member of the County Good Roads Society 
He is a member of Marcy Grange, Utica F. & A. M., Dodge No. 47, and of Oneida 
Chapter of Utica. 

Shaw, Henry W., was born in Sheffield, England, September 25, 1830, son of John 
and Ann (Ashforth) Shaw, natives of England, who came to Albany, N. Y. , in 1831, 
and in 1832 came to Deerfield, where they engaged in farming. His maternal 
grandfather, George Ashforth, was a cabinet maker at Vernon Center ; and 
his paternal grandfather, John Shaw, was overseer of land estate in England, who 
in old age came to America, where he died at the age of ninety-four years. Henry 
W. has been engaged at railroading for ten years ; at the carpenter trade for twenty 
years, and was collector of toll on the Deerfield and Utica road, for three years. 
In 1857 he married Helen Sweet of Schuyler, who died in 1887, leaving one daughr 
ter, Cora A. In 1862 Mr. Shaw enlisted in Co. C, 117th, 4th Oneida Regt. and was 
honorably discharged May 10, 1864, because of disability. He is a charter member 
of Post McQuaid No. 14, G. A. R. 

Ballou, Ellis, was born near Boonville, in 1842, son of Ellis Ballou, also a native of 
that place. His grandfather, Peletiah Ballou, came from Rhode Island. Ellis 
Ballou, jr., was educated at Boonville, after which he engaged in farming, and now 
owns a farm of 170 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, and was highway commis- 
sioner in 1882, and in 1884 was elected assessor. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. In 1875 he married Agnes Sester, of a French family of Boonville, by 
whom he had one daughter, Mary A. 

Brewer, Edward E., was born on the homestead in the town of Verona in 1840. 
He was educated in the common schools and Vernon Academy, and is by occupation 
a farmer. He is also a dealer in hay. In 1863 he married Melia Eigabroadt, of the 
town of Vernon, by whom he had two sons: James E. and Charles E. James E. is 
a prominent attorney in Oneida, N. Y. , and married Clara Swift, of Warren, Conn., 
by whom he had two daughters: Helen and Grace. Charles E. is a fireman on the 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 103 

N. Y. C. & H. R. R.R. He married Lizzie Mahaney, of Vienna. Mr. Brewer's father, 
Morris P., was also born here July 3, 1812. He was educated in the public schools 
and Hamilton College at Clinton, and was a farmer by occupation. He married 
Caroline E. Sage, by whom he had five children: James A., Theodore R., Edward 
E., as above, and Mercy E., now Mrs. John Merrill, of Toledo, Ohio, and Morris P. 
Mr. Brewer's grandfather, Artemus Brewer, was born in Massachusetts, about 1776. 
He married Electa Hall, by whom he had six children. He died in 1863, and his 
wife about 1858. Mrs. Brewer's father, Peter G. Eigabroadt, was born at Palatine 
Bridge, Montgomery county, N. Y., April 28, 1792. He married Lena Garlock, of 
his native place, and came to this county in 1840. They had thirteen children: 
Mary, Nancy, Elizabeth, Washington, David, James, Alonzo, Walter, Peter, Diana, 
William, Charles, and Amelia. Charles was a soldier in the late war, in the 3d N. 
Y. Vols., and died at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md. Peter was a soldier in a Wis- 
consin Regiment, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mrs. 
Brewer's father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Her grandfather, Adam Garlock, 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in the battle of Oriskany. 

Bowen, John, was born near South Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., April 2, 1851, 
son of William and Ann Bowen, who came from England and settled in Trenton 
about 1843. In early life William Bowen was a laborer, but later followed farming. 
His children are William E., Thomas, Elizabeth, John, Lydia, and Hannah. John 
Bowen married Carrie, daughter of Thomas and Maria Theobold, by whom he had 
one child, Fred W. Mr. Bowen is active in education, school and church work, and 
is also interested in town, county, and national affairs. He is a charter member and 
president of South Trenton Patrons of Industry, and has held other minor offices. 

Coventry, Robert, was born in Deerfield, N. Y., on the farm he now owns, Au- 
gust 19, 1837, son of Robert and Lydia (Barnes) Coventry, natives of Deerfield. His 
maternal grandparents were Aaron and Lucinda Barnes. Aaron Barnes was born 
at Lanesboro, Mass., March 16, 1781, and came to Deerfield in 1818, where he died 
March 25, 1852 ; and his father, Joseph Barnes, was a captain in the Revolutionary 
war. Mr. Coventry's paternal grandfather, Dr. Alexander Coventry, was born in 
Scotland, August 27, 1876, son of Capt. George Coventry, a soldier under George II 
in the French war. He studied medicine at Glasgow and Edingburgh, and in 1785 
settled at Hudson, N. Y., where he engaged in the practice of medicine and farming. 
In 1796 he removed to Utica, where he also practiced. In 1804 he engaged in fruit 
growing in Deerfield, where he took up his residence, but also continued his practice 
in Utica ; he died in 1831. Robert Coventry was born in Deerfield, February 7, 1807, 
and was engaged in farming in Deerfield, where he died February 15, 1888. Mrs. 
Coventry died December 27, 1885. Robert Coventry, jr., was educated at Whites- 
town Seminary, and November 18, 1863, he married Catherine, daughter of Reese 
and Jane (Jones) Lewis of Deerfield, N. Y., by whom he has three children: Helen, 
born September 26, 1864; Thomas L., born December 10, 1867, of the Utica Press; 
and Lydia Jane, born May 13, 1869, wife of Dr. Woodruff of Joliet, 111. 

Hughes, John W., was born in Remsen, Oneida county, January 17, 1842, son of 
William and Catherine (Roberts) Hughes, natives of North Wales, who came to 
America in 1841, locating in Remsen, where they remained two years and then 



104 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

removed to Henderson Harbor, Jefferson county, N. Y. , thence to Wisconsin, and in 
1845 located in Rome, where the father engaged in street contracting and speculat- 
ing in real estate, and where he resided until his death, which occurred June 16, 1894, 
aged seventy-four years. He had four children, of whom John W. was the only one 
to reach maturit)'. John W. was educated in the public schools of Rome, and dur- 
ing the late Civil war was a member of Co. B, 146th N. Y. Vols.,, enlisting August 
26, 1862, served eighteen months, and was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chan 
cellorsville and Gettysburg. Since 1867 Mr. Hughes has been engaged in farming, 
and has been a resident of Western since 1877. In 1867 he married Ann, daughter 
of Owen O. and Jeanette Evans, of Constableville, N. Y., by whom he has five chil- 
dren surviving; one, Kittie, died young; those living are Jeanette, Elizabeth 
(Mrs. Hamilton), Grace, Catharine and William. 

Hemenway, Henry M., was born in Marcy, February 17, 1817, son of Nathan and 
Martha D. (Bruce) Hemenway. He was one of nine children: Louise, Susan, Patty, 
Henry M., James, Aurelia, Janette, Martha D. and Margaret. He married Mary, 
daughter of Austin and Maria Fuller, by whom he has one child, Helen M., wife of 
Allison Holland. At the age of sixteen he left home and hired as a farm hand to 
Reuben Fox, near Holland Patent, where he remained until twenty-one, when he 
married and took on shares the farm of Aaron White of that place. When twenty- 
five he bought the farm in Floyd on which he has since resided. Mr. Hemenway 
was at one time captain in the State National Guards and is a descendant on the 
maternal side of the ancient Scottish family of Bruce. About 1660 his third great- 
grandfather, Thomas Eames, settled in Framingham, Mass., and was early chosen 
selectman. His house was burned by the Indians February 1, 1676, his wife killed 
with some of his children and others taken captive. The massacre was committed 
by twelve Indians headed by Nitus. The actors did not long escape the hands 
of justice. Nitus was killed March 27 at Marlboro by a party of English under 
Lieutenant Jacobs, and his wife sold. Annecocken was dead before the close of 
summer. August 12 a warrant was issued by Thomas Danforth, magistrate, for the 
arrest of Joshua Assunt, John Dublet, William Jackstraw and two of his sons, also 
Jackstraw's wife, all of them Monguncog Indians. Jackstraw and his two sons were 
examined by Mr. Danforth, to whom they confessed the act. The three were com- 
mitted to prison with, probably, the others, and tried September 18 and three were 
executed on the 21. 

Porter, George L., was born at Boonville in 1851, son of Erastus C. Porter, who 
was also born at Boonville, and whose father, Ezekiel Porter, was a pioneer settler 
at the present homestead, where in the year 1810 he built the second frame house 
erected in that locality. Erastus C. Porter was twice married, having two children, 
one son and one daughter by his first wife who died in 1838; in 1842 he married Jane 
Kent, by whom he had two children, all of whom are now dead except George L. , 
the subject of the present sketch. In 1886 Erastus C. Porter died aged eighty-one 
years; he was a man of sterling worth and energy and was respected and hon- 
ored by all who knew him; his wile died nine years later aged eighty- three 
years. George L. Porter devoted his life to farming where his ancestors resided be- 
fore him, and has done much to beautify the place by building a handsome residence 
and new barns and out buildings. In 1872 he married Sarah Reynolds, by whom he 
has four children: Charles E., Walter J., Frank and Le Roy. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 105 

Roberts, Mrs. Emma J., is the widow of the late Hon. R. H. Roberts, who died in 
1888, aged fifty-one years. He was born in Wales in 1837, and came to America 
when two years of age. In 1870 he married Emma J., daughter of Spencer Pitcher, 
of Boonville, by whom he had three children: Anna Lena; Robert H., a law student 
in the office of Hon. H. W. Bentley; and Emma J., who died in 1874. In 1865 Mr. 
Roberts engaged in building oil tanks in the Pennsylvania oil regions, but afterward 
retailed wagons, cutters, etc. He was elected supervisor in 1874 and 1875, and was 
sent to the Assembly in 1877. In 1883 he represented Oneida county in the State 
Senate. Latterly his allegiance was given to the Democratic party. 

Soule, Germain M., was born in Floyd, son of Nicholas and Mary E. (Burlison) 
Soule, who had two children: Minnie E. and Germain M. Nicholas Soule is a native 
of Oneida county, son of Thomas E., who came from Connecticut about 1800 and 
was a carpenter by trade. Germain M. Soule married Libbie, daughter of Earnest 
and Dora (Dussel) Brueckner, by whom he has two children ; Nicholas G. and Almira 
D. In 1888 Mr. Soule engaged in the mercantile business at Floyd in which he con- 
tinued for two years. He has since been engaged in farming and dealing in agricul- 
tural implements. He was elected inspector of election, appointed town clerk and 
in 1892 was elected supervisor. For the last two years he has been highway com- 
missioner. He is a member of Oriskany Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 799; O. U. F. of 
Stittville ; Floyd Grange ; and is president of the Patrons of Industry. 

Sargent, Foster, was born at Sterling, Mass., in 1849, son of N. M. Sargent, who 
was of English descent, and was born at Lancaster, Mass., in 1813. He came here 
in 1851 and established the industry of chair manufacturing, one of the important 
features in the development of the town. In 1857 he purchased the plant of the 
Tuttle estate, which covers seven acres and furnishes employment for many men. 
He married Ly dia A. Roper, by whom he had four children : Augustus W. (deceased), 
Nellie, M. Foster, and Frank L. His death in 1884 was universally regretted by the 
community, with which he had been so closely identified for so many years. Foster 
and Frank L. Sargent then formed a copartnership styled N. M. Sargent's Sons, and 
fully maintain the reputation earned during the lifetime of the founder of the enter- 
prise. Foster Sargent has always been engaged in the above enterprise. He first 
married Nettie Rohda, who died January 13, 1889, and afterward married Hattie E. 
Hubbard of Gregg, N. Y., by whom he had one son, Walter Sargent. N. M. Sar- 
gent represented the town two years in the Oneida county Board of Supervisors, and 
at various times was trustee of the village ; Frank Sargent the junior member of the 
present firm was born at Boonville August 22, 1853. He married Miss Anna Monna- 
han, by whom he has one daughter, Anna May, and one son, Frank Harvey Sar- 
gent; he is the business manager of the firm of N. M. Sargent's Sons. 

Swartwout, Leander. M. D., was born in Pamelia, Jefferson county, N. Y., April 
30, 1842, son of Enoch and Sally Swartwout. Leander Swartwout was educated in 
the district and select schools of Jefferson county, and in 1861 entered the Fairfield 
Academy. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 121st Regt. N. Y. Vols., and was discharged 
in 1863. In 1864 he again entered the Fairfield Academy, where he graduated. He 
taught school for forty terms, and in 1878 he entered the Albany Medical College, 
where he graduated in 1880, and since which time he has practiced in Prospect. He 



106 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society, and was once its president, and 
for three years was a delegate to the New York Medical Society and is a member of 
same, and he was also coroner for three years. He married Sarah E. C. Northrup, 
by whom he had three children: Anna K., Addie F., and George A. He married 
for his second wife, Mrs. Mary E. Hibbard, by whom he has four children: Kate L., 
Caradori, Manuela, and Ruth. He is a member of the Remsen F. & A.M., I.O.O.F., 
and I.O.R. M. of Prospect, and also of the Thomas Post, of which he was commander 
for several years. 

Dorn, Samuel, was born in Ava, Oneida county, in 1845, son of Charles Dorn. 
Charles Dorn was born in Baden, Germany, and settled in Ava at the beginning of 
the century. He was a farmer, and a man of great natural ability, as was evidenced 
by the long yet ultimately successful litigation with the town of Ava, which he had 
concerning an unjust taxation imposed upon him. Samuel Dorn gained his educa- 
tion at Ava, much of which was acquired by personal research and investigation. 
He owns a farm in Chenango county of 100 acres, and one here of 300 acres ; the 
principal product is potatoes, raising from 2,000 to 4,000 bushels annually for the 
past twenty years, and which is shipped by Mr. Dorn himself to New York. In 1876 
he married Angeline Sprague, who was born in McDonough, Chenango county, and 
was the granddaughter of Joseph Sprague, who came from Massachusetts and 
settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Dorn, when the entire country was a vast 
wilderness; the nearest grist mill being twenty miles away. They have two sons: 
Frank, aged nineteen, at present operating a gasoline engine; and Jacob, aged 
fourteen. Mr. Dorn is president of the board of directors of the Grange store of 
Boonville, and is a prominent granger; he is also a Republican, but has no proclivity 
for office. 

Potter, John W. , was born on the farm where he now resides, October 17, 1859, 
son of John and Sarah (Wilcox) Potter ; and John was a son of William Potter, who 
settled in this county about 1826. John W. was one of two children ; the other, 
Cora S., wife of James B. Weaver, of Fonda, la. John Potter was engaged in 
farming; was active in town and county affairs, and was interested in educational 
work. John W. Potter married Mary E., daughter of Evan D. and Elenor Jones. 
He has been very active in public affairs; was assessor of Floyd from 1884 to 1887, 
and also supervisor in 1888-89-90 ; and was elected supervisor of the town of Marcy 
March 3, 1896, for two years. He was very active in the church and Sunday-school 
of the Marcy Baptist church. Mr. Potter was master of the Marcy Grange No. 620 
and member of Oriskany Lodge No. 799, F. & A. M. 

Lockwood, Andrew J., was born in Berlin, Rensselaer county, N.Y., February 13, 
1846. His father, Cornelius Lockwood, was a farmer, charcoal maker and lumber- 
man, born in Rensselaer in 1806, son of John Lockwood, of Walton, Delaware 
county, N. Y. His mother was Asenath Hornocker, born in Stephentown, Rens- 
selaer county, in 1814. In 1859 they removed to Forestport. where Mr. Lock- 
wood died in April, 1890, aged eighty-four years, and Mrs. Lockwood died in 
February, 1892, aged nearly seventy-eight years. The other children born to 
Cornelius Lockwood and wife were: two who died infancy; Jane Elizabeth Crop- 
sey, married in 1852, died April 1, 1882; James E., died February 21, 1882; Cor- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 107 

nelius, of Utica; Adelia died aged two [years, then Andrew J., the subject of this 
sketch; Henry, living at White Lake, N. Y. ; Catharine M. Griffith, at White Lake; 
Lewis of Forestport; and Amaziah, of New York city. January 1, 1864, when 
nearly eighteen years of age, Andrew J. .Lockwood enlisted in Co, F, 117th N. Y. 
Vols., and went out as a recruit, but was later transferred to the 48th Regiment, his 
principal battles being Swift Creek, Drury's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, 
Petersburg, Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, campaign of the Carolinas and Bennett 
House. Since the war he has been actively engaged in lumbering and farming, 
owning two farms, and devotes his time to dairy farming. He has served as poor- 
master and assessor of his town, and is now serving in the latter capacity. He is 
now commander of the Henry Walker G. A. R. Post No. 181 of Forestport. In De- 
cember, 1866, he married Mary J. Drextel, by whom he has had seven children : 
Olive A. Betsinger, of the town of Western ; Solon A. , deceased ; Victor V. , married 
and has two sons, Earl V. and Andrew J., jr. ; Chloe H., deceased; Edith L. Cas- 
ler, of Forestport; Mary A. ; and Royal H., deceased. Mrs. Mary Lockwood died 
September 22, 1893, and his present wife, to whom he was married December 6, 
1894, is Maria La Moine Kirkland, who was born in Whitestown June 13, 1863, 
daughter of James B. and Amy Jane (Carpenter) Kirkland, of Forestport, N.Y. 

Armstrong, William C, was born in Annsville, Oneida county, April 11, 1830, one 
of eleven children of George and Adelia (Walrath) Armstrong. He was educated in 
this town, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres, dairying being his 
principal business. He married Sarah Campbell, of Annsville, by whom he had six 
children: George, May, Willie, Alice, Sarah, and Kittie. Mr. Armstrong is a 
Democrat in politics, was supervisor of the town in 1875, and has been assessor six 
years. 

Dodge, E. C, was born at Carthage in 1842, son of Clark Dodge, a noted banker 
of Boonville, and who first engaged in wagon manufacture at Carthage, where he 
"was president of the Carthage Exchange Bank, and was also a retail druggist and 
builder there. In 1866 he established the Bank of Boonville, which, after passing 
through various financial vicissitudes, was reorganized in 1876, as the First National 
Bank of Boonville. C. E. Dodge was engaged in the retail drug business at Carth- 
age, which business he resumed in Boonville, where he came at twenty-four years of 
age. For many years he has been cashier of the bank, with which his father was so 
closely identified throughout his life. In 1876 he married Cassie Donnelly, daughter 
of Bernard Donnelly, esq. 

Davis,' John J., was born in the town of Florence, October 4, 1859, son of Thomas 
Davis, who was born in England, and came to the United States when twenty-one 
years of age, first settling on Florence Hill, where he engaged in farming, which 
business he followed until his death, which occurred in 1872. He married Mary 
Hodson, of England, by whom he had ten children. John J. was educated in the 
district schools of Florence, after which he engaged in farming, and now owns 107 
acres of land, mostly improved. He married Dora, daughter of Wilbert Upson, of 
Camden, by whom he had on child, Frances Louisa, deceased. Mr. Davis is a mem- 
ber of Camden Grange, and in politics is a Democrat. 

Halstead, John, was born in Holland Patent, January 12, 1824, son of Joseph and 



108 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Sarah Halstead, whose children were Warren, Luther, Mary, Martha, John, Harvey, 
Jane, and Edmund R., who was killed in the war of the Rebellion September 17, 
1861. Joseph served in the war of 1812, and his father, Joseph, in the Revolutionary 
war. John Halstead married Clara A., daughter of George S. Parke, and they have 
two children: Ella, wife of Fred H. Lillibridge, and May, who married Edwin K. 
Leonard. In early life Mr. Halstead engaged in farming, lumbering, and milling, 
but lately has given most of his time to the manufacturing of paper. In 1856 he 
was elected to the Assembly. He has held the office of supervisor for two years. 

Hainault, Rev. Francis J., was born in the city of Oswego, N. Y , August 15, 1855, 
one of five children of Francis and Helen (Slaven) Hainault, who were natives of 
Canada, and came to the United States about 1850. Francis J. attended St. Mary's 
Parochial School, where he began the foundation of his educational life, and after- 
wards the public schools of Oswego. On account of the closing of the High School 
in 1872 he became a student of Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y. , from which he grad- 
uated in classics and sciences. From L'Assomption College, near Montreal, he 
graduated in philosophy at the head of his class in 1875, and was ordained to the 
priesthood in the Grand Seminary of Montreal, Laval University, on December 21, 
1878, receiving the degree of S. T. B. He has filled many prominent charges, among 
which having been chaplain of prominent Onondaga county institutions, and has 
been rector of St. Patrick's church, Taberg, N. Y., nearly twelve years. 

Jones, Robert H., was born in the town of Marcy, November 3, 1851, son of Evan 
D. and Eleanor Jones. Robert H. Jones married Delia M. , daughter of Harrison J. 
and Mary A. Sweet, whose ancestors came to Oneida county in 1797, and by whom 
he has one daughter, Gertrude E. In 1868 he engaged in carpenter work, which he 
followed for four years; he then engaged in cheesemaking for three years, since 
which time he has followed farming. He is interested in educational matters, also 
town and county affairs. 

Jones, John R., was born in Remsen, Oneida county, in 1855. He is the eldest of 
three children of Richard Jones, and is of Welsh ancestry. Richard Jones was born 
in Wales in 1822, and married soon after coming to America in 1854, Ellen Williams, 
also a Welsh descendant. The}' first settled in Boonville at farming, and continued 
that occupation until 1880, when he died, much loved and respected by all who knew 
him. John R. Jones follows successfully in the business of his father. In 1882 he 
married Clara L. Van Voorhis, by whom he has three children: Herbert J., Glenn 
Howard, and Beulah I. 

Keeler, Miles L. , was born in the town of Florence, November 4, 1837, son of 
Nathaniel Keeler, who was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., September 4, 1792, and 
removed to Madison county in 1810, and in 1835 came to the town of Florence, where 
he engaged in farming until 1856, when he came to the town of Camden, where he 
died in 1873. He married Lydia Hall of Madison county, N. Y., and they were the 
parents of four children: Emily, Parnel, Henry J., and Charles B. For his second 
wife he married Amanda, daughter of Elijah Gaylord, and they were among the 
first settlers of Florence. To them were born two children: Miles L., and Walter 
E., who are farmers in Camden. Miles G. was educated in the towns of Camden 
and Florence, and has followed farming, teaching school in the winter. For his first 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 109 

wife he married Louisa W., daughter of Daniel Peck of Camden, and they were the 
parents of three children: Lena J., Mable A. (deceased), and Alta J. For his second 
wife he married Sophia, daughter of Pliny Phelps of Camden, and to them have been 
born one son, Henry P. In politics Mr. Keeler is a Republican, and has held the 
offices of town collector and assessor for nine years. He is a member of the Camden 
Grange. 

Pillmore, John, was born in Yorkshire, England, May 14, 1830, a son of William 
and Sarah (Rowbotham) Pillmore. In 1836 he came to America with his mother, a 
widow with eight children: George, Jane (Mrs. William Floyd), William, Mary (Mrs. 
Pardon Macomber), Robert, Thomas, John, and Sarah (Mrs. Thomas A. Shirley), 
who located in Western. John was reared in Western, and in 1849 he crossed the 
plains to California, where he remained eight years successfully engaged in mining. 
In 1857 he returned home and in 1866 purchased the farm in Western which he still 
retains, but resides in Rome. In 1860 he married Margaret, daughter of Daniel D. 
and Mary (Young) Van Alstine of Danube, Herkimer county, N. Y., and they have 
three children: Charles, of Western, Fred, and Grace, of Rome. Mr. and Mrs. Pill- 
more are members of the Methodist church. In politics he is a Republican. Tradi- 
tion links the early history of the Pillmores with that of Rev. Joseph Pilmoor, one 
of two of the first traveling preachers sent to America in 1769 by Rev. John Wesley. 

Capron, James H., was born in Ava, Oneida county, N. Y., July 11, 1828, son of 
Henry and Betsey (Kent) Capron, he a native of Western and she of Lewis county, 
and grandson of John and Jemima (Martin) Capron, who were pioneers of the town 
of Western, coming there from Rhode Island. From Western they removed to Lee, 
where they died. Henry Capron spent his life as a farmer in Ava. He was a sol- 
dier in the war of 1812, and died in 1875. His wife died in 1873. In politics he was 
a Republican, and was supervisor and justice for many years. James H. Capron 
was reared on the farm. He has made a success of farming, now owning farms of 
about 1,200 acres, and keeping a dairy of about 160 cows. He is a Republican in 
politics, and has been superintendent of schools of Ava, also supervisor of the town. 
In 1867 he moved to Mankato, Minn., and remained one summer. In 1868 he re- 
moved to Boonville, where he has since resided, taking an active part in all public 
matters. He was for several years an active member of the Board of Education, 
the board of village trustees and president of the village. In 1855 he married Maria 
L Cagwin, by whom he had one son, Henry, who died November 11, 1886. Mrs. 
Capron died December 31, 1859, and February 10, 1864, Mr. Capron married Hetta 
Brinckerhoff, of Boonville, by whom he has two sons: Benjamin A., a lawyer of 
Boonville, who married Anna Jackson ; and Ambrose C, who resides on the home 
farm, and married Maud Douglass, of Boonville. Mr. Capron is a member of the 
Odd Fellows. 

Pugh, William E., was born in the town of Remsen, August 21, 1847, son of Evan 
Pugh, who was born in Wales in 1804, one of four sons born to Evan Pugh, 
who came to America in 1813, bringing his family with him, and settled in 
Remsen on wild timber land, where he cleared a farm and became prosperous. He 
was a carpenter by trade and lived to be over eighty years of age. Evan Pugh, 
father of William E., was a carpenter and wagon maker by trade, but later engaged 



110 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in farming, first purchasing forty acres of land, to which he added until he owned 
over 300 acres. He was active in politics and held several town offices for eighteen 
years, and was deacon in the Baptist church for twenty-five years. He married 
Ann Jones, by whom he had six children: Richard, i arah, Elizabeth, Hugh, Cath- 
erine and William E. He died in 1877, and his wife in January, 1892. William E. 
was educated in the district schools in Remsen, and when twenty-one years of age 
began for himself. After his father's death he rented the homestead of the heirs, 
cared for his mother until her death, and in 1889 bought his present farm of sixty- 
two acres, on which he carries on a dairy business, and is also interested in the 
breeding of Holstein cattle and has a fine herd. In 1887 he married Mary J., daugh- 
ter of Richard and Ellen Hughes, by whom he had three children: Anna, Richard 
and Sarah. 

Thomas, Griffith D., was born near Camroden, N. Y , March 29, 1847, son of Rich- 
ard and Jane Thomas, who settled here about 1822. They have fourteen children: 
Evan, Jane, Griffith, John, Margaret, William, Samuel, James, Owen, Richard, 
Thomas, David, Gomer, and Edwin. Richard was engaged in early life in farming, 
but later in cheese making. He was public spirited and active in town affairs. 
Griffith Thomas married Nancy L., daughter of John Abell. by whom he has two 
children. Fred R. and Gertrude L. He worked for his father until 1870, when he 
purchased his father's interest in the cheese factory, which he has since conducted. 
He was supervisor in 1891, and trustee of the Westernville Presbyterian church, 
and director of the Farmers Insurance Co. of Oneida county; also secretary and 
treasurer of the cheese factory, which makes about 185,000 lbs. of cheese per year. 

Meays, John H., was born in Vienna, November 30, 1840, son of Thomas and 
Mary Jane Meays, who settled in the town about 1839. Thomas married Mary Jane, 
daughter of Barton Palmer, who was a pioneer of Trenton Falls, and they were the 
parents of four children: Helen Butler; John H. ; George Barton, who enlisted in 
the 14th N. Y. Vols., and was shot while on picket duty and died in Emery Hos- 
pital ; and Annie E. John H. married Minerva, daughter of Charles Case of Alle- 
gany county, and they have three children : Barton C. , Orson H. , and Mary M. He is a 
member of Vienna Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M., and of Sylvan Beach Lodge No. 326. 
I.O.O.F. He was supervisor of the town of Vienna for one term. 

Shirley, Thomas A., was born in Steuben, Oneida county, February 23, 1833, a 
son of John and Ann (Grimmit) Shirley, natives of Warwickshire, England, who 
came to America in 1826 and located in Utica, where the father, who was a wheel- 
wright, worked at his trade, also in Steuben, for several years, later engaged in 
farming, and in 1841 removed to Western and worked at his trade up to his death, 
which occurred in 1868, aged eighty years. His children were Hannah, William, 
Sarah (Mrs. J. P. Savage), John, Elizabeth (who married S. W. Savage), Thomas A., 
Jennie, and Mary (Mrs. James Smith). Thomas A. was reared in Western from 
eight years of age, and since attaining his majority has been engaged principally in 
farming, though for thirteen years followed boating on the Black River and Erie 
Canal. December 37, 1855, he married Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah 
(Rowbotham) Pillmore, of Western, and has four children living: Eliza (Mrs. E. S. 
Grower), Jennie (Mrs. F. J. Grower), Lucia and Fred. Mr. Shirley is a member of 



FAMILY SKETCHES. Ill 

the M. E. church, has been justice of the peace of Western four years, and politi- 
cally is a Republican. 

Coughlin, John B., was born in Forestport, N. Y., in November, 1867, son of 
Timothy Coughlin, who was born in Canada in 1832, and who was one of five chil- 
dren born to John and Catherine (McGuire) Coughlin, both natives of Ireland. 
John Coughlin, grandfather of John B., now resides with his daughter, Mrs. 
McGuire, in Forestport, and is over ninety years of age. Timothy Coughlin was a 
farmer and lumberman, and sold great quantities of spile and spar timber. He 
served six years as supervisor, also as collector and road commissioner. He married 
Mary Bennett, a native of Ireland, by whom he had five children: John B., Edward, 
Mary, Elizabeth and Frank. Mr. Coughlin died in 1892, and his wife in 1874. John 
B. Coughlin received his education in the district schools, and at seventeen years of 
age engaged in farming and lumber business, which he followed for seven years, 
after which he engaged as timekeeper on the A. & St. L. R. R., during its construc- 
tion. In 1891 he engaged in the lumber business, taking contracts, in which busi- 
ness he is now actively engaged ; and he owns considerable property in Utica. 

Patten, Delford, was born in the town of "Verona, N. Y., in 1828. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools and Cazenovia Seminary, and has always followed the oc- 
cupation of farming. February 17, 1878, he married Charlotte A. Stewart, of 
Oneida, Madison county, and they have one son, Robert B., who is a farmer at 
home. Mr. Patten's father, Alfred Patten, was born in Manheim, Herkimer county, 
N. Y. , in 1796. He was educated in the schools of his day, and was a farmer by 
occupation. He married Ann Benedict, of Richfield, Otsego county, N. Y., by 
whom he had four children : Lafayette, Robert, Delford, as above, and Barbara A. 
He was a colonel in the State militia, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died 
June 6, 1873, and his wife September 5, 1875. Mrs. Patten's father, George Stewart, 
was born near Blaranathel, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1792, and came to the United 
States with his parents when twelve years of age, locating in Madison county, N. Y. 
He married twice, first to Miss Mercy Grose, by whom he had two children : Daniel 
and Elizabeth. For his second wife he married Jane Stewart, of Johnstown, Fulton 
county, by whom he had five children: Catherine M., John G., Alexander J., Char- 
lotte A. , as above, and Jeanette S. He died November 6, 1875, and his wife No- 
vember 16, 1889. The ancestry of this family is English, Dutch and Scotch. 

Weber, A. H., was born in Utica April 8, 1860. His father. Christian Weber, was 
born in Germany and came to America when a boy, locating in Utica, where he now 
resides. His mother, Mary Louisa Hartman, died in 1869. A. W. Weber was edu- 
cated in his native city. In 1874 he removed with his parents to Washington 
county, la., where he lived upon a farm until 1881, when he returned to Utica and 
entered the employ of John Kohler, the West Utica dry goods merchant, until the 
spring of 1889, when he came to Waterville, establishing a fine clothing business. 
In 1884 he married Anna M. Simmerer of Utica, by whom he has one son, Ralph E. 
Weber. Mr. Weber is a Republican in politics and a member of the First Presby- 
terian church, and of Sanger Lodge No. 129, F. & A. M. 

Mills, E. Deloss, was born in the town of Kirkland, Oneida county, N. Y., July 8, 
1844. He was a son of Andrew and Marilla (Wetmore) Mills, both natives of Oneida 



112 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

county. Andrew Mills came to Oneida county in 1802, being one of the pioneers in 
the town of Kirkland. Mr. Mills at once engaged in agriculture, in which pursuit he 
devoted his life, accumulating considerably property as a result of his industry and 
energy. E. Delos Mills was one of a family of four children, namely: Charlotte L., 
Andrew W , Harriet and the subject of this sketch. Harriet died some years ago. 
Mr. Mills spent his early life on the farm and there acquired an extensive experience 
in hop culture, which he has since turned to account in a business "way. Since 1877 
he has been engaged in hop buying, carrying on a large business. He received his 
business education at the Utica Business College, and that together with his practical 
experience has enabled him to conduct a successful business. Outside of business 
affairs Mr. Mills is especially active in the Masonic fraternity, having been honored 
by that body with many important offices. He was made a Mason in 1867 and was 
chosen master of Clinton Lodge in 1876 and 1777 ; again in 1889, 1890 and 1891. In 1895 
he was again elected and is still serving in that capacity. He is also a member of 
Oneida Chapter R. A. M., No. 57 of Utica, and of the Rome Commandery No. 45 
K. T. Mr. Mills married Louisa, daughter of William Jones, of Newville, Herkimer 
county. They reside in Clinton. 

Brooks, W. A. , was born on the same street on which he now lives, December 8, 
1834, and worked on a farm until twenty-one years of age, when he learned the trade 
of carpenter. In 1869 he engaged in the saw mill business, which he has successfully 
conducted ever since. In 1872 he married Sarah L. Brown, by whom he has 
one daughter, Mrs. Wayne E. Small. Mr. Brooks's parents were Morgan and Lu- 
cretia (Adams) Brooks. His grandfather, Roger Brooks, was a carpenter, and 
erected the first two story house in Utica. This house was erected for his brother, 
Barnabas Brooks, who was the first jeweler in Utica. Mr. Brooks has today an old- 
fashioned rule, once the property of Roger Brooks, and also a knee buckle made by 
Barnabas Brooks, besides other valuable heirlooms. His grandfather, Roger Brooks, 
came from from Blandford, Mass., and settled in the town of Nelson, Madison 
county. He has been collector of the town of Marshall, and is a member of the 
Grange at Waterville. He makes lumber, shingles, cider, etc., and is noted for his 
hop cowls, of which he has made more than any man in the world. 

Day, Julius, was born in Deansboro, N. Y., May 3, 1841, son of Adonijah, a native 
of Burlington Flats, Otsego county, and Sophia (Titus) Day, a daughter of Billy 
Titus. His grandfather, Adonijah, was a native of Connecticut. Julius Day was 
for some time engaged in the produce business, but lately has given all of his atten- 
tion to farming. He was supervisor of the town of Marshall from 1879 to 1884, and 
again in 1886, making six years in all. He also held the position of town clerk, be- 
fore bei ig supervisor. In 1877 he married Mary, daughter of Thomas P. and Mary 
Ann Young, by whom he has three children : Walter Julius, Nellie and Hattie. Mr. 
Day is one of the most highly respected men in Marshall, and is regarded as a lead- 
ing man in many ways. 

Sanford, Mrs. Helen B. — The late Hon. George H. Sanford, son of George and 
Louisa Gibbs Sanford, was born at Sanford's Ridge, in the town of Queensbury, 
N. Y. , in 1836, and a year later removed with his parents to Glens Falls, where he 
remained until he was thirteen years of age, enjoying such educational advantages 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 113 

as the place afforded. At thirteen years of age he removed to Albany, where he 
found employment as receiving and shipping clerk with Mead, Burnham & Co., 
wholesale lumber dealers, and, with the exception of one year spent at Rensselaer 
Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, N. Y., remained in their employ for seven years. 
During three winters of this time he was lumbering on his own account in Greene 
county, N. Y., and Potter county, Pa. When twenty years of age he went to Syra- 
cuse and engaged in the lumber and salt trade, combining with it the manufacture 
of lumber at Saginaw, Mich. , and locating pine lands in the productive pineries of 
that State. He was connected with one of the pioneer companies, organized in 1858, 
to bore for salt water in the Saginaw Valley. In 1861 he married Helen (Breese) 
Stevens, only granddaughter of the late Hon. S. Sidney Breese, of Oneida county, 
N. Y. In 1862, having acquired a competence, he removed to Oneida county, where 
he remained until the time of his death. He was appointed president of the Oneida 
Savings Bank, and director in the Oneida Valley National Bank and Rome and 
Clinton Railroad Company. He also about this time re-embarked with his younger 
brother, David, in the lumber business at Rome, N. Y. In 1864 and again in 1868 he was 
delegate to the National Democratic Conventions. In 1865-66 he was elected super- 
visor of his town by solid majorities. In 1867 he was nominated for State senator, 
and ran ahead of his ticket; was elected to the Assembly in 1866, and to the Senate 
in 1870-71. He died at his residence November 25, 1871, being the third member of 
the Senate of 1870-71 smitten by death during his term of service. 

O'Toole, Frank W., is a recent successor to the formerly well-known firm of 
O'Toole & Finnegan, boot and shoe dealers. Mr. O'Toole was born in Waterville, 
son of John and Ann (Clarke) O'Toole, both of whom are living in Waterville. He 
was educated in Kirkland Hall, Clinton, N. Y., and has been identified with the 
trade for some eight years. 

Whitney, Col. S. S., was born December 2, 1814, son of Jared and Patience (Husted) 
Whitney. His grandfather, Samuel Whitney, was one of the early settlers in Kirk- 
land, and took up the farm which Colonel Whitney still owns. Mr. Whitney lived 
on a farm until twenty one years of age, when he learned the trade of carpenter, 
and in which he was engaged for twenty-five years, after which he resumed farm- 
ing. He was colonel of the 140th Regiment in the 13th Brigade, 20th Division of the 
N. Y. State militia, and is one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of 
Oneida county. 

Bangs, G. R. , was born January 3, 1831, son of Dennis and Roana (King) Bangs, 
who settled in Pleasant Valley, and lived there for fifty years. G. R. Bangs engaged 
in farming up to 1891, when he sold his place to Colonel Sanger, and moved to Wa- 
terville. In 1877 he married Frances M. , daughter of Nicholas and Marietta (Green) 
Edwards, by whom he has one daughter, Florence M. Nichols Edwards, son of 
Elijah and Catherine Van Buren Edwards, was born August 5, 1809, at Kinderhook, 
N. Y., and was a direct descendant of Martin Van Buren. He lived to be eighty-five 
years old, and came to Waterville when nine years of age with his parents, who 
settled upon the farm now owned by the Charlemagne Tower estate. In 1839 he 
went to live upon the eminence where he spent the remaining fifty-five years of his 
life, only changing from the old house to the new. At middle age he was possessed 



114 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of a fine property; a man df strong character and striking individuality, and during 
all his long life was distinguished for his sterling honesty and Christianity. 

Chapman O. B. , was born August 3, 1873, son of C. L. and Mercy S. (Tompkins) 
Chapman. He was educated in Winfield Academy and the New York School of 
Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in April, 1894. He then purchased the 
drug business in Clayville, which he has conducted under the name of C. L. Chap- 
man & Son, the senior member being his father. His grandfather was Willard 
Chapman and his great-grandfathor was John Chapman. His maternal grandfather 
was Joshua Tompkins, and maternal great-grandfather was Nathaniel Tompkins. 

Barnum, D. A., M. D., was born in the town of Paris, N. Y., April 16, 1845, son of 
David H. and and Narina (Budlong) Barnum. His great-grandfather was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war. The Barnum family originally came from Connecticut. 
Dr. Barnum was educated at the common and select schools and Fort Edward Insti- 
tute. He studied medicine with Dr. Budlong, and was graduated from the Albany 
Medical College in 1865, having taken his degree before he was of age. He was 
appointed assistant surgeon to the Sixteenth N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was in the 
field with his regiment for six months. Immediately after the war he began the 
practice of his profession in Cassville, where he has since maintained his office, and 
has risen to a front rank in his profession. He is a member of the Oneida County 
Medical Society, The Medical Society of the State of New York, and of the Medical 
Association of the State of New York. He was supervisor of the town of Paris from 
1888 to 1892, and is chairman of the Democratic County Committee, which position 
he has filled for six years. In 1876 Dr. Barnum married Catharine Rhodes, of Os- 
wego, N.Y., who was the youngest daughterof Benjamin Rhodes, one of the pioneers 
of the town of Bridgewater, N. Y. , where she was born. 

Griffiths, Lewis G., was born in the town of Russia, Herkimer county, November 
26, 1854, son of William C. and Jane Griffiths, who came from Wales and settled in 
Russia, where Mr. Griffiths was employed in the tannery business. He moved to 
New Hartford, Stittville, and then to Prospect, where with his son he engaged in the 
tannery business, which they followed until his death, July 31, 1882, at fifty-four 
years of age. Mr. Griffiths and his son, Lewis G., were both members of the Remsen 
Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 677, Oneida Chapter No. 57. Utica Commandery No. 3, and 
Lewis G. is a 32d degree Mason ; also a member of the I. O. R. M. No. 221, of Pros- 
pect, and I. O. O. F., of Trenton, and was treasurer of the Remsen Lodge, F. & A. 
M., from 1880 to 1885. After his father's death he conducted the tannery business 
until it burned, since which time he has lived retired. 

Wood, A. E., was born in Cooperstown, Otsego county, July 29, 1865, son of Will- 
iam H. and Mary (Smith) Wood. His grandfather, Robert Wood, was a native of 
Kent, England, and came to America in 1836. A. E. Wood was educated in the 
Cooperstown Union School and Academy, and the Clinton Liberal Institute at Fort 
Plain, N. Y. , from which he graduated in 1885. After a short time at the carpenter's 
trade, he engaged in the mercantile business in Cooperstown, and in 1886 he went to 
Hubbardsville, and in 1888 came to Waterville, where he is interested in the mer- 
cantile business, and is also senior partner of the firm of A. E. Wood & Co., job 
printers. In 1888 he married Eva Terry Nash. Mr. Wood is an enterprising young 
/ 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 115 

business man, and was for two years clerk of the corporation. He served three years 
on the Republican count)' committee, and is secretary of the Grange. On January 
18, 1S96, he purchased the stock of general merchandise of his father-in-law, C. R. 
Nash, and is now conductiag the finest arranged dry goods, grocery and boot and 
shoe store in the village of Waterville ; his store is called the Palace Store and is 
justly named. 

Barton, D. W., was born on the old homestead in the town of Marshall, in 1835, 
son of Eliphaz and Polly (Barker) Barton. His grandfather, David Barton, came 
to the town of Paris from Granby, Mass., prior to 1800. He walked all the way, 
and began a clearing ; he also carried wheat on his back from Utica, and planted it 
with an ax among the stumps, and he was a pioneer from that part of the county. 
David Barton's father, David Barton, was a captain in the Revolutionary war. The 
principal occupation of D. W. Barton's life has been farming, and for thirty years 
he was engaged in growing seeds for prominent houses in New York and Philadel- 
phia. He was also the pioneer of the commercial fertilizing business in Oneida 
county, and followed that twenty years. In 1861 he married Mary A. Oliver, by 
whom he has two children: Mrs. Eva Barton Miller, and Gertrude M. Barton. 

Bartholomew, James J., was born at Vernon Center, October 5, 1854. His father, 
James Bartholomew, was born in the town of Kirkland, N. Y., in 1793. He served 
in the war of 1812, having the rank of corporal, and at the close of the war returned 
to his native town and engaged in farming, and subsequently moved to Vernon Cen- 
ter. Charles Bartholomew, grandfather of James J., came from Farmington, Conn., 
where his ancestors had lived since coming to this country. He was a participant in 
the Revolutionary war, serving in several expeditions, first under Colonel Douglass 
in New York, and then at Albany, being there at the time of the advance of General 
Burgoyne. The Bartholomews came from a long line of English ancestry. James 
Bartholomew married for his first wife, Ruth Cushman, who died January 24, 1851, 
and in 1853 he married Lucy E. Stockwell, who died October 16, 1876, James Jay 
being a child by the second marriage. Mr. Bartholomew died in Deansville in 1877. 
James Jay attended the school at Vernon Center and the Vernon Academy, and 
when thirteen years old he engaged as clerk in the store of S. Case's Sons at Vernon, 
where he remained eleven years. After spending one year with S. C. Hayden & 
Co. at Syracuse, N. Y., he returned to Vernon, and entered into the management of 
the large flouring mill of Joel H. Hills, and a few years later came into full control, 
which he still continues. In 1878 he married Mary H. , daughter of J. H. Hills, by 
whom he has two children : William Van Hills and Lucy Hope. 

Cunningham, James, was born in Stewarton, Scotland, January 24, 1844. He was 
educated in his native town, and has been engaged in the manufacture of Scotch 
caps all of his life. He came to America in 1880 and settled in Utica, at which place 
he was engaged to start and conduct the cap factory of D. W. Northrup & Co. 
After two years of service there, he removed to Oriskany Falls and established the 
business of Hatheway & Reynolds, which he conducted for one year, after which 
he with W. F. Boynton carried on the same line of manufacturing till 1889. In that 
year James Cunningham & Son entered into partnership for the manufacture of 
Scotch caps, and are now conducting a large and prosperous business. His father 



116 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was also a manufacturer of Scotch caps in Stewarton, Scotland, where he was born 
in November, 1815, and died at Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1888, at the age of seventy- 
three. His mother was Susan McQueen, also a native of Stewarton, Scotland, born 
in 1818, and died at Kilmarnock, in 1864. James Cunningham was married in Stew- 
arton, to Mary Boyle, born June 9, 1842, and died at Oriskany Falls, December 2, 
1892. They had ten children, five of whom are deceased. Four of the five sons 
now living are engaged with their father ; David being an active partner with his 
father, and who, in 1884, married Nettie Clay of Oriskany Falls. Mr. James Cun- 
nningham is a Royal Arch Mason, having received his thirty-second degree while 
in Scotland. April 2, 1894, he married Elizabeth Black, a native of Danbury, Conn. 

Haynes, George H., was born in Marcy, N. Y., December 31, 1840, son of Na- 
thaniel and Eliza Haynes. Nathaniel Haynes was born in Connecticut, and settled 
in Marcy where he conducted a farm until his death in 1886. Mrs. Haynes died in 
1845. George H. Haynes was educated in Marcy, and then engaged in farming, 
and was also engaged as a carpenter and builder for nineteen years ; he then en- 
gaged in the railway mail service for over seven years, after which he engaged in 
the canning business which he has since continued. He conducts a canning factory 
in Whitesboro, where he is engaged in canning corn, which he ships largely through 
the Eastern and part of the Western States. He is one of the school trustees of the 
town, to which he was elected twelve successive years, and was re-elected at the last 
election, and he was village trustee for three years. Mr. Haynes married Sarah 
Whitten, daughter of Daniel Whitten of Whitesboro, by whom he has two children : 
Mae E. and Fred D. He belongs to the Oriental Lodge F. & A. M. of Utica. 

Jones, Evan W., was born in New York city, February 6, 1847, son of Evan and 
Margaret Jones. Evan W. was educated in Utica and Whitestown Seminary, then 
began clerking in New York Mills, at which he continued until he entered business 
for himself. He is proprietor of one of the principal stores in New York Mills, and 
carries a varied stock of merchandise, such as is to be found among the best class 
of general stores. Mr. Jones married Charlotte J. Adams of New York Mills, by 
whom he has one daughter, Mary E. Jones. He is a member of the F. & A. M., be- 
ing a member of all the bodies from the Blue Lodge to the Shrine. 

Law, George C, was born in Westmoreland, N. Y., October 10, 1828, son of George 
W. and Harriet (Blakslee) Law. George W. was born January 27, 1800. He was 
engaged in farming in Westmoreland, and died in March, 1881. His wife, Harriet 
B., died in 1876. George C. was educated partly in Westmoreland, at the academy 
at Hamilton, and at Walworth, Wayne county, N. Y. He first taught school in the 
town of Deerfield in 1847, then in Spencer Settlement, and also taught in Westmore- 
land, what is now called Bartlett, and he was town superintendent of schools in 
Westmoreland, from 1850 to 1853. He also taught one term in Lisbon, 111. He was 
also engaged in farming at Westmoreland until 1857, when he went West and con- 
tinued farming until 1861, when he engaged in the hardware business in Wisconsin. 
He returned to Whitesboro in 1864 and engaged in the coal business. In 1866 he 
bought out the lumber business of John Waite, and associated himself with Robert 
Gibson and C. F. Rayner, and afterwards with George and W. B. Williams, and con- 
tinued with them until 1873. His health failing at that time, he was obliged to dis- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 117 

continue business, and sold out to Messrs. Williams. Since then he has been en- 
gaged in office work, having an agency for real estate and insurance business, and 
he also represents the largest coal business in Whitesboro. He married Betsey An- 
tonette, daughter of Rev. Amasa S. Curtis, then of Westmoreland, by whom he 
has three children: Ellen J., Eugene H., and Harriet R. Mr. Law is deacon of the 
Baptist church at Whitesboro. 

Langley, Henry A., was born at Rome, Oneida county, N. Y. , April 30, 1860. His 
father, Henry Langley, was born in Northamptonshire, Eng., December 25, 1834, 
and in 1855 came to this country and settled at Rome, N. Y. , where he engaged in 
farming. In 1885 he removed to Oriskany Falls. He married Adaline Champney, 
who was born in Rome in 1828, and died in April, 1876. Henry A. Langley was 
educated at the Rome public schools and Whitestown Seminary. In 1881 he engaged 
for a time in cheesemaking, and in 1884 went to Oriskany Falls, and, with no ex- 
perience and less than five dollars in cash, embarker": in the mercantile line, having a 
general store ; after two years of success in this line, Mr. A. T. Davis, of West 
Eaton, N. Y. , bought a half interest and entered into partnership under the firm 
name of Langley & Davis. In 1889 they purchased the old Hicks woolen mill and 
commenced the manufacture of cassimeres and flannels; this mill burned January 27, 
1894. In 1892 Mr. Davis retired from the firm and was succeeded by Nathaniel 
Tompkins, of Whitestown, N. Y., which partnership lasted one year, when Mr. 
Tompkins also retired. After the mill was rebuilt the manufacture of cassimeres 
was discontinued and Mr. Langley has since carried on successfully the making 
of woolen yarns, sweaters, hosiery and novelties. All through the depression 
in business Mr. Langley, by careful management, kept the business moving, until 
to-day he has one of the most successful trades in the State. June 16, 1886, 
Mr. Langley married Hattie L. Cross, daughter of John C. Cross, who died August 
9, 1894. 

Latus, W. W., was born in the town of Bridgewater, N. Y., September 12, 1857, 
son of George and Sarah (Stokes) Latus. George Latus is a native of England, 
and came to America in 1832, settling in New Jersey. From there he moved 
to Frankfort, N. Y. , and then to Utica, and from there he went to Bridgewater, 
where he reared his family. Mrs. Latus, his wife, was also a native of England, and 
first settled in New Jersey. She then moved to Albany, then to Canada, and then 
came to Bridgewater. The progenitor of the Latus family in America, was Henry 
Latus, grandfather of W. W. Latus. W. W. Latus spent the first twenty-one years 
of his business life on a farm, and then engaged in the milling business. He learned 
his trade in the mill he now owns, between Clayville and Richfield Junction, and 
which is an important factor in the manufactory life of the Sauquoit valley; and he 
he has conducted the business, as proprietor, for the past nine years with marked 
success; being not only an able and enterprising business man, but also very popular 
with his patrons and public at large. In 1878 Mr. Latus married Elizabeth Walsh, 
of Bridgewater, by whom he has eight children: William, George, Ida, Elizabeth, 
Catherine, Mary, Genevieve, and Margaret. 

Martin, Pliny F., was born in Salem, Washington county, September 4, 1822, son 
of Adam and Almira (Fitch) Martin. The family originally came from Connecticut, 



118 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and Adam Martin was engaged in the harness manufacturing business. He died in 
June, 1826, and his wife, Almira F., died in Whitesboro in August, 1875. Pliny F. 
Martin has always been engaged in the hotel business, and from which he retired in 
1892. He married Sarah A. Baker, by whom he has one child, Abbie Martin. Mr. 
Martin is now married to his second wife, Delia Fitch, by whom he has two children : 
Katherine and James. Mr. Martin has retired to Whitesboro, where he has one of 
the best located farms in the county ; and he is enjoying the rest to which his long, 
active and successful business career entitles him. 

Miller, Philip, was born in Columbia, Herkimer county, N. Y., June 6, 1825, son 
of William J. and Nancy (Haner) Miller. The occupation of his life has been farm- 
ing ; but he spent four years as a mechanic, and taught school during the winters for 
twelve years. In 1865 he settled on his present farm in the town of Paris. He first 
married Phoebe Buck, of Vermont, who died leaving one son, Clifton Park Miller ; 
and he married for his present wife, Phoebe E. Campbell, by whom he has three 
children: John, Mary, and William. In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican, and has 
taken an active interest in the success of his party. He has been assessor of the town 
of Paris for seventeen years, and has just entered upon another term of three years 
and was a member of the Board of Equalization of Oneida county four years. He 
is regarded as one of the leading men of the town. 

• Tripp, George L., was born in Bridgewater, N. Y., February 7, 1873, son of Milton 
and Jennie Cole Tripp, of that town. His grandfather, Ira Tripp, is still living at 
Babcock Hill and he was one of the pioneers of Bridgewater ; he was born in the 
town of Broom, Schoharie county, February 14, 1818, and moved to Bridgewater 
when fifteen years old. George L. learned the harness maker's trade, and in the 
spring of 1895 purchased the harness business of C. O. Biederman, which he is now 
conducting, and popularity in the community, coupled with his superior business 
abilities, insure him undoubted success. 

Terhune, W. L., is a native of Newark, N. J., and was educated there. He first 
commenced the business of a manufacturing jeweler, but after following it for one 
year, he engaged in the book and stationery business in Milwaukee ; from there he 
went to Texas, and in 1875 he returned to Newark, N. J., and engaged in the hop 
business, removing to Waterville in 1877. In 1880 he married Alma J. Foster of 
Middleville, Herkimer county, N. Y., by whom he has one daughter, Edith D. 
Terhune. Mr. Terhune's father, James J. Terhune, was also a native of New Jersey, 
as was his grandfather, William Terhune. The family is an old New Jersey family, 
and have been in the State for generations. His mother is Margaret (Lefferts) Ter- 
hune, a native of New York State. His father is dead, but his mother is still living 
at the age of eighty years. Mr. Terhune is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and of the Royal Arcanum. In the latter he has held many important offices, includ- 
ing district deputy and member of the grand council. He is also a director of the 
Y. M. C. A. in Waterville. His father was county clerk of Essex county, N. J., 
from 1855 to 1860. 

Underwood, Frederick G., was born in Utica, N. Y., September 15, 1852, and was 
educated in the public and advanced schools of Utica. He was a carpenter and 
joiner in early life. He has been married three times, first to Hattie L. Jones, by 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 119 

whom he had two children: Ralph W., who died in his second year, and Mabel L., 
who resides at home. For his second wife he married Estella C. Marsh, of Herki- 
mer county, N. Y. She died October 29, 1888, and for his third wife he married 
Jennie W. Myers, of Utica, by whom he, had one son, Stanley. Mr. Underwood's 
father, Gilbert F., was born in Utica, N. Y., about 1823. He was well educated, 
and had various occupations, merchant, farmer, etc. He married Eliza A. Thurston, 
of Herkimer county, by whom he had three children: Frederick G., as above; Will- 
iam L., and Flora A. He died about 1880, and his wife in 1881. Mr. Underwood 
came to Oneida in 1884, and is now a resident of the town of Verona. He is a dealer 
in hides, pelts, skins, tallow, bones, and also carries on a general rendering es- 
tablishment and manufacture of fertilizers. He is a member of Oneida Lodge, No. 
270, F. & A. M., of Eumenia Lodge, No. 296, I. O. O. F., and has held all the of- 
fices except treasurer and secretary, and is also one of the trustees He is a mem- 
ber of Adieno Encampment 115, of which he is degree master, and has passed 
through all the chairs; also a member of Canton Oneida No. 34, and is major of 2d 
Battalion, 1st Regiment. He is a member of Mizpah Lodge, D. of R., No. 84, and 
president of the National Protective Legion, No. 72. 

Wetmore, Major Ezra F., was born in Whitestown, December, 8, 1820, son of 
Ezra and Susan (Palmer) Wetmore. Ezra Wetmore was born in Middletown, Conn. , 
about 1782, and came to Whitestown when four years of age. He was the son of 
Amos Wetmore, who came here in 1786, and bought 400 acres of land of Governor 
Trumbull of Connecticut, and brought his family here the following year. Amos 
Wetmore was a cooper by trade, and his son Ezra conducted a saw mill and was also 
engaged in farming. Ezra F. Wetmore was educated at the common school and 
Whitestown Academy, after which he engaged in teaching school winters, and en- 
gaged in farming in the summers. April 20, 1861, he volunteered in the 26th N. Y. 
Vols., and was elected captain of Company F. He went to the front where he was 
promoted major, afterwards lieutenant colonel, and colonel by brevet. The regi- 
ment arrived in Washington, June 21, 1861, and went to Alexandria, where they 
constructed Fort Lyon in the winter of 1861-1862, and garrisoned it until May 4, 
when they went to Fredericksburg, Va. After various maneuvers covering the 
period May 4 to August 9, the regiment participated in the battle of Cedar Moun- 
tain, under Brigade General Tower and General John C. Ricketts of McDowell's 
Corps. ' After the battle the regiment remained in the vicinity of the Rapidan four 
days, during which time they had been flanked by the enemy and were compelled to 
fall back to the Rappahannock, where they were engaged with the Confederates for 
three days, when the army fell back on the field of the second battle of Bull Run, 
and during this period they were in the battle of Thoroughfare Gap, and constituted 
the rear guard of McDowell's Corps. On August 30 the regiment participated in the 
second battle of Bull Run, and September 1, the battle of Chantilly. During this 
period of nine days, the 26th Regiment was under constant fire from the enemy's 
guns, and lost heavily. In the second battle of Bull Run the regiment was thrown 
into the enemy's lines, and a hand to hand contest ensued in which the regiment lost 
three captains. They fell back to Centreville, and on September 5, in a skirmish at 
Hall's Hill, the enemy was driven back. On September 14 they fought the battle of 
South Mountain, ascending an almost perpendicular height, driving the rebels from 



120 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

position, and following them up met them at the battle of Antietam on September 17. 
The regiment was on the march from this time until the battle of Fredericksburg, 
in which it participated December 13, 1862. On May 3 the regiment arrived on the 
battle field of Chancellorsville, in which fight they took part, and captured detach- 
ments from the enemy about equal to their own number. At night hearing a noise, 
Major Wetmore called for officers to reconnoiter, and none volunteering, he took 
three men himself and they captured a prisoner, and while he was' returning alone 
with him to camp, they came across four others whom the major marched into the 
Union lines. Major Wetmore was commanding officer in the battles of South Moun- 
tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and although he was under 
constant fire, and participated with his regiment in the hottest scenes of the war, he 
was never wounded, although struck by balls, when his equipments saved him from 
injury. At the roll call of Fredericksburg, there were only forty men and officers to 
respond. On May 29, 1863, the major was mustered out of service (his term having 
expired in April). Since that time the major has been engaged in farming. He 
married Rosanna Walker of Whitestown, by whom he has two children: W. E. 
Wetmore, M:D., a physician practicing in Utica; and Elizabeth J. Wetmore, Major 
Wetmore has in his possession a sword presented to his grandfather, Amos Wet- 
more, for meritorious service in the war of the Revolution. 

Wilson, Charles M., was born in New York Mills, January 25, 1849, son of Mat- 
thew, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and Annie (Young) Wilson, a native of Paisley, 
Scotland. Charles M. attended the public school of New York Mills, and then en- 
tered the mills in 1859. He has been engaged with the New York Mills Company 
ever since, having served during the administration of three generations, and in 
nearly every department of the several mills of the company. In the lower or No. 
1 Mill he started the first loom, and he also started the first Lyall positive motion 
loom in the No. 3 Mill, He is at present assistant superintendentent of the No. 2 
Mill. Mr. Wilson married Irene Comstock of Williamstown, Oswego county, N. Y. , 
by whom he has two sons, Charles Herbert, and Edward Comstock Wilson. He is 
an ardent and influential Republican, but has always declined to become a candi- 
date for political office, though he has served nine years as a trustee of the school. 
He is a member of Oriental Lodge No. 224; Oneida Chapter No. 57, F, & A. M. ; 
and Utica Commandery No. 3. 

Walbran, T. F., was born in Floyd, N. Y., August 20, 1859, son of William J. and 
Lucy A. (Armstrong) Walbran. William J. Walbran was born in Yorkshire, Eng. , 
and came to the United States when thirteen years of age, and settled in Whites- 
town, and went thence to Floyd where he married and engaged in farming. He 
afterward removed to Oriskany, where he was treasurer of the Oriskany Malleable 
Iron Works until his death, which occurred in 1885. T. F. Walbran was educated 
at the Whitestown Seminary and at the Utica Business College, after which he en- 
gaged in clerking. He afterward bought a grist mill, and also run a store, after 
which he engaged in the manufacture of hosiery, in which he still continues. He 
married Grace Hale, of Howell, Mich. Mr. Walbran is a member of the F. & A. M., 
Oriskany Lodge, No. 799. 

Wilcox, Lucy B., was born in New Hartford, N. Y., daughter of Samuel and Abi- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 121 

gal (White) Wilcox. Samuel Wilcox was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1781, and 
came to Whitestown when eleven years of age with his father, Abel Wilcox, and 
when they came to Whitestown, there was only one log cabin in what is now the city 
of Utica. They came from Middletown with two teams consisting one of horses, and 
the other of oxen ; and all of their household goods were conveyed by these teams, 
and they settled in that portion of Whitestown, which is now New Hartford. Abel 
Wilcox built a log cabin. He found clay on his land, and being a mason, he made 
brick, and constructed five houses, and four of them are still standing as they were 
originally built, while one has been remodeled. Samuel Wilcox was a mason by 
trade, and also conducted a farm during his lifetime. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox had 
seven children: Julia Ann (deceased); Lucy B., living in Whitesboro; George C. 
(deceased) ; Susan E. (deceased) ; Henry W. , living in Winsted, Conn. ; Edward L. 
(deceased); and Samuel, living in California. Henry W. married Hannah E. Wil- 
cox of Goshen, Conn., and they have one son, Edward H. Wilcox. This is one of 
the historic families of Oneida county who has done pioneer work, and contributed 
largely to the growth and present prosperity of the county. 

Young, George, was born in Clinton, N. Y., March 6, 1867, son of James B. and 
Isabella (McLean) Young. James B. was the general superintendent for the Clark 
Mills Co. until his death in 1871. George Young was educated in the public school 
of New York Mills, after which he engaged in work in the mills, and then went into 
the office, where he worked up to the position of chief bookkeeper for the company, 
to which position he was appointed in 1890. He married Albertie Seelye, daughter 
of Ambrose G. Seelye of Westmoreland, N. Y., by whom he has two children: Mil- 
dred B. and Marjorie S. J. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Presbyterian 
church, of which Mr. Young is a clerk of the board of elders and secretary and treas- 
urer of the board of trustees. 

Suters, William, was born in Hastings, England, September 29, 1835, and came to 
America in 1856, and settled in Waterville where he learned the trade of carpenter 
and builder which he still follows ; during this time he has constructed many of the 
finest residences and other buildings in Waterville besides doing considerable work 
at Rome, Albany and Middletown. Mr. Suters is a Mason and was master of Sanger 
Lodge No. 129 F. & A. M. , three years, and six years high priest of Warren Chapter 
No. 22 R. A. M. ; also is on his third term as regent of Waterville Council, Royal Arca- 
num. He has also been trustee of the village, president and chief of the Waterville 
Fire Department. In 1870 he married Amelia Excell, by whom he has four children : 
William Franklin, Harry Excell, Cora May and Bessie Amelia. 

Stone, Alexander I., was born in the town of Augusta, N. Y., August 31, 1827, son 
of Samuel Stone, who was born in Guilford, Conn., August 31, 1776, and was de- 
scended from English parents. He was a weaver by trade, and followed that occu- 
pation while in Connecticut, but devoted his time to farming after taking his resi- 
dence in Augusta. He came to New York State, and settled for a time in the 
Catskills, near the Hudson River, and after three years spent there, he moved to 
Wellstown, Hamilton county, and finally in 1880, went west to the town of Augusta, 
settling on the East Hill. He married Mary Wells, of Wellstown, N. Y., who was 
born April 10, 1781, and died in Augusta, September 19, 1836. Mr. Stone died De- 



122 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ceniber 20, 1850. Alexander I. Stone received his education at the district school at 
Stockbridge, after which he assumed the occupation of a farmer, which he has since 
continued. July 7, 1852, he married Mary J. Chadwick, who died April 3, 1855, 
leaving one son; he afterwards married Lavina J. Perkins, who died August 4, 1881, 
and his present wife is Mrs. Abbie M. Matthews of Augusta. Mr. Stone came to the 
farm he now owns in the spring of 1854 — a historic place, as it was first owned by 
Francis O'Toole, the educated Irishman, who spoke fourteen languages ; and from 
the fact that the Indians returning to Canada from the Wyoming massacre halted at 
a small stream on the north boundary of the farm to wash the scalps of their victims. 
Here A. I. Stone reared and educated his four sons and only surviving daughter, the 
latter becoming the wife of John Fletcher Davis, a contractor of Buffalo. The eldest 
son, Hon. J. D. F. Stone, was elected city judge of Utica in 1896 for four years. 
The other three sons seem content to follow the occupation of their father. 

AVeller, W. H., was born in Oneida county, January 8, 1867. His father, Thomas 
Weller, is a native of Kent, England, and his mother, Mary E. (Curry) Weller, is a 
Canadian by birth, and of Scotch descent. He took a course in the Clinton Gram- 
mar School, and then studied law with S. S. Judson of Vernon, and was admitted to 
the bar in December, 1891. He immediately opened an office in Waterville, and is 
already recognized as one of the rising young lawyers of the county. He was clerk 
of the village of Waterville in 1894, and is a member of the Pickwick Club, and San- 
ger Lodge No. 129, F. & A. M. 

Grannis, William E., was born in the town of Kirkland, September 5, 1836, son of 
Andrew D. Grannis, who was born m the town of Floyd, Oneida count)', in 1811. 
The family came from Vermont, and Edward Grannis, grandfather of William E., 
was captain in the war of 1812. They came to this county in 1790 being one of the 
first settlers in the town of Floyd, where he remained until his death in 1856. An- 
drew D. Grannis came to this town in 1833, engaged in farming which he continued 
till his death in 1883. He married Betsey, daughter of William Carpenter, b)- whom 
he had five children, three of which are now living: Adelaide Allen of Lewis county; 
Mrs. Julia Howard of Oklahama; and William E. Grannis. William E. Grannis 
was educated in the Clinton Liberal Institute, his father being one of the first grad- 
uates of the institution, after which he engaged in farming. He married Lucinda, 
daughter of John Pease of Utica, by whom he had one daughter, Louise, wife of 
David Owen of New Hartford. Mrs. Grannis died in 1891, after which he married 
his present wife Dora, daughter of Conrad Roemer, of New Hartford. Mr. Grannis 
is a member of the Clinton Grange, and also of Oneonta Lodge, No. 466, F. & A. M. 

Gleason, Henry N. , was born in the town of Kirkland, May 14, 1828. in the house 
built and occupied by the father and on the same farm as was his father, Orsemus 
Gleason, who was born October 14, 1792. The grandfather, Solomon Gleason, came 
to this town in 1788 from Brimfield, Mass. , where he took up the farm that has re- 
mained in the family ever since. Henry N. Gleason is one of the foremost men in 
Kirkland, and is interested in the Kirkland canning factory, and is treasurer of the 
creamerj' company. He was elected supervisor of the town of Kirkland in 1876, and 
was a director of the Oneida County Agricultural Society twenty-five years. He 
dealt quite a little in cattle and other stock for a number of years, and owns 120 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 123 

acres of the homestead place. Mr. Gleason married Susan, daughter of Ezra Clark 
of Kirkland, of the family which established Clark Mills. 

Salisbury, John H., was born in Otsego county, January 1, 1828, son of John H. 
and Catherine Salisbury. John H., sr., was born in Albany county, April 16, 1784, 
and his wife, Catherine Richens, in Schoharie county, August 18, 1788. The family 
moved to what was then the Oneida Factory, now the village of New York Mills, on 
December 9, 1830, where they lived in the same house over thirty years; and where 
Mrs. Salisbury died in 1853, and Mr. Salisbury in 1858. John H., jr.,' has worked 
for the New York Mills Company for forty-three years, having charge of the repairs 
and machinery at mills No. 3 and No 4. He married Mary L. Gardner of New York 
Mills, by whom he has five sons; George W., an engineer and machinist; Charles 
H., a Baptist minister at Towlesville, N. Y. ; Frank, who is living at home; Herbert, 
who is a florist ; and Albert N. , a telegraph operator and station agent. 

Waterman, Charles, was born in New Berlin, Chenango county, December 8, 1816, 
son of Joseph and Polly (Ritter) Waterman. Mr. Waterman has resided in Oneida 
county since 1832, while he has been on his present farm for the long period of fifty, 
five years. He married Clarissa, daughter of Eddy and Lucy (Ruso) Arnold, by 
whom he had six children: Charles H., De Witt C, Andrew Jackson Davis, John C, 
Clara A. Waterman Arnold, and Mrs. Timothy Thornton. Mr. Waterman has accumu- 
lated his property entirely by his own ability and has lived a successful and honor- 
able life. 

Hawkins, W. S., was born in Malone, Franklin county, N. Y., son of William H. 
and Prudence (Miles) Hawkins. His father was a Methodist minister, and his 
mother was a daughter of Joseph Miles of Potsdam. W. S. Hawkins was educated 
at Potsdam Normal School and Syracuse University, from which he was graduated 
in 1883. He began his course in 1875, but broke off to return to Potsdam, where he 
started the St. Lawrence Herald, and conducted it for four years, after which he re- 
turned '.o college. He taught school in Trinity Hall, Washington, Pa., having 
charge of the boys' preparatory department for one year, when he took a position on 
the Syracuse Herald, and after one year he went to the Rome Sentinel, and finally 
to Waterville in 1885. He purchased the Reflex and in 1888 purchased the Times, 
and incorporated the two into the present Waterville Times. In June, 1890, he 
married Lucia C. Candee, daughter of the late William B. Candee. 

Daggett, A. W., was born September 8, 1851, son of George and Emily Daggett. 
He lived on the farm until seventeen years of age, when he engaged in the railway 
business, and has been an agent on the D. , L. & W. R. R. , for twenty-five years, 
twenty-three of which have been spent in Bridgewater. The firm of Daggett Bros. 
is composed of A. W. and George H. Daggett, and has been in existence for ten 
years, and they do an extensive business in coal and mill products. In 1808 he mar- 
ried Carrie Wheeler, by whom he has one daughter, Mildred. Mr. Daggett is one of 
the most widely known and leading men of Bridgewater, and was elected president 
of the village in 1894, he being the first president. 

Green Alvin L., was born in Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., May 25, 1841. His 
father, Elias F. Green, was born in Sangerfield, Oneida county, N. Y., September 



124 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

17, 1806, and died November 30, 1892, in the town of Paris, where he had spent 
most of his life. Lodowick Green, father of Elias F. , was one of the early settlers in 
the town of Sangerfield, having settled in that town in the year 1801. He was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war. Alvin L. Green is a lineal descendant of John 
Green, an Englishman, who came to America in 1663, and took the oath of allegiance 
to the State of Rhode Island in the year 1671. The sons in direct descent from him 
are Benjamin, John, Philip, Elder Elisha, Lodowick, Elias F. and Alvin L. Mr. 
Green is one of the representative farmers of the town of Paris. He was married in 
Plainfield, Otsego county, N. Y., March 9, 1870, to Sarah E. Ripley, daughter of 
Samuel and Hannah Ripley, by whom he has one son, Harry E., who was born 
October 10, 1877. 

Foote, John B., was born in the town of Westmoreland, May 3, 1841, son of John 
B. Foote, who was born in North Adams, Mass., in 1807, and came to the town of 
Westmoreland in the year 1835, where he continued to make it his home. He was 
a graduate of Williams College, in Massachusetts, and then studied theology under 
Dr. Kirk, after which for some time he traveled, preaching holiness. He married 
Mary Patton, by whom he had these children: John B., Mary E., Samuel G., Ade- 
line L. and Noyes, a namesake of the founder of the Oneida Community, he being 
a personal friend of the father. John B. Foote, jr., was educated in Westmoreland 
and the Clinton Liberal Institute, after which he engaged in farming, owning a 
dairy in connection with his farm, and is at the present time president of the Kirk- 
land Creamery Company. He enlisted in 1862 in the 117th N. Y. Vols., Co. C, serv- 
ing until the close of the war. He married Gertrude, daughter of O. W. Dodge, of 
Vernon, by whom he has three children: Orville D , Clayton E., and Louise D. 
Mr. Foote is a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 227 and grange. 

Warner, Seth H., was born in the town of Marshall, Oneida county, N. Y., De- 
cember 30, 1833, son of Willard Warner, who was born in Onondaga county, and 
came to the town of Marshall in 1830, and settled on the farm which he purchased 
in 1835, where he remained until his death. This family is of Welsh descent, and 
emigrated to this country quite early. Willard Warner married Clarissa Parker, of 
the town of Marshall, by whom he had four children: Albert R., a Methodist min- 
ister; James P., a merchant at Franklin Iron Works; Edgar F., deceased; and Seth 
H., who was educated in the town of Kirkland, also attended Whitestown Seminary, 
after which he engaged in farming, now owning a farm of eighty-three acres, all 
improved land. He married Lucy I. Kinne, of the town of Marshall, by whom he 
had four children: Willard, of Kansas; James E., of Fulton county, N. Y. ; Clara E., 
wife of B. W. Hamlin; and Amelia K., wife of Harris Wood. 

Bronson, James C, was born in the village of Clinton, November 22, 1836, son of 
Dr. Gerritt I. Bronson, who was born in this village in 1804, and whose ancestors 
were from Middlebury, Conn. James Bronson, who dates back for five generations, 
was the first white man to sleep on what is known as Clinton Greens. Dr. Gerritt 
I. Bronson, was a practicing physician in this village for over fifty years. He mar- 
ried Phebe, daughter of Jesse Curtis, by whom he had four children : James C. ; 
Julia H., who is postmaster in Clinton village; Arthur, who died when young; and 
Arthur a prominent lawyer, now deceased. James C. Bronson was educated in the 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 125 

Academy and Liberal Institute of which he is a graduate. He was connected with 
John E. Elliott in the mining business, and was county clerk in 1868, 1869 and 1870. 
He was also supervisor of the town, and town clerk, and enlisted in 1861 in the Fifty- 
seventh N. Y. Volunteers, where he went ' as first lieutenant, and returned colonel. 
He lost his arm in the battle of Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14, 1864. 

Norton, Adelbert E., was born in Vernon Center, August 22, 1866, son of Eben 
A. Norton, also a native of Vernon Center, who was born January 16, 1836, who has 
been engaged in the milling and lumber business, and is now interested with his son 
in the manufacture of spring bed frames at Augusta, N. Y. He married Emma 
J. Hartwell, who was born at Sangerfield, October 23, 1831. Adelbert E. Norton 
attended the Vernon Center school, also the Clinton Grammar School, and upon the 
completion of his course returned home and at once became interested in the saw 
mill and lumber business, In January, 1890, he bought the saw mill and factory, 
established more than eighty years ago, at Augusta, and has since conducted 
it under the firm name, A. E. Norton & Co. Mr. Norton married Alma J. Westcott, 
a native of Augusta, who was born March 9, 1865, and by whom he has two children: 
Ethel A. and Ina E. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are both members of the Augusta Cen- 
ter Presbyterian church. 

Easingwood, Arthur L. , was born in England, October 4, 1859, and came to the 
United States in 1880, where he settled in Utica, and remained for two years, work- 
ing at his trade as carpenter and joiner. He came to the village of Clinton in 1882, 
where he has resided ever since. He has become prominent in the affairs of the vil- 
lage, and has been a contractor and builder, erecting some of the fine residences now 
standing here. He married Harriet B. Kick, daughter of Peter and Mercy Kick of 
College Hill, by whom he has one son, Albert H. Mr. Easingwood is treasurer of 
the Clinton Lodge No. 169 F. & A. M. 

Hamlin, Edwin S., was born at Chittenango Falls, Madison county, N. Y., April 
15, 1836, son of Lewis Hamlin, who was born on the Catskill side of the Hudson 
River in 1796, and was engaged in farming all of his life. Lewis Hamlin with his 
father came to Sullivan, N. Y., where he remained about five years; thence to Chit- 
tenango Falls, and in 1846 to the town of Cazenovia, near New Woodstock, where 
he resided eleven years ; returning then to Perry ville, where he lived until his death. 
He married Desire Hulbert, of the town of Butternuts, Chenango county, who died 
at Chittenango Falls, in 1844. Edwin S. received his education at Chittenango 
Falls, New Woodstock, and Cazenovia Seminary. He finished at the age of seven- 
teen, and engaged on a farm for a time; he then spent several years in the West, 
and returned in 1861. He then engaged in the milling and lumber business at Perry- 
ville, N. Y., which he carried on till 1877, when he disposed of his lumber interests, 
and devoted himself to the grist mill which he had purchased. In January, 1884, he 
bought what was known as the farmer's mill at Oriskany Falls, and is now carrying 
on a large and successful milling business, having remodeled and supplied the latest 
roller process for making flour. September 1, 1863, he married Mary E. Ehle of 
Perryville, by whom he has three children: DeL. B. Hamlin, who was born Septem- 
ber 21, 1868; Lena F., born June 7, 1870; and Edwin P., who was born June 29, 
1875. DeL. B. Hamlin is a dealer in flour and feed at Waterville, Oneida county, 
N. Y. 



126 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Morrow, James E., was born in Georgetown, Madison county, N. Y., July 1, 1833, 
and received his education at the Georgetown schools and at a boarding school in 
Richmondville, Schoharie county. His father, William Morrow, was born in Ireland 
in 1800 and came to this country with his uncle when four years old. He followed 
farming all his life and died in Augusta in 1877. He married Elizabeth Butler, who 
was born in Westmoreland in 1806 of English parentage, and died in Augusta in 
September, 1858, by whom he had nine children. James E. Morrow moved from 
Georgetown to Augusta with his parents at the age of sixteen and has resided in 
town forty-seven years ; lived on the farm he now owns thirty-five years. In 1854 
he married Lura A. Beach, born in Augusta December 20, 1832. Her father, Jacob 
Beach, was born in Norfolk, Conn., August 17, 1805, lived in Augusta about seventy 
years, and died May 31, 1882. His wife, Lura Ann Doolittle, was born in Jewett, 
Greene county, N. Y., May 24, 1808, died May 27, 1882, only four days between their 
deaths. There were seven children born to them, one of whom went to war and was 
killed at the battle of Chapin's Farm. To James and Lura A. Morrow were born 
four children: Flavilla Elizabeth, born November 17, 1855, died May 25, 1874; Will- 
iam Beach, born January 17, 1858, married Ida Strong (daughter of Warren G. 
Strong). October 12, 1881. He is now a physican in Delaware county, N. Y. ; Cora 
Amelia, born September 12, 1864, married John P. Hipwell, a farmer of Augusta; 
Lucius Palmer, born December 3, 1873, died April 4, 1875. 

Barns, Capt. Amos, son of Nathaniel and Nancy (Pendleton) Barns, was born in 
Westerly, R. I., February 13, 1799. He was of English origin, his father's ancestors 
having come to America within a few years after the settlement of Plymouth, stay- 
ing awhile in New England, then settling at Amagansett, Long Island. An authen- 
tic history is known as far back as 1675 which is the date of the birth of Isaac Barns. 
On his mother's side he was the seventh in line from Major Bryan Pendleton, who 
was born in England in 1599, and settled in Sudbury, Mass., previous to 1734, where 
in after years he held several important civil and military offices. Captain Barns 
was the fourth child and youngest son of a family of eight children, all of whom he 
survived. His boyhood home was upon the bank of the Pawcatuck River, within 
sight and sound of the ocean, and he grew up with a great love for the water and 
early became an intrepid swimmer and a daring and skillful sailor. When little less 
thyn thirteen years old he went on a voyage to Norfolk, Va. , as one of the hands on 
board the vessel. He was an eye-witness of the bombardment of Stonington, Conn., 
on the 10th of August, 1814, and saw the coming and the sailing away of the discom- 
fitted English fleet. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet- 
maker's trade, but soon after serving his time of three years, he again went to sea. 
In 1820 and 1821 he was at the South Shetland Islands in the Antarctic Ocean en- 
gaged in seal-fishing. While there he had some thrilling and perilous adventures, 
among them being that of falling into a crevasse when crossing alone one day one 
of the glaciers with which those islands are covered. By dint of good luck, perse- 
verance and the aid of his sealing club he worked his way out and duly reported him- 
self in camp, somewhat battered and bruised from the fall and effort of getting to 
the surface again. For many years he was the sole survivor of the crew of one hun- 
dred men that manned the fleet of five vessels on the voyage. In June of the fol- 
lowing year he was near the Arctic Ocean in the sloop Alonzo (Capt. Acors Barns). 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 127 

For several years he was in the coasting trade, buying cargoes of the farmers along 
the Connecticut shore and up her rivers, and taking them to Charleston, Norfolk, 
Baltimore and other southern parts where he exchanged them for the products of 
those regions, selling those in turn in New York city. During the last four years of 
his sea life he was engaged in running a packet for freight and passengers between 
Stonington, Conn., and New York. January 13, 1822, he married Margaret Dickens 
(daughter of a Revolutionary soldier), who was born May 31, 1801. Eleven children 
were born to them: Sylvester, Matthew, Franklin, Susan, Arthur (deceased), Mar- 
garet, Lydia, Sarah (deceased), Harriet (deceased), Caroline and Henry D. In Sep- 
tember, 4833, Captain Barns settled in Oneida county, and in February, 1834, pur- 
chased the farm and residence in Westmoreland which was his home till he died, 
and where he very successfully followed the vocation of farming. In politics he was 
a Republican and always took a lively interest in the affairs of the nation, and gave 
liberally of his means to promote all good works. From 1850 to 1854 he was post- 
master at Westmoreland. Mrs. Barns died January 27, 1872, after a married life of 
fifty years. Captain Barns died May 30, 1894, aged ninety-five years. 

Fitch, Norman, was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., November 7, 1807. He 
was educated in the schools of that day, and has always been a farmer. In 1872 he 
married Keziah Joslyn, of this town, by whom he had four children : Harrison E., 
Jesse B., Eliza M., and Eunice F. Jesse B. married' Louise Brandon, and they have 
one daughter, Fannie E. Eunice F. died at seventeen years of age. "Mrs. Fitch died 
in 1839, and for his second wife Mr. Fitch married Lena M. Young, of this town, by 
whom he had two children: N. Warner, and Fannie E., who married George 
Kozenstein, of this town, but are now residents of Hancock, Delaware county, N. Y. 
Mr. Fitch's father, Nathaniel Fitch, was born in Windham county, Conn., in 1779 
and was educated there. He married Asenath Brown, by whom he had four chil- 
dren: Eliza, who died in infancy, Norman, as above, Maria, and Jesse B. The three 
last were born here. The family came to this State and town in 1807, where they 
erected a log house. Nathaniel Fitch was assessor and supervisor of the town, also 
member of assembly. He died in 1865, and his wife in 1846. Mrs. Fitch's father 
Peter Young, was born in Alsace, France, in 1796. He was educated in their schools! 
and married Lena Bowers, of his native place. They came to the United States in 
1830 and located in the town of Verona. They had seven children, one of whom 
died in infancy; Lena M., as above, Michael, George, Elizabeth (who were born in 
Alsace, France), Margaret, and Peter. Mr. Young died in 1866, and his wife in 1864. 
The ancestry of the family is English and French. 

Canfield, M. T., was born at Pittsford, N. Y., in 1844, son of Lewis Canfield, 
and later a jeweler, in Binghamton, N. Y. M. T. Canfield spent his boyhood 
in Fremont, Ohio; at sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to a watchmaker 
at Jamestown, N. Y., where he served four years. Disliking the trade at that time 
he traveled for two years for a Cleveland manufacturing company. At the age of 
twenty-two he resumed his work at Columbus, Ohio, and in 1869 went to Memphis, 
Tenn.. continuing his trade for four years. He then spent a year at Muskegon^ 
Mich., and two years at St. Louis, Mo., thence to San Francisco for one year, and 
one year at Los Angeles, wherein 1877 he married Susan Dixon, of Utica. After his 
marriage he returned to San Francisco, where he was engaged in business for four 



128 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

years and then came to Utica, where he is at present a prominent jeweler. Mr. 
Canfield is held in high repute in both business and social circles and is an 
efficient trustee of the Presbyterian church, and member of Oneida Historical 
Society. 

Adams, Elbridge R., was born in Lowville, N. Y., August 9, 1837, son of Dr. Ira 
Adams, one of the leading physicians of Lewis county, who was born in Cavendish, 
Vt, August 25, 1792. Dr. Ira Adams was graduated from the regular school, but 
later adopted the homceopathic method of treatment, and followed it the re- 
mainder of his active professional life, being the first doctor of that faith in the 
county. He married Arzelia A., daughter of Judge William Root, of Carbondale, Pa., 
who was born in Utica, N. Y., June 8, 1801, and died in December, 1887. Dr. 
Adams died at Stow's Square, Lewis county, in 1856. E. R. Adams was educated at 
Lowville Academy, and entered Union College in 1857, graduating in the class of 
1861 with Phi Beta Kappa honors; after which he taught two years in Lowville 
Academy. He was then school commissioner of the Second School Commissioner 
district of Lewis county for three years. He subsequently read law three years with 
Charles D. Adams, of Lowville, and Starbuck & Sawyer, of Watertowu, and was 
admitted to the bar, October 7, 1869. On account of failing eyeysight he abandoned 
the practice of law, and finally returned to his former occupation of teaching. He 
was then ten years principal of the Lee Center School, and taught two years in the old 
Whitestown Seminary, coming from that institution to Vernon in 1885, where he is 
serving as principal of the Union School. In 1890, through his influence, the school 
was changed to a graded school. In 1870 he married Anna C. Mealus, who was born 
in Holland Patent, N. Y., January 9, 1838, by whom he has three children: Fred R., 
Lillian May, and Bertha A. Mrs. Adams was educated at Turin, and Fairfield 
Seminary. 

Seiter, George, was born March 14, 1845, in France, near the city of Strasburg and 
the River Rhine, Germany, and came to America in 1847. His father, a carpenter, 
settled in Utica and engaged at his trade ; but having a desire to own a saw-mill, he 
bought at Little Black Creek, While quite young George found he inherited his 
father's desire for a saw mill and machinery. In 1869 his father died, and two years 
later he came to Boonville where he invested in real estate on the corner of Main and 
Church streets and built a block of stores and the Globe Hotel, which he still owns. 
For some twenty years he conducted a grocery store and ran the Globe Hotel for 
about three years; while in business he often found himself called upon to draft 
plans and build so in 1890 he bought the tannery site of Samuel Johnson, a fine 
water power about a stone's throw from the depot, where he built a saw mill and a 
rustic home, where he enjoys life with his wife and children, of which he has seven: 
Mary Anna, John Mathias, Rose Helen, Julia Barbara, George, jr., Joseph Aloysius, 
and Norbert Milton. In 1895 he added steam to the mill, which gives ample power 
at all times, and he expects to manufacture lumber, shingles, lath, etc., also to do 
planing, turning and scroll sawing. 

Sturdevant, Oliver W., was born in Augusta, Oneida county, N. Y., December 27, 
1835. His education was received in the public schools and Cazenovia Seminary. 
For several years he was engaged in teaching the district schools and in Onondaga 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 129 

Academy, which position he left in the spring of 1862 to enter Hamilton College. About 
this time there came an urgent call for volunteers, and he enlisted as a private in 
Co. E. , 44th N. Y. Vols. He participated with his regiment in the first battle of 
Fredericksburg, the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, besides some less 
important engagements. At Gettysburg he was in the brigade which held the 
" Round Top" against Longstreet's charge on the 2d of July. While a member of 
this regiment he was promoted to corporal and sergeant. In October, 1863, he was 
ordered before General Casey's examining board in Washington, and was appointed 
by President Lincoln to a captaincy in the Tenth Regiment of U. S. Colored troops, 
November 3, 1863. In this regiment he was engaged in the advance up the James 
River, May 4, 1864, under General Butler. He was on the provost guard at City 
Point under General Patrick during the winter of 1864-65, and was ordered to the 
front in time to be in the first brigade which entered Richmond after its evacuation 
by the Confederates. Shortly after this regiment was sent to Corpus Christi, Texas, 
and thence to Galveston. At this place Captain Sturdevant resigned his commis- 
sion April 6, 1866, and received an honorable discharge. Returning to his former 
home he was soon after appointed principal of the leading public school of Oneida, 
and after several years' service therein was elected school commissioner of the First 
district of Madison county. While holding this office he was called to the principal- 
ship of Onondaga Academy, which position he occupied for sixteen years, resigning 
it in 1888. While engaged in this work in 1883 he received from Hamilton College 
the honorary degree of A. M. On retiring from Onondaga Academy he was ap- 
pointed assistant conductor of Teachers' Institutes of the State of New York, which 
position he held for about two years when he retired, and now resides on his farm 
in Verona on the Rome and Oneida road. In April, 1865, he married M. Isadore 
Willard, only daughter of Erastus Willard, at one time sheriff of Oneida county. 
She died in May of the following year. April 2, 1868, he married Elizabeth H. Rog- 
ers, of Oneida, N. Y. Mr. Sturdevant's father, Dudley Sturdevant, was born in 
Connecticut in 1800, but at an early age removed with his parents to the town of 
Augusta in this county. In 1840 he removed to the homestead which our subject 
still owns and occupies. He was educated in the common schools of his day. He 
married Mary A. Swan of this town, by whom he had seven children: Caroline L., 
Edward Y., Ellen L., Oliver W., as above, James W., John E., and Theodore F. 
Mr. Sturdevant died in 1864, and his wife in 1885. Mrs. Elizabeth H. Sturdevant, 
the wife of our subject, is the daughter of David Rogers, who was born in Oxford- 
shire, England, in 1814, and was educated there. He married Rhoda Hull of his 
native place. Their children were Elizabeth H., as above, Anna M., and John H. 
The family came to the United States in 1849 and settled at Oneida, where Mrs. 
Rogers still resides. Mr. Rogers died in 1868. 

Hanna, Col. Nathaniel, one of the early settlers in Oneida county, was born in 
Ireland, near Dublin, of Scotch parentage, in 1717 ; he emigrated to this country in 
1781, settling in Cambridge, N. Y. ; he came to Oneida county about 1787 and located 
himself on a farm about two miles west of Clarks Mills. He died in 1803 and was 
buried in the Evergreen Cemetery on South street, which at that time adjoined the 
first Methodist church built in the town of Westmoreland. He served his mother 
country as colonel of dragoons in the seyen years war on the Continent, 1756-1763, 



130 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and afterwards as sheriff of Kings county. He was a man of massive frame, and 
was long remembered by the early settlers as an expert horseman. His daughter 
Sarah married James Tompkins, a native of Ireland, born in 1762, died in 1828; came 
to this country in 1781 and to Oneida county about 1787. He bought a farm located 
on the Oriskany Creek a short distance below Clark's Mills. He took his conveyance 
from Genera] Washington, and the penmanship was in the hand of Clinton, the 
general's private secretary, The farm is now owned by Mrs. E. Langdon. The 
purchase was made prior to the era of highways, and Indians were his daily visitors. 
His house was the headquarters of Methodism, and Bishop Asbury and Lorenzo 
Dow with his wife Peggy often slept at his house, and thundered the law in the old 
church on South street. Mr. Tompkins's daughter Eleanor married Francis Watson, 
a native of England, who was born in 1794, and died in 1871 ; he purchased the 
homestead, on which he lived until about 1856. His son, Col. James T. Watson, an 
old resident of Clinton was born in 1830; he established a drug store in Clinton in 
1858 which is now conducted by one of his sons. He received his military commis- 
sion from Governor Hoffman, and was active in the State service for many years. 
For several years he has been president of the Westmoreland Cemetery Association, 
and has filled several other positions of trust with honor; he is an enthusiastic 
sportsman with gun, rod, or sail, and the latchstring of his cottage, Bontekoe, 
Thousand Islands; always hangs outside for all his friends. 

Jackson, John T. — John Jackson's father was John Jackson, born in Boonville in 
1830, and died October 9, 1857. His mother, Harriet Pitcher, was born in Boonville 
February 13, 1832, and they were married February 24, 1852; they had two sons; 
Roscoe N., born July 7, 1856, and John S., born November 6, 1857. His grandfather, 
John Jackson, of Herkimer, married Hester Neely and came to Boonville in 1817. 
She died in September, 1881, and her husband in 1829. Their children were Abra- 
ham, Jerome, Silas, Andrew, John, Jane and Ann. Abraham and Silas are living 
in Wisconsin, and the others are dead. Roscoe N. Jackson married Minnie With- 
ington of Adams, and is now a physician in Faribault, Minn. John S. Jackson was 
born in Boonville, November 6, 1857 ; he has always been engaged in farming and 
owns 130 acres which is devoted to dairy products. In 1878 he married Cora Bell 
Talcott of Leydeu, Lewis county, N. Y. ; she was born in Leyden in 1859, and there 
lived until her marriage, November 6, 1878. They have three children: Pearl S., 
born October 23, 1881; Edith H., born October 1, 1885; Vere T., born December 23, 
1890. 

-Tripp, Orris B., was born in Floyd April 27, 1838, son of Isaac and Mary (Brook) 
Tripp. Isaac Tripp was born in Steuben, and was a pioneer farmer, active in both 
town and county affairs; he was assessor in the town of Floyd for many years, and 
at one time the Democratic candidate for county superintendent of the poor. Will- 
iam Tripp, grandfather of Orris B., was a Revolutionary soldier and drew a pension 
for the same. His father, Job Tripp, was a soldier in the French war and also took 
an active part in the Revolution, being commissary to General Gates, and trained 
the horse that Arnold road at the battle of Saratoga Orris B. Tripp was the young- 
est of ten children, and was educated in the district schools of his town and at the 
Utica Academy. He married Esther Jones in 1874, daughter of Hugh W. and Sally 
Smith Jones; they had one son in 1890, now deceased. He engaged in general 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 131 

farming at twenty-one years of age ; held the office of justice of the peace three terms 
(twelve years); represented the town in the Board of Supervisors in 1881; has been 
active in public affairs and private enterprises. Though not a communicant of any 
church he is a staunch believer and liberal supporter of the Christian religion. He 
is an extensive reader of history and of current events, enjoying fiction as well. He 
resides in the same house in which he was born, and has never moved but once, and 
then he took his house with him about a mile to an adjoining farm. He is a reliable, 
upright citizen, and his standing in his town is evidence that he has not lived in 
vain. 

Adams, Justus B., son of John J. Adams, was born in Boonville December 10, 
1832. In 1868 he bought a farm of 116 acres where he keeps a dairy of sixteen to 
eighteen cows. In 1868 he married Rhoda, daughter of Elisha and Lenda (Burdick) 
Scofield of Jefferson county, by whom he has three children: Pearl E., Dewey J., 
Lillie B. Justus B. and his wife are members of the Friends church. John J. Adams 
was born in Ballston, Saratoga county, February 13, 1801 ; he came to Boonville in 
1805. He married Betsey Corwin, by whom he had six children ; Ezra J., Azubah 
B., Eli J., Justus B., Jesse T. and Clarissa E. John J., his wife, and all the children 
were Friends, except Clarissa E. John J. died in 1882, aged eighty-one; Betsey, his 
wife, died in 1836, aged thirty-six. Ezra Adams, father of John J. , was born in Con- 
necticut in 1770 ; he married Betty Beardsley, by whom he bad four children : Irena, 
John J., Polly and Azubah. Ezra Adams came into Oneida county about the year 
1800 and followed surveying; he used to have two white men and two Indians to 
assist him. He bought a tract of land lying east and west from Ava Corners ; the 
tract was three miles long and 200 rods wide — 200 acres — and in the year 1805 he 
with his family moved and settled about two miles west of where Ava post-office is 
now. He died in 1823, aged fifty-three, and Betty, his wife, in 1805, aged twenty- 
nine He married Lydia Dewey for his second wife, by whom he had seven children : 
Clarissa, Ezra, Josiah Dewey, Julia L., Ephraim Sherwood, Polly and Walker, who 
was one year and one day old when his father died. They all lived in Ava or Lee 
for about fifty years after their father's death. Julia L. (Townsend) is still living and 
keeping house in her eighty third year. 

Root, Oren, was born at Syracuse, N. Y., where his father was principal of Syra- 
cuse Academy, May 18, 1838, and his family moved to Clinton in January, 1850, 
when the elder Root was elected professor of mathematics in Hamilton College, 
which position he held for thirty-two years. In 1852 Oren entered Hamilton Col- 
lege in the class of 1856, a boy fourteen and one-half years of age, the youngest 
member of the class. After graduation Mr. Root taught for a time, and finally took 
up the study of law, being admitted to the bar of Wisconsin in 1858. From 1860-62 
he was tutor in mathematics in Hamilton College, leaving that position to become 
principal of Rome Academy. His next field of action was the West, where he oc- 
cupied the chair of English in the University of Missouri for five years. In 1871 he 
resigned to become superintendent of the newly organized schools of Carrolton, Mo. 
Two years later Professor Root became principal of Pritchell Institute, Glasgow, 
Mo. While here, in obedience to a strong impulse, he decided to enter the ministry, 
taking charge of two struggling and divided churches, in addition to his school 
duties, and here his great ability as an organizer proved of inestimable value. But 



132 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the strain of the added cares proved too much even for his great endurance, and he 
was obliged to give up active duty for a time. In 1880, his health fully restored, he 
was called from the West to assist his aged father, whom he succeeded the following 
year as professor of mathematics. Professor Root had now been in the West fourteen 
years. His experiences had been varied and often severe. He was teacher, lawyer, prin- 
cipal, superintendent, and pastor. The training thus received has manifested itself 
in later years in Professor Root's work in college. His mind was broadened, 
trained, and made ready for work. He had acquired knowledge that could only 
have been obtained in the rough and more trying life of the West. He had found a 
certain readiness and push, a fearless determination, and willingness to lift and 
carry burdens which has enabled him to become a power in his chosen work and 
place. Professor Oren Root has taught mathematics in Hamilton College for fifteen 
years, with great zeal and ability. As an instructor, Dr. Root is forcible, clear and 
thorough. As an orator, Dr. Root is held in repute far and wide. His utterances 
are pithy and powerful, his rhetoric is easy and finished, his discourses replete with 
illustration, and persuasive in their effects. His hearers move with him, and there 
is a seriousness and substantiality in and through it all, that only comes of fixed 
purpose and strong conviction. His experience and knowledge of life make him a 
leader of more than ordinary power. 

Scollard, Clinton, was born September 18, 1860. He is the only son of Dr. James 
I. and Elizabeth S. Scollard. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1881, with a 
record for high scholarship. After teaching rhetoric and oratory for a year or two 
in the Brooklyn Polytechnic, he entered upon a post-graduate course in advanced 
English at Harvard University. In 1886 he went abroad, and in 1887 he made a 
tour of several months in the far East. Upon his return he was called to Hamilton 
as instructor in English literature. He was mrrried July 3, 1890, and spent his 
honeymoon in Europe. In 1891 he was elevated to the chair of English literature at 
his alma mater. This he held till 1896, when he resigned to devote his time wholly 
to literature, in which field he has attained unusual fame for a young man. He has 
published several volumes of poetry which rank with those of the best writers in 
that line. While still an undergraduate at Hamilton, Mr. Scollard's poetical efforts 
began to attract attention. The college periodicals of that date contain many clever 
verses from his pen. 

Knox, J. Theodore, was born in Knoxboro, N. Y., December 13, 1845, and came 
from the family that founded the village bearing the name. They were among the 
prominent citizens in the town of Augusta, and instances became conspicuous, 
among the clergy and financiers, in a larger field. His grandfather, John J. Knox, 
came from Montgomery county in 1811 and settled at the place which later became 
Knoxboro. James C. Knox, father of J. Theodore, was born at Knoxboro Novem- 
ber 29, 1818, and spent his life there, engaged in active and successful mercantile 
and manufacturing business; he died July 16, 1894. October 2, 1844, he married Mary 
E. Whiteley, who was a native of Utica, born December 2, 1818, who is still living 
on the old homestead in Knoxboro. J. Theodore received his education at Dwight's 
Rural High School in Clinton and at the age of sixteen entered his father's store 
as clerk and bookkeeper, and in 1865, although only twenty years of age, entered 
into partnership with his father, which contineed until 1881 ; at that time selling to 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 133 

his father the interest he held in the store, having in the mean time engaged in the 
general insurance business, which he still continues besides conducting the affairs 
of his farms. Mr. Knox has held the office of town clerk for two terms, and in 
1881 received the nomination for the Assembly. February 20, 1873, he married 
Lucy Anna Barbour, of Pittstown, Rensselaer county, who was born August 7, 1848, 
and received her education at North Granville, and Temple Grove Seminary ; her 
father, Rev. P. Barbour, was then pastor of the Presbyterian church of Augusta. 
They have three children : Mary Barbour, born March 10, 1883; Ruth Agnes, born 
November 6, 1886; William Curtis, born May 3, 1889. 

Williams, Arnon George, was born in Westmoreland, July 8, 1818, son of George 
and Rhoda (Beckwith) Williams. George Williams was a native of Massachusetts, 
and came to Westmoreland about 1816, where he conducted a farm. He then went 
to boating on the canal, but afterwards resumed farming until his death in 1850. 
Arnon George Williams was educated in the district schools, then learned the black- 
smith's business, after which he went to the Groton Academy in Tompkins county, 
where he prepared for college. He entered Hamilton College in 1842, graduating 
in 1845, having gained a collegiate education through his own efforts, teaching school 
at intervals. After graduating from college he went to teaching in the Delancey In- 
stitute at Westmoreland where he taught two years, and then went to Walworth 
Academy where he occupied the position of principal for two years; from here he 
went to Fayetteville where he served as principal for five years; thence to Vernon, 
serving years ; after which he returned to Delancey Institute, also serving as 
principal a term of years. On returning to Westmoreland he bought the Springs 
buildings and property connected with them; he later bought the Hallock farm, 
which he ran in connection with the Institute, which has been known as the Delancey 
and Williams Institue. After some years he gave up teaching and turned his at- 
tention to cultivating his farming property. Mr. Williams is a staunch Republican, 
contributing his best efforts to the support of his party, but has never sought a 
political office. He has been justice of the peace and loan commissioner. Mr. Will- 
iams married Jane B. Pratt, of Castile, Wyoming county. Mr. Williams's career has 
been one of remarkable activity. He has been one of the foremost educators in the 
county, and was one of the principal men in forming the town Agricultural Society, 
which ran for ten years successfully ; he was also one of the organizers, and first 
master of the grange in this town for four years. Mr. Williams has always been at the 
head of the educational work, and foremost in everything connected with the inter- 
ests of the farmers, and is first vice-president of the Farmers' club. 

Jessup, Benjamin T., was born in Colchester, Delaware county, N. Y., April 12, 
1813, son of Abraham and Phoebe Jessup, also of Colchester, N. Y. Mr. Jessup's 
ancestors came to this country in 1642. He went to New York at sixteen years of 
age, and was engaged in business there for fifty-eight years. Fifty years of this 
period, he was engaged in the manufacture of paints and oils, and was one of the 
pioneers in that business, and was the first to prepare zinc paint for painters' use. 
In 1887 he retired entirely from business, "and bought the S. Newton Dexter place 
in Whitesboro. Mr. Jessup married Emily C, daughter of Robert Johnson, of 
Middletown, Conn., by whom he had four children : John C, Robert J., Henrietta 



134 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

married to Edgar P. Glass of Syracuse, and Benjamin A. of Brooklyn, N. Y. His 
second wife is Mary E., daughter of John Tunbridge, of Utica. 

Wilson, William H. , was born February 5, 1849, son of Henry W. and Adelia S. 
(Draper) Wilson. Henry Wilson was the son of James Wilson, who built the present 
homestead residence and purchased the present homestead farm, in 1792, coming 
here with Judge White, and being one of the earliest settlers in the township. Henry 
W. lived here during his lifetime. William H. Wilson was educated at Whitestown 
Seminary, after which he engaged in farming on the old homestead farm, where he 
has always resided. Mr. Wilson isastaunch Republican and takes an active interest 
in the success of his party. He married Emma J., daughter of E. Chauncey Lewis, 
a farmer of Kirkland. This is a sketch of one of the oldest and best known families 
in the township of Whitestown. On his mother's side, the family are descended 
from the Draper family, who trace their descent back to 1620. 

Race, Chester A., was born in Greene, Chenango county, N. Y., son of George T. 
Race and Margaret A. Race. His grandfather, Derrick Race, came from Connec- 
ticut and settled in Greene, when it was a vast wilderness. Chester A. was educated 
in Chenango county and settled in Norwich and from there came to Walesville. 
Mr. Race is a carpenter and builder and also engaged in farming. He married Jane 
Whiting, by whom he had two children: Jesse, and Georgie. Mrs. Race died in 
1872, and he is now married to Ella Brooks, by whom he has four children: Charles, 
Arthur, Carrie and Bertie. Mr. Race and wife are members of the Baptist church 
at Walesville, and Mr. Race is a staunch Republican and takes an active interest in 
the success of his party. 

Hawkins, James S., was born in Canada, December 23, 1822, and came to the 
United States with his parents when a year old. He was educated in the district 
schools in various places, and has been a boat builder by occupation. March 23, 
1843, he married Jane E. Pratt, of Rome, N. Y.,by whom he had eight children, two 
of whom died in infancy: Delos A., Salome M., Udell R., Addie M. , Frances E., and 
Sarah J., all of whom are married. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have thirty-one grand- 
children. October 18, 1861, Mr. Hawkins enlisted in Co. K, 97th N. Y. S. Vols., re- 
enlisted January 4, 1864, and participated in the following engagements: South 
Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Rac- 
coon Ford, Battle of the Wilderness. Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, North' 
Anna River, Bethsaida Church, White Oak Swamp, in front of Petersburg, and the 
Weldon Railroad, where he was taken prisoner August 19, 1864, and was in Libby 
and Salisbury Prisons, was exchanged and returned to his company May 6, 1865. 
He was honorably discharged June 9, 1865, from Navy School Hospital. He is a 
member of Joseph Warren Post, of Verona, N. Y. , No. 615, G. A. R., Department 
of New York. 

Burrell, Joseph, was born in England October 12, 1844, son of Thomas and Mercy 
Burrell, who came from England to Westmoreland in 1854. Thomas Burrell then 
engaged in farming, at which he continued until his death in May, 1895. Joseph 
was educated in the district school, after which he also engaged in farming, and at 
the outbreak of the late Civil war he volunteered and went to the front with the 
117th New York Infantry, participating in the following battles: Suffolk, Va., bom- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 135 

bardment ot Fort Sumter, S. C, Seabrook and John's Island, Swift Creek, Va., 
Drury's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, Petersburg Mine Explosion, 
Chapin's Farm, Darbytown Road, Fort Fisher, N. C, campaign of the Carolinas, 
and Bennet House, N. C, and was honorably discharged June 8, 1865, at Raleigh, 
N. C. , by reason of the close of the war. This regiment participated in an unusual 
number of engagements, in all of which Mr. Burrell participated, never being absent 
from his regiment during the whole three years of their brilliant record, and he was 
fortunate enough, though participating in some of the hottest engagements of the 
war, to not receive a wound. After the war he returned to Westmoreland and en- 
gaged in farming, at which he continues. He married Jessie I. Isbell, daughter of 
S. A. Isbell, of Westmoreland, by whom he has one daughter, Hattie L. 

Tuttle, Frank J. — Salmon Tuttle was born in the town of Camden, Oneida county, 
N. Y., August 12, 1815. He was educated in the common and select schools, and 
has since been engaged on the canal and in lumbering and farming. He has been 
married twice, first in December, 1843, to Emily Page, of New London, and they 
had one son, Albert G. Mrs. Tuttle died July 8, 1845, and July 1, 1847, he married 
Sarah A. Bailey, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had four children: Flormond 
B., Zopher J., Volsey B., who died in infancy, and Frank J. Mr. Tuttle's father, 
Zopher Tuttle, was born in Connecticut, February 4, 1776, and came to the town of 
Salisbury, Herkimer county, when a young man. He married Betsey B. Beasley, 
formerly of Connecticut, by whom he had six children: Hannah, Polly, James, 
Delight, Salmon, as above, and Zopher. The great-grandfather of Frank J., Daniel 
Tuttle, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Salmon Tuttle has resided on the 
homestead sixty years. Frank J. Tuttle was born on the homestead June 13, 1861, 
and was educated in the public schools, and has since been engaged in farming and 
speculating. He married Flora E. Kent, of Leyden, Lewis county, by whom he had 
one daughter, Laura K. Mrs. Tuttle's father, Phineas Kent, was born in Leyden, 
May 22, 1826, and was educated in the schools of that time. He married Maria 
Smith, of the town of Lee, by whom he had five children : Flora E., as above, Nellie 
S., Lena B., Hattie M., and Grace A. The ancestry of the family is of New England 
stock, of English extraction. 

Lyman, Charles Simeon, was born in Westmoreland, N. Y. , September 10, 1846, 
son of Simeon and Amanda Colton (Howard) Lyman. Simeon Lyman was born in 
Connecticut and came to Westmoreland in later years, where he engaged in farming 
and also ran a saw mill. He died August 10, 1868. Amanda Lyman, his wife, was 
born in Starkey, N. Y. Charles S. first attended the district school, then Hampton 
Spring Institute, and afterwards the Whitestown Seminary. He then engaged in 
clerking and afterwards was in the mercantile business at Westmoreland. He is 
now engaged in farming and conducts the homestead farm. Mr. Lyman was post- 
master under Mr. Harrison's administration and was road commissioner for four 
years. He married Clara Bedient, of Westmoreland, by whom he has three children : 
Mary A., Fannie E. and C. Herrick. Mr. Lyman, and his father before him, have 
always been representative citizens of Westmoreland. 

Eells, Charles W., was born in the town of Kirkland, July 15, 1819, son of Robert 
Eells, was born in Middletown, Conn., and came to the towns of Kirkland and 



136 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Whitestown in 1815. Their ancestors were from England. Robert Eells married 
Rebecca, daughter of Simeon Hatch of New Hartford, by whom he had three chil- 
dren : George K. and Henry (deceased), and Charles W. Charles W. Eells was edu- 
cated in the town of Westmoreland, and graduated from Whitestown Academy. He 
engaged in farming and now owns a farm of forty acres. He married Mary A., 
daughter of Orrin Prior of Kirkland, by whom he has three children: Elizabeth, 
Martha and Theodore. 

Marshall, Charles L., was born in the town of Paris, April 21, 1853, son of Charles 
Leander and Caroline (Mould) Marshall, and whose ancestors came from Connecti- 
cut. He learned the trade of carpenter, and since 1876 has been superintendent of 
the o-.tside work (buildings and repairs) for the Empire Woolen Co. at Clayville, a 
position his father held before him. Mr. Marshall is one of the most prominent men 
in the town of Paris, and at present supervisor of the town, a position he has held 
since 1891. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, chapter and commandery, and of 
the shrine. He is also past master of Sauquoit Lodge No. 150. In 1879 he married 
Helen S. Bishop. He has been treasurer of the Sauquoit Valley Cemetery Associa- 
tion since 1882. 

Gouge, Frederick H, the architect, of 26-27 Winston Building, Utica, N. Y., was 
graduated from Hamilton College in 1870. His early education was acquired at a 
district school and the academy at Rome, N. Y. In 1871-72 he practiced civil engi- 
neering in Fulton and Herkimer counties and on the Bound Brook Railway line in 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1873 he formed a partnership with William H. 
Miller, at Ithaca, N. Y., for the practice of the profession Of architecture. In 1876 
he removed to Utica, where he opened an office and resumed work as an architect. 
Mr. Gouge was born in Trenton, N. Y., May 5, 1845, son of Jacob Gouge, a farmer. 
The farm on which his grandfather, also named Jacob Gouge, settled at Trenton in 
1796, is still retained by the family. His mother, Laura (Powers) Gouge, was a de- 
scendant of the Burlingame and Grinnell families of Connecticut. October 25, 1881, 
Mr. Gouge married Abbie P. Moore, of Trenton Falls, N. Y., by whom he had three 
children: Julia Sherman, Laura, and George Frederick. Mr. Gouge is a member of 
the American Institute of Architects and has been president of Western New York 
Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for two terms. Among the notable 
buildings designed by him are the First National Bank, Utica City National Bank, 
Sayre Memorial church, Park Baptist church, the St. Francis De Sales church in the 
city of Utica, the Cayuga County Savings Bank at Auburn, and the Colgate Gymna- 
sium at Colgate University. Mr. Gouge is a member of the Fort Schuyler and Arca- 
num Clubs. 

The late John Edward Elliott, descendant of John Elliott, the apostle to the In- 
dians, was born in the town of Marshall, January 1, 1821. He was the son of Ed- 
ward Elliott, who was born in Connecticut and came to the town of Marshall in 1820, 
where he engaged in farming. He married Betsey Fairchild, of Connecticut, by 
whom he had four children. At the age of ten John with his parents came to Clin- 
ton, where he lived until his death, July 6, 1880. He was educated in the Clinton 
Academy, after which he engaged in mining business for over thirty years, and was 
the owner of several iron mines in this State and Canada. He was contractor for a 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 137 

part of the Utica, Clinton & Binghamton Railroad and largely interested in the 
street railroad of Utica. He was supervisor of the town of Kirkland three times. 
Married in 1853 Lovina, daughter of Calvin Kellogg, by whom he had two sons: 
Frank A., of Clinton, and Edward, of Utica. 

Hayes, E. N., was born in Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y., September 23, 1851. 
His father, the late John P. Hayes, was also born in Boonville. Mr. Hayes assumed 
control of the retail trade in the grocery line in 1868 at the death of his father. In 
1876 he married Ella J. Brinckerhoff, by whom he had four children: Eugenia, Rena, 
Harold and Laura Eugenia ; the oldest died in 1879. Mr. Hayes still continues the 
business which he assumed at the death of his father; he takes an active interest in 
public affairs and has served his townsmen for several years in positions of trust. 
At the present time Mr. Hayes is acting as assistant superintendent Section 1 of the 
Black River Canal. 

Graham, Joseph E. , was born in Paris, Oneida county, in 1819, and is a representa- 
tive of a family who settled in Oneida county before the beginning of the century. 
His father, William Graham, came here in 1796 and cleared a large farm. Joseph 
E. is one of the foremost farmers of Oneida county. By his own efforts he gained 
an education, graduating from Sauquoit Academy in 1841 ; he then taught the Wil- 
lowdale school one term, after which he attended the De Lancy Institute at Hamp- 
ton one year and taught school many years. He began farming in Madison county 
but subsequently came back to Paris. In 1845 he married Caroline E. Hecock, 
whose grandfather was one of the first settlers here. They had one son, Charles 
W., a promising young man, who was a college grad'uate and civil engineer, who 
died at twenty-five years. Mr. Graham is a Prohibitionist and an earnest advocate 
of the temperance cause. He has held many positions of honor and trust, and has 
been a member of the School Board for a number of years, which position he fills at 
present. He is also president of the New York Central Farmers' Club. 

Barrows, Samuel Jones, is a descendant of the staunch English yeoman stock. 
His ancestor, John Barrows, came from Yarmouth, England, in 1637, and settled in 
Salem, Mass. He was married twice, and by his second wife he had three children: 
Joshua, Beniger, and Ebenezer. He died at Plymouth, Mass., in 1692. His son 
Ebenezer settled in Attleboro, Mass., and was the father of Abraham, who was born 
at Attleboro, February 11, 1714, and settled in Cumberland, R. I. Abraham was 
the father of Jeremiah. Jeremiah was the father of Mellen, and from Mellen came 
Samuel Jones. Abraham Barrows removed from Cumberland, R. I., to Richmond, 
Cheshire county, N. H., in 1765. Mellen Barrows, the son of Jeremiah, and the 
father of Samuel Jones, was born in Warwick, Franklin county, Mass., on the 29th 
day of February, 1786, and afterwards went with his father to Richmond, N. H. , 
where he lived for several years and married Lucy Whipple, the daughter of Ichabod 
Whipple, jr., on the 12th day of August, 1810. Her great-grandfather, Nathaniel 
Whipple, also moved from Cumberland, R L, to Richmond, N. H., in 1767. The father 
and mother of Samuel Jones moved from Richmond, N. H. , to McDonough, Che- 
nango county, N. Y. , in about 1815, where they lived and died at a good old age, in 
which town the subject of this sketch was born. Jeremiah Barrows, the grandfather 
of Samuel Jones, fought in the ranks of the Continental army at the battles of 



138 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton, and Bennington, and was the last one of the Revo- 
lutionary soldiers who died in the town of Richmond. He died October 25, 1850. at 
the age of ninety-four years. The father of Samuel Jones served in the war of 1812 
and was stationed at Portsmouth, N. H. Both of these men drew pensions for many 
years before they died. Samuel Jones was a farmer's boy, and remained on the 
farm in his native town, helping his father and brothers in all kinds of work pertain- 
ing to that business until he was of age. He was the youngest of five sons and be- 
longs to the sixth generation of his family. His education was obtained at odd in- 
tervals in the district and select schools of the town in which he was born, to which 
was added a few months in the academy at Norwich, N. Y. On becoming of age he 
taught a district school for a short time in an adjoining town to where he was born, 
then went to the city of Utica, N. Y. , where he studied law in the office of the late 
Joshua A. Spencer and Francis Kernan, and was admitted to practice in 1851. 
He afterwards acted as clerk in the office of the late Judge Ward Hunt for one year, 
and then opened an office for himself at Utica, N. Y., where he has ever since resided 
and practiced his profession. He was elected city attorney for the city of Utica in 
1853 and held that office one term. He also held the office of attorney and connsel 
for the Board of Excise of the county of Oneida for thirteen years, from 1857 to 1870, 
when the law was changed from county to town and city boards. He has also held 
the office of corporation counsel of the city of Utica for five consecutive terms, from 
March, 1879, to March, 1884, being first appointed by a Republican and afterward a 
Democratic common council ; and it is to his credit and ability as a lawyer that while 
he was its counsel the city never paid any damages or costs in any action which he 
defended. He was also elected mayor of the city of Utica on the Democratic ticket, 
x n 1889, and held that office one term. He has been twice married, his second wife 
being Mrs. Isabella Grace Lowery, daughter of Mr. John Gourlay, deceased, late of 
Ogdensburg, N. Y. 

Rice, George W. , is a native of Paris, N. Y. , where he was born in 1843, son of Edward 
Dana, and Sally A. (Chapman) Rice. His father came from Hartford, Conn., when 
eleven years old, leaving a tyrannical master to whom he had been bound out to acquire 
a trade. Here he engaged in farming and became a successful farmer, identified with 
every interest of the town ; and his death in 1892, at the age of eighty-two years, was 
mourned as a personal loss by the community. He left three sons: Charles F. Rice, 
of Boonville; John C, a farmer of Florence; and George W. ; and he also had one 
daughter, Harriet M., who died at the age of nineteen years. George W. Rice first 
engaged in building, after which he was associated with his brother in the planing 
mill business in Boonville for ten years. He also spent two years in Utica as a 
lumber inspector, and was a builder for ten years. He purchased the coal yards 
of F. C. Ogden in 1885. He has been called to various positions in the Pres- 
byterian church, and was made deacon in 1891. He was one of the board of trustees 
of the village for six years, and has been president of the Utica Coal Exchange since 
1894. In 1870 Mr. Rice married Lydia M., daughter of Lorenzo D. Pearce, of this 
place. 

Coleman, E. G., was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, October 12, 1840, son of 
John S. Coleman, who was also born in Whitestown, N. Y. John S. Coleman was 
engaged in the saw mill business. He married Elizabeth Bellinger, of Whitestown, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 139 

by whom he had five children. E. G. Coleman was educated in the district schools 
then engaged in the manufacture of lumber, doing a wholesale and retail business. 
He is now one of Clinton's foremost enterprising business men. Mr. Coleman mar- 
ried Sarah W Wetherell, by whom he has five children : Georgianna M John B 
Kittle M., Alice B., Myrtle E. Mr. Coleman is a member of Lodge No ' 169 F & 
A. M. 

Martin, Louis M., attorney at law, Clinton, N. Y., was born in Madison, Madison 
county, N. Y., November 25, 1863, and up to the time he was twenty vears of age he 
worked on the farm for his parents and as a farm laborer for the various farmers in 
towns of Madison and Hamilton in said county, attending school winters In the 
year 1880 he graduated from the Hamilton Union School and Academy and in 1885 
he graduated from the Clinton Grammar School, Clinton, Oneida county N Y In 
1886 he took np a permanent residence in Clinton, N Y„ and began the study of 
law in the office of Charles R. Carruth ; after one year's experience in the office he 
accepted the position of teacher in the Franklin School, where he taught for two 
years, continuing his law studies at odd times. In 1888 he was elected justice of the 
peace of the town of Kirk'and, and in 1889 became the principal of the Clinton Public 
School, where he remained for one and one-half years. In 1889 he married Miss 
Louise Foucher, of New York city. After being admitted as a lawyer he began the 
practice of law in Clinton, the 1st day of February, 1890, and is still engaged in 
practice there, and conducts, with the law business, and insurance agency. He still 
retains the office of justice of the peace, and is one of the members of the Board of 
Education of the Clinton Union School and Academy. His father's name is Mar- 
shalo Martin ; mother's maiden name was Lizzie Hankins, all of English ancestry. 

Young, George A., was born in the town of Kirkland, December 13, 1825 son of 
William G. and Polly (Whitney) Young. His father was a builder, and he learned 
that trade, but engaged in farming forty-three years ago, and is still engaged in that 
occupation. In 1851 he married Irena A. Miller, by whom he has had five children 
Mrs. Young's ancestors were among the early settlers in this town (Marshall) and 
her great-grandfather, Isaac Miller, came here in 1793. 

Lee, Arthur Delos, was born in Westmoreland, January 25, 1845, son of Isaac B 
and Harriet (Lay) Lee. Isaac Lee was also born in Westmoreland, his father being 
one of the early settlers of the county. Mrs. Lee was born at Rome and came to 
Westmoreland with her folks, who were early hotel keepers of the county Arthur 
D. Lee was educated partly at Westmoreland and partly at Whitestown Seminary 
and then learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade at Rome, where he worked three 
years. He then came to Westmoreland and has since conducted a building busi- 
ness, having built a number of houses throughout his immediate section Mr Lee 
has always been a staunch Republican and contributed his best efforts to the sup- 
port of his party. Mr. Lee is highly esteemed, has been county committeeman 
and at last election was elected supervisor, which office he now "holds Mr Lee 
married Nettie Isbell, of Westmoreland, by whom he has one son, Warren I now 
being educated at Hamilton Callege, with the object of entering the legal profession 
Samuel A. Isbell, father of Mrs. Lee, was born in the town of Whitestown in 1815 
He was one of the most prominent and respected residents of his locality. He took 



140 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

a prominent part in the business world, being for over forty years an extensive con- 
tractor and builder of churches, factories and other buildings, and later in life a 
prosperous farmer and real estate owner. He with his wife, Jane Richardson Isbell, 
was a devoted Christian and gave liberally to the Bartlett Baptist church, to which 
they belonged. Mrs. Isbell died in 1885, and Mr. Isbell in 1893. 

Traxel, George E. — The late Jacob Traxel was born in the town of Ava, Oneida 
county, N. Y., February 28, 1839. He was educated in the district schools and in 
early life carried on a blacksmith business, but afterward engaged in farming. April 
16, 1863, he married Barbara Esch, of this town, by whom he had four children : 
George E., Ella E., Emma J., and C. Amelia. Mr. Traxel died September 4, 1883. 
Mrs. Ti-axel's father, Michael Esch, was born in Alsace, France, in 1799, and was 
educated there. He married Salome Neufer, of his native place, and they came to 
the United States in 1830, and first located in Trenton, N.Y., but soon after removed 
to the town of Verona, near New London. They had five children: Michael, Salome, 
George, Frederic, and Barbara. The ancestry of the family is German on both 
sides. 

Somers, E. M., M. D., was born in Sherburne, N. Y., October 22, 1826, son of 
Samuel and Betsey A. (Beers) Somers. Dr. Somers was educated for his profession 
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, graduating in 1853, and has 
since been practicing in Deansville. In 1862 he joined the medical staff of the 146th 
N. Y. Vols., and was with this regiment for some time in the field. In 1853 Dr. 
Somers married Martha A. Babcock, by whom he had seven children : Dr. E. M. 
Somers, jr., of the State Hospital at Ogdensburg; Maud, and Walter. For his sec- 
ond wife Dr. Somers married Hattie E. Hamlin. Dr. Somers was postmaster at 
Deansville for eight years, from the commencement of Lincoln's administration until 
the close of Johnson's. 

Pollard, Grant J., M.D., was born at Deansboro, N. Y., June 2, 1865. His father 
came from New Hampshire, where he was born April 4, 1829, and died at Deans- 
boro, where he had been engaged in agriculture for more than fifty years. He was 
a descendant of the New England Puritan stock ; his mother, Adelaide (Jenks) Pol- 
lard, was born at Deansboro in 1840, where she now resides. Dr. Pollard received 
his education at the Deansboro graded school and the Kirkland Hall at Clinton, 
N. Y. He subsequently attended the medical department of the University of Ver- 
mont, from which institution he was graduated in July, 1890. He began practice at 
Preble, N. Y., and in 1891, located at Oriskany Falls, where he has built up a pros- 
perous and successful practice. 

Merna, P., was born in Ireland in 1854 and came to America in 1869. He spent 
two years in Richfield and Cooperstown and came to Waterville in 1872. He is a 
prominent contractor and builder and has been actively engaged in this business 
since 1872. He has a farm in Marshall on which he resides. He is also an extensive 
dealer in flagging, coping and curbing stone, which he brings from Oxford, and in 
every way he is an active and successful business man. In politics he is a Democrat, 
and has been delegate to many conventions. In 1873 Mr. Merna married Mary 
McHale. 

Parkinson, T. W., was born at Bridgewater, N. Y. , November 9, 1852, son of 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 141 

Thomas and Eunice Parkinson, the former a native of England; and Mrs. Parkin- 
son's father was one of the first settlers in this part of the county. Thomas Parkin- 
son is the present postmaster of North Bridgewater, a position he has held for the 
past twenty years. T. W. Parkinson was educated at the Winfield Academy, and 
the Eastman's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In March, 1876, he mar 
ried Catherine Roberts, by whom he has two sons: Clarence and Floyd. Mr. Park- 
inson is one of the prominent farmers in the town of Bridgewater, a member of the 
Equitable Aid Union, and also a staunch Republican. 

Fitch, A. L., was born in Westmoreland, August 20, 1856, son of E. R. and Jane 
L. Fitch. E. R. Fitch was born in Westmoreland, April 25, 1805, where he engaged 
in farming until his death, February 20, 1888. Mrs. Jane L. Fitch was born in 
Canaan, Conn., and is still living on the old homestead in Westmoreland. A. L. 
Fitch was educated partly in Westmoreland and partly in Clinton, and then engaged 
in farming, at which he has since continued and has one of the largest and best 
farms in the township. Mr. Fitch married Elizabeth Rose of Westmoreland. He 
is a prominent Democrat, and the present postmaster of Westmoreland, having been 
appointed by President Cleveland. 

Gypson, Adelbert G. , was born in Lowell, town of Westmoreland, March 10, 1865, 
son of James H. and Margaret M. Gypson. James H. Gypson was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, March 16, 1828, his wife being of English extraction. He first moved to 
Marcy, and then settled in Westmoreland. Mr. Gypson has been interested in boat- 
ing, and has always been a staunch Republican. He has been road commissioner, 
and is a well known farmer of Westmoreland. Adelberc Gypson was educated in 
Westmoreland, and also in Clinton. He buys and sells farm products through the 
country, shipping them to the city in large lots. He is a well-known farmer, was 
also highway commissioner in 1894-95, and a staunch Republican. He is married to 
Jessie Capron, daughter of Eli B. Capron, of Lowell, Westmoreland, by whom he 
has two children: Floyd A. and Ola C. Mr. Gypson is a member of the Royal 
Arcanum, Rome Council No. 150. 

Cummings, James W., was born in the village of Clinton, December 31, 1866, son 
of James Cummings, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States in 1845, 
and is a prosperous farmer in this town. James W. Cummings is one of seven chil- 
dren; he was educated at Kirkland Hall in Clinton, and at Holy Cross College in 
Massachusetts in 1886. He began the study of law with Mr. Searl of Rome, and 
finished at Hamilton College, after which he entered the law firm of Williams & Mc- 
Cabe, was admitted to the bar when twenty-one years of age, and entered into part- 
nership with J. E. McCabe in the practice of his profession under the firm name of 
McCabe & Cummings, which continued till the death of Mr. McCabe. 

West, Joseph, was born on this homestead, October 19, 1817. He was educated 
in the district schools, and was afterward engaged in farming. January 1, 1843, he 
married Mary Ann Jackson, of this town. Mr. West's father, Joseph West, was born 
in Grafton, Rensselaer county, N. Y. , June 26, 1790, and came to this county when 
a young man. He returned to his native county after a period of about three years, 
and November 12, 1811, married Mary Brock, of his native place, by whom he had 
nine children: Adilla C, Emily, Joseph, as above, Julia, Benjamin, Arminta, Fran- 



142 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

cis, Olive, and Elizabeth. He died March 11, 1832, and his wife February 20, 1865. 
Mrs. West's father, Alanson Jackson, was born in Connecticut about 1792. He 
married Marilla Warner and came to the town of Verona in 1818. They had four 
children : Noble, Amos, Mary Ann and Julia. He died in 1838 and his wife in 1880. 
Mr. and Mrs. West are members of the Seven Day Baptist church, of which he has 
been deacon for thirty years. The ancestry of the family is New England stock, 
of Welsh, Scotch and Irish origin. 

Graham, George H., was born in Oriskany, N. Y., May 21, 1843, son of George 
and Jane Graham. George Graham was born at Whitesboro, N. Y. , in 1811. He 
has been engaged in contracting, doing work on the canal, and has also been en- 
gaged in railroad building. He has been superintendent on various divisions of the 
canal, and was supervisor of the township, for which he wasnominated sixteen times 
and elected eight. He was justice of the peace for over thirty years, and has also 
been a member of the Legislature, and on the excise commission of the county eight 
years, and he has been one of the most prominent men of the township during his 
life, and although eighty-four years old, is still in good health George H. Graham 
was educated in Whitestown, after which he superintended at railroad, canal and 
reservoir building; part of the time he was engaged on the Welland canal, on the 
New York Reservoir, also on the New York Central R. R. He returned to Whites- 
town in the fall of 1879 and took charge of the Oriskany Malleable Iron Works, 
which was started in a small way in a hired shop with $8,000 capital, employing 
about thirty-five people ; and in seven years they increased the capital stock from 
$7,000 to $41,000, and constructed the present factory, where they employ on the 
average of 120 men. This has been one of the successful industries of the county, 
and Mr. Graham is superintendent. He is supervisor of the town, having been 
elected for two years. He married Fanny Murphy of Oriskany, by whom he has 
two children : Jean and Annis. 

Neal, Austin D., was born near Paris Hill, N. Y., in 1813, son of Martin Neal, 
who was of Scotch ancestry, and was born in Connecticut. When eighteen years of 
age he settled in the old town of New Hartford, coming with his father, William 
Neal, and making the journey with an ox team. He had no capital, but by economy 
and the exercise of rare business qualities he accumulated a large amount of prop- 
erty at farming. He married Roxy Porter of an old local family. Austin D. Neal 
had resided on the old homestead until 1895, when he came to live a retired life in 
the village. In 1852 he married Mary Gilbert, who died in 1867, leaving two chil- 
dren: Mary Adelaide, and Martin Edwin ; the latter is now engaged in farming on 
the homestead, which comprises eighty-two acres of land. In 1871 he married his 
present wife, Mary, daughter of Abel Law, by whom he had one child, William 
Austin, who was born in 1872 and died in 1883. 

Aylesworth, Rev. David W., was born in Odessa, Ontario, Canada, in 1830, and 
is a Methodist Episcopal clergyman Of New Hartford. He is a son of a lay preacher 
of the Methodist Episcopal church at Odessa, who was highly esteemed as a man of 
rare intellectual attainments, and a gifted public speaker. He died in 1890. Rev. 
David W. Aylesworth began his education at Odessa, and studied engineering at 
Bath and Newburg. In 1856 he entered the ministry, completing his education at 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 143 

Ottawa. In 1868 he came to New York State and entered upon his life work of 
preaching the gospel. He is also an active worker in the interests of the I. O. G. T., 
and a fluent speaker. 

Jones, James E., M. D., was born in Otsego county, N. Y., July 17, 1832. He was 
educated at Whitesboro Seminary, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Albany Medical College, 
from which he was graduated in 1855. After practicing four years in Utica, he re- 
moved to Clayville, where he practiced for over thirty years. In 1858 he married 
Margaret Springer, by whom he has three children: Ida (Jones) Burt, of Utica, N.Y. ; 
Anna M., a teacher in Utica; and Frank J. Dr. Jones's father, Elias Avery Jones, 
was born in Bridgewater, N. Y., in 1809, and his grandfather, Elias Jones, was one 
of the first settlers in Bridgewater, where he came from Stonington, Conn. Simeon 
Morgan, an uncle of Dr. Jones's grandfather, was killed at the battle of Groton 
Heights, and not a few of his ancestors were actors in the stirring events in the 
early history of the country. His great-grandmother Hunt during the American 
Revolution narrowly escaped massacre by the Indians, four miles south of Amster- 
dam ; she heard the Indian war-whoop and fled to the woods with her only child, 
the doctor's grandfather, hiding until her house was burned and the Indians departed. 
Her husband was absent as a volunteer soldier with the Americans. 

Cleveland, Charles H., was born in Rome, N. Y., November 14, 1855, son of 
George and Lucy Cleveland. George Cleveland is a farmer and is still living at the 
age of sixty-six years. Charles H. Cleveland was educated in Rome and then en- 
gaged in the mercantile business. He was a merchant in Rome for six years; and 
was also engaged in farming. He now conducts a general store at Lowell and 
carries a stock that will compare favorably with an}' mercantile stock m the town of 
Westmoreland. Mr. Cleveland married Bertha Cook, of Rome, by whom he has two 
children: John A. and Gretta M. 

' Overrocker, Enos D., was born in the town of Westmoreland, N. Y. , September 
15, 1855. He was educated in the district schools, and, with the exception of seven 
years, has always followed farming. April 16, 1892, he married Elizabeth Deihl, of 
Vernon Center, by whom he has two children : James, and a baby boy not yet named. 
Mr. Overrocker's father, Jerome B., was born in the town of Vernon, N. Y., in 1811. 
He was well educated, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Roxanna 
Payne of Bloomington Point, Conn., by whom he had nine children: Sidney, James, 
Lafayette, Frank, Lucinda, Edward, Enos D., as above, a baby not named, and Ida. 
Mr. Overrocker died in 1886 ; his wife survives and resides with our subject. Mrs. 
Enos D. Overrocker's father, Ernest Deihl, was born in Germany, and came to the 
United States when a young man. He married and had seven children by his first 
wife, and six by his second wife. Mr. Overrocker's brother, Lafayette, was a soldier 
of the late war. He enlisted August 3, 1862, in Co. H, 117th N. Y. S. Vols., and 
was honorably discharged at the close of the war. The ancestry of the family is 
Dutch and German. 

Williams, Rees G., son of William E., was born in Carmaerthonshire, Wales, July 
19, 1828, and came to Utica with his parents in 1841. He learned the printing busi- 
ness in the Gazette office, and in 1862, with the late Lucius C. Childs, opened a job 
room in Franklin Square. Later he was connected with the New York Central Rail- 



144 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

road offices, for a time he was foreman of the Observer job room, succeeding Luther 
M. Kent. In 1866 he engaged in the insurance business as a representative of the 
Charter Oak Company. This calling he continued until his death, which occurred 
December 23, 1895. Mr. Williams early identified himself with Masonry and became 
an ardent promoter of its principles. At the age of twenty-four he was junior war- 
den and was successively promoted until he filled exalted positions in the Grand 
Lodge of the State. He instituted many lodges and was one of the best known 
Masons in Central New York. Since 1861 he was connected with the Knights Tem- 
plar and was its commander when it took part in the obsequies of President Garfield 
in Cleveland. Mr. Williams took deep interest in the history of Utica and was a 
prominent member of the Oneida Historical Society from its inception. He was a 
man of engaging personality, remarkably well informed, warmly esteemed and 
highly respected, and inflexibly honest. 

Roberts, John C, managing editor of Y Drych (The Mirror), the leading Welsh 
paper of the country, was born in Llysfaen, North Wales, June 7, 1840. In 1866 he 
came from Denbigh, North Wales, to America, and after two and one-half years 
spent mostly in New York city settled permanently in Utica, where he has ever since 
(March, 1869) held the position of managing editor of Y Drych. 

Day, Horace E., was born at West Schuyler, Herkimer county, N. Y., August 31, 
1846, son of Horace B. Day, and was educated in the public schools and Utica Free 
Academy. He has been identified with the Utica Opera House in various capacities 
since about 1866, when he was placed in charge of the box office. In 1892 he became 
lessee and manager of this play house, and has conducted its affairs successfully, 
being well sustained by the theatrical public of the city of LTtica. Mr. Day married 
Kittie M. McKinney, of Utica, and they are the parents of six children. 

Weaver, Abram H., was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y., June 13, 1849. 
He was educated at Utica, and has since followed farming. In 1881 he purchased a 
farm in Marcy. where he resided until 1892, when he took up his residence at Deer- 
field Corners, but still carries on the farm. In 1877 he married Matilda, daughter of 
Richard and Rachel Harter, natives of Deerfield. Richard Harter was a farmer in 
Deerfield. He was a Democrat in politics, and was supervisor of Deerfield and jus- 
tice of the peace for a great many years. He died May 3, 1883, aged eighty-three 
years, and his wife died April 18, 1860, aged sixty-seven years Mr. and Mrs. 
Weaver have one daughter, Florence R. , born June 20, 1880. 

Jamieson, Robert, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, son of Alexander and Betsey 
Jamieson. The family came to the United States in 1865, and Alexander was em- 
ployed in the New York Mills until he died in 1882. Mrs. Jamieson is still living. 
Robert Jamieson engaged in work in the New York Mills, at which he has always 
continued. He is overseer of the weaving in Mill No. 1. He is a popular and promi- 
nent Republican, and has been elected supervisor two terms. He married Julia 
Cash of New York Mills, by whom he has one son, Edward C. Mr. and Mrs. Jamie- 
son are members of the Presbyterian church of New York Mills. 

Dygart, John H. , was born in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1829. He was educated in 
the district schools, and January 1, 1853, he married Susan Lansing, of his native 
county, by whom he had six children: Harriet A., Dennison H., George H., Ida M., 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 145 

Josie F., and Myra M. Peter Dygart, father of John H., was born in Madison 
county, N. Y., and married Elsie Goodeno, by whom he has three children : John H., 
Dennison and Maria. Mrs. Dygart's father, Henry Laning, was born February 8, 
1808. He married Abigail Coon, of his native place, by whom he had three children: 
William, Susan, and Harriet. Mr. Laning died January 16, 1890, and his wife July 
19, 1860. Mr. Dygart's grandfather, .Henry Dygart, was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war. The ancestry of the family is of New England stock, of Dutch origin 
on both sides. 

Foster, Ellen M. — Charles Foster was born in Southampton, L. I., in 1797, and was 
educated in the schools of that day. He was a tanner and shoemaker in early life, 
and afterward a farmer. He came to Oneida county when twenty-three years of 
age. He married Rhoda Snow, of Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Mass., by whom 
he had nine children: Charles S., Mary S. , William A., deceased, Ellen M. , as above, 
an infant daughter not named, James J., George A., William H., and Edward S. 
George A. graduated from Ann Arbor University, Michigan, as an attorney at law. 
He enlisted in the 44th, Colonel Ellsworth's regiment and participated in the Seven 
Days fight in the battle of the Wilderness, was promoted as captain in a colored 
regiment, was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and is now a resident of 
Chicago. Edward S. also enlisted in Company C, 117th N. Y. Vols., and was in the 
Army of the Potomac. He died in Virginia, July 21, 1863, and was buried in the 
Hampton National Cemetery. Mr. Foster died November 3, 1858, and his wife De- 
cember 26, 1879. Christopher Foster, styled farmer in the shipping list, embarked 
in London, June 17, 1635, in the Abigail, and moved to Southampton in 1651. 

Merry, Frederick J., was born in Baden, Germany, December 31, 1840. He was 
educated in the schools of his native place until he was twelve years of age, when he 
ca'me to the United States, locating in the townof Verona. He owns a stone quarry, 
a cheese factory, and a farm. August 16, 1862, he enlisted in Co. L, 1st N. Y. 
Mounted Rifles, was in the department of the Army of the James, and was honor- 
ably discharged June 11, 1865. March 10, 1875, he married Anna E. McGann of this 
town, by whom he has three children: William G., Grace C, and Belle S. Mrs. 
Merry's father, Hugh McGann, was born in 1817, was educated in the common 
schools and was a blacksmith by occupation. Mr. McGann married Mary Butler 
by whom, he had eight children: Mary, Emily, Ellen, Mary, Sarah, William, Anna 
E., and Adelia. He died in 1884 and his wife died April 7, 1896. 

Dapson, Thomas, was born in Kent, England, April 25, 1831. He was educated 
there, and is a farmer by occupation. October 21, 1855, he married Sophia Braizer, 
and came to the United States October 24, 1855, and located in Augusta, Oneida 
county. Mrs. Dapson died in 1859, and for his second wife Mr. Dapson married 
Harriet Pankhurst, of his native country, by whom he had seven children : Emma 
C, Hattie J., Winnifred E., John T., Frank E., George W., and Fred A. The 
family resided in the town of Vernon ten years, and in the town of Verona since 
1874. Mr. Dapson's father, Thomas Dapson, sr.,'was born at the old home in Eng- 
land in 1808. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Jane Mercer, of his na- 
tive country, by whom he had eight children who grew to maturity; Mary A., Jane, 
Thomas, Harriet, William, Sarah, Alfred and Eliza. Mr. Dapson died in 1883; his 



146 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

wife died in England. Mrs. Dapson's father, William Pankhurst, was born in Kent, 
England, in 1815. He married Charlotte Law, of his native place, and they had five 
children: Ann M., Harriet, Jane, Elizabeth, and George. Mr. Dapson is a member 
of Vernon Grange, No. 638, of Vernon, N. Y. 

Case, A. Pierson, was born in Vernon, N. Y. , March 22, 1818, son of Salmon Case, 
who came from Norfolk, Conn., in 1813, and built up a large mercantile business, 
carrying it on until 1840, when he retired. He, in company with John J. Knox, 
started the Vernon Bank in 1839, of which for some time he was cashier. Salmon 
Case was a descendant of John Case, who came from England in 1640 and settled in 
Connecticut. He was born November 26, 1794, and died in 1871. In 1844 he was 
the Whig candidate for Congress in Oneida county. A. Pierson Case received 
his school training at "Dominie" Wicks's school on Paris Hill, Prof. Charles Bartlett's 
High School at East Utica, and the Vernon Academy. He then entered his father's 
store at Vernon and for the following thirty-five years was identified with the 
business, he, with his brother, continuing the business for thirty years after his 
father's retirement. In August, 1862, Mr. Case enlisted in the 146th Regt. N. Y. Vols., 
and served until January, 1864, when he was discharged on account of ill health. 
After his retirement he was for a time interested in the mercantile business. In 1878 
he represented the town in the Board of Supervisors. In 1879 he was chosen cashier 
of the bank, and so continued until 1893, at which time he was elected its president, 
succeeding Warren G. Strong. ' His mother was Maria Pierson, born in Cazenovia, 
September 5, 1799, and died in Vernon, March 10, 1885. Mr. Case married Lovina 
W. Coburn, who was born in Homer, N. Y., December 20, 1820, by whom he had two 
children: Maria A. and Charles S., who is in the lithographing business in Bingham- 
ton, N. Y. 

Robbins, Albert W., was born in the town of Augusta, near the village of Knox, 
boro. His father, Lorenzo Robbins, came to Augusta with his parents in 1813, when 
he was but two and a half years of age. He was one of a family of nine children ; 
they were natives of Berkshire county, Mass., where he was born September 6, 1811. 
In 1840 he married Clarissa E. Guthrie, of Stockbridge, N. Y., who died in 1849. 
Albert W. Robbins is one of two children, and acquired his education at the Augusta 
Academy, Mansfield Seminary, Pennsylvania, and the Oneida Seminary. In 1861-2 
he taught school, but the Civil war having broken out, he enlisted in the 117th N. Y. 
Vols., Co. G, and remained three years in the service, receiving in the Drury Bluff 
battle a severe wound for which he now draws a small pension. After his discharge 
from the army he returned to Augusta and resumed his farm life, which he still con- 
tinues. He married for his first wife, Eliza Bishop, of Cleveland, Ohio, who died May 
23, 1890, leaving one son, Edwin, now a student in Hamilton College. His present 
wife is Sarah Dudley of Augusta, who was educated at the Augusta Academy, and 
also the training school for teachers, at Ouincy Mass. 

Keith, Charles B., was born at North Brookfield, Madison county, February 5, 1858, 
He attended the public school of that place, also the Whitestown Seminary until 
he was eighteen years of age, when he was made acting station agent of the D-., L. 

' His brother, Josiah Case, was president of the bank from 1862 to 1806 ; and his brother. 
Everett, was cashier from 1851 to 1870, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 147 

& W. R. R. at North Brookfield. A short time subsequent to this- he received the 
appointment to a similar position, on the N. Y. , O. & W. R. R. at Westmoreland, 
N. Y., and remained at that place until November, 1878, at which time he was 
promoted by the same company to the agency at Oriskany Falls, a position he still 
occupies. His father, Henry P. Keith, was born at Unadilla Forks, N. Y. , July 21, 
1829. He early removed to North Brookfield, where he was engaged in farming and 
milling until he was forty years of age, when he devoted several years to the manu- 
facture of cheese. In 1889 he removed to Oriskany Falls, where he still resides. 
December 21, 1854, he married Mandana C. Peck, of North Brookfield, who was a 
native of Henderson, Jefferson county, N. Y., and was born May 3,1833. She is 
also living. On the first of November, 1883, Charles B. Keith entered in copartner- 
ship with O. B. Abbott, under the firm name of Abbott & Keith, dealers in coal, and 
continued until the death of Mr. Abbott, in 1894. W. C. Nye succeeded to the Abbott 
interest, and the firm has since been Keith & Nye. December 25, 1879, Mr. Keith 
was married to Hattie E. Kellogg, of Westmoreland. Mrs. Keith was educated at 
Westmoreland and Whitestown Seminary. They have two children : Harry C. , born 
June 19, 1882, and Royal B., born April 20, 1885. 

McPherson, John, was born in Port Glasgow, Scotland, December 13, 1845, son of 
William and Agnes (Crawford) McPherson. William McPherson died in the West 
Indies at thirty-six years of age, and Mrs. McPherson died in New York Mills in 
1881. John McPherson was educated in Scotland and came to New York Mills m 
1865, since which time he has been in the employ of the company, and he is carpen- 
ter at mills Nos. 3 and 4. Mr. McPherson is a member of Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M. 
He married Mary F., daughter of George Burdick of Westmoreland, by whom he 
has two sons: William Monroe and Roy Burdick. 

Pattengill, Lucia G. — Charles N. Pattengill was born in New Lisbon, Otsego 
county, N. Y., December 11, 1820, son of Lemuel Pattengill, a captain in the war of 
1812 who was captured by the British and exchanged. Charles N. Pattengill was 
educated at the Oneida Institute, Gilbertsville Academy and Oxford. He first 
studied law, and at the same time was engaged in teaching, but after qualifying him- 
self for the bar he felt that his calling lay in the ministry, which he entered in 1853, 
his first pastorate being Westville church, Westville, Otsego county. After officiat- 
ing there four years he came to Whitesboro, where he remained ten years before 
going to Palmyra. He remained there six years, then went to Gloversville for four 
years, thence to Fayetteville, where he remained about three years. He was 
naturally a ready and fluent speaker, a man of rare earnestness and power. In the 
late Civil war his eloquence found a great theme, and, inspired by patriotism, his 
addresses did much for the Union during that period of great trial. His ministry at 
Whitesboro was noted for its successful results and the good he accomplished. In 
Palmyra he worked unremittingly, building a magnificent church, raising the money 
for this edifice and designing the interior himself. He married Lucia Gregory, by 
whom he had three children : John Gregory, who died in 1862 ; Charles Fennimore, 
who resides with his mother in Whitesboro ; and Lucia Louise who married Levi S. 
Chapman, a well-known lawyer of Syracuse. 

Baer, G. A., was born in Oriskany, N. Y., March 2, 1860, son of John and Eliza- 



148 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

beth Baer. John Baer was born in Hechingen Hohenzollen, Germany, October 25, 
1813, and came to Oriskany in 1842, where he engaged in the manufacture of har- 
nesses. He was also engaged in farming, and was proprietor of a hotel. He died 
in 1882. G. A. Baer was educated in Oriskany, Whitesboro Seminary, and East- 
man's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., after which he worked with his 
father. He was engaged for a number of years in commission business, buying prod- 
uce for New York houses. In 1892 he associated himself with H. L. Sweet, and 
they have a large store in the village of Oriskany, where they keep a complete stock 
of merchandise of all descriptions. Mr. Baer has been justice of the peace for eight 
years, is the present postmaster and has been director in the Oriskany Malleable 
Iron Works for a number of years. He married Mary E. Quinn of Brooklyn, by 
whom he had four children : Mary, Alma, John, and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Baer are 
members of St. Paul's church at Whitesboro. 

Magill, David B., was born in Ireland, May 26, 1836, son of James and Elizabeth 
Magill. David B. came to the United States in 1844, and was educated in the public 
school of New York Mills, and then engaged in work in the mills. He learned the 
trade of machinist, which he followed until he volunteered in the late Civil war, 
going to the front with the 117th N. Y. Vols. He was' in all the engagements in 
which his regiment participated up to the battle of Fort Fisher, where he was badly 
wounded, losing a leg in that battle. Soon after this the war closed and he was 
mustered out. When Mr. Magill volunteered in 1862 he was commissioned second 
lieutenant of Co. D; in 1863 he was promoted to the first lieutenancy of the same 
compaD)' ; and was made captain of Co. A in 1864 ; and then promoted brevet major 
by the secretary of war in 1865, for meritorious services at Fort Fisher ; and also 
brevetted major by Governor Fenton of New York. 

Neal, Morris M., was born in Whitestown, N. Y. , in 1824, and came to New Hart- 
ford with his parents when one year old. His father, William Neal, was born in the 
town of New Hartford, Litchfield county, Conn., February 18, 1197, and died Janu- 
ary 14, 1832. His mother, Mary Moore, was born in Whitestown August 2, 1803, 
and died June 21, 1882. His parents were married November 9, 1823. His paternal 
grandfather with his family came to this State about 1794 and settled in the south- 
erly part of the town of New Hartford (then the town of Whitestown), about one 
and a half miles northeasterly of Paris Hill. His maternal grandfather Moore and 
wife came to this town (then Whitestown) and lived for a time on the premises pur- 
chased by her father, Benjamin Merrill, who came to Whitestown in 1790 and pur- 
chased a quarter section located on the highway from Utica to Bridgewater one mile 
north of Sauquoit and near Chadwick Mills Cotton Company ; this farm was pur- 
chased by Benjamin Merrill for his son Zenas, who came in 1791 and began clearing; 
he died in 1793, and his father sold out in Connecticut and moved on to the farm in 
1794. Morris W. Neal was reared on a farm, and now resides in a house which was 
erected in 1794; and it is a notable fact that his grandmother traveled through Utica 
when it consisted of only three log huts. In 1868 Mr. Neal married Sarah Patchin 
of Paris. 

Eaton, Elmer E., came to the town of Augusta in 1881, having moved from the 
town of Stockbridge, where he was born May 15, 1843, and where he was educated. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 149 

He. was a son of Justus Eaton, a native of Connecticut, who came to Augusta with 
his parents in early childhood. At the age of fifteen his father bound him out to 
John Porter, where he continued to live until he was twenty-one, at which time he 
settled in Stockbridge, where he resided a prosperous farmer until his death, Febru- 
ary 23, 1888. His wife, Susan M. Green, was born in Vermont in 1805, and died in 
Stockbridge, November 12, 1871. The Eatons were of English descent. "Hill 
Crest Farm," two and a half miles north of Knoxboro, the home of Mr. Eaton, is one 
of the finest in the town. He married Mrs. Eva (Ranney) Stewart, who was born in 
Stockbridge, June 30, 1855, by whom he has five children: Lena M., born January 7, 
1882; Lillian C, born May 1, 1884; Lottie May, born September 19, 1887; Bernice 
L., born October 11, 1889, and Merlin E., born August 19, 1892. Mrs. Eaton has 
one daughter, D. Elizabeth Stewart, who was born July 20, 1875. 

Bartholomew, Edward J., was born in Augusta, N. Y., October 20, 1850, son of 
Orlo Bartholomew, who was born in Goshen, Conn., in 1801, and died in Augusta 
May 7, 1864. He was a minister of the Presbyterian faith, and for twenty-eight 
years was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Augusta. He was the second pastor 
the church had, and did more to build up and promote the interest of the society 
than anj' other person connected with it. He came to Augusta in 1836, and up to 
that time had been engaged in farming. November 18, 1836, he married Julia A. 
Peck, of Skaneateles, N. Y. , who came from one of the best known families of that 
place. She was born May 11, 1813, and died in- Augusta, March 21, 1892. Edward 
J. Bartholomew received his education at the school in Augusta, and after finishing, 
he taught school for eleven successive winters, devoting his summers to farming. 
At the age of twenty-four he bought the Sheldon Smith farm near Augusta, where 
he remained for two years. He then sold out and moved to Madison, N. Y., where 
he resided for seven years, still continuing to teach school winters. October 8, 1873, 
he married Flora Spooner of Augusta, daughter of James Spooner, a prominent 
farmer of that place. In 1888 they took possession of the Spooner farm, and remained 
there until 1892, when Mr. Bartholomew moved on to the farm left vacant by the 
death of his brother, A. P. Bartholomew. Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew have four 
children: Florence A., born December 27, 1875; Clara M., born July 17, 1878; Joseph- 
ine S., born June 23, 1881; and Harry J., born January 12, 1889. 

Amann, Ignace L., was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), February 1, 1850. 
He was educated there and then came to the United States, landing in New \ ork 
January 30, 1872, and locating in Verona, where he is engaged in farming. May 15, 
1877, he married Josephine A. Schwarz, who came from Philadelphia, Jefferson 
county, N. Y., when five years of age. They have five children: Louise V., Minnie 
T., J. Albert, Josephine A., and Leona M. Mr. Amann is a member of the Benevo- 
lent Order of the C. M. B. A., No. 60, Rome, N. Y. Anthony Amann, his father, 
was born at the old home in Alsace. He married Theresa Wind, of that place, by 
whom he had ten children, of whom the following grew to maturity : Joseph, Antone, 
Salome, Andrew, Nicholas, Mary and Ignace L. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Amann 
are dead. Mrs. Amann's father, Joseph Schwarz, was born in Germany in 1824. 
He married Balbina Becherer, and came to the United States in 1852, going to 
LTtica first, afterwards to Detroit, Mich., and then to Philadelphia, N. Y. They had 
twelve children: Sabina (who died at sea), Wilhelmina, William A., Joseph E., 



150 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Josephine A., John S., Mary M., Francis L., Louisa T., Nettie B., Alvin H., and 
Emma H. (who died at the age of fifteen). Mr. Schwarz died July 6, 1875. The 
family is of French and German descent. 

Bourke, Miles R., was born in the town of Florence, Oneida county, May 1, 1848, 
son of Thomas and Mary Bourke, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 183G, 
settling in Florence. In 1851 he moved to Utica where Mr. Bourke worked for a 
telegraph company, and then for the New York Central Railroad. Miles R. Bourke 
learned the trade of plumber and hardware business with John Carton of Utica. 
He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Francis Kernan, but did not serve, 
owing to lack of physical development. In 1866 he came to Waterville, where he con- 
ducts a general hardware and plumbing business. He is serving his fourth term on the 
exise board, and was chief of the fire department one year. He is an active Demo- 
crat and has been delegate to many conventions. He was formerly in the Utica 
Fire Department, and is an exempt fireman in that city. In 1880 he married Mar- 
garet Landers, by whom he has four children: John, Miles, Rachel and Frances. 

Thomas, Charles H., was born on the farm where he now resides, April 17, 1840, 
son of Stephen and Lucy (Goodell) Thomas. He was born in the first frame house 
in this part of the country. His mother's family belonged to Montgomery county, 
N. Y. His father's family were Quakers, and moved from Dutchess county to Her- 
kimer county when Stephen was twelve years of age. There were two brothers, 
Henry, of Lone Rock, Wis. , and the late Dr. D. G. Thomas of Utica, and one sister 
who married Capt. Holcomb of Litchfield. About 1830 Stephen became connected 
with Frankfort Iron Works, being superintendent first, and afterwards, as agent, 
he traveled all over the State. In 1834 he came to Paris and bought a farm of eighty 
acres, adding to it until it contained over two hundred acres. He was one of the 
first to put up a cheese factory in this section, where his son Charles was cheesemaker 
for some years. He was an energetic, progressive and successful farmer, and was 
one of the men who rendered efficient aid in putting through the Utica, Chenango 
and Susquehanna Valley (now D. L. & W.) railroad, being one of the commissioners 
until his health failed. Both parents died at the age of eighty-seven years, leaving 
two sons, C. H., and W. J. Thomas of Westmoreland. In 1867 Charles H. Thomas 
married Frances L. Knight, daughter of Jeremiah Knight, M. D., also of Quaker 
family, coming from Providence, R. I. He was a well known physician of the town 
of Paris, also supervisor, and superintendent of schools. Her mother, Lucia (Marsh) 
Knight, was a lineal descendant of Anne Webster, daughter of Gov. John Webster, 
and John Marsh, both of whose names are to be found on a fine shaft, erected to the 
memory of the first settlers in Hartford, Conn. Other members of the family were, 
later on, first settlers of Hadley, Mass., New Hartford, Conn., and still later of 
Whitesboro and New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y. These families were both 
represented in the wars of 1776, 1812, and the war of the Rebellion. Sergt. Robert 
Knight and Dr. Arthur Knight, of Sauquoit, served three years in the Union army. 
The old. militia commissions of Capt. Nehemiah Knight, jr., rank of Colonel, 
"Cranston Blues, R. I." dated 1802, signed by "Gov. Arthur Fenner, Commander 
in Chief of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations;" countersigned by "N. Knight, 
Senator," also the commission of " Lieut. Jeremiah Knight, 140th N. Y. Infantry," 
signed by De Witt Clinton are still in the possession of the family. Charles and 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 151 

Frances Thomas have three sons: Jeremiah K. of Binghamton, Stephen G., and 
Irving H. , still on the farm. 

Thompson, Joseph T., was born in Durhamville, N. Y., in 1831. He was educated 
in the district and select schools, and has since had a variety of occupations; in 
earlier years he was a farmer. He erected and has been interested in the cheese 
factories of Oneida Castle, and built the first circular saw mill in the town of Verona, 
near Oneida, where he conducted for fourteen years an extensive lumber business. 
He started the first ice business in Oneida, and is the originator of several new varie- 
ties of fruit, among them the Columbus gooseberry and the Columbian raspberry, 
being very valuable additions to the list of small fruits. He is also an inventor and 
mechanic. February 6, 1861, he married Mary S. White, of Oneida Castle, N. Y., 
who was born in Potsdam, N. Y'., in 1836. Mr. Thompson's father, Joseph Thomp- 
son, was born in Colerain, Mass., September 30, 1791. He was educated in the 
schools of that day, and came to this county when a young man. He married Betsey 
Frazee, of Durhamville, N. Y. , by whom he had seven children : Margaret, Betsey, 
Rachel, Angeline, Joseph T., as above, Benjamin F. and Edwin. Mr. Thompson 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was also an officer in the State militia. He died 
in 1870 and his wife in 1877. Mr. Thompson's grandfather, Joseph Thompson, was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather Frazee was the first settler 
in Durhamville, N. Y. Mrs. Thompson's father, Harry White, was born in Rome, 
N. Y., in 1801. He was educated in the schools of that day, and was a mechanic by 
occupation, also a Baptist minister. He married Deborah Jenne, of Shaftsbury, Vt,, 
by whom he had three children: Henry S., Mary S., as above, and Jenne L. ' He 
died in 1889 and his wife in 1881. The ancestry of the family is Scotch on both 
sides. 

Barnard, Josiah E., was born in Kirkland, N. Y., October 16, 1834, son of George 
W. and Phoebe Frances Barnard. George W. Barnard was born May 5, 1806, in 
Kirkland. Mrs. Barnard was born in Pittsfied, and is still living, being in her eighty- 
sixth year. Josiah E. Barnard was educated partly in Westmoreland and partly in 
Clinton, and was connected with the agricultural manufacturing business for about 
fifteen years in Madison county, and then he engaged in farming, at which he has 
since continued. He married Eliza C. Mansfield, of Madison county, by whom he 
has one child, Frances M. Barnard, who was graduated from Albany Normal School 
and is now teaching in Tome Institute, Port Deposit, Maryland. 

Dietche, Henry, was born in Baden, Germany, February 21, 1842. He was edu- 
cated in their schools, and afterward learned the boot and shoe trade. In 1870 he 
came to the United States, first locating in Cleveland, Ohio, but in 1871 he removed 
to Vernon, Oneida county, N. Y., and to New London, N. Y., October 1, 1872, where 
he is engaged in the shoe and harness business; he is also an ice dealer. November 
1. 1873, he married Elizabeth Ziller, of this place, by whom he had five children: 
Emma, who died October 28, 1887 ; Nettie, who died October 2, 1887 ; Henry G. , Joseph 
E., and Lena B. Mr. Dietche's father, Gallus Dietche, was born at the old home- 
stead in Germany. He married Mary Riester of his native place, by whom he had 
two children : Henry, as above, and Lcuisa. Mr. Dietche died in 1892, and his wife 
in 1855. Mrs. Dietche's father, John Ziller, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- 



152 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

many, about 1802, He married Margaret Triebel, of Saxony, by whom be had six 
children: Margaret, George and Elizabeth, twins, Adam, Elizabeth No. 2, as above, 
and Catherine. Elizabeth No. 1 died young. Mr. Ziller died in October, 1887. The 
nationality of this family is German on both sides. 

Daly, William Francis, was born in Utica, N. Y., September 22, 1850. He was 
the son of Michael and Catharine (Campbell) Daly. At the age of twelve years Mr. 
Daly enlisted in the army as a drummer boy but only went as far as Willett's Point 
when he was caught and brought back to school. He remained in school two years 
and in 1864 again made an attempt to join the northern forces at the front. He 
reached Governor s Island where he was again caught and brought back. He gradu- 
ated from the Assumption Academy in 1868. He then went west to Dakota and 
served as scout in the Red Cloud troubles and in several campaigns against the 
Apaches in Arizona and the Commanches in New Mexico. When the great Mexican 
leader General Diaz took the field against the then recognized government authori- 
ties, Mr. Daly accepted a command under him and served with distinction through 
the campaign until the surrender of Matamoras. Mr. Daly came north in time to 
attend the Centennial at Philadelphia. He then returned to Utica and became inter- 
ested in the sale of beef. Mr. Daly was the leader of the little band that ran the first 
carload of dressed beef into Utica from Chicago. Though the western beef is now 
almost universally used in the east, at that time all the meat dealers of Utica refused 
to buy outside of Utica, and Mr. Daly's project was ruined. In the year 1880 he 
again went west to Leadville, Col., but returned the following year to accept a posi- 
tion with the American Express Company. Later he was connected with the Star 
brewery and served some time as a clerk in the post-office. In 1887 Mr. Daly formed 
a partnership with J. J. Holland under the name Daly & Holland, manufacturers of 
barber's supplies and toilet articles. The firm also dealt in wall-paper, window 
shades, pictures and mouldings. In July, 1894, Mr. Holland retired and Mr. Daly 
conducted the business alone. After his return from the west he married Miss 
Catherine C. Venn of Utica, in June, 1877, two children blessing the union, Mark A. 
and Emma V. Daley. In May, 1881, Mr. Daly was called to mourn his wife's death. 
On November 19, 1884, he married Katherine Loftusof Constableville, Lewis county, 
N. Y. Mr. Daly is a genial, whole souled man who is a friend to everybody. It is 
his special boast that he has trod every foot of ground on the western slope on horse- 
back. 

McLean, William Gardner, was born in Stratford, Fulton county, N. Y., June 19, 
1868, son of William J. and Margaret J. (Gardner) McLean, of Scotch descent. When 
fifteen years of age he moved to Utica with his parents where he completed his edu- 
cation. Immediately afterwards he accepted a position in the office of Charles Mil. 
lar & Son, Utica, dealers in plumbers' and tinners' supplies. In 1889 he came to 
Waterville as manager of a hardware business owned by Messrs. Millar & Son, and 
in 1891 purchased the business and organized the firm of W. G. McLean & Co. In 
1894 they added a complete line of furniture to their present business. In 1890 he 
was married to Sarah M., daughter of the late Stephen Bridenbecker, of the town of 
Lenox, Madison county, They have one son, Charles William McLean. 

Parke, Morgan Adelbert, was born in Westmoreland, November 4, 1853, son of 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 153 

David N. and Mary J. (Morgan) Parke. David N. Parke was born in Eaton, Madi- 
son county, in 1830, and came to Westmoreland about 1848, where he bought a farm, 
clearing part of it himself, and which he conducted until his death, January 22, 1888. 
Morgan A. Parke was educated at Whitestown, and then engaged in farming on the 
old homestead farm. Mr. Parke is a staunch Republican, and takes an active interest 
in the success of his party. Mr. Parke married Jennie S. Armstrong, daughter of 
Chauncey M. Armstrong of Rome, by whom he has three children: Estella May, 
Edna Alice, and Ruth Helena. Mr. Parke and wife are members of the Bartlett 
Baptist church. 

Smith, Samuel G., was born in Westmoreland, February 3, 1833, son of Richard 
and Mary E. Smith. Richard Smith was born in England in 1805 and came to 
Westmoreland where he settled about 1820. He engaged in farming until 1889 when 
he retired from active work, and now resides with his son Samuel G. Samuel G. 
Smith was educated in Westmoreland. He has been engaged in the clothing busi- 
ness in Erie, Pa., and also in Youngstown , and Springfield, Ohio; but he is now en- 
gaged in cultivating his farm in Westmoreland. He married Charlotte P. Camp, 
daughter of Rev. Riverius Camp of Connecticut, by whom he has had three children : 
KateS. (deceased), Lizzie J. and Dudley C. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the 
Episcopal church, and are among the oldest families in Oneida county. 

Norton, Orlo B., was born in the town of Vernon, Oneida county, N. Y.. July 11, 
1832, son of Florris Norton, who was born in Connecticut in 1793, and who was one 
of the earliest settlers in the town of Vernon, coming to this town when only eleven 
years of age. He married Elizabeth A. Curry, who was born in Bangor, Me. , July 
22, 1806, and died September 30, 1891. Mr. Norton died February 26, 1876. Orlo 
B. was educated at the Vernon Center school, after which he returned to the farm 
where he remained until the war broke out, when he enlisted in the 14th N. Y. Heavy 
Artillery, but was subsequently transferred to the 6th Heavy Artillery, and served 
until the close of the war. In 1865 he bought the farm upon which he is now living, 
and February 13, 1868, he married Edna A. Edgerton, of Waterville, who was born 
November 13, 1835, daughter of Guy and Esther K. Edgerton. Mr. and Mrs. Nor- 
ton have four adopted daughters. Mr. Norton is one of the largest farmers in the 
town of Vernon, and has always been identified with the town's best interests. 

Morgan, Frank W., was born in the town of New Hartford in 1856, son of Elias 
Morgan, who was a pioneer farmer here, where he came when twenty years of age 
from Brookfield, Madison county, where he was born in 1808. For ten years he was 
in the employment of Morgan Butler, and by strict economy and hard work he saved 
sufficient money to purchase a farm near New Hartford, where he led a life of indus- 
try and integrity and was highly esteemed by the community, who revere his mem- 
ory as a man and a citizen. By his death in 1881 the Prohibition cause lost one of its 
most earnest advocates. Frank W. took a course at Utica Business College, and 
then engaged in farming, owning a farm in the suburbs of this village. In 1892 he 
married Mary H., daughter of Frank Kunze, an able mechanic, by whom he had 
two children: Glenn W., born August 31, 1893, and Iva F., born March 8, 1895. Mr. 
Morgan and wife are both intimately identified with the Methodist Episcopal church ; 
and he is an able defender of the temperance cause. 



154 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Donlon, Thomas H., was born in the town of Vernon, in January, 1860, son of 
Patrick and Margaret Donlon, natives of Ireland, and who first came to this country 
in 1840, and lived for a time in Osceola, Lewis county, N. Y. In 1869 they settled 
in Vernon, near Sherrill, where they remained during their life. They were pros- 
perous farmers, and by industry accumulated considerable property, leaving at- then- 
death two large farms; one is in Lewis county and the other in Vernon. Thomas H. 
attended the Sherrill school, and while yet a boy entered the employ of the Oneida 
Community, being engaged in the trap shop. He there learned the machinist trade 
in which he became proficient, and while thus employed he invented and got pat- 
ented a nutholder for lumber wagons, also a broomholder, both of which are in 
extensive use. Soon after this he invented a spring trap which possessed superior 
qualities over an}r other in the market. In 1888 he severed his connection with 
the Community and going to Cortland organized the Cortland Trap Co., where 
the traps were manufactured. Subsequent important improvements on this led to 
the sale of his trap to the Oneida Community. At the same time Mr. Donlon re- 
turned to the employ of the Community, in which service he remained one year. 
Since that time he has brought out several valuable patents, one of which being a 
new trap, and for the manufacture of which he has organized a new company. 

Dewhurst, J. C. , was born in Willowvale, N. Y. , in 1858, son of the late John 
Dewhurst, a widely-known resident machinist, who came to New Hartford at the age 
of twenty-five years, prospered and passed the balance of an active life, near this 
village as a farmer. J. C. Dewhurst, who was supervisor of this town in 1887, is 
a prominent architect and builder. Independent in politics, firm in his opinions of 
right, he endorses and serves the highest interests of citizenship. He is a member 
of the Royal Arcanum. In 1883 he married Christina Kuhn of this place, by whom 
he has had three children : Bertha, born in 1884; Herbert, in 188? and De Forest in 
1889. His religious views are liberal and are summed up in the Golden Rule. 

Dunham M. Earl, D. D., Ph. D., LL.D., son of the Rev. Moses and Roxana Dun- 
ham, and grandson of the Rev. Samuel Dunham, was born February 6, 1825, in 
Herkimer county, N. Y. He was kept steadily at school until he was twenty-two 
years of age, having prepared for college at Cazenovia Seminary and graduated 
from Hamilton College, in Clinton, N. Y., in the class of 1847. Three years later he 
took the degree of M. A. in course. After graduating he entered upon the profession 
of teaching and pursued it steadily for twelve years, holding the position of principal 
in Berlin Academy for four years and in Sauquoit Academy for eight years. Later 
in life he was principal of the famous Whitestown Seminary for three years. He 
was eminently successful in educational work and won a wide reputation as a teacher. 
In 1859 he entered the ministry, being licensed and ordained by the Presbytery of 
Utica. For the period of twenty-seven years he held his connection with the Pres- 
byterian church, holding pastorates in some of the most prominent church societies 
and serving twice as delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church 
in America. In 1889 he changed his church relation to the Congregationalists, 
in which body he was honored with a seat in the National Council, and is now pastor 
of the 1 Plymouth Congregational church, of Utica, N. Y. During the period of his 
successful ministry he has received from Union and other universities the degrees of 
Ph. D., D. D. , and LL. D. His life has been an exceedingly busy one, and in addi- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 155 

tion to his school and pastoral work he has occupied the editorial chair for several 
years as managing and associate editor of the The Temperance Patriot, The Living 
Issue, and associate editor of The Temperance Banner, The New York Central News, 
and other reform papers. His correspondence with secular, religious and reformatory 
journals has been prolific, and many short and continued stories of his have been 
published in papers and magazines. He has also written and published two books 
named respectively Here and Hereafter, and The Philosophy of Prayer, and is busy 
preparing others. Early in life he entered upon reform work, first as a temperance 
reformer, and has lectured upon this topic extensively throughout the State of New 
York and more or less in neighboring States and Canada. His services have been 
in large requisition for special addresses at school conventions and institutes and 
other special occasions, as well as at religious gatherings. He was one of the 
original movers in the prohibitory sentiment in New York State, and has been hon- 
ored by several nominations for State and National offices. Identified with the Good 
Templars for years he has held some of the highest offices in the Grand Worthy 
Lodge, and has been a member of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the World. He 
has also held high official positions among the Sons of Temperance, the Rechabites, 
and the Templars of Honor. As a presiding officer he has manifested special ability 
and has often been elected chairman of State conventions and other gatherings. He 
was chairman of the New York State delegation in the Prohibition convention at Pitts- 
burg, Pa., which put St. John in nomination for president of the United States. In 
1851 he married Miss Harriet U. Hughston, only daughter of James Hughston, of 
East Guilford, N. Y. , a lady of rare abilities. She died in 1859, leaving one son, 
George F., editor of the Utica Daily Press, trustee of Hamilton College, and one of 
the managers of the Utica State Hospital. In 1862 Mr. Dunham married Lydia M. 
Johnston, only daughter of David S. Johnston, of Sydney, N. Y., a lady of culture and 
refinement, who devotes much of her time and energies to works of reform. Hale 
and hearty, Mr. Dunham is still in the forefront of the battle, doing an amount of 
work before which many a younger man would shrink. 

Miller, Frank P., D.D.S., was born at Camden, Oneida county, N.Y., October 18, 
1870 He is a son of Perry B. and Phoebe C. Miller, residents of that place. Mr. 
Miller is a commercial traveler, an occupation he has actively followed many years. 
Smith Miller, his father, and grandfather, Dr. Miller, were natives of Connecticut, 
but came to Oneida county at an early period of its settlement. An ox team and 
rude cart were the means of conveyance for the family to the new home. He spent 
his life in Camden, being one of the leading citizens of the town. Dr. Frank P. 
Miller was reared in Camden and received his education in the public schools of the 
place. At the age of sixteen he began the study of dentistry with Dr. George P. 
Manville of Camden. He subsequently entered the Philadelphia Dental College and 
graduated from that institution in 1891. Dr. Miller then returned to Camden and 
entered upon the practice of his profession. This he continued successfully till De- 
cember, 1895, at which time he moved to Whitesboro. His proficiency in the science 
of dentistry has already assured him of a prosperous business in his new home. 
October 4, 1893, Dr. Miller married Harriet E., daughter of John and Elizabeth 
Hume, of Camden, N. Y. They have one daughter, now an infant. 

Tompkins, C. H., was born on the farm where he now resides, February 24, 



156 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1856, son of Joshua P. and Angelina (Pierce) Tompkins. His grandfather, Nathaniel 
Tompkins, was a native of Little Compton, R. I., and was one of the early settlers 
in the town of Paris, the deed of his farm being dated 1806. C. H. Tompkins has 
been engaged in farming all of his life. In 1877 he married Jennie Brown ell, who 
died leaving one daughter, Angeline Pierce Tompkins, and in November, 1889, he 
married Kittie Brownell, by whom he had one son, Nathaniel Tompkins. In politics 
he is a Republican, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the 
Patrons of Industry. 

Wasmuth, Theodore, was born in Frankfort-on-the-Oder, Prussia, January 27, 
1854, son of Fred Wasmuth, who was born at the same place, October 22, 1826, and 
came to this country in 1859, settling at Augusta. Fred Wasmuth is a shoemaker 
and farmer and, with the exception of his two first years in the United States, which 
were spent in Stittville, Oneida county, has always lived in Augusta. Theodore 
Wasmuth was engaged in farming at Augusta until thirty years of age, when he 
moved to Point Rock, town of Lee, where he is still engaged in the same industry. 
He married Hattie L. Warden of Point Rock, whose father is a farmer at that place. 
She was born April 4, 1864, and was educated at the Lee Center Union School. 
They have three children : Evelyn L. , born July 10, 1887 ; Mary Louise, born May 29, 
1892, and Otto K., born August 31, 1894. 

Sayer, James W., was born in England, August 1, 1835. His father was a native 
of Kent county, England, where he was born April 14, 1797, and came to America 
in 1840, settling in Westmoreland, N. Y., where he engaged in farming, and con- 
tinued until his death in December, 1871. While in England he married Maria 
Cloak, who was born in 1798, and died in Westmoreland in 1873. James W. Sayer 
was one of a family of eight children, five girls and three boys. He was educated at 
Westmoreland and Augusta, and after his school days, which ended when he was 
sixteen years of age, he went to Kendall county, 111., where he learned the black- 
smith trade, and then for several years continued in that place, also Grundy county, 
and Dwight, 111. He in the mean time bought a farm in that State, conducting the 
affairs of that enterprise. In 1859 he married Annie C. Bradford of Morris, 111., 
who died October 5, 1871, by whom he had three children: Lillie A., born September 
9, 1861; George T., born February 23, 1864; and Hattie A., born February 25, 1866, 
who died September 15, 1871. November 30, 1876, he married his present wife, 
Sarah A. Cackett, a native of England, bj' whom he has two children: Clarence A., 
born June 26, 1879, and Myron J., born November 12, 1881. 

Drummond, James, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 6, 1840, and came 
to the United States with his parents when three years of age. They located in this 
vicinity, where he was educated in the public schools, and afterward became a car- 
penter and boat builder, which business he carries on in connection with his farming. 
January 19, 1884, he married Eliza A. Johnson, of the town of Lee, by whom he had 
six children: James, jr., Eliza A., Nellie G., Kittie M., Nettie M., and Volsey T. 
Eliza A. married Otis Cagwin, of this town. Mrs. Drummond's father, Allen John- 
son, was born in the town of Lee in 1816. He was educated in the schools of his 
day, and afterward became a carpenter and millwright. He married Julia Mosier, 
of his native town, by whom he had seven children: Delia, Abner, Mary, Eliza A., 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 157 

as above, Job, Helen, and George. Mr. Johnson died in 1889, and his wife in No- 
vember, 1890. The ancestry of this family is Scotch and German. 

Smith, Mrs. Angelia E. — Her late husband, Abner E. Smith, was born in New 
London, N. Y., August 16, 1838. He was educated there and in the Utica Commer- 
cial College, and was an expert flour examiner and a business man. January 21, 
1863, he married Angelia E. Allen, of East Florence, Oneida county, by whom he 
had two daughters: Ida L., who is a fine artist; and Luella A., a skillful musician, 
both of Mount Vernon, N. Y. Mr. Smith died June 3, 1894. His father, Abner 
Smith, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., Februar}' 7, 1792, and came to New London, 
N. Y., Nbvember 30, 1817. He married Sally Covill, of this place, by whom he had 
five children: Catherine E. , Horace C, Alonzo G., Herbert, and Nancy C. Mrs. 
Smith died February 10, 1832, and January 8, 1833, Mr. Smith married for his sec- 
ond wife, Ruth C. Hibbard, who was born here December 23, 1804, by whom he had 
four children: Sally C, Herbert J., Abner E., as above, and Charles T. Mr. Smith 
died December 7, 1846, and his wife December 28, 1844. Mrs. A. E. Smith's father, 
Daniel G. Allen, was born in Clinton, Oneida county, December 26, 1814. He was 
educated there until they moved to Camden, where he finished his education. He 
learned the carriagemaker's trade with Ira Pond, of that place, which business he 
carried on several years. September 14, 1836, he married Purmelia Robinson, of 
East Florence, by whom he had two children : Angelia E. , as above, and a boy who 
died in infancy. Mr. Allen died March 5, 1886, and his wife March 12, 1889. Her 
grandfather, Daniel Allen, was born in Boston in 1772, and died in 1839. The Allen, 
Robinson and Smith families were defenders of their country, both in the Revolu- 
tionary war and the war of 1812, and also in the Civil war. Mr. Allen and Mr. Smith 
were members of the Masonic order. Mrs. D. G. Allen was, and Mrs. Smith is a 
member of the O. E. S. 

Stone, Hon. John D. F., was born in the town of Augusta, Oneida county, July 17, 
1853. He is descended from John Stone, who, with his brother William, was the 
son of a Hertfordshire, England, divine. Both settled in Guilford, Conn., in 1639. 
Miles Stone, a weaver by trade, moved with his family from Guilford to Augusta 
about 1800 and died there a few years later. Samuel Stone, his son, was a farmer 
and a local preacher of the Methodist circuit, and in 1798 married Mary Wells. He 
was born in Guilford, Conn., August 23, 1776, and died in Augusta, N. Y., Decem- 
ber 5, 1850. Of their eleven children A. Irvine Stone, the youngest, was born 
August 31. 1827, followed farming and held several town offices, and on July 7, 1852, 
married first Mary Jane Chadwick, who died April 5, 1855, leaving one son, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. Judge Stone was educated in the public schools of his native 
town and at Cazenovia Seminary, was graduated from the Fort Atkinson (Wis.) 
High School in 1875, and then entered the law school of Wisconsin University at 
Madison, from which he was graduated and admitted to the bar of that State in 1876. 
The same year he came to Cohoes, N. Y., and read law with James F. Crawford, 
and was admitted to the' bar of New York at the Saratoga general term in the fall of 
1878. He then came to Utica, where he has since practiced his profession. He was 
special surrogate of Oneida county from 1886 to 1889, and January 1, 1890, was ap 
pointed clerk of the Surrogate's Court under Surrogate William H. Bright. He held 
this position until April 1, 1896, when, having been elected, he assumed the duties of 



158 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

city judge of Utica. He is a member and ex-secretary of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., 
a member of Oneida Chapter R. A. M., and a charter member, first vice-president, 
and one of the trustees of the Masonic Club of Utica. June 11, 1879, he married 
Anna M., daughter of William S. Jackson, of Utica, and their children are Edith M., 
Ruth C, Chester A., and Annabel and Isabel (twins). 

Sholes, Herbert C:, was born in Bridgewater, Oneida count}', October 13, 1855. 
Newton Sholes, his father, married Caroline E. Wood, and afterward moved from 
Plainfield, Otsego count}', to Bridgewater, where he now resides, and where he has 
long been a prominent citizen, serving as justice of the peace, justice of sessions, 
supervisor, loan commissioner, etc. Herbert C. Sholes attended the public schools 
and West Winfield Academy and was graduated from Whitestown Seminary in 1874. 
In 1877 he entered the office of J. A. & A. B. Steele, of Herkimer, N. Y. , as a student 
at law, and was admitted to the bar at the Rochester general term in October, 1880. 
In November, 1881, he began the practice of his profession in Clayville, Oneida 
county, and just three years later removed to Utica, where he has since resided, and 
where he successfully practiced alone until May 1, 1888, when he formed a partner- 
ship with Hon. W. T. Dunmore., under the firm name of Dunmore & Sholes. March 
1, 1893, this was changed to Dunmore, Sholes & Ferris, its present style, by the 
admission of T. Harvey Ferris. Mr. Sholes is a staunch Republican, and from 1888 
to 1890 inclusive, was special surrogate of Oneida county. He is a member of Fax- 
ton Lodge, No. 697, F. & A. M., and takes a lively interest in all public matters. 
November 23, 1886, he married Eliza A., daughter of A. M. Cook, of Evans Mills, 
Jefferson county, and they have one son, Newton Cook Sholes, born June 6, 1888. 

Halladay, James, was born in the town of Vienna, Oneida county, N. Y., Novem- 
ber 14, 1846. He was educated in the common schools, and is by occupation a 
farmer. March 24 1870, he married C. Elizabeth Stooks, of the town of Verona, by 
whom he had two children: H. Estella, and Sarah E. Estella married Herman A. 
White, of this town, and they have two children: Herbert H. and Pearl E. Mr. 
Halladay's father, Nehemiah, was born in Vermont, in 1807, and was educated as a 
farmer and boatman. He married Sarah A. Brodock, of Vienna, by whom he had 
seven children: Sarah E., Nehemiah, Julia A., Maria, Almira, Alzina and James. 
He died in 1888, and his wife in 1874. Mrs. Halladay's father, George A. Stooks, 
was born in Germany, was educated there, and came to the United States with his 
parents when sixteen years of age, and located near Boonville, removing later to the 
town of Verona. He married Catherine Waffel, of this county, by whom he had 
twelve children, three of whom died in infancy: Jacob W., Hannah, John H., Will- 
iam, C. Elizabeth, Nancy, George B., Frederick and Franklin. Mrs Stooks died 
June 24, 1894. The ancestry of the family is English and German. 

Barry, John J., son of Thomas, who came to LTtica from Ireland in 1841 and died 
in 1873, was born in Utica, June 11, 1863, and learned the trade of tin and copper- 
smith, which he followed thirteen years as an employee of O'Neil & Son, the pre- 
decessor of Childs & Jones. In 1888 he opened his present news stand and cigar 
store on the corner of Genesee and Bleeker streets, where he has since continued 
with remarkable success. In the spring of 1895 he became a member of the firm of 
William T. Donnelley & Co., and also engaged in the gent's furnishing business. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 159 

Mr. Barry is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the I. 0. of R. M., and 
formerly was quite active in Democratic politics. 

Young, Israel W., was born in the town of Kirkland, Oneida county, October 17, 
1831. He was educated in the public schools, and afterward taught school twenty- 
four years, but is now engaged in farming in Verona. August 19, 1854, he married 
Elizabeth A. Williams, of Glanmorganshire, Wales, England, who came with her 
mother to the United States when she was five years of age. They had four chil- 
dren: Helen A., Martha E., who died when twenty-four years of age, and Marcia, 
who died at eight years of age (twins), and Ella J., who died at nineteen years of age. 
Helen A. married M. G. Seymour, an M. E. clergyman, Mr. Young's father, John 
B., was born at the old home, August 30, 1807. He was educated in the schools of 
his day, and was a farmer by occupation. January 4, 1831, he married Aurelia 
Fuller, of the same town, by whom he had three children: Israel W., as above, 
Cynthia J., and Henry C. Mr. Young died June 13, 1892, and his widow resides 
with her son, Israel W. Mrs. Young's father, David Williams, was born at the old 
home in Wales. He married for his second wife, Bridget Saunders by whom he had 
seven children, one of whom was Elizabeth A. Her father died when she was four 
years of age, and her mother in 1854. Mr. Young's father, John B., was a colonel 
in the State militia, and Mr. Young himself was captain in the same division at a 
later day. The family are members of the Presbyte ian church, of which Mr. Young 
is one of the elders, also superintendent of the Sunday-school. 

Cooley, Gary W., was born at Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y., March 18, 1841. 
He was educated in the district schools of Newport and advanced school of Utica. 
He came to this country with his parents when seventeen years of age, locating in 
the town of Verona, where he is engaged in farming, also for the last twenty years 
has been an auctioneer. December 31, 1863, he married Frances D. Wolfe, of this 
town, by whom he had four children: Wilford B., Arthur S., Cora A., deceased, and 
Benjamin L. Arthur S. is a bookkeeper for a firm in San Francisco Cal. ; Wilford 
B. keeps the King House in Clockville, Madison county, N. Y. He married Emma 
Sassenbery, of Vernon, by whom he has three children: Cora B., Lawrence M. , and 
G. Wesley. Mr. Cooley's father, Lyman Cooley, was born in Paris, Oneida county, 
in 1807. He was a tailor by occupation, and he married Joanna Jilson, of Martins- 
burg, Lewis county, N. Y. , by whom he had six children, two of whom died in 
infancy: Francis J., Cornelia A., L. Stuart, and Gary W., as above. Mr. Cooley 
died November 13, 1858 and his wife November 13, 1872. Mr. Cooley's father, John 
Wolfe, was born in Otsego county, N. Y. , in 1812, and came to this county in 1836, 
following the blacksmith's trade in Verona village. He married Alvira Marshall, by 
whom he had four children: Harriet E., Frances D., as above, J. Birney and Julia 
A. He died in 1876, and his wife in 1.883. Mr. Cooley's grandfather, Justin Cooley, 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Cooley is a member of New London Lodge, 
No. 420, F. & A. M. The family is of New England stock. f 

Cushman, Joseph B., was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., in 1838, and has 
spent the greater part of his life near Vernon village. His father, Morris Cushman, 
was a native of the town of Kirkland, born in 1809. His ancestors had a distinct 
line of descent from Robert Cushman, who came to this country on the Mayflower. 



160 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Morris Cushman was a prominent farmer in Vernon, and died in Vernon January 
10, 1895. He married Janette Loomis, who was born in Vernon in 1810, and died in 
1867. After finishing his schooling at the Vernon Academy at thirteen years of age 
Joseph B. Cushman engaged as clerk in a shoe store in Utica, where he remained 
until 1862, when he gave his services to the government as a soldier in the army, 
raising a company which was a part of the old 146th Infantry known as the Fifth 
Oneida. He served as captain until 1864, when he was discharged. Upon return- 
ing home Mr. Cushman purchased a farm, where he still remains. He is a Democrat 
in politics, and has represented his town two terms in the Board of Supervisors, and 
was clerk of the board one year ; he has also been a candidate for member of assem- 
bly. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R. In 1868 Mr. Cushman married 
Caroline A. Frisbie, of Vernon, by whom he had two children: Lavonne J., now a 
teacher at New Rochelle, N. Y. ; and Morris F., a farmer in Vernon. Since 1882 
Mr. Cushman has been secretary of the Oneida County Agricultural Society. 

Breslauer, Theobald, was born in Frankenstein, Silesia, Germany, October 9, 1846, 
and between 1861 and 1864 served an apprenticeship at glove making, which he suc- 
cessfully followed in the chief cities of Europe for several years, notably in Vienna, 
Paris, London, and Berlin. In Breslau, Germany, he engaged in manufacturing 
on his own account for a time. In 1873 he came to America, settled in Gloversville, 
N. Y., and for about four years pursued his trade in the extensive glove factories 
of that place. He moved to Utica in 1877 and established his present business, 
and since May, 1883, has conducted a successful trade at his present location, 182 
Genesee street, wholesaling and retailing a full line of gloves and millinery. He is 
a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., 
and Utica Consistory, No. 2, being a 32d degree Mason, northern jurisdiction. In 
1871 he married Miss Bertha Dann, who learned her trade of milliner in Germany, 
her native country. 

Hart, Seth W., was born on the farm where he now lives, December 20, 1830, son 
of Euratas Hart, who was born in the town of Paris, October 25, 1799. The grand- 
father, Abel Hart, emigrated from Connecticut in 1790, and engaged in farming, 
which occupation the family has since followed, Seth W. now owning a farm of 145 
acres of prosperous land. Euratus Hart married Betsey Walker, of Paris, N.Y. , by 
whom he had eight children. Seth W. received his education in the district school. 
He married Isabelle. daughter of Dwight Mosher, of the town of Augusta, by whom 
he had three children: James, Mary, and Susan E. 

Start, S. William, was born November 21, 1833, in Devonshire, England, son of 
Robert and Mary Ajin Start, who came to this country when William was about six 
months old. Robert was a farmer, settling first in Deerfield, and next in Marcy. 
He then went to Clinton, and purchased a place, retiring from farming, and died 
in September. 1886, in his eighty-third year. Mrs. Start, his wife, died in 1890, aged 
eighty-three. William Start engaged in farming, at which he continues, and is a 
staunch Republican, taking an active interest in the success of his party. He mar- 
ried Hannah Jackson, of English extraction, by whom he has two sons: William 
Henry, who is in the wholesale grocery business in Utica; and Lester J., who is em- 
ployed by his brother in Utica. Mr. Start and wife are both active members in the 
Bartlett Baptist church. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 161 

Seaman, Jerome M., was born in Oswego, N. Y., in 1846, and is a much esteemed 
citizen of New Hartford, where he has been a resident for twenty-five years. After 
acquiring his education at the Dwight & Holbrook Seminary in Clinton, N. Y.,'he 
resided with his parents at Clark's Mills, where his father, Hicks Seaman, was 
superintendent of the Clark's Mills Cotton Manufactory for twenty-five years. In 
1862 he went to the war and enlisted as a private in the 146th Regt. N. Y. State 
Volunteers of Infantry, and by his valiant service and faithfulness he was commis- 
sioned by Gov. Horatio Seymour as second lieutenant of Co. G of that regiment, 
and afterwards he was again commissioned by Gov. R. E. Fenton as first lieutenant 
of the same company, and at the close of the Rebellion he returned with his com- 
pany as its acting captain. Although he was present with his company in every 
battle in which his regiment was engaged from the time of his enlistment he was 
never wounded or imprisoned. Previous to his residence here he was employed in 
the cotton mills at Oriskany, which engagement he entered upon after he returned 
from the war. He has been superintendent of the weaving department of the New 
Hartford Cotton Manufacturing Company since his residence here and has held the 
office of trustee of the village several terms, and was president of the village from 
March, 1891, to March, 1896. In 1871 he married Anna Elizabeth Reilly of this 
place. They are worthy and efficient members of St. John's Catholic church of the 
village and took an active part in founding and organizing its congregation. 

Scovill, James Van Horn, a direct descendant of the early settlers of the town of 
Paris, was born at Paris, Oneida county, in June, 1834, only child of Isaac Scovill 
(who was born at Watertown, Conn.) His grandfather, Darius Scovill, came to 
Paris in 1804. Mr. Scovill received his education at Paris, Clinton, and Cazenovia 
Seminary. He removed from Paris Hill to New Hartford in 1884, where he pur- 
chased about sixty acres of garden land, which he has devoted to dairy productions, 
also being a breeder of thoroughbred Jersey cattle, from which his place is known 
as Jersey-Hurst. He was one of the organizers of the American Dairymen's Asso- 
ciation, of which he is a valued member. He is vice-president of the Central New 
York Farmers' Club, and has held that position for many years. He is also a life 
member of the New York State Agricultural Society. June 1, 1883, he married Miss 
Annie Dewhurst, eldest daughter of Thomas and Anne Dewhurst, of Graefenburg, 
Herkimer county, N. Y., formerly of Willow vale, Oneida county, at which place she 
was born. The result of the union has been six daughters, namely: Jennie Belle, 
Bessie Murrow, Cornelia Mae, Helen Eliza, Marianne Howard, and Grace Leona. 
The late Mrs. Jane Scovill, mother of J. V. H. Scovill, was the daughter of the late 
Thomas Murrow, and a descendant on her mother's side of the Van Horns of New 
York; she was the last representative of this old and celebrated family, and Mr. 
Scovill has in his possession a very interesting document consisting of original rec- 
ords of births in the family of Jacobus Van Horn of New York, whose father, John 
Van Horn, was one of the earliest settlers of New York city, which information may 
be found in the Colonial History of New York. The manuscript is beautifully 
written in Dutch and dated 1732. 

Lawrence, Lewis H., is the only son of Lewis Lawrence, who was born in the 
town of Otsego, Otsego county, N.Y., December 21, 1806, and died on Fourth Lake, 
Fulton Chain, N, ¥,, September 8, 1886. Forty-eight of the nearly eighty years of 



162 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Lewis Lawrence's life were spent in Utica, where he was a distinguished citizen. 
He was of New England descent and the only son of Daniel and Penelope Law- 
rence, whose four daughters died while Lewis was yet a lad. He spent his early 
years on the parental farm. At the age of fifteen he went to Franklin, Delaware 
county, where he spent seven years learning and following the carpenter's trade. In 
April, 1828, he came to Utica without an acquaintance and with only S3 in money. 
He immediately engaged in business for himself, and within a very short period was 
an acknowledged leader among the builders of the city. About 1834 he began the 
manufacture and sale of lumber, and from that time till 1865 his mills and business 
were extensive. In 1865 he organized the Utica, Chenango & Susquehanna Valley 
Railroad Company, became its president and treasurer, gave his attention to the 
construction of the line, and in 1870 leased it to the D., L. & W. R. R. Co. He then 
retired to private life and sought rest and recreation in travel, spending thus about 
three years in this country and Europe. Returning to Utica in 1874 he gave his 
time to various enterprises of business and benevolence. He was a staunch Repub- 
lican, and unwavering Abolitionist, a strictly temperance man, and a neighbor, a 
life-long friend, and a firm supporter of Hon. Roscoe Conkling, in whose interest he 
founded in 1877 the Utica Daily Republican. He was a member of Westminster 
church and its strong friend, and throughout life a man of large benevolenoe. Jan- 
uary 18, 1828, he married Miss Anna G., daughter of Samuel and Ruth E. Skinner, 
of Colchester, Conn., who died November 30, 1868. They had two children: Lewis 
H., who survives, and Charlotte A., who married ex-Mayor Charles E. Barnard, of 
of Utica, and died April 15, 1886, leaving two children : Charles E. and Miss A. G. L. 

Lewis, William D., was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1855 son of Dennis Lewis, 
a farmer, now of Frankfort, Herkimer county. He graduated from the Whitestown 
Seminary in 1875, and began teaching in 1872, while yet a student there. In 1878 he 
came to Washington Mills, where he taught, later canvassing for the Johnson Ency- 
clopedia, also for a life insurance company. In 1884 he engaged in the mercantile 
business here, and was very successful. He was elected school commissioner for the 
First district of Oneida county in 1887, filling that office for three years, and proving 
a most efficient and popular official. In 1891 he sold out the grocery store, and held 
the position as bookkeeper one year for the Lewis & Babcock Tool Co. He is owner 
of the Fruit Evaporator at Washington Mills, to which he devotes his attention during 
the season of operating, and acting as traveling salesman for a Utica house the re- 
mainder of the year. In 1876 he married Emma E. , daughter of Pardon Russell, of 
Frankfort, Herkimer county, by whom he had three children: Charles W., and Earl 
R., now associated with the evaporator business; and Cora E. (deceased), who died 
in 1887 at seven years of age. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and Odd 
Fellows. 

Ramsdell, I. J., was born in Madison county, September 2, 1843, but has been a 
resident of Oneida county since 1852. In 1865 he married Charlotte A. Ellinwood, 
bv whom he has three children : Rev. Julian E. Ramsdell, an Episcopal minister of 
Cleveland, Ohio ; Edna A. Ramsdell, and Mrs. Dr. Doolittle, of Bridgewater, N. Y. 
Mr. Ramsdell learned the trade of wagonmaker when a young man, and was for 
many years in partnership with his father-in-law, Duras Ellinwood. Since residing in 
Paris he has been active in politics on the Democratic side, and was appointed post- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 163 

master at Paris, December 23, 1894. His parents were Riley and Julia (Jackson) 
Ramsdell. The Ramsdells original!)' came from Rhode Island to Saratoga county, 
thence to Madison county, and then to Oneida count)'. 

Greene, Albert W. , M. D., was born in Northamptonshire, Eng. , February 26, 1833, 
son of William and Sophia Greene, natives of that country, and who came to this coun- 
try when Albert was three years of age, and settled in Fulton, Oswego county, N. Y. 
William Greene served during the Rebellion in the 147th N. Y. Infantry, participat- 
ing in many of the important battles of the war. Nathaniel Greene, his uncle, was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and at its close settled in Savannah, Georgia ; and 
his grandson was a classmate of Dr. Greene in the medical college. In 1865 Dr. 
Greene moved to Palermo, Oswego county, and in 1871 was graduated from the 
Mexico Academy. That same fall he entered Syracuse University, remaining at 
that institution two years. He subsquently engaged in teaching, an occupation he 
pursued through seventeen consecutive terms. In 1861 he entered the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, graduating in 1884, and being appointed to a 
position in the Maryland Woman's Hospital, remained in that position one year. 
Dr. Green then returned to Palermo and established himself in the practice of his 
profession, where he built up a very lucrative practice, remaining there until 1894. 
At that time his health became impaired, so that he retired for a time, and in the fall 
of 1894 he removed to Oneida Castle, and at once entered upon a successful practice 
Dr. Greene while in Palermo was active in the Republican politics of the county, 
serving three years each as member of the county committee, and the Second 
Assembly district. In the spring of 1895 he was elected president of the village of 
Oneida Castle, and is now surgeon of the West Shore Ra'ilroad. He married for his 
first wife, Flora Cross, by whom he had three children : Ralph R. , Ray E. , and Nina 
G. His present wife is Carrie E. Snell, by whom he has one daughter, Edna. 

Rayhill, James W., son of Patrick, was born in Albany, N. Y., April 17, 1847, 
came with his parents to Litchfield, Herkimer county, in 1857, and spent his youth 
on the farm and in attending the public schools, West Winfield Seminary, and Utica 
Academy. During his academic studies he taught school and read law with Lewis 
H. Babcock of Utica. He completed his legal education with D. C. Pomeroy & Son 
and at Hamilton College, and was admitted to the bar at Utica in June, 1875. He 
then formed a copartnership with John D. Griffith, which continued for three years, 
and since then he has practiced alone, having in recent years the charge of consider- 
able criminal business. He is a member of Imperial Council, No. 70, R. A. In 
May, 1875, ne married Addie M., daughter of Alanson Pattengill, of West Winfield, 
N. Y., and they have one son living, John Wayland Rayhill. 

Austin, Samuel, was born in Poundridge, Westchester county, N. Y. , September 
9, 1836, son of Henry and Matilda (Avery) Austin, and is of English descent. He 
was reared in his native county, educated in the common schools, and served an ap- 
prenticeship at the wheelwright and machinist trade in Norwalk, Conn. In 1855 he 
came to Western, where he worked at his trade up to 1864, when he purchased the 
tarm where he now resides, and has since been engaged in farming. In 1858 he 
married Sarah, daughter of Wolcott and Anna (Teller) Dillenbeck, of Western, by 
whom he had five children, one of whom survives: Anna A. Mr. Austin is a mem- 



164 OCR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ber of the F. & A M. , and has been commissioner of highways of Western for two 
years. In politics he is a Democrat. 

Hathaway, Gilbert, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1839, son of Isaac B. 
and Rebecca (Higby) Hathaway. He was reared in Lewis county, N. Y. , educated 
in the common schools, has always followed farming as an occupation, and since 1870 
has resided in Western, on the farm he now owns. His wife was. Margaret, daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Agatha (Wellman) Wolfe, of Rome, by whom he had two children 
living: Levi B. and Herbert H. Mr. Hathaway and wife are members of the M. E. 
church, and in politics he is a Republican. 

Wolfe, Jacob, was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, August 28, 1840, a son of 
Jacob and Agatha (Wellman) Wolfe, both natives of Germany, and a grandson of 
Jacob Wolfe on the paternal side, and of Joseph Wellman on the maternal side. 
Jacob Wolfe, father of our subject, came to America about 1833 and located in Deer- 
field, where he worked as a farm laborer for nine years. In 1842 he located in Lewis 
county and cleared a farm in West Turin, a few years later moved to Western, 
thence to the town of Rome, where he spent ten years, when he removed to the city 
of Rome, where he died August 6, 1895, aged eighty-one years. He was the father 
of eleven children , six of whom survive : Jacob, Margaret (Mrs. Gilbert Hathaway), 
Henry, Philip, Daniel and Levi. Our subject was reared in Oneida county and has 
always been a farmer. In 1870 he married Eliza, daughter of .Sanford Sampson, of 
Western, and has four children living: Cynthia (Mrs. Charles Hartson), Walter, 
Myrtie and Sanford. Mr. Wolfe is a member of the M. E. church, and in politics is 
a Republican. 

Hooper, John, was born in Pembrockshire, Wales, April 29, 1837, son of David P. 
and Margaret (Lewis) Hooper, who came to America in 1852, and after spending one 
year in Rome, Oneida county, removed to Cattaraugus county, where the father 
died June 30, 1892. John Hooper was reared in Wales and New York State, and 
since 1867 has been a resident of Western, where he engaged in farming. In 1867 
he married Julia, daughter of Joel S. and Margaret (Roberts) Williams, of Rome, by 
whom he has five children: Charles and Celia, twins; Joel, Ella, and Emma. In 
September, 1861, Mr. Hooper enlisted in Co. F, 5th N. Y. Cavalry, and was in 
nearly all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, also Gettysburg, second Bull Run, 
Wilderness, and was honorably discharged in October, 1864. 

Van Wagenen, Lewis B., was born in Lee, Oneida county, November 3, 1829, a 
son of Wessel B. and Lucy (Husted) Van Wagenen. His paternal grandfather, 
James Van Wagenen, a native of Johnstown, N.Y., settled with his family in the town 
of Lee in 1815. He was a blacksmith by trade, making edge tools, scythes, etc. , for the 
pioneers. In later life he removed to Oil Creek, Pa. , where died. His paternal grand- 
father, Peter Husted, was a pioneer of Lee and Western, who died on the farm in 
Western now occupied by our subject. Wessel B. Van Wagenen, father of Lewis B., 
was born in Johnstown, N. Y. , July 9, 1802, came to Lee with his parents in 1815, and, 
with the exception of ten years spent in Chautauqua county, N. Y. , has always residedin 
Oneida county, has lived in Camden twenty years, and has always followed farming as 
an occupation. In early life he was captain of the militia in the town of Lee for many 
years. Lewis B. Van Wagenen was reared in Lee and educated in the common and 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 165 

select schools. He has been more or less engaged in farming all his life, and since 
1877 has been engaged as agent of the Farmers' Fire and Lightning Insurance Co., 
of Oneida, N. Y., of which he and the late Israel White, of Western, were the found- 
ers, and which has been a success from the start. January 18, 1859, Mr. Van Wag- 
enen married Ann, daughter of Thomas McMullen, of Western, by whom he has six 
children: Leonora, Edwin, Grant, Julia, Herbert, and Edith. 

Olney, George B., was born in Western, December 7, 1852, a son of George J. and 
Harriet (Brill) Olney, grandson of James Olney, who was born October 26, 1783, and 
who married Lucy Burt, and great-grandson of William and Mary (Myers) Olney, 
who were among the pioneers of Western, and is a lineal descendant of Thomas 
Olney, of Hertfordshire, England, who settled in Salem, Mass., in 1635, where he 
followed his profession as surveyor, and filled many positions of trust. He was the 
founder of the Olney family in America. In later life he left Salem on account of 
religious persecution and went with Roger Williams to Providence, R. I. George J. 
Olney, father of George B., was born in Western, February 22, 1821, where he has 
spent all his life engaged in farming. He was twice married, first to Harriet, 
daughter of Ezra and Lydia (Parks) Clark, of Western, by whom he had one daugh- 
ter, Harriet (Mrs. Frank White). His second wife was Harriet, daughter of John 
Brill, of Saratoga, N. Y., by whom he had three children: George B., Willard, and 
Minnie (Mrs. Charles Pillmore). George B. Olney was educated in the public schools 
and Whitestown Seminary, and since 1880 has been a member of the firm of Olney 
& Floyd, manufacturers of canned goods, with factories at Westernville and Delta. 
December 10, 1879, he married Amelia, daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Carey) Hill, 
of Western, by whom he had two children: George J. and Max. 

Paddock, Harvey, was born in Western, on the farm where he now resides, No- 
vember 25, 1815, and is the oldest native born resident of Western. He is a son of 
Daniel, jr., and Diadama(Selden) Paddock, both natives of the State, the former 
born March 1, 1794, and his wife, February 5, 1794. His paternal grandfather, 
Daniel Paddock, sr., a native of Albany county, N. Y., and his maternal grand- 
father, Thomas Selden, a native of Vermont, settled in Rome, Oneida county, in 
1797, where the latter resided until his death. Daniel Paddock, sr., remained in 
Rome about one year, and in 1799 settled in Western, where he cleared a farm on 
which he lived and died. Daniel Paddock, jr., was reared in Western from five 
years of age, where he spent his life in farming. He cleared a part of the farm now 
owned by his son, Harvey, on which he was found dead June 3, 1831, and was sup- 
posed to have been murdered. Harvey Paddock has always lived on the old home- 
stead, with the exception of five years spent in Westernville where he engaged in 
the hotel business. In 1841 he married Betsey, daughter of Nicholas and Maria 
(Wagner) Reese, of Western, by whom he has one son, Arden H., who is engaged 
in farming on the old homestead. Mr. Paddock was commissioner of highways of 
Western for fifteen years, and in politics is a Republican. 

Haynes, Archibald M. , was born in Western, April 16, 1831, son of James and Sarah 
(Thornton) Haynes, natives of Amsterdam and Unadilla, N. Y., respectively. Both 
his paternal and maternal grandfathers, Abel Haynes and Job Thornton, were 
pioneers of Western and farmers by occupation. James Haynes, father of Archi- 



166 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

bald M., was also a farmer, and lived and died in Western. He was the father of 
two children : Archibald M. and John C. Archibald M. was reared on the Haynes 
homestead in Western and educated in the common schools. In 1853 he went on the 
high seas as a sailor, in which capacity he served four years, visiting the principal 
seaports of North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, including Japan, 
since which time he has been engaged in farming in Western. He married four 
times; first, to Harriet Ford; second to Margaret, daughter of William Logan, 
of Lee, by whom he had five children: Martha (Mrs. Hamilton Barringer), James de- 
ceased, William deceased, Julius and Margaret; third, to Imogene, daughter of 
Hiram G. Bullock, of Western, by whom he had four children ; Gardner, Henry, 
Mary and Sarah, deceased; fourth, to Ida, daughter of Hiram G. Bullock, by whom 
he had two children : Frank and Wyman. Mr. Haynes is a Democrat in politics, 
and has been justice of the peace in Western twenty-four years. 

Fox, Winfield M., was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., September 21, 1850, one of 
nine children born to Elijah and Eliza (Farewell) Fox. He was educated in the 
schools of Jefferson county, and then engaged in farming, which line he followed until 
twenty-eight years of age. At this time he engaged in the clothing business at 
Three Mile Bay, Jefferson county, where he remained four years. He then came to 
Taberg and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, which he still con- 
ducts. Mr. Fox married Lucy Whiting, of Three Mile Bay, daughter of John C. 
Whiting. They have two children : Charles W. and Mildred. Mr. Fox has been 
justice of the peace four years. He is a member of the M. E. church, 

Allanson, Thomas B., was born in England, January 21, 1817, and came to the United 
States with his parents when fourteen years of age. He was educated in the schools 
of Lee Center and Annsville, after which he engaged in farming for many years, 
then in the mercantile business in Taberg for twenty years, after which he was agent 
for the Taberg blast furnace, but at the present time is unable to attend to but little 
business, owing to ill health. He has been a prominent Democrat in this town, al- 
ways taking an active part in all campaigns, and was elected to the Assembly when 
Grover Cleveland was first elected governor. He was also supervisor for twelve 
years, and held many other minor offices. He married for his first wife, Mary J. 
Lyman, of Lee Center, by whom he had one daughter, Jessie, and they also have one 
adopted daughter, Laura. He married for his second wife, Hannah, daughter 
of William Ward, who emigrated to this country from England in 1844. 

Armstrong, David, was born in Annsville, Oneida county, March 9, 1838, and is a 
son of George Armstrong, of whom an account is given elsewhere. David Arm- 
strong is one of the leading farmers of the town, owning a farm of 255 acres. In his 
younger days he was on the Erie Canal for twenty years. He married Jane Rich- 
ardson, daughter of William Richardson, of Annsville, by whom he has eight 
children. Mr. Armstrong is a Democrat in politics, and was assessor of the town for 
six years. 

Dooley, John J., was born in the town of Annsville, February 11, 1849, son of the 
late Thomas Dooley, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 
1840, and settled on a farm in this town, where John J. was reared and where 
he worked until he was twenty-one years of age, attending the district schools, where 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 167 

he laid the foundation for his business life. When twenty-one years of age he was 
elected collector of the town, and under Cleveland's first administration was ap- 
pointed postmaster, during which time he established his present business in the 
village of Taberg as a general merchant,- carrying a full line of goods suitable for 
country trade. Mr. Dooley was elected supervisor in 1893, which office he still holds, 
being re-elected for the second term. August 20, 1884, he married Margaret, daugh- 
ter of James Mahar, by whom he had six children: Michael H., James F., Thomas 
W. , Mariette, Margaret and Emmett J. 

Stedman, Gilbert R., was born July 15, 1842, in the town of Lee, where he lived 
until seven years of age, at which time his parents moved to the town of Annsville. 
He was educated in Lee and Annsville. He was a son of Oliver and Sophia (San- 
ford) Stedman, who had a family of nine children: Ellen, Joseph (deceased), Eliza- 
beth, Gilbert R., Ann, Susan, Ida, E. K., and Carrie. In 1861 Gilbert Stedman en- 
listed in the 2d New York Heavy Artillery and served three years, being in the 
battles of Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Deep Bottom, etc. He is now engaged in 
farming, owning a fine farm of ninety-seven acres. He married Julia daughter of 
William Streeter, of Annsville, one of the first settlers of the town. They have five 
children: William, Bertha, Arthur, Jessie, and Frederick. Mr. Stedman was su- 
pervisor of the town in. 1882 and again in 1888, was commissioner in 1878, and over- 
seer of the poor in 1885 and 1886. He was commander of Ballard Post, G. A. R., 
No. 551, for many years and is now senior-vice; he is also a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. 

Dillenbeck, Douglas E., was born in Western, March 20, 1862, son of Ephraim and 
Sarah (Keech) Dillenbeck. His paternal grandfather, Wolcott Dillenbeck, a native 
of Germany, was a pioneer of Western, where he cleared a farm on which he died. 
His wife was Anna Tully. Ephraim Dillenbeck, father of Douglas E., was born in 
Western, August 25, 1833, lived on a farm until 1866, when he embarked in general 
merchandising for five years. In 1871 he removed to North Western, where he was 
engaged in the same business until his death, which occurred July 25, 1892. May 
25, 1860, he married Sarah, daughter of James and Mary (Montague) Keech, of West- 
ern, by whom he had one son, Douglas E., who was educated in the public schools 
and Cazenovia Seminary, where he was graduated in the business course. In 1882 
he located at Frankfort, where he learned the drug business and was licensedby the 
State Board of Pharmacy in 1884. He then served as clerk of the canal superinten- 
dent at Western and Boonville six years, and since 1889 has been engaged in general 
merchandising at North Western. December 9, 1892, he married Alice, daughter of 
James O. and Emogene (Twining) Waldo, of Western. Mr. Dillenbeck is a member 
of the F. & A. M. , and R. A., and in politics is a Democrat. 

Rees, John D., was born in Pembrockshire, Wales, March 23, 1845, a son of David 
and Martha (Evans) Rees, who came to America in 1852 and located in Westernville, 
where the father, who was a blacksmith by trade, embarked in business for himself, 
in which he continued until his death, which occurred December 31, 1894, aged 
eighty-four years. He was the father of six children: Thomas, who died in the 
service of the Union in the late civil war ; Edward ; John D. ; Sarah (Mrs. Dr. 
Johnson Pillmore); William, and Margaret. John D. was reared in Western from 



168 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

seven years of age. He received a common school education, began life as a farm 
laborer, later engaged in railroading, and for twenty-five years has been engaged in 
locomotive engineering, blacksmithing, and as a machinist. Politically Mr. Rees is 
a staunch Republican. 

Albot, Charles T., was born in Bewdley Forest, Shropshire, England, February 
11, 1820, son of Charles and Ann (Marshall) Albot. He was educated at Ushaw 
College, County Durham, and in 1842 came to America and located in Western, 
Oneida county, where he purchased a farm of three hundred and sixteen acres. In 
1844 he returned to England, and in 1845 imported the thoroughbred stallion, Con- 
sternation, which was the sire of man}' valuable trotters in twelve different States. 
In 1849 he went to California by the overland route, where he spent three years in 
mining, and hunting. In 1852 he returned to his farm in Western, where he was 
engaged in farming up to 1885, when he retired and moved to Delta, where he has 
since resided, though he still owns a part of the original homestead in Western. 
He was twice married, first to Margaret Geoghan, and his second wife was Catherine 
Weiss, by whom he had two sons: George and Charles T., jr. 

Sly, Andrew J., was born in Lee, October 26, 1840, son of Adin and Alma (Arnold) 
Sly, natives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, respectively, who settled in Lee in 
1827, where Mr. Sly engage:": in farming, living on one farm forty years, when they 
removed to Delta, and resided there until his death in 1883. Their children were 
Eliza F., Ira H., Lydia (Mrs. L. S. Perry), and Andrew J. The latter now owns the 
old homestead, where he was reared and lived until 1885, when he removed to Delta, 
and has since been engaged in the lumber business. In 1866 he married Josephine, 
daughter of Benjamin and Eveline (Reed) Walden of North Adams, Mass. She died 
in 1 8 85. Mr. Sly is a member of the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee and 
steward. In politics he is a Democrat, has been supervisor and held other minor 
offices in Lee. He is a member of F. & A. M., and P. of H. 

Whittaker, George H., was born at Trenton, N. Y., September 17, 1851, son of 
Peter and Ann S. (Stevens) Whittaker, who settled at Trenton. They had eight 
children: Elisha, Calinda, Harriet, Esther, Levi, Sarah, George H., and Elmer. 
Peter was engaged in farming, and was interested in both church and educational 
matters. George H. married Ida, daughter of William E. Clark, by whom he had 
two children: Harry, and Ray deceased. After Mrs. Whittaker's death, he married 
Jennie, daughter of Hugh Pugh, by whom he has one child, Howard. At fourteen 
years of age, Mr. Whittaker engaged in the employ of Clark & Nicholson in the 
cheese box manufactory. In 1877 he associated himself with Charles H. Clark, and 
they purchased the interest of Clark & Nicholson, which they have continued to the 
present time. He is vice-president of the Stittville Canning Company. He belongs 
to the United Friends, also K. P. Lodge and Floyd Grange. He was collector for 
one term, and is interested in all town affairs. 

Thomas, William E., was born in the town of Whitestown, N. Y., June 23, 1847, 
son of John E. and Mary A. Thomas. The grandfather, Evan D. Thomas, came 
here from Wales about 1808. He was a farmer, and his children were John E., 
David H., William R., Sarah Ann, Jessie, Evan D., and Benjamin, all natives of 
Oneida county. John E. was apprenticed as a wagon maker when eighteen years 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 169 

of age, which business he followed for five years. He then moved to Mankato, 
Minn. , where he remained ten years, when he came to Marcy. His children were 
William E., John G., Marion, Sarah Ann, and Robert E. William E. married Car- 
rie J., daughter of Alfred and Mary Weaver, of Deerfield, by whom he had six chil- 
dren: Leroy, Ray, Irving, Annie Mary, William W. , and Laurie, all natives of 
Marcy. Mr. Thomas is a farmer by occupation, and is also interested in town and 
county affairs, was highway commissioner three years and collector one year. 

Marson, Edward M., was born in the town of Vernon, N. Y., April 15, 1866, son 
of William Marson, who was a son of Edward T. Marson. William Marson married 
Laurie L. McNeil, daughter of Miller McNeil, who was born on the farm where he 
now resides in 1800, by whom he had two children : Edward M., our subject, and L. 
Rowena, who died August 25, 1895, wife of Isaac N. Roberts, of Utica, N. Y. Will- 
iam Marson was always interested in the affairs of his town and county, being 
supervisor of the town of Marcy in 1879 and of the town of Verona in 1870-71. Ed- 
ward M. Marson was town clerk for two years. He married Ellen Nettie, daughter 
of David C. Roberts, by whom he has three children: William D. , Ruth E., and 
Homer. 

Jones, Hugh, was born in Wales, April 4, 1850, son of Hugh and Elizabeth Jones. 
Hugh, jr., settled in Oneida county about 1870, and married Agnes, daughter of 
Edward German, by whom he has three children: Elizabeth, Jennie and Ada, all 
born in this county. Since coming to this county he has been engaged in farming, 
and has a farm of about 125 acres. He is interested in educational work and an 
active member of the Welsh M. E. church, and is at present trustee. 

Kunkel, George M., jr., was born at Whitesboro, August 2, 1862, son of George and 
Mary Kunkel, who settled in this county about 1855. George, sr. , is engaged 
in farming, and is interested in all affairs of his town and county. George M. 
Kunkle, jr., is one of ten children: Emma, Leonard, Anthony, George M., Peter, 
Mathew, Joseph, Mary, Francis, Kittie. He maried Louise, daughter of Michael and 
Mary Van Hatten. He is a member of St. Peter's church in Deerfield, and is also 
interested in all public enterprises. 

Alvord, Clarence E. , was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., January 4, 1846, son 
of Butler and Mary (Ward) Alvord, whe settled in Trenton in 1838. He was one of 
three children : Julian W. (deceased), Clarence E. and Lillian H. (deceased). Butler 
Alvord was engaged in farming, and was active in both educational and church work. 
Clarence E. married Fannie, a daughter of Daniel and Susan Sheldon, by whom he 
had two children: Alice L. and Mary S. Alice L. attends the Holland Patent 
graded school. Mr. Alvord married for his second wife, Alice Brooker, daughter of 
Charles and Lavina Martin. He engaged in farming in 1877 on the farm where he 
now resides. He is a member of the K. P. Lodge of Holland Patent. He has 
a farm of 150 acres. 

Jones, Even D., was born in Wales, April 30, 1823, son of Edward and Ann Jane 
Jones, whose children were: Elizabeth, Luke and Even D. Even D. settled in 
Marcy in 1851. He married Ellen, daughter of Robert Williams, by whom he had 
ten children: Edward, Robert H., Anna, William, Mary, wife of John W. Porter; 



170 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Laurie, Elizabeth, wife of George Thomas; Jeanne, Catherine, wife of William A. 
St. John, and Martha; also two deceased: Winifred and Henry. Mr. Jones is en- 
gaged in farming, and is active in both educational and church work. He is a 
charter member of the Marcy Grange. He helped to build the first railroad 
running through Marcy, and was a passenger on the first train that ran over that 
road. Jeanne is a graduate of the Oswego Normal School ; Catherine attended the 
Oswego Normal also the Colgate Academy, and taught school for twenty terms. 
Robert H. is engaged in farming. 

Weaver, Alfred M., was born in the town of Rome, N. Y., January 7, 1858, son of 
Alfred and Mary E. Weaver, who had one other child, Carrie J., wife of William E. 
Thomas. Alfred, jr. married Lucy, daughter of Joseph and Rachel Paine, by 
whom he has one child, Everet A. Mr. Weaver is a charter member of the Marcy 
Grange, and has held the office of trustee, and his wife has held office most of the 
time since its organization. 

Tanner, Levi G. , was born on the farm where he now resides, November 14, 1845, 
son of Levi and Mary Ann (Wilcox) Tanner, who settled in this town about 1840. 
He was one of four children; Levi G., Joseph S., Mary E., and Jennie P. Levi, sr., 
followed farming and cheesemaking, and started the third cheese factory in this 
county. He was justice of the peace, and a hard-working, self-made man. Levi G., 
jr., is engaged in farming, owning a farm of about 500 acres. He belongs to 
Oriskany F. & A. M., No. 799, and is also a member of the Floyd Grange. 

Powell, Fred R., was born in the town of Marcy, June 23, 1866, son of Raymer 
and Maria (Pickert) Powell. Fred R. was one of two children : Fred R. and Esther. 
Raymer Powell was engaged in farming, milling, lumbering, etc. He was very 
active in town affairs, holding most of the town offices. Fred R. married Laurie, 
daughter of John T. Owens, by whom he has three children : Earl, Maude, and 
Blanche, all natives of the town of Floyd. Mr. Powell is interested in educational 
affairs, and is a member of the Patrons of Industry and United Friends. 

Robbins, George B., was born on the farm where he now resides, July 10, 1830, 
son of Royal and Sarah (Dodd) Robbins. Royal was a son of Elisha, who settled in 
Marcy about 1810. George B. Robbins was one of four children: George B., Mary 
Elizabeth Nolton, Evaline, and Charles. George B. married Mary Nolton, a daugh- 
ter of Daniel Nolton, by whom he has four children: Caroline Johnson; Ida E., a 
teacher in the teachers' college of New York city, and also a graduate of the Oswego 
Normal School; Marion E., and Mabel C. ; also one deceased, Jennie C, wife of Dr. 
William Jones of Portland, Oregon, and she was a graduate of the Oswego Normal 
School, and taught four years in the public schools of Burlington, Vt. Mr. Robbins 
is public spirited, and especially interested in educational affairs. He was elected 
supervisor of the town of Marcy in 1873. 

Edic, Henry, was born in the town of Marcy, April 2, 1823, son of Jacob and Isa- 
belle Edic, whose children were James, Emily, Henry, Jacob, William, Isabelle, 
Louise, Amos, Mary Esther, Charles J., Franklin, John Jacob, Antonette, Isabelle, 
who were all natives of this county. Jacob Edic in early life was engaged in boat- 
ing on the Mohawk River and later pioneer farming. He was very public spirited, 
and active in church and educational interests. Henry Edic married Eliza, daugh- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. . 171 

ter of Benjamin and Mary Kipp, by whom he has five children: George Henry, Har- 
riet Eliza, Frederick Charles, Jacob and Emily Maud. Mr. Edic is engaged in farm- 
ing; is active in both church and school work, and has been trustee of the school for 
many years. He was supervisor in 1861 and 1862, also assessor for many years, and 
is now living retired. 

Gaymond, George A., was born in the town of Marcy, May 4, 1869, son of John O. 
and Elizabeth (Jones) Gaymond, who have five children: William George A., Ira 
M., Emma and Margaret. John O. settled in Clayville in 1852, and in Marcy in 
1855. In early life he engaged in farming, and at which he has since continued. 
George A. was educated at Whitestown Seminary and studied law; and late years 
he has been engaged as a commercial traveler. He is a member of the Oriskany 
Lodge F. & A. M. , of Utica, also the Marcy Grange and Patrons of Industry. 

Horrigan, John, was born in Albany, N. Y., August 8, 1842, son of Patrick Horri- 
gan, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1831. He first set- 
tled in New York city, and then came to the town of Florence in 1843, settling on a 
farm near Horence village. He married Mary McNamara of New York, and they 
have five children who are living : Mary, John, Bridget, Ellen, and Michael. John is a 
farmer, and since 1860, in addition to his farming, has engaged in blacksmithing 
and dealt in agricultural implements. He married Elizabeth Lafferty of Florence, 
daughter of John Lafferty, and they have a family of seven children : Mary F. , Eva 
E., Ellen, Louisa, William, and Lillian. Mr. Horrigan was town clerk for two 
years. In politics he is an Independent. 

Marsh, John. — James Marsh was born in Canterbury, County Kent, England, 
September 15, 1834. In 1855 he married Elizabeth Harvey, and the same year sailed 
for America, and located in Verona, remaining there four years, when he removed 
to the Ridge, town of Rome, where he rented a farm and manufactured cheese for 
about two years, and later spent five years at Lee Center and the Ridge. In 1866 
he purchased the farm of eighty acres in Lee, which is now owned by his son John, 
on which he made many improvements, including the erection of all the present 
buildings, and subsequently purchased two other farms in Lee, on which he made 
extensive improvements in clearing, fencing, and buildings. Mr. Marsh was a 
thrifty and enterprising farmer. His children were Thomas and John, both prom- 
inent farmers in Lee. In politics Mr. Marsh was a Democrat. He died April 22, 
1891. 

Bowman, John, was born in Rome, Oneida county, August 12, 1858, son of Fred 
and Verbena (Light) Bowman, natives of Mechlenberg, Germany. Fred Bowman 
came to America about 1854, locating at Rome, Oneida county, where he was em- 
ployed five years, and in 1889 removed to Annsville-, where he cleared a farm of 
seventy-five acres, and where he died May 1, 1895, aged sixty-nine years. His chil- 
dren, were Fred, John, Frank, Sophia (Mrs. Charles Regler), and William. John 
Bowman was reared on' the homestead, and received a limited education in the 
common schools, and after attaining his majority he removed to Canada, where he 
worked two years as a farm hand, then returned to the homestead, where he re- 
mained until 1885, when he embarked in the hotel business at Point Rock, and re- 
mained there seven years. He then kept the Central Hotel at Rome two years, and 



172 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in 1894 purchased the Lee Center House, which he has since successfully continued, 
adding extensive improvements, including one of the finest barns in the county, at 
an expense of $1,500. May 12, 1885, he married Carrie, daughter of Frank and 
Caroline Dorn, of Ava, Oneida county, by whom he had three children : John, jr., 
Carrie and Howard. 

Wallace, Joseph Franklin, was born in Lee, Oneida county, May 21, 1850, son of 
John D. and Ann (Countryman) Wallace. His paternal grandparents, John and 
Catherine Wallace, were natives of Germany, who came to America in 1826, settling 
in Verona, Oneida county, later removed to Lee, where they died, the former living 
to 112 years of age. The maternal grandparents, John and Ann (Eygabroad) Coun- 
tryman, were natives of Herkimer county, N. Y., and pioneers of Lee. John D. 
Wallace, father of Joseph Franklin, was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1819, and 
came to this country with his parents in 1826, and on reaching manhood engaged in 
farming, which business he followed until his death, which occurred in 1880, aged 
sixty-one years. Joseph Franklin was reared in Lee, educated in the common 
schools, and his principal occupation has been farming, though he has been more or 
less engaged in buying and selling stock, Canadian horses, and real estate. As a 
farmer he has been very successful, and at present is the owner of the old home- 
stead, as well as the farm on which he resides. November 7, 1872, he married 
Sarah Ann, daughter of Robert and Ann (Thomas) Thomas, of Ava, Oneida county, 
by whom he has three children living: Mary E., Florence E., and Joseph J. Mr. 
Wallace is a charter member of P. of I., No. 320, of Lee, and its first president. In 
politics he is a Democrat, and has been once appointed and twice elected to the office 
of justice of the peace for Lee. 

Swancott, David, was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, August 8, 1831, son of 
Phillip and Jane (Stevens) Swancott. Philip Swancott was a tanner by trade, and 
came to America in 1839, locating in Western, Oneida county, and followed his trade 
there and in Madison county for twenty-five years. He died in 1880, aged seventy- 
eight years. He married for his first wife, Jane, daughter of William Stevens, by 
whom he had five children: Philip, Jane (Mrs. Charles Hughes); David; Mary (Mrs. 
John Roberts) ; and Richard. He married for his second wife, Mary Humphrey, 
by whom he had six children: William, Lewis, Hannah (Mrs. William Campbell); 
Margaret; Samuel; and Lucy (Mrs. Edward Stevens). David Swancott came to 
Western with his father in 1839, and his education was limited to three months in 
the common school. He began life as an apprentice to the tanner's trade, which 
business he followed for six years in Western and Lee. In 1860 he removed to 
Lewis, Lewis county, and engaged in farming three years, when he embarked in 
lumbering, which business he has successfully followed in Lewis and Oneida 
counties, and has been a resident of Lee since 1884. June 27, 1853, he married 
Diana, daughter of William and Eliza (Hayden) Walters, of Lewis county ,N. Y., by 
whom he has four children living; Philip; Jane (Mrs. John Miller); Thomas; and 
Edward. Mr. Swancott is a member of the F. & A. M. , and is now serving his fourth 
term as commissioner of highways. 

Smith, Dewitt Clinton, was born in Trenton, Oneida county, January, 22, 1854, 
son of John H. and Martha (Harbeck) Smith, natives of New York and Connecticut 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 173 

respectively. John H. Smith was for thirty years engaged in the hotel business in 
Oneida county, and in 1860 located on a farm in Lee, residing there until his death, 
which occurred June 19, 1874, aged seventy years. He was the father of fifteen chil- 
dren, nine of whom grew to maturity: J. Edwin, Fannie (Mrs. Daniel Tulloh), 
George W., Helen M. (Mrs. David Tulloh), Dewitt C, Marian (Mrs. W. S. Bushnell), 
Jay W., Charles H., deceased, Ella M. (Mrs. Frank Patrick), Frank H., Jerome B., 
and Gertrude. Dewitt Clinton was reared in the town of Lee, and from six years of 
age was educated at the Union school at Lee Center, and Rome Academy, after 
which he began life as a farm laborer and later engaged in cheesemaking, teaching 
school winters up to 1884, when he engaged as a clerk for one year in a general store 
at West Branch, and in 1885 embarked in general merchandising for himself at 
Point Rock, in which he has since successfully continued. He married for his first 
wife, Lillie A. Yarwood, who died in February, 1876. His second wife was Carrie 
M. , daughter of Sidney and Lovina (Osborne) Lasuer, of Lee, by whom he had two 
children: Jennie M., and Bertha M. Mr. Smith is a member of the F. & A. M., and 
Royal Arcanum, and is now serving his first term as supervisor of the town of Lee. 
In politics he is a staunch Republican. 

Deeley, David, was born in Durhamville, April 13, 1866, son of Thomas and Fan- 
nie Deeley, who came to Durhamville in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Deeley's children were 
Ellen, James, George, Jesse, Mary, Thomas, Lesse, William, David, John, Charles, 
and Eugene, eight of whom were born in Oneida county. Thomas was a glass man- 
ufacturer in Durhamville until 1874, since which time he has been engaged in farm- 
ing. Jesse married Ameretta Hanney, now deceased. He afterward married Lucy 
Canfield, by whom he has two children: Harry and Winnie. 

Wyman, Simeon T., was born in West Branch, Oneida county, N. Y., June 2, 1837, 
son of Winslow and Phoebe Wyman, whose other children were Edward, Samuel, 
Mary, Sarah, Henry, Daniel, John, Hawthorn, and Martha. Simeon T. Winslow came 
from Vermont to the town of Lee with his father, where they engaged in farming, 
lumbering and milling. He was very active in religious work of the old Ouaker 
style. He married Harriet, daughter of George and Eliza Brown, of the town of 
Lee, and they have five children: Flora, widow of Charles Bergman, who married 
Douglas Wheeler ; George, Mary, deceased ; Lizzie, and Samuel. Mr. Wyman was 
assessor of the town of Lee for three years. His son, George, is now located at West 
Branch, and is engaged in blacksmithing. 

Cook, Albert D., was born in Vienna, N. Y.,'son of Joseph and Mary (Ayers) Cook. 
Albert D. married Nancy, daughter of Robert and Amelia Shaver, by whom he has 
three children: Mary, wife of Elgin A. Post; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Charles 
Nicols; and Harriet, all natives of Vienna. Mr. Cook is postmaster at Vienna, also 
justice of the peace at the present time. He formerly belonged to Vienna F. & A M 
No. 440. 

Chrestien, Alfred B., was born in Rome, May 23, 1855, son of Martin, and Margaret 
Chrestien, and married Ida A., daughter of William and Mary Long of Madison 
county, and they have one child, Blanche H. Alfred started for himself as a farmer 
when twenty years old, which he followed for two years, and then learned the black- 
smith's trade, which he worked at for ten years at Canastota and Bridgeport. He 



174 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

then moved to Vienna, and has followed farming and been engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness in McConnellsville ever since. He has been excise commissioner and is treas- 
urer of the fraternal society, Order of the World. 

Harden, Charles, was born in Verona, November 7, 1828, son of Henry H. and 
Sarah (Pierce) Harden, and grandson of Ezekiel Harden, who settled here about 1815. 
Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Harden were the parents of six children: Mary Bird, 
Charlotte Allen, Henrietta Stone, Julian Dean, Maria, and Charles. Charles married 
Marcia Jane. He afterward married Caroline, daughter of Eggleston Lamphere, 
and they have three children ; Frank, Charles deceased, and George. In early life 
Mr. Harden was a brick manufacturer. He moved to Illinois, where he remained 
ten years, and then returned to Oneida county and followed farming and lumbering 
until 1844, when he began the manufacture of chairs. He was supervisor two terms, 
and highway commissioner for six years. He is a member of Vienna F. & A. M., 
No. 440. 

Woodard, Henry M., was born near McConnellsville, February 14, 1831, son 
of Silas and Almira Nichols Woodard. Henry M. married Ruth Ann, a daughter of 
Leman Powell, of McConnellsville, and they have one child, Mary A. Woodard. He 
commenced life for himself running a stage from McConnellsville to Constantia, 
which he followed until 1880, when he started in the merchandise business at North 
Bay. He was elected collector in 1862, and also in 1876-77. In 1862 he was elected 
town clerk, which office he has held up to the present time with the exception of 
three years, and was postmaster under Cleveland's administration. He is actively 
interested in educational interests, and is a member of Vienna Lodge, F. & A. M. , 
No. 440. 

Bushnell, Monroe. — Aaron Bushnell was born in the town of Lee, November 4, 
1808, son of Joshua and Sophia Bushnell, who settled in the town of Rome about 
1795 and one year later moved to Lee. Their children were Lura, Lucius, Annis, 
Harriet, Annis, Filmore, Aaron, Clarissa, Artemissa and Oscar. Aaron married 
Mary Ann, a daughter of John and Annie York, and they were the parents cf eight 
children: Alsadia, Clarissa, Lorin, Marietta, Walter, Raymond A., Chester L. , 
and Monroe Aaron has followed lumbering, boat building and farming, being one 
of the earliest boat builders in this section. When the Midland railroad was con- 
structed he was railroad commissioner and plank road inspector, and has been 
assessor for twenty-one years. He was also active in educational interests, having 
been trustee for thirty years. 

Bailey, Capt. Myron J., was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., January 1, 1834, 
son of Silas and Sallie A. Bailey. He was born in the town of Paris, son of Silas 
and Olive Sweetland Bailey, whose children were Eunice, Silas, Timothy, Lyman, 
Edward, Ora, Abraham, Olive and Almira. The children of Silas, jr., were Jay C, 
Dorleski, Myron J., and Charlotte. Myron J. married Adelaide M., a daughter of 
George W. Coville, and a native of the town of Vienna, and their children are Edna 
E., Gilford D., Myron L. , George S. , Lottie V., Charles, jr., and S. Wyman. Capt. 
Myron J. Bailey has followed farming, and by trade is a carpenter and paper hanger, 
but has now retired from active business. He enlisted in Company E., 101st Regi- 
ment N. G. S. N. Y., and was elected captain of Company K, of the same regiment, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 175 

which commission he now holds. He is serving his second term as assessor, and 
has been overseer of the poor, excise commissioner and school trustee. He is a 
member of Vienna F. & A. M. Lodge, 440, of which he is past master, and has been 
secretary for sixteen years, and has also been senior warden and senior deacon. He 
belongs to Sylvan Beach I. O. O. F., No. 326, and West Vienna Grange. In 1890 
he was appointed State inspector of public works, and was located at Solvay, 
near Syracuse. 

Dixon, James, was born near Dublin, Ireland, May 22, 1834, son of John and 
Katherine Dixon, who settled in this town with their children, Edward, deceased, John 
deceased, and James, in about 1840. James Dixon married Sarah, daughter of Hiram 
and MaryCoville, and they are the parents of five children : John, Lucy Katherine, 
who is a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary and Oswego Normal; Frank, Mary Clif- 
ford, and Lizzie Pauline, who was graduated from Rome Academy, and is now 
attending school at the Oswego Normal. James Dixon is a self-made man, having 
started in life when fifteen years of age, working on the canal until 1865, when he 
moved on the farm where he now resides. He has been collector and is now serv- 
ing his fourth term as highway commissioner, and in 1890 he had an appointment 
on the State public works. He belongs to Vienna F. & A. M., No. 440. 

Blasier, Irving, was born in the town of Western, January 11, 1860, son of Ichabod 
and Elizabeth M. Blasier. Ichabod, son of Henry, was born in the town of Western, 
October 12, 1825, and his children were Henrietta, Francis M., Esther E., Celia,' 
Mary, Josephine, Ichabod, jr., Irving, Melvin, Lena, Evert E., Martha, Carrie' 
Franklin and Charles, of whom the last four are deceased. December 12, 1880 
Irving married Clara L., daughter of Henry L. and Sarah A. Vosburg, and the)' 
have one child, Merton Irving. Mr. Blasier was educated in the Winfield' Seminary, 
and when seventeen years of age started in the cheese business. In 1889 he bought 
a cheese factory at Vienna, and in 1893 he started a canning factory under the firm 
name of Freeman & Blasier, and they do a business of about §23,000 a year, and 
make 115,000 pounds of cheese yearly. He is a member of Vienna F. & A. M 
Lodge, No. 440. 

Flanagan, James Henry, was born at West Vienna, December 23, 1854, son of 
Peter and Mary E. Flanagan. He married Martha Ann, a daughter of Willard 
Teeling, and to them have been born three children : Irma, Ida, and Thomas J. 
James Henry has followed boat building and farming the greater part of his life. In 
1874 and 1875 he was elected town clerk, and in 1875 he represented the 3d Oneida 
District in the Assemaly, and in 1885 he was elected supervisor, which office he has 
held to the present time. In 1889 he was nominated for State senator, and in 1892 
he was appointed assistant superintendent of public works, which position he held 
for over three years. At present he is a member of the State Democratic Committee 
of the 25th Congressional District. He is a member of Vienna F. & A. M., No. 440 
also of Sylvan Beach I. O.O. F. 

Wilcox, Frederick D., was born in the town of Camden, October 8, 1839, son of 
Chester Wilcox, who was born in Connecticut, and came to the town of Camden 
when a boy, being one of the pioneers of the town, making all of the roads in this 
section known as the Hillsborough roads. He was a farmer and speculator in cattle. 



176 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

He married Rilia Dunbar, of Camden, by whom he had seven children. Frederick 
D. Wilcox is a farmer, and he now owns a farm of 130 acres in the town of Camden, 
mostly improved, also one of 102 acres in the town of Vernon, mostly woodland. He 
married Julia L , by whom he had eight children: Adelbert, Edwin, Jane, Ches- 
ter, Robert, Irving, Olive and Katie. 

Dana, George W. , was born in the town of Camden, October 30, 1863. His father, 
Walter H. Dana, was born at South Trenton, and was by occupation a painter. He 
married Delight Wakefield, by whom he had. ten children. George W. was reared 
on a farm, in which business he spent his early days, and was educated in the com- 
mon schools. For about ten years he has been a member of the firm of Gardner & 
Dana, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, they being among the leading firms 
in this line in Camden. He married Lillie D., daughter of William Curtis, of Cam- 
den. Mr. Dana xs a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Dem- 
ocrat. 

Gardner, Richard H., was born in the town of Florence, Oneida county, July 14, 
1842, son of Peter Gardner, who was born in England, and came to the United 
States in 1830. He was a minister of the gospel, and continued to live in the town 
of Florence up to his death. He married Margaret Little, by whom he had nine 
children. Richard H. was educated in the towns of Florence and Camden. He 
learned the carpenter's trade when a boy, which he still follows. In 1885 he estab- 
lished a sash and door factory in Camden, known as Gardner & Dana. Mr. Gardner 
married Elizabeth Orr, of New York Mills, and they have one daughter, who is now 
a teacher in the Camden Academy. 

Rush, Horace J., was born in the town of Camden, June 29, 1865, one of four chil- 
dren of Jacob and Amelia Rush, who have lived for many years in the town of Cam- 
den, the father being a carpenter and builder, which trade his son, Horace J., learned, 
and through close attention has become a thorough master of the business, until at 
this time he conducts one of the leading sash and door factories of the town, turning 
out all classes of outside and inside finish for houses. He married Lena Grant, of 
Camden. Mr. Rush is a member of the American Mechanics, and in politics is a 
Republican. 

Gamble, Frederick S., was born in the town of Camden, July 31, 1861. His father, 
James H. Gamble, came to Camden about 1850, where he was a merchant for many 
years, and was also postmaster of this village for thirteen years. Frederick S. is a 
graduate of Camden Academy, and has been in the boot and shoe business for six- 
teen years, the firm being known as J. H. Gamble & Son. He married Jennie E. 
Mann, of Camden, by whom he had five children: Etta, Sherry, Carl, Frederick, and 
Mary. Mr. Gamble is a Republican in politics, and has held the offices of water com- 
missioner, trustee of the village, also treasurer. He is a member of K. of P., and 
Americam Mechanics. 

Hayes, Hon. Albert L., was born at Hawkinsville, in 1847, son of Jonas Hayes, the 
most prominent farmer of that locality, and whose settlement in the town was at the 
early date of 1823. He is still living at the age of eighty-six. He married Marinda 
Harris, who died in 1874, by whom he had five sons. Albert L. Hayes, after com- 
pleting an academic course at Fairfield, began legal studies at Herkimer in 1867. In 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 177 

1870 he was admitted to the bar and began practicing at Boonville. In the investi- 
gations and reformatory legislation which marked the celebrated "ninety-fifth ses- 
sion " of the Assembly, Mr. Hayes was a central figure as one of the judiciary com- 
mittee. He also takes an active interest in the local affairs, and has been a justice 
most of the time since 1874. 

Palmer, E. G., was born at Peterboro, N. H, October 19, 1836, son of Benjamin 
Palmer, and their paternal lineage traces direct to the Mayflower. E. G. Palmer 
was educated at Northville and Amsterdam, and his first independent venture in 
mercantile life was at Little Falls, where he engaged in the hardware business. In 
1862 he came to Boonville, continuing the same business for a period of twenty-three 
years, when he established himself as a florist, at which he has achieved marked 
success. In 1867 he married Esther Avery of Boonville, descendant of an old New 
Hampshire family; by whom he has had five children : Burton, Ernest, and Elwin, 
and also a son and daughter who died in infancy, Mr. Palmer has run the gamut of 
official life from treasurer and trustee of the village to his present position as super- 
visor, having been first elected to the latter office in 1890. 

Douglass, J. W., M. D., was born at West Leyden, December 20, 1844, and is a 
descendant from an old Connecticut family. He is a son of the late Thomas P. 
Douglass. He began medical research in the office of Dr. Watson, at West Leyden, 
and in 1874 entered the Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, graduating in 
1877, and locating at Boonville. Dr. Douglass is a very popular and successful prac- 
titioner, and is now acting health officer. 

Willard, Garry Aaron.— The Willard family has been known in Boonville since 
the organization of the town, and Garry A. Willard, who still resides in Boonville, 
is one of its worthiest descendants. His grandfather, Aaron Willard, came to 
Boonville from Vermont at the beginning of the present century. His forefathers 
were numbered among the hardy settlers of this country, and were among the first 
to enlist under the banners of the Granite State boys, which were carried through 
the Revolutionary war.. Aaron Willard was a farmer by occupation, and industri- 
ously plied his vocation near what is now the village of Boonville, clearing away the 
virgin forest in order to plant his crops. Among his sons was Harvey P. Willard, 
father of Garry Aaron. He possessed fine intellectual attainments and scholarly 
tastes, and his abilities were early recognized. He was educated at the Boonville 
Academy, and after his graduation and for a period of twenty years, taught school 
in Kentucky and in various places in this State. In 1861 he purchased the Boonville 
Herald, which he conducted until his death in 1887. Garry A. Willard wasborninl861, 
and was the sixth of a family of eight children. At an early age he had mastered the 
printer's trade, and after his graduation from the Boonville Academy he completed 
his education at the Clinton, N. Y., Grammar School. Returning to Boonville he 
took a position in the Herald office, mastering the details of every department until, 
in 1891, he purchased the' paper and became its sole responsible head. Since that 
period the paper under his management has grown until to day, the Herald plant is 
almost metropolitan in its character, and the paper is extensively circulated through- 
out Oneida, Lewis, and Herkimer counties. A sturdy, never-swerving Republican, 
of pleasing address and of the courage of his convictions at all times, Mr. Willard 



178 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

could not well escape the notice of those high in the councils of his party. In 1891 
he was appointed postmaster by President Harrison and served a full term, and, un- 
til his successor was appointed by President Cleveland, giving the best of satisfac- 
tion and making the office rank among the highest in its class. In 1895 he became 
the candidate of his party for county clerk, and was elected by the handsome major- 
ity of 3,500. His prominence in local affairs and the confidence reposed in him by 
the people of Boonville is best attested by the fact that he was chosen president of 
the Board of Education in 1892 and re elected in 1893, 1894 and 1895. In 18S4 Mr. 
Willard married Julia H., eldest daughter of C. W. Colton, one of Boonville s best 
known merchants. One child, a daughter, blessed their union, and the family resi- 
dence on Schuyler street is one of the handsomest in this village of lovely homes. 

Smith, Frank W., was born in Whitesboro, N. Y. , m 1852, son of James Smith, 
who emigrated to this country from Dearborn, Eng., in 1840. Frank W. Smith first 
engaged in dealing in sewing machines at Utica, where he remained for twelve 
years. In 1892 he established his present extensive business on Main street, Boon 
ville, known as the Conservatory of Music, where he has an extensive stock of pianos, 
organs, and sewing machines. He also carries a large stock of fishing tackle and 
sporting goods. Mr. Smith is an influential member of I. O. O. F. , and of the G. A. 
R. Post, and is general superintendent of the Boonville Fair Association. In 1876 
he married Emma Clark, of Whitesboro, N. Y. , by whom he has two children: 
Norma and Juliet C. 

Pratt, Charles W., a descendant of an old English family, of whom two brothers, 
John and William, settled in Connecticut, was born in Lewis county, the only son of 
Cyrus W. Pratt Cyrus W. Pratt was a tanner by trade, but being a fluent speaker, 
was more widely known and acknowledged as an orator of the age. He was also an 
elder and founder of the Presbyterian church of his locality. He married Harriet 
Coffee, who still survives him, and resides with her son, C. W. Pratt. He first began 
his successful business career, by dealing in real estate. He entered mercantile life 
with a general store at Port Leyden ; then to Bradford, Pa., where he was a prom- 
inent operator in the oil exchange for four years. He also engaged in mining in 
Colorado and Arizona, but returned in 1885 to Port Leyden and engaged in the 
lumber business. In 1892 he purchased paper mills at Port Leyden and Fowlersville, 
which are known as the Gould Paper Co. , of which Mr. Pratt is president. He is now- 
erecting a large mill at Lyons Falls, which is one of the finest water powers in the 
State. In 1886 he married Julia S. Northam, of Port Leyden, by whom he has one 
son, C. Walter Pratt. 

Vollmar, Jacob, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1840. In 1850 his father, 
Philip Vollmar, came to America, and was a pioneer settler of Oneida county. He 
built a log house about five miles east of Boonville, and there reared his five children. 
Jacob Vollmar was educated at the common school in Utica. He was first engaged 
in the lumber business for George Anderson, of Hawkinsville, where he remained for 
twelve years. In 1872 he came to Boonville and opened a retail clothing store on 
Main street; a year later he bought out E. P. Thomas, and in 1883 purchased his 
present place. In 1869 Mr. Vollmar married Sarah Kahl, of Hawkinsville, who is of 
French descent, by whom he has three children: Eda B., Henry J., and George E. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 179 

(deceased). Mr. Vollraar is a Democrat, a member of the Board of Education, and 
also a member of the German Lutheran church. 

Fisk, J. W. , was born at Boonville, in 1819, and has always resided here. He is 
the son of James Fisk, who is closely identified with the early settlement of Oneida 
county, and who came to Boonville from Rhode Island in 1800. J. W. Fisk at the 
present writing, is the oldest inhabitant of this place. The first thirty-five years of 
his life was spent in farming, but in 1858 he established a mercantile business oppo- 
site the Hulbert House. He has now been engaged in the grocery business thirty- 
seven years, and came to his present locality in 1883. In 1846 he married Emily H. 
Pitcher, of Boonville, by whom he had three children: Ursula, wife of Suott M. 
Cook, a clergyman of an Episcopal church in New York; Erford E., in grocery busi- 
ness here ; and Roseltha Gertrude, who died in 1894, at forty-five years of age, wife 
of Daniel Dorn of Ava. He married for his second wife, Sarah A. Pitcher, by whom 
he has one son, Dwight D. Fisk. 

Kau, Charles D., was born at Leyden, in 1864, son of Michael Kan, who was born 
near Hamburg, Germany. Charles D. Kau came to Boonville in 1871, and was 
educated at Cazenovia, after which he engaged in farming. In 1889 he received an 
appointment as messenger for five years with G. C. Ward, the well-known surveyor 
and bridge builder. 'Mr. Kau has by personal effort and concentration of business 
energies, become a partner of the firm of Kau & Ward, in the grocery business, 
carrying an extensive stock in groceries, provisions, hay, lumber, cement and boat 
men's supplies. Mr. Kau has a membership of high rank in the Masonic fraternity. 

Watson, Mrs. Thomas, is the widow of the late Thomas Watson, who was born in 
Ireland in 1820. When seventeen years of age he came to America, and became 
apprenticed to a cabinetmaker, Samuel Bateman, and by his own personal efforts 
was soon able to enter mercantile life, and conducted a successful furniture business 
in Boonville for forty-five years. In 1879 he married Violet, daughter of James 
Frazier of Boonville, by' whom he had one daughter, Anna L. Mr. Watson was 
always an able supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife and 
daughter are members He was a Republican and popular citizen, and his death, 
which occurred in 1895, was mourned by the whole community. 

Austin, Ai, was born 'at Lansing, Tompkins county, N. Y., April 15, 1863, son of 
Henry Austin, an instructor of penmanship and drawing, whose rare ability for his 
work commands the admiration of all educators. Ai Austin came to Boonville in 
1884 and established a laundry on Main street, which proved a successful enterprise, 
and in which he is still engaged. He married Nancy E. Hull, by whom he has one 
son, Glenn. He is a supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he and 
his wife are attendants. 

Lints, Jeremiah, was born at Alder Creek, N. Y., in 1857, son of Solomon Lints, a 
farmer, whose family are noted for longevity. The boyhood of Jeremiah Lints was 
spent on a farm until he was nineteen years of age. He came to Boonville in 1877, 
where he engaged in the cooper business in the same shop on Post street where he 
now carries on an extensive work, manufacturing tubs, churns, and other labor-sav- 
ing dairy utensils ; these he ships to Rome, Utica, and other points in Oneida county. 
In 1883 he married Elizabeth Farley, of Remsen. Mr. Lints is a member of the I. 
O. O. F. 



180 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Utley, Fred W., was born in Boonville, Oneida count)', N.Y. , in 1855. His father. 
Isaac Utley, was also born in Boonville in 1816, of and old pioneer family. He mar- 
ried Mrs. Harriet (Crofoot) Ballon, by whom he had three children: Henry, a painter 
of Boonville; Jerome, deceased; and Fred W. Mr. Utley died in 1889. In 1883 
Fred W. married Maggie F., daughter of Alexander Finlayson, by whom he had one 
daughter, Alice Marion. They reside on a sheep and dairy farm of 115 acres. Ever 
since the organization of the Boonville Fair, Mr. Utley has been superintendent of 
the sheep exhibit, being considered an expert on the subject. 

Barrett, F. A., was born at Turin, Lewis county, in 1852, son of James Barrett, 
the well-known proprietor of the old Railroad House at Rome. When thirteen years 
of age F. A. Barrett was thrown on his own resources, and when eighteen years of 
age went to sea on coastwise fishing boats, and there met all the hardships and ex- 
periences of a sailor's life. He visited the East Indies, and finall}"- returned home 
and settled in Boonville in 1880, and opened a grocery store, which he has since 
conducted and has been very successful. In 1880 he married Martha A. , daughter 
of James Brainard, the well-known pioneer from Massachusetts, who made the per- 
ilous journey here with an ox team and first settled at Leyden. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- 
rett have two children: Nina and Archie. 

Buckley, Jeremiah, was born at Boonville, in 1859, son of Patrick Buckley of Irish 
birth. Patrick Buckley was engaged in mercantile business at Hawkinsville, deal- 
ing in dry goods and groceries, which enterprise he continued later at Boonville. 
Since 1885 Jeremiah Buckle}' has conducted a saloon in connection with a restaurant 
on Main street, Boonville. In 1894 he purchased the Central Hotel, which he has 
repaired and remodeled in a creditable manner, and his ready and genial character 
makes him an efficient landlord. In 1885 he married Mary A. Maguire, daughter of 
Philip Maguire, of Forestport, by whom he has three sons: Frederic, C. Donald, and 
Hubert. His personal popularity is evinced by his recent election to the prominent 
office of village president. 

Jackson, Walter D., was born in 1829, son of Thomas Jackson, of English and 
Scotch descent, who was born at Fairfield, N. Y. He is a member of the old pioneer 
family, whose records can be ascertained as far back as 1747, the date of the birth of 
his great-great-grandfather, and whose lineage can be traced to the celebrated gen- 
eral by that name. Thomas Jackson withheld himself from political life, and instilled 
a similar aversion in the minds of his children, of whom he had nine. W. D. Jack- 
son has always resided in Boonville, and been engaged in agricultural pursuits, hav- 
ing a farm of 240 acres, and beautiful buildings ; also a large cheese factory which 
is conducted on his farm. In 1862 he married Mary Roberts, daughter of Channery 
Roberts of Leyden, by whom he has two children: Anna, wife of B. A. Capron, the 
well-known attorney of Boonville, and J. Will Jackson. 

Lewis, John, was born in Wales, in 1831. He came to this country with his parents 
when three years of age and settled in the southern part of Boonville, where his 
father, David J. Lewis, engaged in farming. John Lewis also engaged in farming, 
and came to his present farm of 300 acres in 1855, and has, by his shrewdness and 
thrift, achieved a financial success. In 1855 he married Adeline, daughter of Jesse 
Ballon, by whom he had six children; Addie H.. Ella M., Will J., Edward C, Hurl- 
burt Ballon, and Mabel A. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 181 

Jackson, Isaac W. , was born in Fairfield in 1815, son of "William Jackson and 
cousin of Andrew Jackson. His boyhood was spent on the large farm of his father's 
in Fairfield, where he received his education in the common school and academy. 
Mr. Jackson resides on his 400 acre dairy farm, on Jackson Hill, Boonville, which is 
adorned with spacious and substantial buildings, including a model dairy barn, 
wherein the most modern methods are employed, and which was erected in 1879 un- 
der his personal supervision, In 1838 he married Clarrissa Ellis, by whom he had 
four daughters: Almira C, Melissa I., Frances A., and Sophronia, wife of Webster 
Billingtbn, of Bridgeport, N. Y. , and the only daughter who survives her mother, 
whose death occurred in 1846. Mr. Jackson afterwards married Phebe A. Smith, by 
whom he had two sons: Irving and Drew W. , both of whom are engaged in farming- 
near Boonville. Mr. Jackson is a staunch Republican, ever since the formation of 
that party, previously being a Democrat. He voted for Van Buren in 1836, and has 
voted at every presidential election since, covering a period of sixty years. He is an 
ardent admirer of nature, and has devoted much time to scientific investigation. 

Burlingame, J. K., was born in Holland Patent, N. J., in 1845, and is of English 
and Scotch ancestry. His father, Jeremiah Burlingame, was born in Watertown, 
where he resided as a farmer, always taking a foremost part in all political move- 
ments, and lending his aid and influence in promoting every good cause. Fie mar- 
ried Sarah E. Ward of a prominent Holland Patent family. J. K. Burlingame was 
educated in Watertown, after which his uncle, Joseph Ward, received him as book- 
keeper and cashier in his mill and warehouse at Battle Creek, Mich. Having been 
reared on a farm, his tastes were more in keeping with farming, and after a resi- 
dence of ten years in Trenton Falls, he purchased a farm of 100 acres in Boonville, 
which he has devoted to dairy interests. In politics Mr. Burlingame is a Republican. 
He first married Anna E. Grant, who died in 1879, by whom he had two sons: 
Walter P. and Roy Grant. He afterwards married Annette Manchester, of an old 
pioneer family of this section, by whom he has three daughters: Eva S., Frances L. 
and Blanche B. 

Erwin, Cornelius B., was born in Boonville in 1846, son of Silas W. Erwin, and 
grandson of Peter Erwin, who settled here at the beginning of the century. He is 
also nephew of the noted philanthropist, Cornelius B. Erwin, of this town, after 
whom he was named. This uncle's solicitude for the advancement and happiness of 
those of his community is evinced by the many and well directed benevolences: The 
Erwin Library and the Park, to each of which he bequeathed a legacy for its main- 
tenance, and the Baptist and Presbyterian churches, together with the Cemetery 
Association, received bequests. Our subject spent ten years of his life in Wabash, 
Ind., as carpenter, and several years in Nebraska. He also has a worthy war rec- 
ord, being a participant in the Shenandoah Valley raid, and was with the Slst New 
York Cavalry at Denver, and on frontier duty one year. In 1870 he married Alfa- 
retta Scoville, who died in Wabash, Ind., in 1874, and in 1875, he married Mary B. 
Skinner of Wabash, by whom he has five children. 

Buckley, Patrick, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1825, son of John Buckley, 
and is an able and highly esteemed man. He came to this country in 1847, when 
twenty-two years of age, having just $5 in his pocket when he landed. His having 



182 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

met the obstacles of life so successfully, with naught save a pair of active hands and 
busy brain, is the real test of his character and ability. He first settled near Boston, 
but two years later came to Boonville and engaged in farming. He now owns a 
farm of 180 acres about four miles south of the village, where he has resided the last 
thirty years. In 1852 he married Bridget Carrigan of this place, by whom he has 
had thirteen children, ten of whom are boys. In politics he is a t>emocrat, and he 
is also a member of the Roman Catholic church. 

O'Leary, Jeremiah, was born in Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1849. His 
father, Jeremiah O'Leary, was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to this 
country when twenty- eight years of age, and settled in LTtica where he was a car- 
penter. He came to Boonville in 1843, where he engaged in farming as well as car- 
penter work. He died in 1864. Jeremiah O'Leary, jr., has always resided in Boon- 
ville, with the exception of twelve years spent near Lowville at the millwright 
business. Eight years ago he purchased a farm of 105 acres, and has since been 
very successful. In 1871 he married Etta Sweet, of Boonville, by whom he had nine 
children, six of whom are still living. 

Joslin, C. Eli, was born in Boonville in 1847, is a descendant of a family closely 
identified with the early history of the town. His father, Samuel Joslin, was also 
born in Boonville. His mother having died when he was but three years old, he was 
adopted by his grandfather, on the maternal side, and to him he owes his early 
training, and development of those principles which have predominated throughout 
his life, commanding the respect and esteem of those about him. His first public 
office was held in 1893, when he was made commissioner of highways. In 1870 he 
married Elizabeth Moran, by whom he has five children: William N., Elizabeth A., 
Arthur J., Ellen E., and Albert J. 

Williams, Griffith, was born in the town of Remsen, in 1840, the fourth son of 
William H. and and Jane Williams, who were natives of Wales and who came to 
America and settled in Remsen about 1820, where the father was killed by a horse. 
In 1861 Griffith Williams enlisted in Co. 1, 146th N. Y. Inft. , and participated in many 
battles, among which were Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Wilderness, where, 
during a charge on the enemj', he was badly wounded, the ball entering his left 
cheek, passing through his mouth, and carrying away nearly half of his right lower 
jaw; he was there taken prisoner and guarded at Orange Court House some six 
weeks when he, with seven others, made their escape to Washington, where he then 
lay a month in a hospital and had thirty-two pieces of bone taken from his jaw; he 
was soon discharged and returned to Remsen, where he has since resided. Richard 
J. Thomas was born in the town of Steuben, May 28, 1833. His father, John I. 
Thomas, was born in Wales, in 1775, one of two brothers who came to America in 
1818. He was a mason by trade and settled in the town of Steuben, and worked on 
the Erie Canal. He married Jane Pritchard, by whom he had ten children, seven of 
whom grew to maturity. The father died in 1857, and the mother was one of the 
original eight who organized the first Calvanistic Methodist society in Remsen in 
1826 and soon erected a church building, called Pen-y-Graig (Top of the rock). She 
died when sixty-four years of age. When fifteen years of age Griffith Thomas began 
life for himself at farm work, later engaged in mason work, and from 1854 to 1862 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 183 

spent his entire time laying stone walls. In 1861 he bought his present farm of 126 
acres. In politics he is a Republican, and while in the town of Steuben he served 
as constable, commissioner of highways and town clerk ; for the town of Remsen he 
has served six years as assessor and five years as commissioner of highways. He is 
also interested in educational affairs and has helped many poor children to terms of 
school. In 1862 he married Margaret Williams, who was born in Remsen, a daugh- 
ter of William and Jane (Hughes) Williams, by whom he has three children: Jane, 
John R , and William H. 

Gainsway, Philip A., was born in the town of Boonville, in 1864, son of Philip 
Gainsway, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1825, one of three children born to 
Joseph Gainsway, who was a carpenter by trade. Philip Gainsway, father of Philip 
A., was also a carpenter by trade, who came to America in 1855 and plied his trade 
in Utica for several years, later removed to Boonville, where he became interested 
in Republican politics, filled several town offices, and was assessor for twelve years. 
In 1878 he removed to Remsen, where he rented a farm, which his sons conducted 
while he plied his trade. He married Magdaline Plater, by whom he had seven 
children: Emma, Joseph, Bertha, Henry H., Philip, Mary, and Frank E. He died 
in June, 1886, but his wife still survives him and resides in Remsen. Philip A. 
was educated in the district schools, and after the death of his father took charge of 
the farm, which he has operated ever since, conducting a large dairy of thirty-five 
cows. He has interested himself in the political welfare of his town, and has served 
three years as constable; in the fall of 1894 he was elected delegate to the Republi- 
can District Convention held in Utica; he executed the duties of this office so satis- 
factorily that his townsmen saw fit to elect him to the same office in August, 1895, 
the convention held in Rome. In 1889 he married Sarah A Pugh, who was born in 
Remsen, a daughter of Richard and Jane (Jones) Pugh, now prominent in the town 
of Steuben. 

Dayton, Clinton L., was born on the farm and in the house he now resides in 
1850. Jonah Dayton, his great-grandfather, came from Connecticut and settled in 
Deerfield, thence to Remsen, where he built a log cabin and cleared the timber from 
off the land. Solomon Dayton, his grandfather, was born in 1785, and spent nearly 
all his life in Remsen on the homestead. He married Fannie Smith, of Vermont, 
by whom he had four children ; Horace, Almira, Sally, and Abbie. He died in May, 
1865, and his wife in February, 1869. Horace Dayton, father of Clinton L. , was 
born in 1813, and spent his whole life on the homestead, where he engaged in farm- 
ing. He married Mehitable B. Wolcott, by whom he had two children : Clinton , 
and Mrs. Abbie Williams, of Remsen. He died in 1887, and his wife in 1873. Clin- 
ton L. Dayton has spent his life thus far on the homestead, which he took charge of 
in 1881, and has since successfully operated it, dairying being his principal business, 
having a dairy of twenty cows. In 1880 he married Anna J. Stone, of Lewis count}', 
daughter of Duncan and Abigail (Bouker) Stone. 

Reed, Dr. David H., was born in the town of Remsen, son of Ebenezer Reed, 
who was born in Remsen in 1820, one of four sons and six daughters born to Henry 
Reed, who was a native of Wales, one of ten sons born to John Reed, a Scotch- 
man, who was forty-six years of age when he was married, his wife being but one 



184 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

year younger. They reared ten sons, and he died at 100 years of age, his wife dying 
the same day, aged ninety-nine years. Henry Reed, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a graduate from Cambridge College, and came to Remsen in 1808, where he en- 
gaged in surveying. In later life he engaged in farming in Remsen, and died 
when eighty-four years of age. Ebenezer Reed, father of David H., was a stone- 
cutter in early life, but later engaged in farming. In 1888 he retired to the village 
of Remsen, where he now resides. He married Martha Jones, who was born in 
Wales, daughter of David Jones, by whom he had seven children, three of whom 
grew to maturity. David H. Reed received his early education in the common 
schools of Remsen and Holland Patent, and in 1882 was graduated from the medical 
department of the University of Buffalo. He began practicing the same year with 
Dr. Crane, of Holland Patent, and later in the same year he established himself in 
Remsen village, where he has since resided, enjoying a wide and lucrative practice. 
In 1894 he added to his business a drug store, and is physician and surgeon for the 
Adirondack & St. Lawrence Railroad Company. In 1886 he married Nellie L., 
daughter of Lewis Francis, of Remsen, by whom he had one child, Francis. 

Kent, Bion H., was born in the town of Remsen, in 1857. Silas Kent, his great- 
great-grandfather, was born in Connecticut, of Scotch parentage. John Kent, the 
great-grandfather, was also born in Connecticut, and came to Remsen in 1791, where 
he cleared a farm and kept the first public house in the town. He married Grace Root, 
by whom he had six children. Silas Kent, the grandfather, was born in Connecticut, 
February, 1787, where he engaged in farming and was fairly prosperous. He died 
when thirty-five years of age, leaving a wife and seven children. Chester G. Kent, 
father of Bion H., was born in January, 1802, on the farm now owned by his son. He 
was the oldest of the family of seven children, and on him depended much of the 
support of the family ; the following eight years after his father's death the family 
contracted a store debt of §101.50, for which he gave his note the year he was eighteen, 
and paid it in six months' time, making the money by manufacturing potash. He 
spent his life successfully farming, and at the time of his death had acquired 430 
acres of land, all of which he had cleared of the timber. He was twice married: 
first, to Almira Sheldon, by whom he had three children; second, to Polly Bly, 
daughter of William and Isabella Bly, of Norway, Herkimer county, by whom he 
had three children: Silas, Mary J., and Bion H. He died in January, 1887, and his 
wife died five da}'S later. Bion H. Kent was educated in the common schools and 
was graduated from Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After 
the death of his father he purchased the farm and has been largely interested in the 
dairy business, having sixty milch cows, and since 1892 has been breeding fine 
Holstein cattle. In 1891 he erected a fine cheese factory on his farm which he now 
conducts, and from 1890 to 1894 he conducted a stage route from Honnedaga Station, 
which is located on his farm, to Honnedaga Lake, for the Adirondack League Club, 
of which he is a member. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. , Trenton Lodge 
and Knights of Pythias. In politics he is an active Republican, has served his town 
as assessor, and is now serving his second term on the Board of Supervisors. In 1875 
he married Celia A., daughter of Richard Childs, by whom he had one child, Chester 
D. His wife died November 7, 1879, and in April, 1892, he married Margaret 
Humphrey, daughter of William Humphrey, of the town of Steuben, by whom he 
had one child, Bion H., jr. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 185 

Nutt, Edwin, was born in Floyd, N. Y., near where he now lives Tune 15 18S8 
son o Austin and Melmda Nutt. Austin Nutt was a son of NaSfi JJta h s 
early life followed boating on the Mohawk River, later engaging in farming He 
served as commiss:oner for many years. He had two children: Clarence and May 
E., who marned William Durkin, deceased. Mr. Nutt is a member of the Rote 
Grange, was its first master and has continued as such every year but one- is alsTa 

rXSst^ P ™ °~"* - °™ a *» * " — ' ^ - -- 

Darrow David E.-David Darrow, grandfather of David E., was born in New 
Lebanon Columbia county, N. Y, in 1772, and received the principles of a thorough 
New England training, which prepared him for a vigorous and self-reliant manhoS 
requisite for the pioneer. In 1808, having married, he removed to Wesf Eaton 

Si J" ♦ I P , Ure pnnC1 P leS and u P r ^ ht character he won the respect of his 

fellow citizens to such an extent that his counsel and co-operation were deemed 
essent.al to the success of any enterprise. His father was a Revolutionary soSer 
David Darrow was for several years a justice of the peace in West Eaton. He marl 
ned Ehzabe h Enos and had five sons and four daughters, of whom Joseph E. was 
nex to the oldest. Joseph E. Darrow, born in 1808, inherited in a large degreelhe 
sterling qualities of his father and he became a representative business man o^ sound 
judgment and firm integrity, whose council and advice were h lg hly prized and often 
sought by his fellowmen. He died in Utica February 13, 1893. *<xSw£Z 
ully said he hved a spotless life of eighty-five years, an honest man, a true Chris- 
tian. He was school inspector for several years and a captain in the old State m- 
htia. He marned Phoebe, daughter of David Wellington, a verv early settler of 
Nelson, Madison county, longa justice of the peace, and the fathe'r of a successfu 
family of four sons and four daughters. Joseph E. Darrow had four children A 
Elizabeth, who died u i 1848; David E., of Utica; Attie, wife of George S Tmint 
hast, treasurer of Mad 1S on county; and Phcebe A., deceased. His son, David f 
Darrow, was born m Eaton June 2, 1836, was educated in common school and at 
Cazenovia Seminary, and in 1859 was united in marriage with Louesa C Wr£ht of 
Syracuse, N Y He evinced in early life a fondness for business and commercia 
pursuits, which he successfully followed until 1885, when he became intereSS 
prominent men in the development of real estate in Brooklyn, N. Y WaswTon 
D C, and m the Southern State, He became associated wL men of natfonaC' 
utat.on among whom were General John B. Gordon, of Georgia- Gene al Rose" 
crans. of Washington, D. C, Hon. John J. Knox, of New York, and others In 189l" 
he became associated with Hon. Francis Kernan, Hon. John D Kernan N F £ r 
nan and William Kernan, and others of the same fami y (all of Ut ca) in ihe'man 

2?SS« hi la T „ h ° ld , ingS ° f "^ 6State - Under hi ^ ™" -anlgemen; 
East Utica has largely developed, as evidenced by the rapid growth and i m 1 
ment m that section of .the city since 1891. He is manager of the East SMe' Park 
Improvement Company. Mr. Darrow has two daughters Mrs A H WH t 

Utica, N. Y., and Florence A., wife of Eugene F. Pugh of the Utifa D. T 
both graduates of Cazenovia Seminary. * ' ^ Dally PreSS ' 

Plumb, Henry A., was born in Washington Mills, Oneida county March 27 1850 
He was^educated at Whitestown Seminary, W8 s graduated from The Advanced 



186 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

school in Utica, and also attended Fairfield Seminary. In July, 1867, he became a 
clerk in the drug store of C. H. Williamson of Utica, and after a period of seven 
years accepted a clerkship in the wholesale drug and grocery establishment of Com- 
stock Brothers, where he remained a little more than two years. In November, 
1876, he formed with A. G. Luce the firm of Luce & Plumb, and engaged in the 
retail drug business at 156 Genesee street. May 1, 1889, the firm 'moved to 198 Gen- 
esee street and on December 1, 1891, Mr. Plumb became sole proprietor. He is a 
member of the Utica Curling Club, a vestryman of Calvary Church, and secretary of 
the Central New York Patent Medicine Dealers' Association. 

Maxson, Dr. Sands Carr, son of John C. and Harriet A. (Rogers) Maxson, was 
born in Preston, Chenango county, August 6, 1848. His parents moved to Utica 
about 1890 and died here — the mother in August, 1893, and the father October 1, 
1894. Dr. Maxson was reared on a farm and received a public school education in 
his native town. He took a course in Oxford Academy in Chenango county, read 
medicine with Dr. S. F. McFarland, of Oxford, now of Binghamton, and was gradu- 
ated as M. D. from the medical department of the University of the City of New 
York in 1871. He began the practice of medicine in Leonardsville, Madison county, 
and except three years spent in De Ruyter continued there successfully for fifteen 
years. In 1884-85 he took a post-graduate course in diseases of the eye and ear in 
the Post-Graduate School in New York city and afterward remained for two sum- 
mers and one winter as instructor, practicing also in the hospitals of the city and 
being clinical assistant in the Manhatten Eye and Ear Hospital and the New York 
Eye and Ear Infirmary. In 1886 he came to Utica, where he has become prominent 
as a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye and ear. As an oculist and 
aurist he has been eminently successful. Dr. Maxson is a member of the Oneida 
County Medical Society and at present its delegate to the New York State Medical 
Society, and a member and the president of the Utica Medical Library Association, 
and was a member of the Eighth International Ophthalmological Congress held in 
Edinburgh, Scotland, in August, 1894. He was a member of the staff of St. Luke's 
Hospital for four years and since 1891 has served as eye and ear surgeon to St. Eliz- 
abeth's Hospital. He is also a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M. In January, 
1872, he married Fanny Estella, daughter of William Munger, of Palermo, Oswego 
county, and their children are Emma P. (who died April 7, 1885, aged thirteen), 
Hattie Ivaloo, and Ethel Eola. 

Goodier, Wadsworth S., was born in Utica, August 13, 1858. He is a son of Jona- 
than Goodier, who was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y. , February 6, 1822, 
came to Utica in 1850, and has since resided there, most of the time engaged in busi- 
ness as a lumber merchant. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public 
schools and academy of Utica, and read law with Burton D. Hurlburt, of Utica, who 
was for many years resident attorney of A. T. Stewart & Co., of New York, who 
owned and operated the Utica Steam Woolen Mills, at Utica, and the Washington 
Mills, in the town of New Hartford, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar at Roches- 
ter, on October 10, 1879, and has since practiced his profession in Utica. In Janu- 
ary, 1881, on the resignation of Mr. Hurlburt as attorney for A. T. Stewart & Co., 
Mr. Goodier was appointed to the position by Judge Henry Hilton of New York, the 
executor of A. T. Stewart's will, and still serves in that capacity. He makes a 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 187 

specialty of real estate law. He is a member of Imperial Council, Royal Arcanum 
November 2G, 1885 he married Lulu V. Long, daughter of James H Long, of Ma" 
kato, Minn., and their children are James H., Virginia and Tread way. 

James, William M„ M. D., is a son of David and Clarissa (Tompkins) James and 
was born at North Gage in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, May " 1839 
°av.d James, farmer and brickmaker, was born in New Jersey. He came when a 
boy with his mother to this section of the State, and died in January, 1873 ^ed 
TPT H"/^^ in January, 1880. They had seven children Thomas T 
lTne°m n f ; Dr D WUliam M - of Utica; Spencer C, of Centerville, lowTw 
hne (Mrs. Douglas J. Pullman), of Centerville, Iowa; Sarah C. ; Charles A., o North 

counirnf T 6ad; / nd Harri6t ^ ^ H ^Jones)of Norway, Herkim r 

county. Di James was educated in the district school and in Whitestown Seminary 
and prepared for college but abandoned the idea of a collegiate training to read 
medicine with D , Luther Guiteau, of Trenton, N. Y. He attended lectures at 
Albany Medical College and at the College ot Physicians and Surgeons of New York 
aty f-m which he was graduated March 13, 1862. He was a member of the house 
staff ,n Bellevue Hospital during the two years following. While there he also per 
formed the dut.es of examining surgeon in one of the provost marshal's offices for 
about one year. In March, 1864, he accepted and entered upon the position of sur 

TZu\ T^ H ° Spital m WasW ^o«. where in consequence of poor 

health, he was compelled to resign and return home. He then became associated 
with his old preceptor m Trenton and in September, 1864, entered into partne sh p 
with him, continuing two years. In 1866 he came to Whitesboro and in 1869 opened 
his present office at 16 Genesee St., Utica, which he has occupied ever since. W 
in Bellevue he also took special instruction in the diseases of the eye under Dr. H B 
throat °^ eW 1 Y ° rk - l In BoSton ^ ™* ^ pursued special courses in diseases of he 
thioat. He also took a special course m the diseases of women under Dr. Horatio 
R. Storer the only man then to make a distinct specialty in giving instruction or the 
d.seasesof women in the United States. Dr. James has problbly performed the ol 
operations for the radical cure of tic-douloureux in this section of the State He 
has performed almost every operation known to surgical science, many of a difficult 
and intricate character, and in this respect his hospital experience has proven in 
estimably valuable. He has made hundreds of post-mortem examinations and 
while m Washington was detailed specially for this purpose in the military hospS 
where he served. He is a member of the Oneida County Medical Safety 
and has written several articles on medical subjects. He is also a member of Utica 

*,«"' M - ° ne ' da Cha P ter R ' A ' M - and Utica Commanderv, K T In 
April, 1865, he married Sarah F. Beecher, who died in 1867 He married served 

fr- 18 i 6 s% h r sister ' , Marion E - daughter ° f j° ei *«*«. <* SrZi Tv ti: 

died in 1877, leaving three children: Dr. Frederick W., of New York city Sarah R 
of Wbxtesboro and Harry B., of Columbus, O. In March, 1879, he married for £ S 
present wife, Miss Serena Higby, of Whitesboro. 

Martin, Noble F. son of Jireh, a native of Massachusetts, was born in Stiftville 
Oneida county, February 17, 1847, and received a public school education in Ms 

T Ve lZ f S , ather ' a C ° ntraCt0r ' m ° Ved iat0 Stittvil]e ^out 1845 and died 
there in 1890. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Martin entered the employ of R V 



188 OTJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Yates & Son, of Utica, with whom he remained nine years. March 12, 1878, he es- 
tablished himself in the clothing business at 32 Genesee street, having as a partner 
Henry T. Miller. September 19, 1881, the firm of Martin & Miller moVed to the cor- 
ner of Genesee and Broad streets, and on April 7, 1888, Mr. Martin purchased his 
partner's interest and since then has been sole proprietor of one of the leading retail 
clothing establishments in Utica. He is a member of Utica Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. 
M., Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T., Ziyara 
Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and New York City Consistory, 32d degree. 
He is past commander of the commandery, and for the past seven years has been 
treasurer of the shrine. 

Peckham, S. Wilber, son of Andrew J., was born in the town of Madison, Madison 
county, November 6, 1860, and received his education in the schools of that com- 
munity. In 1883 he accompanied his father to Utica, where he has since resided. 
The latter returned to Madison county and died there in June, 1893. Mr. Peckham 
pursued a course in the Utica Business College, engaged in various occupations, and 
for about two }'ears was assistant bookkeeper and telegraph operator for the Franklin 
Iron Manufacturing Company. On January 23,1893, he accepted his present posi- 
tion as bookkeeper for John H. Sheehan & Co. 

Vansize, Hibbard K., is a son of Ebenezer H. Vansize and was born in Utica, 
June 20, 1865. The family is of Holland Dutch descent, among the colonial settlers 
of New York (then Manhattan), and originally rendered the name Van Seysen, Se5'S, 
Seize, Sice, and Sise. Joseph Van Sice (or Seysen), an armorer and gunsmith, lived 
in Schenectady in 1735. He married Helena Magdaline, daughter of Jan Vrooman, 
and from them descended (1) Johannes, born 1726, (2) Simon, born 1765, and Teunis, 
born January 9, 1792. The latter married, March 22, 1821, Eunice, daughter of 
Eunice and Ebenezer Hebard, who was born April 20, 1797, and who died Septem- 
ber 5, 1868. She was a granddaughter of Abigail (Huntington) Kimball, whose 
brother Samuel was a signer of Declaration of Independence, a governor of Connec- 
ticut, and president of Congress. Her father was a Revolutionary soldier. Teunis 
Vansize came to Utica in 1826 and died June 8, 1859. He was first a school teacher, 
built and conducted the Oneida brewery, and later had agrocery store on the corner 
of Genesee and Devereux streets, the firm being T. Vansize &Son. His only child, 
Ebenezer H. Vansize, was born in Johnstown, N. Y. , January 10, 1822, became a part- 
ner and finally the successor of his father in Utica, died April 17, 1893. August 26, 
1845, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac S. and Alva (Merwin) Baldwin, 
of Durham, Conn. , and who survives him. They had two children : William Baldwin 
Vansize, a patent lawyer of New York city, and Hibbard K., of Utica. The latter 
was educated in the public schools and academy of his native city, and in 1881 
entered the Oneida National Bank as a clerk, where he rose by gradation to the 
position of teller, to which he was appointed, in January, 1887. December 8, 1887, 
he married Cora May, daughter of Edward R. Norton, of Utica, and they have one 
daughter, Mary Mildred. 

Scheehl, Jacob, son of Adam and Otilda Scheehl, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
May 4, 1848, and came to America with his parents in 1849, settling in Utica, where 
his father died in November, 1891. He was educated in the public and German 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 189 

parochial schools, was graduated from the Advanced school in 1862, and spent three 
years each with Remington's old armory and Reynolds Brothers, shoe manufac- 
turers. He was for two years clerk in the canal collector's office under Joseph Faass, 
and from April, 1871, to October, 1883, was employed in the New York Central 
freight office. On the opening of the West Shore Railroad in 1883 he was made 
statiqn agent, and upon William N. Weaver's death in July, 1887, became joint agent 
of the two roads. In July, 1891, he resigned, and with William F. Hayes, as Scheehl 
& Hayes, engaged in the coal business. In 1892 he was elected alderman of the 
Tenth ward and by re-election still serves in that capacity. In March, 1894, and 
again in January, 1896, he was chosen president of the common council. He is 
a Democrat and has been delegate to several political conventions, notably those at 
Saratoga in 1892 and Syracuse in 1895. He was chairman of the Democratic city 
committee in 1878. He is a 33d degree Mason and very prominent in Masonic circles. 
He is a member and past master of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., for the last 
fifteen years one of its trustees, and past district deputy grand master of this district ; 
a member of Oneida Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., and for the last ten years its secre- 
tary; a member of Utica Commandery, No. 3, K T. , a member of the Utica Coun- 
cil, No. 28, R. & S. M., a member of Ziyara Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, 
its chief raben for three years, its acting potentate for one year, and its recorder for 
the past five years; a member of Utica Consistory, No. 2, A. A. S. R. , in which rite 
he received the 33d degree. He has been treasurer of the Masonic board of trustees 
of the several Masonic bodies of Utica for the past twelve years, is a charter member 
of the Masonic Club, and was very active in securing the Masonic Home for LTtica, 
being district deputy grand master at the time. He is a member and past regent of 
Fort Schuyler Council, No. 404, R. A., and its representative to the Grand Lodge of 
the State for two years. He has also been for the past eight years a trustee of the 
Homestead Aid Association of Utica. In September, 1878, he married Mary Louise 
Schrader of LTtica, and their children are Emma L. , Walter J., and one deceased. 

Mansbach, Simon, was born in Hesse Castle, Germany, August 21, 1841, received 
his education in the National school and learned the trade of butcher in his native 
country, and came to America in 1859. After following his trade in New York city 
eight months and traveling one year he learned the cigarmakers' trade, but on ac- 
count of ill health gave it up and engaged as traveling salesman for L. Goldsmith, a 
wholesale miller of Oneonta, Otsego county, living in Unadilla. About 1862, the 
latter's brother, Simon Goldsmith, opened a millinery store in Utica and Mr. Mans- 
bach was his traveling salesman for seven years. In April, 1870, he established his 
present wholesale and retail millinery business, the oldest in the city, being located 
on the corner of Fayette and Washington streets since 1873. He has long been a 
trustee and was formerly vice-president of the Utica Maennechor, is a member of 
Friendship Lodge, No. 551, order of Harrigari, and a member of St. Regis Tribe 
I. O. ot R. M., and the German Reading Society. In 1873 he married Regina, 
daughter of Mandell Goldsmith, a native of Hesse Castle, Germany. She died 
October 28, 1892, leaving three daughters: Jannette (Mrs. Leopold Goldsmith), of 
Oneonta, Otsego county; Minnie (Mrs. Hyman Wineburg), of Utica; and Anna 
(Mrs. Charles H. Livingston), of Utica. 

Griffin, Charles A., was born in January 20, 1845, in Florence, Oneida county. 



190 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

His great-grandfather, Nathaniel Griffin, came from Connecticut to Clinton, N. Y., 
in 1785, purchased of Gen. George Washington a farm near College Hill (the deed 
being now in Albany), and died there. Ransom, son of Nathaniel, was born in 
Clinton, had four children; Ira B., Emily, Parnell, and Jane, and died there in 1829. 
Ira B. Griffin was born there March 19, 1820, lived after his father's death with his 
grandfather, and upon his mother's second marriage moved to Florence, where he 
still resides. He is a farmer and owns about 600 acres of land. In 1864 he enlisted 
in Co. K, 189th N. Y. Vols., and served until the war closed, being commissary ser- 
geant. He married Mary Bellows, who died in 1882, leaving three children: Ran- 
som and Ella E. (Mrs. Jeremiah Dunn), of Florence, and Charles A., of Utica. 
Mary Jane, another daughter, married H. C. Bickwell in 1869 and died in 1870. 
Charles A. Griffin attended the public schools of Florence, the Camden Union School, 
and Rome Academy, and was graduated from Eastman's Business College at 
Poughkeepsie in Februarj 7 , 1865. He then came to Utica and for one year was 
bookkeeper for D. Owens & Son, bakers and confectioners. For another year he 
was a clerk and bookkeeper for Wetmore & Cuitis, general merchants of Camden, 
and in 1867 became bookkeeper for John Griffiths, wholesale dealer in teas, coffees, 
and spices in Fayette street, Utica. January 1, 1871, T. J. Griffiths came in as John 
Griffiths & Co., and January 1, 1872, Mr. Griffin and R. W. Jones were admitted 
partners. In 1876 John Griffiths retired and the other three continued as Griffiths & 
Co. March 1, 1879, the firm became Griffiths, Griffin & Hoxie, the partners being 
T. J. Griffiths, Charles A. Griffin, and John C. Hoxie. May 1, 1888, Mr. Griffiths 
withdrew and the firm has since been Griffin & Hoxie. In 1880 the business was 
moved to 10 Liberty street, where it was burned out in 1894. It was then estab- 
lished in its present quarters in Catharine street, and now maintains a wholesale 
grocery trade, covering a radius of 100 miles. In January, 1883,- Mr. Griffin was 
married to Cornelia W. , daughter of Levi Wheaton, of Utica, and they have two 
children: Wheaton I., and Charles A., jr. 

Reeder, William S., was born in Kirkland. December 27, 1852, son of Simon and 
Elizabeth Reeder. Simon Reeder was born in England, and came to the United 
States in 1832. He assisted in a stone grist and flouring mill at Oriskany, whence 
he moved to Constableville. He then moved to Durhamville, then to Kirkland, then 
to Deansville, then to Vernon Center, from which place he came to Clark Mills, 
where he and bis son William S. bought the property now owned by William S. at 
Colmans, and at all these places he conducted flour and grist mills. He died Sep- 
tember 25, 1881. From the death of his father, Simon, till three years ago William 
S. was in partnership with his brother, Henry C, whom he bought out in 1892_ 
William S. Reeder was educated at the common schools and Vernon Academy, after 
which he went to Oriskany Falls and conducted a mill for two years. He then went 
to Tonawanda, and from there to Clark Mills, and in connection with his father he 
bought the property now known as Reeder' s Mills, which he has owned and con- 
ducted for twenty-two years. In addition to the mill he conducts a general store, 
where he carries a large stock of merchandise. Mr. Reeder is a Republican, and 
takes an active interest in the success of his party. He is postmaster and has rep- 
resented his town in the Board of Supervisors. He married Miss M. J. Tarbox, of 
Clark Mills, by whom he has three children : Edna Lorine, married to Charles L. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 191 

Langdon, of Clark Mills; Edgar B., and Mamie L. Mr. Reeder and family are 
members of St. Peter's church at Oriskany, which his father assisted to build, and 
where Mr. Reeder has been vestryman for twelve years. 

Allwood, Joseph S., was born inHecla, township of Westmoreland, Oneida county, 
December 28, 1852, son of John and Elizabeth Allwood. John Allwood was born in 
England and came to Westmoreland in 1850, where he engaged in iron work at first, 
but soon after went to farming, at which he has always continued. He married 
Eliza Woodard of Saratoga county, by whom he has six children: John S. , Laura 
B., Blanche A., Philip H., Bessie A., and Gertrude M. 

Thomas, W. J., was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., August 6, 1829, son of 
Stephen and Lucy (Goodell) Thomas. Stephen Thomas was born in Dutchess 
county, and Lucy, his wife, was born in Montgomery county. Stephen Thomas was 
employed in Utica in his early days, and after that engaged in farming, which he 
followed to the time of his death at the age of seventy- seven. Mrs. Thomas also 
died at the age of seventy-seven. W. J. Thomas was educated at the district school 
at Paris, then assisted his father at farming, until he bought a farm of his own. Mr. 
Thomas settled in Westmoreland on his present homestead in 1866. He married 
Sarah Seymour, of Westmoreland, by whom he has three children: Elisha Goodell 
Thomas, Caroline and Mary Thomas. All the children are members of the Metho- 
dist church. 

Kinney, Hon. Thomas E., son of Edmond and Elizabeth Kinney, who settled in 
Utica in about 1840, was born August 3, 1841, and received his preliminary educa- 
tion in the public schools and Assumption Academy of that city. He was graduated 
in both academic and law courses from the University of Virginia in 1863, and read 
law in Utica with Edmunds & Miller, being admitted to the bar at Syracuse general 
term in 1866. After two and one-half years as managing clerk in the office of U. S. 
Senator Francis Kernan he was elected in 1867 city attorney of Utica, and by re- 
election served three consecutive terms, being the second man in the history of 
Utica to fill that office for three successive years. The first was John G. Floyd in 
1829 to 1831. Dnring that period Mr. Kinney, without assistance of any kind, did 
the entire legal business of the corporation. Later he was the Democratic nominee 
for special county judge of Oneida county, but was defeated along with the rest of 
the ticket. He was afterward the candidate for county judge against Judge Sutton, 
who was elected by 800 votes. He was three times nominated for State senator 
against Hon. Henry J. Coggeshall and each time defeated by reduced majorities, 
receiving more votes than any candidate who ever opposed that Republican stal- 
wart. In 1885, 1886 and 1887 he was triumphantly elected mayor of the city of 
Utica, first on the independent ticket by a large majority, second on the regular 
Democratic ticket by a greatly increased majority, and for the third time without 
opposition, both parties throwing him their votes in recognition of his ability and 
honest efforts. His administrations were endorsed by all the citizens, and he enjoys 
the honor of being the only man to hold the mayoralty for three consecutive terms. 
While mayor he introduced electricity for lighting, was the first to inaugurate asphalt 
paving, and led the movement which resulted in adopting improved methods and 
modern ideas in the municipal government, marking a new era in the prosperity of 



192 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the city. He stood for right and justice, attended and presided (as was then the 
custom) over every council meeting, and did more than any other man to purify the 
city of gambling and other illegal institutions and of dishonesty in politics. His 
vetoes, always rendered in the interests of the public welfare, were models of rhetoric 
and executive skill, and were quoted by the press throughout the country. He has 
long been active in politics, and in the Cleveland movement was one of the organ- 
izers against the Hill snap convention, organizing himself the counties of Oneida, 
Herkimer and Lewis. He was made State committeeman and also went as delegate 
to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1892. He has continuously 
practiced his profession with success, and has also been active in developing impor- 
tant real estate interests, owning several handsome blocks and building for himself 
on Rutger place one of the finest dwellings in the city. With the Baker Brothers he 
also developed the valuable quarries at Higginsville, Oneida county, and alone he 
built the first building occupied by the Saturday Globe, thus being instrumental in 
aiding that paper at a critical period of its career. He is a charter member of Fort 
Schuyler Club and vice-president of the Homoeopathic Hospital of Utica. In August, 
1877, he married Fannie, daughter of the late D. V. W. Golden, for many years a 
leading dry goods merchant of Utica, and their children are David G. , Edward D., 
Rose anr"! Thomas E., jr. 

Wilcox, Wallace B., son of Benjamin R., was born in Hopkinton, N. H., August 
17, 1852, and came to Utica with his parents in 1865. His paternal and maternal an- 
cestry are of English descent. His mother belonged to the Rice family of Massa- 
chusetts, who came to New England in the 17th centur)', and became prominent in 
high judicial and civil office, and in the Revolutionary war. He finished his educa- 
tion in the public schools of Utica and learned the trade of engraver and jeweler with 
Selden Collins, with whom he remained about fourteen years. In April, 1885, he 
purchased his employer's jewelry business and has since successfully continued it. 
He is a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M. , and also of the Masonic Club. ■ In 
June, 1879, he married Alice L., daughter of David Everest, of Utica, and they have 
one daughter, Bessie E. 

Munn, John Sherman, was born in Whitestown, March 3, 1839, son of John Burg- 
hardt and Melinda (Parsons) Munn. John B. Munn was born in Whitestown in 1802, 
and conducted a farm until his death in 1886. Mrs. Munn was a native of Connecti- 
cut. John Munn, the father of John Burghardt Munn, came from Connecticut, and 
moved on the farm in Whitestown in 1791. John S., the subject of the present 
sketch, received a common school education, and graduated from Whitestown Semi- 
nary. He then engaged in farming, conducting his father's place. He is a staunch 
Republican, and deeply interested in the success of his party. He married Harriet 
Manktelow, daughter of Jonathan Manktelow of Otsego county, by whom he has two 
children: John B. and Alice E. Mr. Munn is one of the representative farmers of 
Westmoreland. 

Tibbits, Susan, — The late Truman Tibbits was born in Rome, N. Y., son of Jon- 
athan Tibbits, who settled in the town of Rome, coming from Rhode Island. He 
was engaged in farming, and also kept a hotel, and was of English parentage. He 
married Judith Niles of West Hampton, Mass., by whom he had twelve children: 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 193 

Mary, Samantha, Sarah, Leife, Hannah, Aylmer, George, Julia, Eliza, Hiram, Cyn- 
thia, and Truman K. October 10, 1837, Truman K. Tibbits married Susan Car- 
penter of Kirkland, N. Y. , daughter of William and Eunice (Coe) Carpenter, natives 
of Massachusetts, who were born November 5, 1784, and November 1, 1788, re- 
spectively. 

Warren, Rev. John D., was born at Hoosick, Rensselaer county, N. Y. December 
11, 1845, being the youngest of five children. His father, Dr. John Warren, was a 
leading physician of that town, who practiced medicine in that place fifty years, hav- 
ing moved from his native place, Ashford, Windham county, Conn., where he be- 
gan his practice one year previous. He was a graduate of Bowdoin College, Maine. 
He died in 1882, aged seventy-six years. He was the second of three sons, one of 
whom died at the age of seventy -five and the other at eighty-seven years. His father, 
Luther Warren, moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut, where he died at eighty 
years of age. His father's name was John. The traditions of the family are that 
their ancestor came over in the Mayflower; it seems probable, however, that there 
is a relationship to Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill fame, as John is a favorite name 
in all branches of that family. Their ancestor came over with Governor Winthrop, 
but claims a relationship te the Warren who came in the Mayflower. October 27, 
1830, Dr. John Warren married Susan H. Dimick, of Hoosick, N. Y., only child of 
Otis and Sarah Dimick, and granddaughter of Henry Schneyder, who, about 1762, 
settled on the south part of his ten thousand acre grant, which is now part of the 
boundary line between this State and Vermont. John D. Warren received his early 
education at a district school and village academy, and later was fitted for college at 
the Newtonville Classical School. Rev. William Arthur, D.D., father of ex-President 
Arthur, being principal. After attending this school several terms he left with a 
companion to enlist in the army, but after a brief service was brought home by his 
father, much to his displeasure, being under age. He labored as salesman for several 
years for the wholesale clothing firm of J. B. Wilkinson & Co., of Troy, N. Y., and 
later bought out and run for several years a dry goods store in the same city. Dur- 
ing his residence in Troy he was an active member of the Ninth Presbyterian church, 
which had then been but recently organized, in a part of the city which has since be- 
come famous as the place where Robert Ross lost his life in defence of a free ballot. 
At that time the church was surrounded by saloons, to-day it has the largest mem- 
bership of any church of its denomination in the city. Mr. Warren spent much time 
in evangelistic work in Troy, and felt called to devote his whole time to the work of 
the gospel ministry. He was taken under care of the Troy Presbytery and took a 
special course in theological training under guidance of John Tallock, D.D., Thomas 
Clark, D. D., and Dr. Beverage. He began immediately to preach under license, 
and later was ordained at Mechanicsville, April 21, 1885. His charges have been 
Hoosick, North Gage, Oriskany and Knoxboro; the latter place where he still re- 
sides. August 3, 1870, he married Harriet J. Haswell, of Hoosick, N. Y. Mr. War- 
ren has a portrait of his maternal great-great-grandmother, whose maiden name 
was Jane Hunter, whose father was General Hunter, after whom Fort Hunter was 
named. 

Cooper, Henry H., son of Samuel and Keziah (Nicol) Cooper and senior member 
of the wholesale clothing firm of H. H. Cooper & Co,, was born in London, England, 



104 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

April 5, 1840, and came with his parents to Quebec, Canada, in 1845. Later the 
famiiy moved to Oswego, N. Y., where he completed his education. In 1857 he went 
to Detroit, Mich., and with Joseph Yates engaged in the clothing business conducted 
as a branch of the firm of C. A. Yates & Co., of Utica. In 1859 he came to Utica 
and entered the parent house as a salesman. In 1863 he became bookkeeper and 
salesman for H. J. Wood & Co., wholesale clothiers, and was admitted to an interest 
in the business in 1866. In 1871 he organized the firm of which he was the head and 
which is now continued as H. H. Cooper & Co. This concern employs about 700 
hands, manufactures and wholesales clothing, and enjoys a trade extending through- 
out the Northern States. Mr. Cooper is a trustee of the L T tica Savings Bank and 
vice-president of the board of trustees of the Westminster Presbyterian church. 

Proctor, Thomas Redfield, was born in Proctorsville, Vt. , May 25, 1844, his father 
being a merchant. His great-grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary war 
and the founder of the town of Proctorsville. His mother was Saloma Redfield, 
sister of one of the chief justices of Vermont, Isaac F. Redfield. Some of his ances- 
tors took part in the Boston tea party, and many of them have been prominent in 
civil and commercial life. Mr. Proctor was educated in Boston, and in 1862 went 
into the U. S. Navy as paymaster's clerk on the ship Brandywine of the North At- 
lantic squadron. Later he became admiral's secretary on the Pacific squadron and 
was aboard the ship Lancaster. He was secretary to Admiral Pierson, saw con- 
siderable service in the Rebellion, and took part in the capture of confederates on 
steamer San Salvadore. He was offered the position of paymaster in the regular 
navy, but declined, and returning to Vermont he took charge of the manufacturing 
interests left by his father. He first engaged in the hotel business as proprietor of 
the Tappanzee House in Nyack, N. Y. December 1, 1869, he came to Utica and 
purchased Bagg's Hotel and in 1879 became proprietor of the Butterfield House in 
Utica. In 1875 he became he became proprietor of the Spring House at Richfield 
Springs, which under him has been very successful. He is a director of the First 
National Bank of Utica and in January, 1896, became its president; is president of 
the board of trustees of the House of Good Shepherd, was for several years an officer 
of the New York Agricultural Association ; a director and the first and only vice- 
president of the Utica Press Company. He is a trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica ; 
a trustee of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills; a trustee of the Soldier's Monument As- 
sociation , a director of the LTtica and Mohawk Street Railroad ; he is also a member 
of the Sons of the Revolution and also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars; 
he is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Loyal Legion. He is a Knight Templar 
in the Masonic order. April 9, 1891, he married Miss Maria Watson Williams, of 
Utica. Their only son died in infancy. 

Heath, William, was born in Corsham, Wiltshire, England, September 4, 1818, 
came to America in 1842, and settled in Rome, Oneida county, where he entered the 
employ of Merrill & Hayden, druggists and grocers. In the spring of 1845 he came 
to Utica and was employed in the soap and candle establishment of Thorn & May- 
nard. In the fall of 1849 he went to Oswego and engaged in business under the firm 
name of Heath & Powers, which later became Heath, Powers & Co. They carried on 
a large soap and candle business which was four years later sold to W. K. Powers. 
Mr. Heath returned to Utica and joined the firm of Maynard & Wright. Mr. Wright 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 195 

subsequently retired and the firm continued as Maynard, Heath & Co., for four 
years. He then joined in business with J. Touender & Co., under the firm name of 
Heath & Touender, which continued until about 1885, when he retired to private life. 
He is a director in the Utica City National Bank and was a ruling elder of the First 
Presbyterian church and for several years has been one of its trustees. In June, 
1851, he married Mary Cornelia Husted, of Clyde, N. Y., who bore him one child, 
Mary Louisa, wife of Dr. Earl D. Fuller, of Utica. Mrs. Heath died October 20, 
1856, and he married second, July 26, 1859, Julia Northrop, daughter of Clark 
Northrop, of Utica, a descendant of an old New England family of Rhode Island. 
They have two children: Julia M. (Mrs. John Heath), of Leadville, Col., and Florence 

A. of Utica. 

White Co , N. E., was incorporated in September, 1865, with a capital of §25,000 
with T. H. Ferris, president, and N. E. White, secretary, treasurer, and manager. 
The business was started in 1884 by John Ellis, one of the oldest cheese and butter 
buyers in Utica, who commenced when cheese was first bought here for the New 
York and export market. In March, 1892, N. E. White became his successor and 
successfully continued until September, 1895, when, for the purpose of enlarging the 
business, the company was organized. The concern are wholesale and commission 
dealers in grocers' and bakers' sundries, flour, feed, grain, baled hay and straw, 
and are large shippers of butter, cheese and eggs. 

McCall, Thomas A., was born in Utica, November 25, 1867, and is a son of Francis 

B. McCall, one of the oldest clothing dealers in the city. He was graduated from 
the Utica Academy in 1885 and since then has been associated with his father in 
business. In April, 1888, he became a member of the firm of McCall & Co, 

Jones, J. Whitfield, was born in Wales, England, May 6, 1857, and received a 
thorough education in his native country, where he also became an expert account- 
ant. In 1881 he came to America and settled in Utica, where he first became 
accountant for General Sylvester Dering, a wholesale and retail lumber dealer, with 
whom he remained about five years, since then he has followed his profession on his 
own account, being often appointed to examine the books of large corporations, the 
various city offices, etc. He is one of the leading accountants in Utica. 

Deecke, Theodore, was born in the "Free City of Luebeck" in North Germany, 
October 1, 1836, was educated at the Gymnasium or High classical school of that 
city; later in the " Free City of Bremen," and finally at the University of Berlin from 
1854 to 1858. In the latter institution " in the philosophic and medical faculty" pur- 
sued mathematics, natural history, physics, comparative anatomy of the vegetable 
and animal kingdoms, physiology, chemistry, and took special courses in general 
medicine, pharmacognosy, medical diagnosis and pathological anatomy, physiology 
and chemistry. He at the time published essays on anatomy and embryology, 
1854-60 of the Acta of the " Halle Society of Naturalists," in the " Halle Botanical 
Botanical Gazette," the "Acta of the Royal Academy of Sciences" in Berlin, some 
of which were translated and published in the " British Philosophical Magazine," in 
the French " Annales des Sciences," etc., besides numerous more or less popular 
papers in various periodicals. While in New York city from 1866 to 1873 among 
other publications he composed in 1871-71 the German edition of " Appleton's Illus- 



196 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

trated New York." In 1873 he was called to Utica, N. Y., and on the 1st of April 
appointed special pathologist to the N. Y. State Lunatic Asylum, then under the 
superin tendency of Dr. John P. Gray. He was associate editor of the "American 
Journal of Insanity," published at that institution, in the pages of which he laid 
down the results of most of his scientific researches, and and also reviews from Ger- 
man, French, Italian and Spanish professional literature. He remained in that 
position for about seventeen years. He was frequently called upon to serve as 
expert in coroner's and court cases for the people. Among these latter were about 
two dozen of capital cases in the central counties of the State, of which five occurred 
in the county of Oneida. He is at present engaged privately, in medical, chemical 
and technological examinations and analyses and in literary work. In 1890 at the 
25th Anniversary of the German " Utica Mannerchor" he was elected chief editor of 
the " Festzeitung" a paper then published in eight numbers in honor of the event. 
Besides the editorials and other articles, he published in that paper for the benefit of 
our German citizens and their guests a " History and Description of the City of 
Utica." His wife, Mrs. Anna Deecke, was the first who, in 1885, established a 
" Froebel Kindergarten" in LTtica which, as a private institution, still exists and 
flourishes. 

Illingworth, Joseph J., was born May 4, 1827, in Blackburn, England, and came to 
America in 1845, settling in Providence, R. I. Having just completed his appren- 
ticeship as machinist, he entered what is now the Corliss Steam Engine Company's 
works in that city and remained there in all about ten years setting up engines and 
running them. In 1854 he entered the employ of the Wamsutta Mills in New Bed- 
ford, Mass., as chief engineer. In 1855 he came to LTtica and accepted a similar 
position in the Utica Steam Cotton Mills. Their engine, made by the Corliss Com- 
pany, had never given satisfaction, but he successfully placed it in operation and 
continued until the war broke out. In 1862 he built the Burden Iron Works in 
Troy, N. Y., then ran the United States steamship Blackstone as chief engineer, re- 
maining until the boat was wrecked near Cape Cod. In 1866 he returned to Utica 
and resumed charge as chief engineer of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, with which 
he has ever since continued. In 1867 he was appointed by Gov. R. E. Fenton in- 
spector of boilers for this revenue district, serving one year. He is a member and 
ex-president of the National Association of Stationary Engineers, a charter member 
for eight and one-half years, the first president of the local body of that order, and a 
member and past master of Oriental Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M. May 18, 1846, he 
was married in Dover, N. H., to Mary Byrne, and of their six children two are 
living: John J., associate engineer with his father, and Harry R., chief engineer of 
the Mohawk Valley Mills. 

Watkins, Thomas D., was born in Plainfield, Otsego county, September 4, 1870, 
was graduated from West Winfield Academy in 1889 and in the spring of 1890 
won a free scholarship to Cornell University, which he entered in the fall of the 
same year. He was graduated with high honors and received the degree of LL. B. 
from that university in 1892. He took a post-graduate course in law at that institu- 
tion in 1893 and received the degree of LL.M. therefrom in June of the same year. 
In the spring of 1896 the American Temperance University of Tennessee conferred 
upon him pro merito the degree of Ph. B. He was admitted to the bar at Syracuse 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 197 

in April, 1893, and in the fall of that year he entered into partnership with Josiah 
Perry, of Utica, N. Y., and began the practice of his profession in that city. On 
April 1, 1894, he formed with Albert T. Wilkinson the firm of Watkins & Wilkinson, 
which was dissolved at the end of one year and since then Mr. Watkins has prac- 
ticed alone. In the fall of 1894 he was the Democratic nominee for member of as 
sembly in his district, but was defeated, although he polled several hundred more 
votes than his regular party. He was appointed corporation counsel for the city of 
Utica on January 7, 1896. He is a member of Samuel Read Lodge, K. P., and the 
Cornell University Chapter of Delta Chi Fraternity. He is especially active in 
religious and political circles, never missing a chance to say a word in favor of the 
betterment of humanity and the elevation of citizenship. 

Baxter, Frank K., was born in Utica, October 13, 1854, has followed civil engi- 
neering since 1871, and has been in charge of a very great variety of important work. 
He began with his brother as assistant city engineer and for seven years experienced 
municipal engineering in Utica in its various branches— paving, sewerage, grading, 
etc. In 1878 he was appointed to a position in the New York State Canal Engineer- 
ing Department, Middle Division, of Syracuse, where he remained until the winter 
of 1879, when he was promoted and changed to the Western Division with head- 
quarters in Rochester. Here he was assistant engineer under Thomas Evershed 
the designer of the Niagara Falls Water Power scheme and an old canal engineer of 
wide reputation. Mr Baxter's schooling here was varied and of the best. Return- 
ing to Utica in 1882, owing to change of State politics, he was immediately employed 
by the villages of Little Falls, Herkimer, and Clinton and the city of Utica until 
1889. During these years Mr. Baxter designed and erected the Clinton water works 
the Herkimer water works, stone arch bridges for the town of Herkimer, and rail- 
road work for private and public corporations from preliminary work to final 
construction. In fact he had considerable experience in railroad construction. Be- 
side the above, much important professional work was performed by him in survey- 
ing large and valuable tracts of land in the central part of this State ; estimates 
plans, etc., for various corporations, including Richfield Springs, Water'ville, Little 
Falls, Herkimer, Hamilton, Ilion, Mohawk, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. In 
1889 he served with great credit as city engineer of Utica. In 1889 and 1890 he made 
many very important surveys for towns and counties, surveys of the Masonic Home 
property, etc. During these years important canal survevs, railroad work and 
much of the land outlying Utica was also laid out by Mr. Baxter. Railroad surveys 
in Syracuse were also made. In 1891 he served again as city engineer of Utica The 
excellent separate system of sewers in Herkimer, N. Y, were designed at this time 
by Mr. Baxter and completed by him in 1893 and 1894. In 1892 much of his time 
was taken up in consultations with various corporations in water and sewerage work 
Mr. Baxter has been 'retained in many important law suits as expert engineer in 
railroad, water, sewer and municipal work. He was employed by the sewer com- 
missioners of Ilion as consulting engineer in the construction of its system of sewers 
In 1892 he was appointed inspector of the State Board of Railroad Commissioners 
and which office he now holds. All of the railroads in this State are under his 
supervision as regards the proper maintenance of permanent way and safetv to the 
traveling public. Mr. Baxter has always been a close student; he graduated from 



198 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the public schools of Utica, Williams's Private school and the Utica Business Col- 
lege, and it is no doubt true, as he puts it, that civil engineering necessitates con- 
stant daily study, and close application if success is desired. His knowledge of 
modern railroad construction and maintenance is considered most excellent in all its 
various phases. Seldom one meets a civil engineer who has successfully practiced 
in so many branches of this grand profession. Mr. Baxter is a self-made man and 
certainly merits the success which his useful life has attained. 

Aldridge, Willard C, was born in Whitesboro, Oneida county, February 27, 1859, 
and is the son of Charles Aldridge, who came here from Horsham, England, about 
1850. Charles is a tailor by trade. He was village clerk some fifteen years, town 
and village collector for several years, and a prominent Odd Fellow. Willard C. was 
deputy postmaster at Whitesboro for about ten years, and was appointed postmaster 
under Cleveland's first administration, being the first appointed under Cleveland in 
Oneida county and the third in the State. After serving four years he resigned and 
engaged in manufacturing cigars in Utica, where he has since continued. He resides 
in Whitesboro, where he was for one year town collector, and where he is now serv- 
ing his second term as excise commissioner. He is active in Democratic politics and 
has been delegate to local and State conventions and also county committeeman. 
He is a member of Schuyler Lodge, No. 147, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all 
the chairs, and of which he is now a trustee. He is chairman of the building com- 
mittee of the Odd Fellows Temple in LTtica, and is worshipful master of Utica Lodge, 
No. 47, F. & A. M., and a member of the Scottish Rite bodies, 32d degree. Decem- 
ber 11, 1890, he married Anna M., daughter of Dr. Charles E. Smith, of Whitesboro, 
and the}' have one daughter, Theresa. 

Jones, J. Lewis, born in Orange, N. J., November 19, 1835, is a son of C. F. D. 
Jones, a shoemaker by trade, who was born in Caldwell, N. J., September 22, 1808. 
In October, 1838, the family came to Utica, where the father opened a shoe store and 
also engaged at his trade. In 1844 they moved to Middle Settlement in the town of 
New Hartford, where C. F. D. Jones still resides. He was active in Democratic 
politics for many years and served as superintendent of the poor of Oneida county 
two terms. He was for ten years agent for the State Board of Commissioners of 
Immigration with office located at Utica, and has been justice of peace, town excise 
commissioner, etc. February 26, 1829, he married Elizabeth Hollum, of Orange, 
N. J., who was born April 14, 1810 and died October 20. 1895, having lived as hus- 
band and wife nearly sixty seven years. They had six children : Adelia, who died 
young; Antoinette, of New Hartford; J. Lewis, of Utica; Clarissa (Mrs. Elias H. 
Palmer), of New Hartford; C. F. D., jr., deceased; and Martha Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Stephen B. Latham), of Clinton, N. Y. J. Lewis Jones was educated in the district 
schools of New Hartford and remained on the farm till about nineteen years of age. 
He learned the trade of patternmaker in Newark, N. J., and for many years followed 
it in various capacities. In January, 1882, he started business for himself on Blan- 
dina street and in January, 1893, moved to his present location in Jay street. He is 
a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224 of F. & A. M., and Oneida Chapter, No. 57, 
R. A. M., and is vice-president of the Cornhill Building and Loan Association of 
Utica, which he assisted in organizing. May 18, 1864, he married Cornelia G. Black- 
stone, of New Hartford. They have two children: Frederick B., of Warren, Mass., 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 199 

and Clarence A., of Utica. Mr. Jones came from old New England and Revolution- 
ary stock, his great-grandfather, Joseph Jones, sr. , having been born at Stamford, 
Conn., June 3, 1750. 

Stearns, Eugene, born in Utica, August 14, 1830, is a grandson of Dr. Calvin 
Stearns, from Pittsfield Mass. , one of the earliest settlers of Utica, who died here in 
1848. Gordis L. Stearns, son of Dr. Calvin, was born here in 1805, read law here 
with Thomas E. Clark, was admitted to the bar as attorney about 1826 and very soon 
afterward as solicitor, and practiced his profession for a time in New York city. He 
died in Utica in 1835, He was appointed notary public by Governor De Witt Clinton 
in 1826. He married Agnes, daughter of John B. Langworthy, of Utica, and had 
two children: Eugene and Emily (Mrs. Herman Koehler) deceased. The ancestor of 
the family was Lieut. Nathaniel Stearns, who came from England to Massachusetts, 
in 1649. Eugene Stearns was educated in the Utica public and private schools and 
academy and taught in the Advanced school about one year. He read law with 
Spencer & Kernan, with William Tracy, and with Clark & Richardson, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar at LTtica in 1855. He began practice in this city, and spent the 
years 1860-61 in St. Louis in partnership with Edward R. Bates. He returned to 
Utica at the breaking out of the war, and resumed the practice of his profession. He 
was special surrogate of Oneida county from 1867 to 1870, and while performing the 
duties of that office conceived and later published a table showing the present value 
of a wife's 'Inchoate Right of Dower," which has met with large success. The work 
was first published in July, 1888 He was in the law office of Edmunds & Miller 
about ten years, was president of the Utica Citizens' Corps and for several years its 
vice-president, and was chief of staff of the Republican Continentals during the political 
campaigns of 1888 and 1892. In 1877 he was appointed librarian of the Utica Law 
Association, which position he still holds, being the first and only librarian of that 
institution. In September, 1853, he married Julia A., daughter of Charles Storrs, of 
Utica, who bore him two children: Emily E. and Harriet Louise (Mrs. Henry P. 
Crouse), both of this city. Mrs. Stearns died May 16, 1887, and he married second, 
Sarah E. Mayo, of New York city, formerly of LTtica. 

White, N. Curtis, was born in Torrington, Conn., September 24, 1822. His ances- 
tor, Elder John White, came from England, sailing June 22, 1632, and arriving in 
Boston in September, and in 1633 settled with Hocker's congregation in Hartford, 
Conn. Later the congregation divided and Elder White went with his party in 
1659 to Hadley, Mass. His eldest son was Captain Nathaniel White, of Middletown, 
Conn., and the latter's fifth son was Jacob, whose son Thomas was the father of 
Silas, of Torrington, Conn. Brainard White, son of Silas, was born in 1786 and died 
at Winsted, Conn., in 1833. He was the father of N. Curtis White. Mr. White re- 
ceived his education at the Winsted, Conn., common schools and academy. In 1838 
he came to Oneida county, and finished his studies at Vernon Academy and Clinton 
Collegiate Institute, where prepared for college. While studying he taught school, 
being for a time principal of the old Whitestown Academy. Leaving Clinton Col- 
legiate Institute he entered the law office of Kirkland & Bacon in Utica and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1847, being one of the first to be admitted under the new State 
Constitution. He began practice in the office of his preceptors, and when Judge 
Kirkland went to New York city he became a partner in the firm of Bacon & White, 



200 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

which continued until Mr. Bacon was elected justice of the Supreme Court. The 
firm then became White & Dana, by the admissiou of William B. Dana, Mr. White's 
brother-in-law, and continued until Mr. Dana went to New York. Mr. White con- 
tinued in practice mostly alone till 1868, when he went to New York city and en- 
gaged in business pursuits. He returned to Utica in 1883 and has since practiced 
his profession. Mr. White is an office bearer in Trinity church of Utica ; and is also 
a member of the Board of Governors of The Oneida Historical Society, of which he 
is an active member. He has been a member of Oriental Lodge F. & A. M. for 
over forty years, and is also a member of Utica Chapter R. A. M. May 12, 1858, he 
married Delia White Dana, daughter of James Dana, of Utica. She died in April, 
1883, leaving three children: George Dana, a graduate of Yale College and now a 
resident of New York city ; Edwin Harrison, treasurer and manager of the Daniel 
Green Company, of Dolgeville, N. Y. ; and William Curtis, a student in Trinity 
College, Hartford Conn., class of 1897. 

Bartow, Pierrepont, son of Edgar John and Harriette Constable (Pierrepont) Bar- 
low, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 17, 1842. His father, a resident of Brook - 
yn, but a leading merchant of New York city, was of the Bartows of Westchester, 
N. Y. Others of his name had been in these parts before him, notably Andrew A. 
Bartow, of Bartow Hill, Herkimer county, who was connected with the introduction 
of the great Erie Canal in New York State. His mother was a daughter of Hezekiah 
B. Pierrepont and a descendant of an old Connecticut family of New Haven, and his 
grandmother was a daughter of William Constable, well known in this State as the 
purchaser of large tracts of land in connection with McCormick, Macomb, Lynch 
and others. Mr. Constable was in the war of the Revolution and at one time aide to 
La Fayette. After the peace he settled in New York as a merchant. Pierrepont 
Bartow received his early- education in Brooklyn and finished at the English and 
Classical School of Mr. Huntington. In 1862-63 he was employed as draughtsman 
at the Continental Iron Works, Brooklyn, in preparing the plans for the monitors 
Passaic, Cakskill, and others, which were being built for the United States Navy. 
Later he was connected with the School of Mines of Columbia College for several 
years. In 1867 he received the appointment of draughtsman and designer for the 
Wood and Mann Steam Engine Company of Utica. In 1887 he was appointed to a 
position in the Engineer Department of the new aqueduct for New York city, where 
he remained several years. He returned to Utica in 1892 and since then has prac- 
ticed his profession as a general mechanical engineer. For a number of years be- 
tween 1870 and 1880 he followed the profession of an artist, and among his princi- 
pal works is a large painting for the Union Ferry Company of Brooklyn, represent- 
ing New York city in 1790 and now in the possession of the Brooklyn Historical 
Society. February 23, 1886, Mr. Bartow married Mrs. Emma C. (Smith) Sweet, 
whose ancestors were among the first settlers of Oneida county and engaged in the 
war of the Revolution. Timothy Smith enlisted and served as a private in Taun- 
ton, Mass., before coming to Oneida county in 1798, when he settled on Smith Hill 
His wife was a Pratt, of another Revolutionary familly of Taunton. Mrs. Bartow's 
grandmother was a Damuth, a family among the earliest settlers of Oneida county, 
and conspicuous for their bravery in the war of the Revolution. Captain Mark 
Damuth was a trusty friend of General Herkimer, and his brother George, of Deer- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 201 

field, was a lieutenant, and John, another brother, a lieutenant in the battle of 
Oriskany. Frederick, Richard, and other Damuths were also in the struggle. 
George Damuth, a nephew of Captain Mark, was captured by the Indians when an 
infant and ever aftewards bore the marks of his captivity in his cut-ears and nose- 
ring, which his grandson and the late David Gray, as boys, well remember. His 
wife Caty was a Christman, another family who fought in the struggle against 
Great Britain for American independence. Mr. Bartow has two sons, William 
Edgar and Francis Pierrepont. 

Dykeman, Theodore W., son of Aaron, a commission merchant, was born in Penn 
Yan, N. Y. , April 30, 1863, and was educated at the Penn Yan Academy. While 
there he lost his right arm in a railroad accident. He then learned telegraphing, 
which he has since followed, being stationed at various times in the West Shore 
Railroad dispatcher's office at Syracuse, the W. U. Telegraph offices in Auburn, 
Syracuse and Skaneateles, and the B. H. T. & W. and D. & H. railroad dispatchers' 
offices in Mechanicsville, N. Y. , and Albany, N. Y. , also in dispatcher's office of the 
Troy & Boston R. R. at Troy, acting as night dispatcher for one year. In 1884 he 
came to Utica as manager of the Postal Telegraph Company, which position he has 
since held. When he came to Utica in 1884, he did all his work alone and had one 
messenger ; now has ten messengers, one clerk and two operators. He is a member 
of the Utica Cycling Club and the Utica Maennechor. 

Bushinger, Eduard, son of Andrew and Christina (Abberle) Bushinger, was born 
at New York Mills, Oneida county, N. Y. , June 1, 1856. He was educated at New 
York Mills district school and at Utica Business College where he graduated in 1873. 
He was bookkeeper for the Central New York Copying House of Utica lor two years 
and a half, clerk for Marcus A. Pillsbury for several years, and bookkeeper in the 
crockery department of George Dubois & Co. for a year. May 1, 1882, he became 
bookkeeper and afterward teller in A. D. Mather & Co.'s Bank when it was incorpo- 
rated as a State Bank in November, 1890. Mr. Bushinger's services were duly rec- 
ognized and he was made cashier. Mr. Bushinger is a member of Faxton Lodge, 
No. 697, F. & A. M., of Royal Arcanum, Imperial Council No. 70, and of Oneida 
Chapter, R. A. M. He has been twice married, his first wife being Mary A. Thom- 
son, of Utica, who died January 26, 1890. December 26, 1894, Mr. Bushinger mar- 
ried M. Adel Roberts, daughter of W. J. Roberts, of Utica. 

Dagwell, Charles M., was born in Utica, October 7, 1843, and is a son of Herbert 
Dagwell, a native of England, who came to America when about two years of age, 
lived in Little Falls and Oswego county with his parents, and while in his 'teens 
came to Utica, and was married here to Aurelia S. Tallman. He was both a ma- 
chinist and an iron moulder, and worked for a number of years in the foundries of 
Hart & Dagwell and Philo S. Curtiss. Charles, the subject of this sketch, at the age 
of fourteen went out to seek his own self support and worked at farming on Stony 
Island, Lake Ontario, until the fall of 1860, when he returned and went to work for 
Hart & Dagwell, as core maker, and on April 24, 1861, when only seventeen, 
enlisted in Co. B, 14th N. Y. Vols., was mustered into the U. S. service at Albany 
on May 17 ; he served in the army two years, and was mustered out at Utica, May 24, 
1863, by reason expiration of service. He then entered the employ of the Reming- 



202 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ton Armory Co , on Franklin street, and in August, 1864, he went to New York and 
enlisted in the U. S. Navy, serving on the U. S. Gunboat Shawmut until the war 
closed. He came home and went to work for the Remington Agricultural Co., at 
Ilion, also the American Express Co. at Utica; was an active member of Hiawatha 
and Utica Base Ball Clubs, also a member of the Utica Volunteer Fire Department, 
and in the spring of 1870 was appointed a patrolman on the Utica police force, served 
until the fall of 1871, resigned and went into the liquor business with George Miller, 
at 210 Genesee street, sold out in the fall of 1874 and went to Texas, returned six 
months later, and on June 1, 1875, was appointed a patrolman on the police force; 
April 5, 1882, was made assistant chief, and July 1, 1889, chief to succeed Robert 
McElwaine, who died in June of that year. Mr. Dagwell has since held this position 
with credit and satisfaction. He is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F.&A. M. 
and of the Exempt Firemen's Association; was foreman of Engine Co. No. 7, Volun- 
teers, and is a charter member of Post McQuade, No. 14, G. A. R., of which he was 
commander for three successive terms. 

Ryan, William F., was born February 11, 1851, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and came with 
his parents to Utica when one year old. He was educated in the Assumption 
Academy. He was in the employ of John A. Davies, a furniture dealer, for seven 
years, and with M. B. De Long for twelve years, following the trade of wood polish- 
ing. In 1884 he formed a partnership with Andrew Steates, as Steates & Ryan, and 
engaged in the retail furniture business, and in which they still continue. The firm 
also does wood-polishing, repairing, etc. Mr. Ryan was school commissioner of 
Utica for two terms, being elected in 1885 and re-elected in 1888. He was a charter 
member of Utica Lodge, No. 1979, Knights of Honor, and now its presiding officer, 
and has also been the representative to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York 
and the Supreme Lodge of the United States. He is a member of the Catholic 
Benevolent Legion, the Order of United Friends, Utica Maennechor, and Ancient 
Order of Hibernians. 

Jones & Shippey, the firm of, was organized in 1883 and consists of John S. Jones 
and George W. Shippey, both natives of Utica, and they are among the leading con- 
tractors and builders in the city. Among the important contracts may be noted the 
Skenandoa Yarn Mill, the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mill, and Quackenbush air gun 
factory of Herkimer, the Folts Institute, the Paragon Knitting Mill, and the Mohawk 
High School in Herkimer and Mohawk. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic 
order, and was born March 17, 1839. His father William was one of the oldest 
builders in Utica, and assisted in erecting Grace, the L T niversalist, Calvary, St. 
Luke's churches, City Hall, and many residences and prominent buildings, including 
the J. Watson Williams residence, and the old cotton mill. Mr. Shippey was born 
August 29, 1843, and is a son of Nathan Shippey, who was a builder and a con- 
tractor of locks on the Black River Canal. 

Sweeting, Jesse V., was born in Schenectady county, N., Y., February 6, 1840, 
son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Van Slyke) Sweeting. Alfred Sweeting was born at 
the present family homestead at Hecla, as also was his father, Nathaniel Sweeting. 
He was born September 2, 1809, and his wife was born March 21, 1820. Jesse V. 
Sweeting was educated in Montgomery county, where he was engaged in farming. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 203 

He settled on the old homestead in Westmoreland in 1877, and married Mary Rock- 
well, of Charlestown, Montgomery county, by whom he had five children: Lucy, 
Ella, Libbie, Jennie, and Henry. Mrs. Mary Sweeting died June 14, 1892. Mr. 
Sweeting is married to Martha T. Swan, of Albany, N. Y. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Lowell. 

Coan, Luke, was born in Westmoreland, August 4, 1816, son of Ambrose and Anna 
Coan. Ambrose Coan came from New England and settled in Westmoreland, 
where he was engaged in the boot and shoe business until his death. Luke Coan 
has always followed farming, although in his early days he learned the wagonmaker's 
trade. He married Eliza A. Townsend, of Westmoreland, who died June 23, 1895. 
Mr. Coan has one adopted daughter, Anna, who married William H. Lunt, of West 
Tremont, Me. 

Arnold, Charles F., was born at the town of Vernon, N. Y., July 81, 1869. He 
received a common school and commercial education and has been engaged in a 
variety of occupations. He was a clerk in the mercantile line for nearly four years, 
was also in business with his faiher in New London, under the firm name of C. F. 
Arnold & Co. until burned out on October 28, 1895. Mr. Arnold is a member of 
New London Lodge, No. 420 F. & A. M. and is its secretary. W. Henry Arnold, 
his father, was born at Augusta Centre, Oneida county, N. Y. , September 5, 1839. 
He was educated in the district schools and was a farmer and merchant. He mar- 
ried twice, first to Mary C. Waterman, of Illinois, by whom he had three children: 
Eva J., Charles F., and Sarah A. Mrs. Arnold died January 14, 1892. He then 
married Mrs. Elmira Smith, born Prime. His father, John, was born in Connecticut 
in 1807 and came to this State when a young man. He married Sarah Francisco, 
of Augusta, by whom he had five children. He died in 1884 and his wife ten days 
later. Charles F. Arnold's sister, Eva J., married J. Gordon Burleigh, formerly of 
Vienna, and the)' have one child, Mary E. Mr. Burleigh is a member of Warren 
Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F., New York city. Mrs. Burleigh is a member of Vesta 
Chapter, No. 115, O. E. S., of New London, N. Y. The family is of English and 
German descent. 

Golley, William E., was born in town of Lee, Oneida county, N. Y. , June 23, 1865. 
He was educated in the common schools, and is by occupation a cheesemaker. In 
1895 he purchased the Fitch & Bacon Cheese Factory, near Blackman Corners, where 
he is engaged in the manufacture of cheese. February 28, 1894, he married Alice D. 
Agans, of the town of Lee. Mr. Golley's father, William Golley, was born at the 
old homestead in Lee. April 8, 1828. He was educated in the district schools, and is 
by occupation a farmer. He married Esther Bynam, of the town of Lee, by whom 
he had four children ; Sarah, Charles, William E., as above, and Fred J. Mrs. Gol- 
ley's father, John Agans, was born in Rome, N. Y., in 1830. He was educated in 
the district schools, and afterward engaged in farming. He married Susan Hogle, 
of the town of Floyd, by whom he has six children : Willard, Emma, Jennie, Francis, 
Alice D., as above, and George. The ancestry of the family is Scotch and German. 

Pelton, A. G., is a native of Richfield, Otsego county, born in 1850, son of Giles 
W. Pelton, who is of Scotch and English descent. He received his education at 
Winfield Academy, and after teaching school for thirteen years, he engaged in farm- 



204 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ing. He is an earnest advocate of the Republican party and has been justice of the 
peace since 1889. His father was an influential farmer before him, and is still a 
living representative of that sturdy class of men, who were the foundation on which 
the fame of Oneida county rests. In 1884 A. G. Pelton married Nancy Adams, of 
Irish birth. 

Scoville, William, was born in the town of New Hartford in 1831, a grandson of 
Darius Scoville, an early settler of Paris, N. Y., coming from Watertown, Conn., 
about 1800 with Seabury Scoville, the father of William Scoville. Seabury Scoville 
spent nearly ninety-four years of his life here, dying in 1877, leaving a worthy record 
as a man and citizen. William Scoville continued in the cultivation of the ancestral 
acres until his retirement to Washington Mills. His education was completed at the 
Sauquoit Academy. In 1863 he married Lois Porter, of New Hartford, by whom he 
has three children: Luella A., wife of William Nelson; Rufus S., and Florence C. 
Rufus S. married Cora H. Foss November 22, 1894. 

Joerissen, Joseph, was born in Coblenz, Germany, February 16, 1830, spent his 
early life as a clerk in a counting house, and at the age of seventeen volunteered in 
the arm)' and served through the revolution of 1848. June 14, 1851, he bade farewell 
to fatherland and sailed for America, and for a time was employed in New York city 
and in traveling in the west. In 1854 he came to Utica and engaged in cigar manu- 
facturing on the corner of Varick and Columbia streets. Selling out he entered the 
employ of Warnick & Brown, cigar manufacturers, and continued till 1859, when he 
started a cigar manufactory on Third street and also formed a partnership with his 
father-in-law, John G. Hutten, in the brewery business; since then he has continued 
as a cigar manufacturer, being located on the corner of South and Brinkerhoof 
streets since 1878. He withdrew from the brewery business in 1863, when he opened 
a restaurant and cigar store on Genesee street. This he soon sold and devoted his 
time wholly to cigar manufacturing. He was charity commissioner from 1890 to 
1893, and since 1867 has been a member of the Utica Citizens Corps, becoming an 
honorary member in June, 1868. He is a charter member of Allamania Lodge I.O.O. 
F., and has held all the chairs in that body. He is also a member of the Germania 
Industrial Association, the L T tica Maennechor, and the LTtica Turn Verein, and a 
charter member of Utica Lodge, Knights of Honor. 

Burritt, A. W., was born in Paris, N. Y., June 20, 1866, son of William H. and 
Sallie (Wicks) Burritt. He followed farming until 1889, at which time he commenced 
the mercantile business, first as clerk, and in 1892 engaged in business for himself as 
senior member of the firm of Burritt & Henkle. His father, William H. Burritt, 
served three years in the Rebellion, enlisting August 7, 1862, in the 8th Regiment, 
N. Y. Vol. Cav., was honorably discharged at Cloud's Mills, Va., June 7, 1865. His 
grandparents (Wicks) came from Connecticut in 1800 and were among the pioneer 
settlers of old Paris. 

Hickox, W. Jerome, the son of J. Wesley and Clarinda Storey Hickox, was born 
October 24, 1839, in Syracuse, N. Y. , where he lived until twenty years of age. He 
then removed to New York and engaged in the transportation business, which he 
continued for fifteen years. In 1873 he entered into real estate business in Oneida, 
and June 9, 1875 he married Florilla, only daughter of Hon. Timothy and Harriet 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 205 

Tuttle Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins, who is well remembered as one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers and ablest citizens of the State of New York, had long resided in 
the pretty village of Oneida Castle, and to the spacious old homestead which had for 
so many years been the center of pleasant hospitality, Mr. Hickox came to live and 
share his wife's tender care of her widowed mother. Mr. Hickox had large business 
interests at Oneida, and his public spirit made him prominent in all that concerned 
the life of the village. He took also a keen interest in politics, unalloyed by any self- 
seeking, and he was warmly appreciated by his friends for his most genial and 
gentle nature. Perhaps to his fine physique and perfect health was partly due his 
rich endowment of cheerfulness, that "sunshine of the heart" which was an irresisti- 
ble charm in social intercourse, He died March 4, 1894, after a very short and sud- 
den illness. Few men have been more affectionately mourned. 

McDonald, William, was born in 1859, and is an industrious farmer of his native 
town, Boonville, where he has resided on a 265 acre farm since the death of his 
father William McDonald, which occurred in 1878, at sixty-one years of age. Will- 
iam McDonald was of Irish birth, emigrating from County Tipperary when nineteen 
years old, and with no capital settled in Stillwater, Conn. There he found employ- 
ment in a foundry, and by strict economy and shrewd business principles, he pro- 
vided for his family, consisting of a wife and seven children. In 1888 William Mc- 
Donald, jr., married Julia Hurley, daughter of Cornelius Hurley, of Boonville, by whom 
he has two children : Mary and Belle. Mr. Hurley belongs to the Democratic party, 
and is a member of the Roman Catholic church. 

Wagner, Edward G., was born in Montgomery county, February 11, 1848, the 
oldest son of Edward and Alida E. (Gray) Wagner. Both of his parents were de- 
scendants of old Mohawk Valley families ; his father was descended from John Peter 
Wagner in 1709, and whose only son, Lieut. -Col. John Peter Wagner, was a dis- 
tinguished officer in the Revolutionary war; he was in the battle of Oriskany, and 
after the wounding of General Herkimer is said to have assumed command of the 
troops and completed that important victory, which was at the time almost assured; 
several of his sons were engaged with him, and his son John was the grandfather of 
Edward Wagner, who was born in Montgomery county in 1819, and died in Whites- 
boro in 1886. Mrs. Wagner died in 1882; she was also a descendant of an officer en- 
gaged in the battle of Oriskany. Edward G. Wagner was educated at Whitestown 
Seminary, and located in Whitestown in 1867, where his father had purchased a large 
farm, situated near the centre of the village. This he now conducts with his brother 
Henry, entirely on business methods, and they are recognized as the representative 
farmers of Whitestown. He has several times been president of the village of 
Whitesboro, is a staunch Republican and takes an active interest in the success of 
his party. He married Ida L., daughter of Jonathan Barnes of Fairfield, Herkimer 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are both members of the Episcopal ' church of 
Whitesboro. 

Odell, Edgar B., son of Benjamin F., was born in Junius, Seneca county, June 
26, 1857, and was educated at Phelps and in Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y. He entered 
his father's general store in Phelps and remained there until March, 1880, being his 
partner the last two or three years. He was then in Golden, Denver 'and Canon 



200 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

City, Colorado, as a bookkeeper until September, 1882, when he came to Utica and 
became bookkeeper for Roberts & Hoag. In February, 1888, Mr. Hoag having re- 
tired, Mr. Odell became a member of the firm of J. A. Roberts & Co., dry goods 
dealers, aad still continues. He is a member of Faxton Lodge 097 F. & A. M., 
Oneida Chapter R. A. M., the Royal Arcanum, and the Arcanum Club, and a char- 
ter member of the Masonic Club of Utica. October, 1884, he married Charlotte J. 
White, daughter of the late Nicholas A. White, of L T tica. They have one son, 
Frederick Edgar Odell. 

Evans, John V., was born in the town of Marcy, Oneida county, January 1, 1838, 
and he is a son of Evan Evans, who was born in North Wales in March 1808. 
Evan Evans came to America in 1832 and settled in Marcy where he married Sophia 
Thomas. In 1839 they came to Utica. He died in Holland Patent January 10, 1895. 
His wife's death occurred in 1853. He was a carpenter by trade, and for a time had 
a lumber yard on Columbia street, on the site of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills. He 
also had a flour and feed business here. He had five children: John V., Eleanor, 
Jane A. (Mrs John Roberts), and Mary S. (Mrs. Edward Bice), of LTtica, and Evan 
T. , of Holland Patent. John V. Evans during his youth, followed various occupa- 
tions, being a clerk in a store in Wisconsin, engaged in mining in California, and 
eight years in stockraising in Nevada. In 1885 he returned to Utica and forming a 
partnership with John Edwards, as Evans & Edwards, engaged in his present busi- 
ness as dealer in coal and wood on the corner of Court street and Chenango avenue. 
He is a Republican and in January, 1890, was elected a member of the Board of 
Charities and was re-elected in 1893, serving two terms of three years each. In 
January, 1890, he was chosen president of the board. He is a member of Utica 
Lodge F. & A. M. April 9, 1802, he married Katherine, daughter of Stephen and 
Hannah Davis, of Schuyler, Herkimer county, and the}' have had five children: 
Ernest E., and Cordie P., of Utica, Lena C, who died April 27, 1895, age twenty- 
seven; Dr. J. Corliss, a physician in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Arthur S. Evans. 

Elthorp, William, was born in London, England, in 1837, son of William, who was 
born in England and was a gas manufacturer and later a railroad conductor in Eng- 
land and France. He became wealthy and at his death owned some 000 acres of 
land. Mr. Elthorp married Sarah Burt, by whom he had these children: William, 
Sarah, George, Alice, Lucy, John, and Mary. They came to America in 1848, set- 
tling in Forestport, where Mr. Elthorp devoted his time to farming and lumbering 
up to the time of his death in 1880. His wife now resides in Forestport, aged eighty- 
five years. When nineteen years of age William, jr., went to South Carolina and 
Georgia, where he was engaged in railroad tunneling. He then returned to Forest- 
port and engaged in farming and lumbering, and in 1800 bought his first farm, con- 
taining fifty acres, of his father. He has added to it until he now has 354 acres of 
land ; he is still interested in lumbering. He has served as overseer of the poor, 
town collector, etc. In 1800 Mr. Elthorp married Anna Eliza, daughter of Josiah 
and Sarah Getman, born in Manheim, Fulton county, N. Y., who died fourteen 
months later. In 1803 Mr. Elthorp married his first wife's sister, Mrs. Sarah E. 
(Getman) Carpenter, and their children are William, Charles, Harriet, wife of James 
McArthy, of Grey, Herkimer county ; Alice, wife of John Lindsey, also of Grey, 
Herkimer county ; and Adeline. Mr. Elthorp enjoys the distinction of having been 
a playmate of Prince Albert when a boy. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 207 

Wagner, Louis, was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, in 1836, son of 
Philip Wagner, who operated a coopering business in his native place, and Christina 
Wagner. He was one of six children : Mary, Philip Henry, George, Frank, Law- 
rence and Louis. Louis Wagner came to America at thirteen years of age, with his 
sister. His brothers, Philip and Frank came later, and were soldiers in the war of 
the Rebellion ; the former dying in Libby Prison, and the latter shortly after his re- 
lease. Louis was a barber, and employed in the finest shops in Newark, N. J. , and 
also owned and conducted several shops there, where he remained until after the 
war. In 1866 he removed to Forestport and engaged in lumbering and farming, 
which he conducted successfully. Later years he has devoted his attention to his 
300 acre farm, the best of which he has cleared of timber. He is a member of the 
Odd Fellows fraternity. In 1855 he married Frederica Beig, who was born in Ger- 
many in 1836, and they have one son, Louis, who is a traveling salesman for the 
Singer Sewing Machine Co. , and whose wife died in December, 1892, leaving four 
children: Aneda, Alonzo, Rena and Frank. 

Davidson, John, was born in Grayabby, county of Down, Ireland, December 16, 
1824. His parents were both natives of Ireland, and grandfather and grandmother 
on hjs father's side were from Ayrshire, Scotland. His grandfather, on his mother's 
side, was Scotch and grandmother English. He came to America with his parents 
in the year 1833 and shipped from Belfast to New York, being six weeks and three 
days on the sea, on the vessel "Herald of Newcastle." They resided in New York 
city two years, after which they moved to Lansingburg, where they also lived two 
years. They then hired a small farm, three miles west of Albany, where they lived 
about twenty years, following the occupation of farming and vegetable gardening. 
Previous to moving to Oneida county the father had purchased the farm on which 
they lived, but later sold out and was employed by John Townsend of Albany, as 
foreman and vegetable gardener. Two years later they moved to John Davidson's 
present home, then a wilderness. On May 16, 1855, the father and son shouldered 
their axes, and commenced clearing for a house where the father died. March 13, 
1865, at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother died December 22, 1877, at the 
age of eighty-six years. John Davidson was married in Albany, December 30, 1847, 
by the Rev. Samuel F. Moran, pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian church, of which 
he and his wife were both members. They have eight sons living: John, an engi- 
neer on the New York Central railroad; William, a farmer and carpenter of Oneida 
county; David, a carpenter on the Bennington railroad; George, a farmer and car- 
penter in Oneida county; Samuel, a farmer in Onondaga county; and Robert and 
James, both farmers in Oneida county ; also Henry, a carpenter and care taker of 
Comb's Brook fish hatchery in Herkimer county. One daughter, Mrs. Edward 
Scanlin, died at the age of thirty six years. Mr. Davidson has been assessor for a 
number of years, also school trustee, road overseer and has had charge of the State 
reservoirs at Woodhull and Sand Lake. 

Fardett, Solomon, was born in Vermont in 1853, son of Francis Fardett, a native 
of France, who was a sailor in early life and came to Vermont in 1830 where he en- 
gaged in ship building. In 1855 he removed to Port Edward, Washington county, 
where he conducted a dry dock, and was engaged in building canal boats for twenty 
years; from there he removed to Saratoga county and later to Forestport. He mar- 



208 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ried Aurelia, daughter of Emanuel Robarge, a native of Canada, by whom he had 
nine children: Aurelia, Mary, Julius, Joseph, Josephine, Clementine, John, Solomon 
and David. Mrs. Fardett died in 1863, and Mrs. Fardette in 1888, at the age of 
eighty-three. Solomon Fardett at the age of twelve began to work in a saw mill, 
and went to school winters; at eighteen he engaged in carpenter work with his 
brother and later as a millwright. In 1873 he came to Forestport and has erected all 
the saw mills in the town since that time. He was also a contractor and builder, and 
in 1893 erected the mill for the Forestport Lumber Company. He then engaged as 
foreman of the mill, which position he now holds. He served as constable for 
several terms. In 1871 he married Mary, daughter of William Elthorpe of Forest- 
port, by whom he has eight children: Bertha, Frank, Maud, Fred, Sarah, Grace, 
Cecil and Venetia. 

Hovey, Mrs. Julietta (Kilmer), was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady count}', N.Y., 
in 1834, daughter of William H. and Julia S. (Ailing) Kilmer; the former a native of 
Schenectady county, born in 1805, and the latter, a native of Milford, Conn., born 
in 1799. William H. Kilmer was always engaged in carpentry, bridge and pubiic 
work, and came to Oneida county in 1841, and in 1854 he removed to Forestport, 
where he now resides with Mrs. Hovey at the age of ninety years. Their children 
were Gideon A., Philip G., Julietta D. and Henry C. In January, 1858, Mrs. Hovey 
married Philip George Hovey, a native of Leyden, N. Y., who was born in 1833, 
son of George and Sybil S. Hovey. Mr. Hovey spent his entire life in the lumber 
business, and for years owned canal boats; he also owned large saw mills and built 
a number of dwellings in Forestport. He was a man of public spirit and enterprise; 
had a limited education, but much natural business ability. He filled the office of 
commissioner of highways, and numerous other offices, and was a prominent mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Hovey had three children: Kittie H., 
wife of F. X. Solzman, of Forestport; Helen A., a graduate of the Oswego Normal 
School, and for several years a teacher in Atlanta, Ga. ; and Georgianna, also a 
teacher. Mr. Hovey died in August, 1889, and both he and his wife were members 
of the Episcopal church. 

Neejer, John H. , was born in Remsen, now a part of Forestport, in 1852, son of 
John Neejer, who was born in Germany in 1814, one of five sons, Henr;' and John 
(twins), George, Michael, and Philip, all of whom came to the United States when 
young men. John Neejer was a hotelkeeper in Boonville, where he removed in 1885, 
and there died. At one time he was very prosperous, but lost it all through indors- 
ing notes for others. He married Dorothy Burgman, of Germany, by whom he had 
these children; Sarah, Lena, John H., and Elizabeth. Mrs. Neejer died in 1866. 
John H. Neejer was educated in the Boonville Academy, and when twenty years of 
age began for himself, following various occupations, for a time working at lumber- 
ing winters and in a saw mill summers. In 1885 he engaged in the meat and 
produce business in Forestport, where he has established and controls a large trade. 
He also owns 300 acres of land, fifty of which he uses for general farming purposes 
and the rest for grazing, having about 100 head of sheep. Mr. Neejer is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is secretary. In 1883 he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Richard Jones, of Wales. 

Manahan, Richard J., was born in the town of Paris in 1860, son of Richard Man- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 209 

ahan, a native of Ireland, one of two sons and four daughters born to Edward Man- 
ahan, who was a farmer in Ireland and came to the United States, bringing his 
family with him, and settled in Utica He died in 1873, aged ninety-nine years. 
Richard Manahan, father of Richard J., was a farmer, and lived for a time in Paris, 
but in 1865 removed to Forestport, where he engaged in farming, and died in 1889, 
aged seventy-six years. He married Mary Brennan, of Ireland, by whom he had 
these children : Mary, Simon, Edward, Thomas, Julia, and Richard J. Mrs. Mana- 
han died in 1862. When thirteen years of age Richard J. began working out in 
Utica, but two years later returned to Forestport and engaged in working in the 
woods winters and rafting ship timbers and spiles down the canal to Troy summers, 
which he followed until 1891, when he erected his present hotel (Nehasane House), 
which he very ably conducts and where many sportsmen make their headquarters ; 
he also conducts a livery, grocery and feed store. In politics he is a Democrat, and 
is now serving his second term as highway commissioner. In 1882 he married Ida 
Christian, who was born in Utica, daughter of James Christian, by whom he has 
two children : Estella and Winifred. 

Mulchi, William, was born in New Hampshire in 1854, son of William Mulchi, a 
native of Ireland, who was born in 1816. William Mulchi, sr., was a tanner by trade 
and came to America in 1848, settling at Bellows Falls, Vt. In 1858 he removed to 
the town of Boonville and two years later to Woodhull, where he died in 1863. His 
wife was Johannah Danaha, of County Waterford, Ireland, and they had three chil- 
dren : William, Thomas, and Dennis. Mrs. Mulchi died in 1887 at the home of her 
son, William. At the age of eight years William, jr., became a driver on the canal, 
which business he followed for fifteen years, being promoted to steersman and later 
owned and conducted a boat for himself, running from Forestport to Troy and Al- 
bany. He was then engaged in the lumber business and contracting for seven 
years, and in 1891 he erected his present hotel, known as the Forestport House. He 
also conducts a farm of 150 acres, making a specialty of garden vegetables. He also 
runs a stage for the Adirondack League Club. Mr. Mulchi served as excise commis- 
sioner for six years. In 1875 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth 
Moran; who was born in Canada. Their children are William and Elizabeth. They 
are members of the Catholic church, of which Mr. Mulchi is trustee. 

Solzman, Francis X., was born in the town of Boonville, August 15, 1855, son of 
Thomas Solzman, who was bora in Baden, Germany, in 1820, Thomas Solzman was 
a lieutenant in the king's army, and during the war of 1848 and 1849 was among 
those who revolted against the king, and was with the famous General Siegel when 
in 1849 they cut their way to the sea, where they disbanded. He came to America, 
settled in Boonville and worked at the millwright trade. He later engaged in farm- 
ing and cleared most of a seventy-three acre farm, where he became very prosper- 
ous, and later lost nearly all through speculating. His wife was Rosina Southeimer 
of Baden, Germany, by whom he had eight children: Rose, Susan, Sophia, Francis 
X. , Charles Frederick, Joseph, Catherine, and Frederick Charles. He died in 1874, 
aud his wife in 1885. Francis X. remained at home until the death of his father, 
when he engaged in the lumber business at Forestport ; but he soon withdrew from 
that business and engaged in the meat business at Boonville. A year later he re- 
turned to Forestport and engaged as bookkeeper for a lumber firm, with whom he 



210 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

remained several years, and in 1891 he engaged in farming. He served three years 
as justice, when he resigned to accept the office of supervisor, which office he filled 
for eight years. In 1886 he married Kittie L. Hovey, a daughter of Philip C. and 
Julia (Kilmer) Hovey, of Forestport, and they have five children: Rilla L., Marian, 
Annetta J., Myrtle and George T. 

Shattuck, Luther, was born in Floyd, N. Y., June 16, 1822, son of Asaph and Mary 
(Dorrel) Shattuck, who came here from Massachusetts in 1806. He was one of nine 
children: Laurie, Sylvia, Ezra, Asaph, jr., William, Louisa, Lydia, Calvin, and 
Luther. Asaph Shattuck was engaged in farming, and was also interested in church 
work and educational interests. He was trustee of the Floyd Union church and jus- 
tice of the peace for several terms. Luther Shattuck married Cynthia, daughter of 
Jabes and Margaret Holmes, by whom he has three children: Martin F., who mar- 
ried Mary Stone; Charles A., who married Carrie Robbins; and Emily C, wife of 
Charles Johnson. He is engaged in farming, and is also interested in church affairs, 
and has been trustee of the Floyd and Stittville church. All of the children attended 
Whitestown Seminary, and Martin has been justice of the peace for several years, 
and Charles A. , town clerk. 

Ward, Salmon, was born on the place where he now resides, October 26, 1835, son 
of Josiah and Roxanna (Currier) Ward. Josiah Ward settled in Floyd when two 
years of age. He married Roxanna Currier, by whom he had two children : Salmon 
and Sarah Maria. Mr. Ward died November 2, 1857, aged fifty-eight years, and his 
wife died January 2, 1869, aged fifty years. Salmon Ward is a farmer by occupa- 
tion. He married Catherine, davighter of Andrew Martin, who died leaving one 
child, Burton. He then married Jane, daughter of Levi Crill. For his third wife he 
married Rebecca, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Upton) Cogswell. Mr. Ward is 
a member of the Grange and Patrons of Industry. 

Potter, George S. , was born on the farm where he now resides, January 10, 1842, 
son of Samuel and Mary Potter, whose children were Russell F. , Eliza J., George S., 
and Allen. Samuel Potter was a son of Joseph and Phebe (Adams) Potter, and their 
children were Lydia J., Dudley, Samuel, Ethan Allen, Joseph, Augustus, Madison 
and Benjamin E. Samuel Potter spent the early part of his life in teaching school, 
after which he engaged in farming. He was also active in church and county affairs, 
and was elected commissioner of deeds. George S. Potter is also engaged in farm- 
ing and owns the homestead of 220 acres, and is interested in town and county 
affairs. 

Westcott, Frank D., son of Stephen S. and Philinda A. (Brown) Westcott, was 
born in Oneonta, Otsego county, September 7, 1858, and moved with his parents to 
Clinton in 1866. He was graduated from the Clinton Grammar School in June, 
1877, and the following autumn entered Hamilton College as a member of the class 
of 1881, but two years later came to Utica as a clerk in charge of the mail order de- 
partment of Hugh Glenn & Co., where he remained one year. He was then for two 
years bookkeeper for Miller & Fincke and later held a similar position in the whole- 
sale clothing house of Tucker, Calder & Co. for about six years. January 24, 1890, 
he formed a partnership with Henry F. Miller, as Miller & Westcott, and engaged 
in the coal business. In 1891 this firm dissolved and with Elmer E. Parker he 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 211 

formed the firm of Westcott & Parker, which continued until July, 1894. Since 
then Mr. Westcott has conducted the business alone, dealing in coal, wood, flour, 
and feed. He was one of the organizers and a director of the Cornhill Building and 
Loan Association of Utica and is secretary and director of the Utica Carriage Com- 
pany. He is a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., and in the Royal Arcanum 
has been very prominent, serving in almost every office. He was regent of Im- 
perial Council No. 70 three years, and elected representative to the Grand Council 
of the State of New York. At his first session he was chosen grand guide. He has 
also served as grand orator and grand vice-regent, and was grand regent from April, 
1891, to April, 1893. February 21, 1882, he married Libbie A., daughter of James 
W. Cronkhite, of Little Falls, N. Y. , and they have one son, William Carlton. 

Fulmer, Edgar J., was born in Iowa, in 1862, son of Robert and Louisa 
(Schaffer) Williams. His father died in an army hospital, and his mother re- 
turned with him, when he was seven months old, to Steuben, where he was 
adopted by Henry Fulmer, a native of Herkimer county, who was a son of Jacob 
C. Fulmer, who came to Steuben about 1826, and settled on 400 acres, which 
he afterwards cleared. He reared ten children and lived to be sixty years of 
age, and his wife lived to be eighty-.eight. Henry Fulmer spent his whole life in 
Steuben on the homestead farm. He served as commissioner of highways for 
twenty years. He married Catherine Harter, by whom he had one child, Jacob 
Henry, who died in December, 1884, at sixteen years of age. Mr. Fulmer's wife 
survives him, and now resides with Edgar J. on the homestead. Since his death 
Edgar J. has operated the farm of 188 acres, and has since bought another farm of 
fifty acres. He keeps twenty cows, and makes dairying a specialty, and is also in- 
terested in the raising of fine sheep. He has served his town as collector, school 
clerk and filled other minor offices. In 1887 he married Carrie Wollaber, daughter of 
George H. and Catherine Witherstine, of Steuben, by whom he has two children : 
Clarence and Lena Joy. Mr. and Mrs. Fulmer are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, of which Mr. Fulmer is steward and trustee. 

i 

Wickman, Henry G.,born on Mohawk Hill, Lewis county, N.Y., January 16, 1846, 

son of Sebastian and Margaret Wickman, who came from Hesse, Germany, in 1830, 
and were pioneers of Lewis county. He served apprenticeship at the carpenter and 
millwright trades in Germany. In 1857 he went from Lewis county to Rome. He 
was a member of the 69th Regt. , N. Y. Vols., and was in service one year. He died 
in 1880 at the age of eighty-five. Mrs. Wickman died in 1881. They were members 
of the Dutch Reformed church at Rome, N. Y. Henry G was educated at Rome, 
and learned the wagonmaker's trade, after which he worked in Oneida, Erie, Buf- 
falo, Syracuse, Boonville, and in 1876 bought property in Ava, where he has since 
carried on a blacksmithing, carriage manufactory and repairing business. In 1867 
he married Phoebe Casbaker, of Ava, by whom he had two sons : William, and Fred 
(deceased). Mrs. Wickman died and Mr. Wickman married for his second wife 
Maria, daughter of Henry and Magdalene Honsholder, of Westmoreland, N. Y., by 
whom he has five children living: Charles, born November 22, 1876; Walter, born 
February 21, 1886; Fred, born October 14, 1887; Clarence, born October 8, 1888; 
and Alvin, born September 28, 1889; also six deceased: Edward, Frank, George, 
Maud, Russell, and Rena. 



212 OtJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Zeigler, George, was born in Ava, N. Y. , April 15, 1835, son of Frank and Mar- 
garet (Saddler) Ziegler, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1833, and set- 
tled in Ava. Mr. Ziegler died in Rome, and Mrs. Ziegler died in Ava in 1861. The 
grandfather, Simeon Zeigler, was a vine3'ardist and winemaker in Germany, and 
he spent his last days in Ava. George Zeigler has always been engaged in farming 
except the time spent in the war. He now has a farm of 115 acres and keeps a 
dairy of ten cows. In 1865 he married Catherine Ernst of Germany, who came to 
America with her parents, Jacob and Saloma (Zeigler) Ernst, in 1848, and settled in 
Ava, and they afterwards went to Cleveland, Ohio, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. 
Zeigler have had four children : George, Fred (deceased), Lena and Caroline. August 
6, 1862, Mr. Zeigler enlisted in Co. H, 3d N. Y. Light Artillery, and served until the 
close of the war. 

Morehouse, Henry D., was born in the town of Half Moon, Saratoga county, N. 
Y., June 21, 1853, son of Nathan and Annie (Travers) Morehouse. Mr. Morehouse 
was born in Vermont, May 5, 1824, and Mrs. Morehouse was born in Half Moon, N. 
Y., December 6, 1819. The grandparents were natives of Vermont. Nathan More- 
house came to Saratoga county, from Vermont about 1849, and then to Ava, where 
he built and conducted a mill. He now resides with his son, Henry D. Mrs. More- 
house died March 5, 1879. Henry D. Morehouse learned the trade of cbeesemaker 
when a young man. He worked in various places, and in 1886 bought the factory at 
Ava which he has since conducted. In 1876 he married Ella, daughter of Asa and 
Sarah (Slavier) Teachout, of Western, N. Y. , by whom he has one daughter, Nellie. 
Mrs. Morehouse was born in Western, N. Y., November 25, 1869. Her mother, 
Mrs. Teachout, died in 1873. 

Hurlbut, Henry, was born in the town of Ava, N. Y., October 1, 1853, son of Sam- 
uel, a native of Boonville, and Minerva (Bardsley) Hurlbut, a native of Ava. Sam- 
uel Hurlbut came from Boonville to Ava and purchased the farm now occupied by 
Henry Hurlbut, where he engaged in farming, and he spent his last days in Utica, 
where he died in October, 1881. Mrs. Hurlbut still lives and resides with her son on 
the homestead. Henry Hurlbut was educated at Rome Academy, and has always 
been engaged in farming on the homestead farm, except three years in the lumber 
business in Western. The farm of 330 acres is owned by Mr. Hurlbut and his brother 
Andrew, who is engaged in the general mercantile business. Mr. Hurlbut has a 
dairy- of thirty-five to forty cows. In 1874 he married Nettie, daughter of Stephen 
and Esther (Harris) Potter, by whom he has three children: Ettie, Bertie and Mertie. 

Gookins, Milo, was born in Leyden, Lewis county, N. Y., November 25, 1842, son 
of Daniel M. and Eliza (Rhodes) Gookins, he a native of Herkimer county and she 
of Wilna, Jefferson county, N. Y. Daniel M. was a blacksmith by trade and worked 
in Oneida and Lewis counties and along the Black River Canal during its construc- 
tion. He died at Port Leyden in 1881 ; his wife also died in 1881. Milo Gookins, 
when young, worked a little at his father's trade, but with the exception of five years 
in the war, has followed farming. In 1870 he purchased the farm of 220 acres where 
he now resides, and keeps a dairy of about thirty five cows. In 1869 he married 
Mary J. Capron, daughter of Oliver and Henrietta Capron, by whom he had seven 
children: Maud L., Mabel, Mira, Elmer, May, Nellie, and Emery. July 8, 1861, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 213 

Mr. Gookins enlisted in Co. G, 3d N. Y.Vol. Cav„ as private, served all through the 
war, being honorably discharged as sergeant August 5, 1865. He participated in 
ZTc S attl6Sand f rmisheS ' among which we mention Trenton Bridge Mm 
Creek, Goldsboro, assault on Petersburg, Chapin's Farm, and Fair Oak!. Mr 
(xookins is a Republican m politics, and has been justice eight years He is a mem' 
ber of the Wheelock Post, No. 97, G. A. R„ of Boonv.lle. 

Beyel Jacob, was born in Ava, Oneida county, N. Y., June 4 1844 son of Philir, 
and Elizabeth Beyel Jacob Beyel was reared on a farm and attended wl Leyden 
11 V^ haS SmCe f ° Il0Wed farmm £ and carpentering. In 1873 he married 
Add.eC daughter of Fred and Adaline Myers, by whom h/had two chi,are.v Ada 
born February 14 1877 ; and Permilla, born February 6, 1888. Mr. Beyel purchased 
the farm where he now resides in 1873; he now owns 163 acres of .and Td keeps 
about twenty-five cows. Mr. Beyel attends the Union churcb at West Leyden and 
is a member of the Grange of the same village. ^eyaen, and 

182 B 2 'ffd' ? r^ ? ?f 6 t F1 ° yd ' ° neida C ° Unt ^ Where he ™ s born March 11 
1822 and is the oldest of five children, born to Cyrus and Mary Ann (Tinker) BrWs 

Conn Tn 3 1806^ k™ * ^^ b 18 ° 3 ' ^ M ~ B "^ s ™ b °™ ^J 
Conn., m 1806 Mr. Briggs s parents, Ebenezer and Elizabeth Briggs came from 
Co.mect.cut and settled in Rome where they were engaged inlrm ng Mr" 
Bnggs s parents Allen and Polly (Maynard) Tinker, came from Connecticut with 
an ox team, and settled in Floyd about 1818. From there they e ^ grated o 
Illinois where Mr. Tinker died in 1865, and his wife in 1885. Cyrus Briggs was 
engaged in farm.ng in the town of Rome, and he died in 1838. Mrs. Briggs !s Ttd 
hvmg at the age of eighty-nine, and has resided with her son for the past h.y 
years. George Br.ggs was .reared on the farm at Rome, and took charge of £ 
am.ly as soon as he was old enough, after the death of his family. He worked on 
a farm and conducted a hotel at West Branch; and also ran a stage line for fo Ur 
years^ He was .n the mercantile business for three years at Point Rock and .n 
1877 he came to Ava where he purchased the hotel of which he has since been 
proprietor. Soon after he bought a farm, and has carried on dairv farming 

WesTorN Y 18 b 2h h mar n\ d Cather!ne ' daUghter ° f Conrad^tSowerof 
Haul i!d ' 7 T ^ tW ° ChiWren : Ge0r ^ e H - who is m ^ed to Annie 
Houck, and is engaged in farming on the home farm; and Eva, wife of Geora 
Anmon, a farmer of West Leyden. George 

Wolf, Philip D., was born in Deerfield, N Y SeDtemher n isaq 

and bought a farm. Mr. Wolf was engaged in market gardening, and die! in S 
at _ the age , of eighty-three years, and Mrs. Wolf died in 1887 at eijhty years of fg e 
The grandfather, Jacob Wolf, came with the family to Deerfield fn isfo and went 
West, where he engaged in farming, and while there died. Philip D. WoK haTal 
ways been engaged m farming and market gardening in Deerfield In IS H t 

Z^nSfe ^" * ****"*> * ^ "» ** **»' ^ ^ ^ 

Weaver, Charles C, was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y July 5 1851 son 

of George F. and Margaret A. Weaver. He was educated" at the Schools' of Utica 



214 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and has since been engaged in brickmaking, being a partner in the business with his 
brother, Frederick G. In 1889 he married Elizabeth, daughter of George H. and 
Jane (Hicks) Crossman, by whom he had two children : Robert C. , born April 15, 1892 ; 
and Harriet J., born in December, 1895. 

Pittock, William D , was born in Marcy, January 19, 1843, son of William and 
Margaret (Smallenberger) Pittock, natives of England and Germany, respectively. 
His grandparents, William and Sarah Pittock, came from England and settled in 
Marcy at an early day and engaged in farming. His maternal grandfather, Charles 
Smallenberger, came from Germany to Marcy. William, sr. , is a retired farmer of 
Deerfield, at eighty years of age; and Mrs. Pittock is seventy-four years of age. 
William, jr., learned the carpenter trade when young, which has been his principal 
occupation. In 1866 he married Rachel Yarky of Deerfield, who died in 1873, leav- 
ing one son, William G., with Dr. Brown in Utica. Mr. Pittock married for his 
second wife Mary (Sorn) King, widow of Curtin King, and sister of Henry Sorn of 
Bridgewater. They have one son, George W. Pittock. In 1871 Mr. Pittock built the 
Washington Hotel, which he conducted twenty years. In 1895 he established the 
Rheumatic Sanitarium at Deerfield. 

Kasson, Calvin H., was born in Deerfield, N. Y., August 17, 1853, son of Henry 
W. and Julia E. (Green) Kasson, both natives of Deerfield, he born in 1824 and she 
in 1826. Henry W. Kasson engaged in farming in early life and was the first man 
in Deerfield to engage in shipping potatoes to New York city. He was then engaged 
in the general mercantile business until 1883, at which time he engaged in garden- 
ing. He has served as postmaster at Deerfield for many years. The parents of 
Mrs. Kasson, John and Matilda (Dayton) Green, were natives of Stoddard, N. H., 
and Connecticut, respectively. Her grandfather, Jonah Dayton, came from Connec- 
ticut to Deerfield, thence to Remsen, where he died. He was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war. John Green came to Deerfield at an early day and engaged in brick- 
making and farming. He died in 1869 and his wife in 1866. His father came from 
Germany. Calvin H. Kasson was educated at Utica Commercial College, from 
which he was graduated in 1871. He was engaged in the mercantile business with 
his father until his father retired, since which time he has carried on the business 
in Deerfield alone. He has been postmaster since his father resigned in 1892. 
October 14, 1875, Mr. Kasson married Harriet B., daughter of Reese and Jane (Jones) 
Lewis, natives of Wales. Mrs. Kasson died in 1895. v 

Hicks, Nicholas H., was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y., March 29, 1834, 
son of George and Elizabeth (Harter) Hicks. George Hicks was a farmer of Deer- 
field, and died in 1840, and his wife died in 1884. The maternal grandfather, Nicholas 
Harter, came from Herkimer county, and was a pioneer of Deerfield, settling on the 
farm now owned by our subject. Nicholas H. Hicks was educated at the schools of 
LTtica, and has since engaged in farming, now owning the home farm of fifty acres, 
and carries on gardening and truck farming. In 1855 he married Adaline, daughter 
of Van and Rebecca Sweet, deceased, by whom he had five children: George N., 
real estate agent at Omaha, Neb. ; Frances, who died when twenty-eight years of 
age; Herbert D., stenographer, typewriter and real estate agent at Chicago; 
Clarence, a farmer of Deerfield ; and Mary, who lives at home. Mr. Hicks is a 
Democrat in politics, and has been supervisor of his town for seven years. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 215 

, T ? aViS \ J ° hnL " WaS b ° rn in Deerfield, N. Y., July 11, 1853, son of David and Mary 
(Thomas) Davis .natives of Wales. His grandparents, Enoch, and SaraMOwS 
Davis, lived and d le d ,n Wales, and his maternal grandparents, John and EHzabel 
Thomas, came from Wales to Newport, N. Y, in 1841, where Mr. Thomas was en 
gaged m farming and also as carpenter. David Dav 1S came to AmericaTn 8 Io and 
worked mUhca four years, then went to Schuyler where he remained e ign years 
In 1863 he settled m Deerfield where he has since been engaged in fafm rT^H 
da.ry.Bg owning 128 acres of land. J. L. Davis was educated^ Wh^ownfem. 
nary, and commencing at nineteen years of age, taught school for x years He 
afterward engaged in farming and market gardening. In 1883 he boughfa farm of 
fifty-three acres in Deerfield, where he has since resided and done general farmW 
also market gardening. He is agent for the Osborn Harvesting machinery ™dS 
k.ndsof farming .mplements. In 1877 he married Sarah C, daughter of Nathan 

1878 a'nd aT I T' ^"^ * *»" he haS tW ° «»» "»*4 ° born in 
18,8. and Arthur N born m 1889, both educated in the Utica schools. Mr Darts fc 
a Republican, and has been highway commissioner and collector. 

Crossman George H, was born in Deerfield, March 16, 1816, son of Nathaniel and 
Elizabeth (Stewart) Crossman. His grandfather, Nathaniel Crossman came to 

se iS of ;S: th H le1 ' Jr - WaS ° Dly t6n ^^ ° f ag6 ' *** ° ae 0f the -r ie 
settlers of the place. He was a carpenter by trade, but was also engaged in farming 
Nathaniel, jr learned the trade of his father, in which he was engf gf d throuThfe' 
He was ana ve of Taunton, Mass. He was a man of excellent memory and Ug eat 
reader of history, and was a soldier in 1812, at Sacketfs Harbor, and was honorary 
d.scharged. George H. also learned the carpenter trade, and worked for man' 
years with his father After his father's death, he worked at the trade unt M865 
when he settled on a farm of 136 acres in Deerfield, where he still resides n 1846 
he married Jane A. Hicks, by whom he had six children: George H Ear IS Fi!t 

beT\89r iS lir e Cr a o Sed) ' """^ ^ IT™ S "~ ^ssmL^dt^rn 

ber, 1892. Mr. Crossman was justice three years, and assessor nine years. 

Wells, Chester A., was born near where he now resides, Februarys 1825 son of 
Samuel and Emily (Ward) Wells, who camefrom Connecticut to Trenton abou 1808 
and their children were Samuel H. and Chester A. Mr. Wells was engaged" farm 
ing and served as musician in the war of 1812, and was located at Sacketts HarboT 
He died at seventy-seven years of age. Chester A. married Laurie A ffitteau by 



216 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

whom he had four children: Laurie E., Julia E., Francis E., and Charles E. His 
second wife was Harriet M. Mcintosh, by whom he had three children: Francis E., 
Julia E., and Harriet M. He was engaged in dairy farming and live stock, and has 
been treasurer of Trenton Grange, of which he is a member. 

Putnam, Charles S. , was born in Schoharie county, November 17, 1823, son of 
Sewell and Rebecca (Shepard) Putnam, who settled in Oneida county about 1825. 
Their children were Albert, Louisa, Mandy, Sevina, Henry, Elizabeth, Charles S., 
George, Alfred, and Ann. In early life Mr. Putnam was engaged in harnessmaking 
and butchering, but the latter part in farming and dealer of live stock. Charles S. 
Putnam married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Col. David Hugh, by whom he has 
eight children: Alfred E., Charles Frederick, Ellsworth, Elmer, Cora M., Mary, 
Harvey R. and Rebecca. Mr. Putnam left home at sixteen years of age, and started 
as a cabinetmaker. He has traveled extensively in the West, where he has been in- 
terested in mining and farming. In 1872 he returned to Oneida, where he has since 
lived. He is a member of the Trenton Grange. 

Wolcott, Julius O. , was born on the farm where he now resides, January 10, 1837, 
son of Walter and Adaline (Brainerd) Wolcott. Walter Wolcott was a native of 
Trenton, and his father was one of the pioneers of the town. Mr. Wolcott was born 
June 6, 1809. He was engaged in farming and was active in church work, being a 
deacon in the Baptist church. He died May 1, 1881. Mrs. Adeline Wolcott was born 
June 7, 1814? and died April 29, 1889. Mr. Wolcott was captain in the State militia, 
and his children were Olive C , wife of Archibald Wells; Julius O., and Henry B. 
Julius O. married Sarah C, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Hopkins) Sheldon. 
He is a member of Trenton Grange. 

Pittock, Lewis, was born in Deerfield, N. Y., Ma}' 18, 1858, son of William and 
Margaret Pittock. William Pittock was a son of William Pittock, who came from 
England with his family in 1829. Their children were Mary Walker, Sarah Johnson, 
and William. William, jr., married Margaret, Smallenberger, by whom he had five 
children: William D., Charles, Catherine Schrider, Jacob, and Lewis. William, 
jr., was a farmer, also a mason. Lewis Pittcock married Libbie, a daughter of 
Jacob and Catherine Mosier, of Trenton, by whom he has two children: Winneford 
and Clara M. Mr. Pittock is a natural mechanic and carpenter. He and his wife 
are members of the Holland Patent Grange. 

Woodbridge, Edward, was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., 
September 23, 1834, son of Edwin and Sally Woodbridge, whose children were 
Charles, Harriet, Mary, John, Edward, Nancy, deceased, and Sarah. Edwin Wood- 
bridge was a son of John, who was killed by a tree in 1804, two years after he settled 
in the county. John Woodbridge jr., was born February 12, 1832, and married 
Lucy A. , daughter of Henry Baker, by whom he has one child, Lulu A. Edward 
and John both live on the homestead and follow farming. John Woodbridge and 
daughter are members of Trenton Grange. 

Perkins, William, was born on the farm where he now resides, March 3, 1823, son 
of Elam and Annie (Merriam) Perkins. Elam Perkins commenced life as a pioneer 
and general farmer, and was a natural mechanic and carpenter. He was assessor 
of Trenton fifteen years and supervisor one term. His children were William, and 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 217 

Louise, wife of George Egert. The grandparents, George and Lucy Perkins, came 
from Connecticut and settled in Trenton about 1808. Their children were Jabez, 
Daniel, James, and Ellen. William Perkins married Helen H., daughter of William 
and Dorcas Broadwell, by whom he has two children: Annie, wife of Beeman Os- 
good; and Emerette, wife of R. W. Nuthull. Mr. Perkins is very active in town 
affairs, having been assessor of the town for the past thirty-six years in succession. 
He owns a farm of 300 acres, and is also owner of Perkins House, a summer resort 
where many prominent people spend their summers. 

Owen, John C, was born in the town of Steuben, N. Y. , February 21, 1829, son of 
Owen and Mary Owen, and he settled in this county in 1820. Mrs. Mary Owen was 
a son of Richard and Susan Jones, who came from Wales and settled in the town of 
Steuben about 1801, and their children were Richard, John, Mary, and Isaac. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ovvens's children were John C. and Charles, who resides on the homestead 
in Steuben. John C. married Charlotte E. , daughter of Wilber Shaw. He is en- 
gaged in farming owning 1,000 acres, and also cheese manufacturing. He was 
supervisor of Steuben two years and justice of the peace for one term. He was also 
president of Trenton village four years. He is a member of Remsen F. & A. M. 
No. 677, also I. O. O. F., and Grange No. 635 of Trenton. Owen's brothers and 
sisters were Humphrey, Elizabeth, Robinson, John W., Thomas and Kittie Hughes. 

Nolton, Charles F., was born on the farm where he now resides, September 14, 
1847, son of Daniel and Angeline Nolton, who came from Fairfield, Herkimer county, 
N. Y. , about 1834. Daniel Nolton married Catherine Burrill, by whom he had six 
children: Henry, Mary, Catherine, George, Daniel and Jennie. He married for 
his second wife, Angeline H. Fox, by whom he had three children : Clara, Julia and 
Charles F., also one adopted child, Robert C. Mr. Nolton was a public spirited man 
and contributed liberally to education. He donated the bell on the chapel of Ham- 
ilton College, and was also a worker and liberal supporter of the church. Charles F. 
married Mary, daughter of John Pattingill, by whom he had two children: Frank P. 
and Julia. His second wife was Mary, daughter of Christian Nieman. He is a 
member and trustee of the Holland Patent church, and is also actively interested in 
educational affairs. His son Frank is now attending Hamilton College, at Clinton, 
N. Y. 

Frame, William L., was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., October 25, 1858, son 
of Solomon and Olive (Wheeler) Frame. Solomon Wheeler came from Jefferson 
county about 1838 ; he married a daughter of Schuyler Wheeler, who came from 
Herkimer county about 1800, by whom he had four children: Schuyler, William L., 
and two infants, deceased. He was a farmer and actively interested in town and 
county affairs and was a member of the M. E. church. William L. Frame married 
, Ella, daughter of James Weston, by whom he had four children: George W., Reba, 
Ethel, and Genivra. He is also a farmer and is master of Trenton Grange, No. 
635, in which he has been very active, having served as lecturer, treasurer, commer- 
cial secretary, etc. 

Edwards, John E., was born in the town of Remsen, N. Y., May 6, 1848, son of 
John and Ellen Edwards, who settled in Oneida county about 1825. He married 
Susan A., a daughter of Luther G. and Esther Millington, residents of Prospect, by 



218 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

whom he had one son, Luther M., who married Julia Sweet, of Oriskany. Mr. Ed- 
wards started for himself at the age of sixteen years as a farmer and school teacher, 
which he continued for six years, since which time he has been engaged in the man- 
facture of cheese. He is also interested in farming and insurance. 'He is a member 
of Prospect Lodge No. 221, I. O. R. M. , and was its first secretary. He has been 
justice of the peace in Trenton and town clerk of the town of Russia, Herkimer 
county, N. Y. 

Dodge, William P., was born in St. Lawrence county, February 4, 1843, son of 
Gilbert and Marietta Dodge, who settled in the town of Trenton in 1847, and their 
children were William P. and Harriet. William P. married Mary (deceased), daugh- 
ter of Evan Owens, of Remsen, by whom he had one son, Frank (deceased). He 
married for his second wife Jennie F. , daughter of Lorenzo D. Mealus, of Pros- 
pect, N. Y., by whom he has one son, Glenn P. Mr. Dodge first started in business 
with his father in general merchandise business. In 1876 he bought the Union 
Hotel, which he conducted for five years. In 1881 he was appointed State game 
protector, and was also appointed postmaster of the Assembly, and financial clerk of 
the Assembly for five years. In 1894-5 he was financial clerk of the Senate. He 
belongs to Remsen F. & A. M., Trenton I. O. O. F., and I. O. R. M. of Prospect and. 
was its first sachem, and also the Oneida Chapter of Utica, N. Y. 

Brown, Charles A., was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., January 8, 1845, son 
of Oliver and Almira (daughter of Eli Mitchell of the town of Ava) Brown. Oliver 
Brown was born January 24, 1810, in Stonington, Conn., and settled in Trenton 
about 1830, marrying seven years later. His children were Henry (deceased), 
Charles A., and Mary A. He was farmer by occupation. Charles A. married 
Helen M., a daughter of Ammi and Susan Mallory, who were residents of the town 
of Trenton. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one child, Abbie M. Mr. Brown was 
formerly director and treasurer of Trenton Union Agricultural Society and a mem- 
ber of Holland Patent Grange. 

Bagg, Asahel S. , was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., May 17, 1849, son of 
Albert C. and Mary Maria Bagg. His grandfather, Abner Bagg, was an early 
settler in the town of Trenton, Albert G. was born April 20, 1813, and was engaged' 
in farming. In 1865 he engaged in the manufacture of cheese, and was the first 
in this section to introduce steam in its manufacture, and also invented machinery 
for its manufacture. He died December 6, 1875. His children were Albert G., jr., 
Asahel S., Frank P. and John C. Asahel S. married Kate M., daughter of Leonard 
G. Savage, by whom he has three children: Grace M., J. Curtis, and Albert S. He 
is a member of the board of the Holland Patent Academy, also of Remsen Lodge 
F. & A. M. , No. 677. When twenty years of age he commenced the manufacture of 
cheese, in which he has been engaged to the present time with farming. 

Storm, Arthur C, born' August 30, 1872, in Florence, Oneida county, is a son of 
William J. Storm, who was born there in 1820. William J. is a retired merchant, 
and has served as postmaster, town clerk, etc. He married Sarah McFern, and 
their children are Andrew J., of Watertown; Lincoln A., of Utica; Lucy (Mrs. H. 
S. Owens), of Williamstown, Oswego county ; Lina (Mrs. Fred Osborne), of Camden ; 
Lizzie, of Florence; and Arthur C, of Utica. Arthur C. Storm was educated in the 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 219 

public and high schools of Florence and was graduated from the Rochester Business 
Umversrfy m 1890. He was bookkeeper and manager for John F. Clark genera 
merchant of Florence, till the spring of 1893, when he came to Utica and started hi 
Present business as a dealer in g.oceries and provisions. In 1896 he built a com! 

^ZZolTo^ToT ^ ^ ^ ^ He ^ » »«*« «* 
Mclncrow, William J., son of Thomas, and grandson of Walter and Catharine 
Mclncrow, was born in Utica, February 4, 1855. His grandparents came to Ame ca 
from Tipperary, Ireland, about 1825, and very soon afterward settled on a farmfn Dee- 
field, Oneida county, where Catherine died in 1829 and Walter in 1839. Thomas Mcln- 
crow came to Utica and died here in 1855. He married Mary Hughes who wth 

and the Uti ! F T"J ^ McInCnw ^^ the Christian Brothers sch ol 
and the Utica Free Academy, from which he was graduated in 1872. He engaged 
in vanous occupations, and at the age of twenty years entered the dry goods house 
of E T Manmng & Co. In April, 1895, he established his present business as 
a dealer in all kmds of garments for ladies, including cloaks, suits, furs etc and 
which is known as a " specialty store." is., etc., ana 

Baker Charles F., was born October 16, 1840, in Marcy, Oneida county and is a 
son of Warren and Mary A. (Sheldon) Baker. His grandfather, Elnathan Baker came 
to Marcy from Connecticut at a very early day and died about 1855. Warren Baker 

iSr ; ?;: ^f ^^ ^ 1887 - He WaS a fa ™ er - His ** wife d ed 
in 1854. They had five children: Charles F., of Utica; Silas J., of Stittville Oneida 

^S <£S£ Mn, Wfllia^G. Spence) of Stittville ; Edgar A., of Utica and 

Varies F rT ! ""?? ^^ EHzabeth Sheld ° n ' Sister of his ^ wife. 

Chailes F. Baker was educated in the district school of Marcy, and at the acre 
of nine een engaged in the grocery and produce business in Stittville first wkh 
Daniel Martm and later alone. He continued there successfully for eight' years In 

L 6J £ T: ^ " Md "^ " S3leSIMan f ° r W ' H - Scrant - f^fen years n 
18,9 he started his present floral business and since 1881 has given it his whole atten 

8fi 2 h " ^ t ? 6 l6ading fl ° riStS aDd gardenerS in the «^ *» Decembe " 
186 he married Delany, daughter of Jireh Martin, of Stittville. She died February 
J 1873, aged thirty-one, leaving three children: Frank J., Angie N„ and Mary A 
He married, second, September 24, 1874, Helen L. Lent daughter of Abram Lent 
I 1 18% *' ° f UUCa ' and th6y haVe ° ne Child ' Ra > mond L - b-n April 

Stevens, William C, son of John T. and grandson of Nathan and Agnes 
Sun mervdle) Stevens, was born in Utica January 30, 1844. His father and glnd- 
ather came here from. near Troy about 1818 and were for many years extensive con 
ractors and builder. Their lineage is traced to an early colonfal per od and dZ 
through one of he oldest families of New England. John T. Stevens married EHza 
daughter of Wlham Hackett, of English descent, and both are living in Utica at 
which place and m Wisconsin the subject was educated. William C S evens 
enhsted November 11, 1861, in Co. C, 12th Wisconsin Vol. Inf., was made commTs 
sary sergeant, and was first stationed in Kansas under Gen. James TaneHs 
regiment jomed Grant's army at Columbus, Ky., and participated in all its battie 



220 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

till after the siege of Vicksburg. In 1863 it became the Wisconsin Vet. Inf., 
and soon after Mr. Stevens was commissioned first lieutenant of Co. C. They 
joined Sherman at Rome, Ga. , and were in all the engagements of t,he March to the 
Sea, including Kenesaw Mountain, capture of Atlanta, and Jonesboro, and until 
Johnston surrendered. Mr. Stevens was mustered out at Louisville, Ky. , in July, 
1865, and discharged at Madison, Wis., in September. He engaged in the wholesale 
and retail seed business there, and in 1868 married Jennie Jaquish. In 1872 they 
moved to New Mexico, where he was connected with the surveyor-general's office for 
four years. In 1876 he returned to Utica and in 1881, with F. M. Kendrick, engaged 
in manufacturing cigars and wholesaling tobacco. In 1888 he formed with Robert 
Lockart the present firm of Stevens & Lockart, which has since conducted a large 
and successtul cigar and tobacco business. Mr. Stevens is a Republican and a 
member of Post Bacon G. A. R. , and of Imperial Council, R. A. His children are 
Jennie Isabelle (Mrs. William H. Carpenter), Mary Eliza, and John William, all of 
Utica. 

Owen, William E.,was born on a farm near Oswestry, on the border between 
Wales and England, October 25, 1844, and came to America with his father, Thomas, 
and brother in 1851. The family settled in Utica, where the father engaged in the 
lumber business and died in 1855. Mr. Owen first became a clerk in a drug store in 
New York city and was employed in the pistol factor)' in Utica during the war. He 
then spent a year in Great Britain, and in June, 1866, entered the employ of Owen & 
Griffith, flour, grain, butter, cheese dealers on the corner of Liberty and Seneca 
streets; he bought out the interest of Mr. Griffith in 1870, and the firm continued as 
W. M. Owen & Company, until January 1, 1889, when W. E. Owen became sole 
owner. In 1871 he married Margaret M. Jones, daughter of Andrew Jones, of York- 
ville, N. Y. She died in July, 1893, leaving three children: Frederick W., Augusta, 
and Frances G. 

Drummond, John, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, January 25, 1844, and came to 
the United States with his parents when a year old, first locating near Gloversville, 
Fulton county, N. Y., but in 1847 moved to New London, N. Y. He was educated 
in the district schools. He followed the canal eighteen years, but is now a farmer 
and horse breeder, Morgan Hunter and Hambletonian strains. He has a stock 
horse, Foxie Lambert, seven years old, and several colts. March 1, 1866. he married 
Emily Wilmot, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had four children: Jennie E., 
John, Chauncey, and William. Jennie E. married Porter B. Tuttle, of the town of 
Rome. John married Minnie Bates, of this town, and they have three children: 
Harry, Bertie, and Edith. Mr. Drummond's father, William Drummond, was born 
at the old home in Scotland about 1821. He married Lillie Lauther, of his native 
place, by whom he had five children: James, John L., as above, William, Thomas, 
and Catherine. They came to the United States in 1845, and Mr. Drummond died 
in 1893 and his wife in 1889. Mrs. Drummond's father, Luther Wilmot, was born in 
the town of Vienna about 1813. He married Caroline Brodock, of his native town, 
by whom he had six children: Julia, Chauncy, William, Emily, as above, Adeline, 
and Josephine. Mr. Wilmot died in 1875, and his wife December 28, 1895. Mr. 
Drummond's father and two brothers were soldiers in the late war. He also sent a 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 221 

thousand dollar substitute. The ancestry of the family on the paternal side is 
Scotch, and on the maternal side, New England stock, of English extraction. 

Newell, George S., was born in the town of New Hartford, N. Y in 1S40 son of 
Abel Newell who was born in 1800. Abe, Newell died in 1861 in le hou e buHt by 
his grandfather, Theron Newell, long before the beginning of this century and: the 
family, taking an active interest in all local affairs, had much to do with the devel 
opment of the town. George S. has been engaged in farming, and owns a daTry 
arm of 130 acres. In 1866 he married Elizabeth Roberts, who tfed in 1879 leaving 
ZeTs" ^ A - aDd Char,6S °- ^ 1885 ^ marri6d "» P~«t wife SarTf 

Wetherell, Thomas G., was born in Whitestown, N. Y, September 4 18^8 «nr, nf 
Thomas and Mary (Bailey) Wetherell. Thomas Wethe^^^t^ 
and came to the United States in 1830. He settled in Kirkland, and buUt the Zt 
for the factory, and then settled in Whitestown, where he died in 1871 aged seventy 
years. He was a noted Democrat and took an active interest in the success fflis party 
Thomas G. was educated in the Delany Institute at Westmoreland, and then en- 
gaged m farming at which he still continues. He has always been identified as one 
of the representative farmers of the town. He has a fine brick residence wh" hi 
considered the finest farm house in the township. He married Amanda A T I 
ter of Edward and Maria Noble, of Rome, by whl he has threethTdr ^ ri if 
marned to William H. Posthill of Syracuse; M. Nettie, married to James W Post' 
LonintrT;: 561 "* ^ E " °" ™*"™- "»"** Ma ^et Cunningham ot 

Davies, Morris J., M.D., was born in Plainfield, Otsego county Tanuarv 18 1865 
being a son of David and Margaret (Richards) Davies" who in 1879 moved wfth 

XSSS£ whTr'e ^tiirrSe Wh Mr Ce £? ™* » * ^^ 
schools of Plainfield and cL^e^fat wist ^S^£^^^ 

s: d fa N°Y 1886 d h r h ; gan , he study of medici — s s a ~ *-. ^w m n 

held, N. Y., and later studied under Dr. T. Z. Tones of Wate™n* w / 

uated from the College of Physicians and Surgeo »£J£Z£J5 t Tc^~ 
bia College) New York city, June 11, 1890, andL August 1 of tla^r olen^d 
the practice of his profession in Utica. Dr. Davies is a member of TZ n •! 
County Medical Society, and of the Utica Medical Library A^o«at on and h 
ter member of the Utica Medical Club, of which he was sec^X and fr 
from 1893 to 1895 and president from March, 1895, to March^T^sTn^tf 
the staff of Physidans to Faxton Hospital. He is a member and past chSor of 

Rank* P ^ ^ 378 ' * P " a member ° f Utica City DivisiL No. 4 U n form 
Rank, k.P. , and surgeon on the colonel's staff (2d Regiment) with rank of maio T 
is also a member of Imperial Council No. 70, R. A., and a member and 2"w 
cian of Court Fort Schuyler No. 1510. I. O. of F. October 27 1891 Z ■ ^~ 

Mina M., daughter of Wilham H. Parkhurst, of West WinfieM ana Jhev ta""? 
children : Margaret Louise and Stanley Parkhurst Y ^ tW ° 



222 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Dodge, Jesse E., son of the late Hiram, was born in Graefenberg, Herkimer 
county, N. Y. , January 4, 1864, and was educated in the public schools of his native 
town and of Utica and at the Utica Business College. He was for six years in the 
employ of M. M. Northrup, manufacturer of candies, of Utica, and on February 3, 
1885, entered the employ of Newell & Rovve, wholesale and retail dealers in paints, 
wall paper, window glass, etc. He remained with them and their successors, 
Newell, Rowe & Rathbun, Newell & Rathbun, and J. W. Rathbun as bookkeeper, 
until December 1, 1893, when the establishment was destroyed by fire. Mr. Rathbun 
died soon afterward, and January 1, 1894, Mr. Dodge formed a partnership with E. 
J. Snyder, under the firm name of Dodge & Snyder, purchased the business, and 
has since continued with success. 

Ellinwood, Reuben C. , was born on the farm where he now lives, July 20, 1827, 
son of Capt. Reuben Ellinwood, who was born in Massachusetts and came to the 
town of Kirkland, then a part of Paris, with his father, Hanania Ellinwood, where 
they cleared a farm on which Reuben C. now resides. Reuben Ellinwood married 
Eunice Hart, and Reuben C. is the youngest of fourteen children, and was edu- 
cated in the district schools and the Clinton Liberal Institute, after which he en- 
gaged in farming. He now owns a fine farm of 100 acres. 

Cleveland, Charles F., son of Daniel was born in Hartford, Washington county, 
N.Y., August 4, 1845. His grandfather, Horace Cleveland, of Warren county, N.Y., 
served in the Revolutionary war and died upwards of ninety years of age. Daniel 
Cleveland married Alameda Dickinson, whose grandfathers, Thomas Dickinson and 
Mr. Stockwell, served in the Revolution. She died in Utica July 4, 1893. He is a 
carpenter and came to Utica in 1855. Charles F. Cleveland was educated in the 
public schools of Utica, learned the trade of marble cutting at the age of fifteen with 
R. C. Dodge and remained with him until 1861. On May 3 of that year he enlisted 
in Co. C, 26th N. Y. Vols., Col. William H. Christian, and served till May 23, 1863, 
being honorably discharged in Ufica. He was wounded at the battle of Antietam, 
September 17, 1862, and was in the general hospital, Patterson Park, Baltimore, 
about two months when he returned to his regiment. He participated in the battles 
of Cedar Mountain, Va., August 9, 1862; Rappahannock Station, August, 1862; 
Thoroughfare Gap, second Bull Run, Cbantilly, South Mountain, Md., Antietam, 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and numerous skirmishes, and was presented with 
a handsome medal by Congress for gallantry at Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862, 
for volunteering to carry the colors through the fight and saving them. Returning 
from the war, he resumed his trade and on June 1, 1874, was appointed patrolman 
on the police force. He was promoted sergeant in May, 1882, detective September 
1, 1877, and still holds the latter position. He is a member of Oriental Lodge, F. & 
A. M., Oneida Chapter R. A. M., and Fort Schuyler Council R. A., an:": is a charter 
member of Post John F. McOuade, No. 14, G. A. R. He is also a member of the 
Exempt Firemen's Association and of the 26th Regiment Veterans' Association, and a 
charter member of the 40 Rounds Veterans' Association. In 1865 he married Cath- 
erine Teresa, daughter of Thomas and Mary Burns, of Utica, and their children are 
Joseph F., Charles F., jr., (died in 1872), James V., and Grover. 

Martin, Asa F., was born January 14, 1861, in Whitesboro, Oneida county, where 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 223 

his father, Martin Fitch Martin, still resides. The latter came there from Salem, 
Washington county, about 1850, and for several years was a proprietor of a stage 
line between Utica and Whitesboro and Westmoreland, and later had a livery stable_ 
Mr. Martin was educated in the public schools and seminary of his native village and 
in Utica, engaged in the livery business with his father, under the firm name of M. 
F. Martin & Son, from 1888 to 1892, and in the latter year came to Utica and pur- 
chased of his uncle, Pliny F. Martin, the Mansion Stables in Fayette street. P. F. 
Martin built this establishment about 1877. In October, 1881, Asa F. Martin married 
Sarah, daughter of James H. Peek, of New York Mills. 

Brownell, Jonathan, was born in Schoharie county, N. Y. , July 29, 1844. He was 
educated in the district schools, and is a farmer by occupation. August 11, 1862, he 
enlisted in Co. D, 134th N. Y. Vols. , was in Fredericksburg battles, Chancellorsville 
and Gettysburg, where he was wounded in the thigh, taken prisoner and paroled on 
the field, was then transferred to the Western army, and was with General Sherman 
in his march to the sea, also participated at the close of the war in the grand march 
through Washington. He was honorably discharged June 22. 1865. In 1867 he 
married Catherine Hawley, who died in 1868, and in 1871 he married for his second 
wife, Hannah M. Dygert, of Oneida, N. Y., by whom he had five children: John A., 
Flora E., Edith M., Susie R., George L., William T. S., and Earl J. Flora E. mar- 
ried Harvey Renwick, of Blossville, and they have one daughter, Ethel M. Mr. 
Brownell's father, Jonathan Brownell, was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1810, and 
was educated in the common schools. He married Mary A. Ostrander, by whom he 
had three children: Nancy, Robert, and Jonathan, as above. Mrs. Brownell died 
December 5, 1845, and Mr. Brownell in 1894. Mrs. Brownell's father, John Dygert, 
was born at Fort Plain, Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1815, and came to Oneida, 
Madison county, with his parents, when three years of age, where his father was killed 
by the Indians in his own doorway. He married Betsey Phillips, of Oneida, by 
whom he had five children: Thomas, Eliza, John, Hannah M., as above, and 
Alamanzo. He died in 1887, and his wife in 1856. Mrs. Dygert's grandfather was 
a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Brownell is a member of Joseph H. Warren Post, 
No. 615, G. A. R. , in which he has filled all of the offices with the exception of 
chaplain. 

Nelbach, John, was born May 2, 1826, in Cologne, Germany, and learned the trade 
of cabinetmaker in his native town. He served as a soldier for several years, both 
before and after the revolution of 1848, and was promoted corporal. In 1853 he 
came to America and settled in Utica where he followed his trade until the fall of 
1854, when he engaged in business on Genesee street, being one of a corporation of 
eighteen members called the Union Cabinet Association. He was at various times 
its secretary, treasurer, and vice-president. Six years later eight of the members 
retired, and the other eight continued under the same firm name until 1871, when the 
business was discontinued. This company manufactured and sold furniture and 
cabinet ware, and also conducted an undertaking establishment. In 1871 Mr. 
Nelbach and his brother, Peter J., as Nelbach & Co., established a similar 
business and carried it on until 1876, when the firm dissolved and divided the stock. 
John Nelbach then started his present business in Fayette street. He manufactures 
and deals extensively in furniture and also does undertaking. He is a member of 



224 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

the Germania Industrial Trial Association, and has several times been its president. 
He is also a member and was formerly president, secretary, treasurer, etc., of the 
Remmer Catholic Benevolent Society, is president of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society, 
and is ex-president of the Sovereign Association. He is a Democrat and was super- 
visor of the Sixth ward two years, and was a member of the building committee of 
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. He is also a member of St. Bonaventure's 
Society of St. Mary's church, and a prominent supporter of the foregoing and other 
institutions. June 11, 1853, he was married in Cologne, Germany, to Barbara Dein- 
man, and they have four children: Gertrude (Mrs. Inatz Schoeller), John N., Charles 
B., and Christina (deceased). The two sons are associated with their father. 

Jenny & Nelbach, manufacturers of and dealers in granite and marble monuments, 
became a firm in 1885. Francis X. Jenny, the senior member, was born in Rankweil, 
Voralberg, Tyrol, Germany, April 18, 1848, learned the trade of marble cutting in 
his native country, and came to America in February, 1869, settling in Utica. In 
1871 he started business for himself in Boonville, but the following year sold out and 
established the works in Utica which in 1885 passed into the hands of Jenny &Nelbach. 
January 81, 1872, he married Anna Schreck, of Utica. Their oldest son is Frank J. 
Jenny (the well known bicycle rider). Joseph J. Nelbach was born at Kerpen, near 
Cologne, Germany, in 1S58, and came to America in August, 1872. He married 
Josephine, daughter of Frank and Anna Schreck, of Utica, and a sister of Mrs. 
Jenny. The firm of Jenny & Nelbach is among the leading manufacturers of 
statuary, family vaults, art monuments, and sarcophgi, in Central New York, and 
has executed work all over the State. Many of their monuments are noteworthy. 
In Forest Hill cemetery, Utica, are the John Thorn, John Thomas, George F. 
Weaver, Pritchard, Rutherford, Hughes. McMullen, Colling, Binder, and other 
artistic specimens. In St. Agnes's are the Costello, Maher, Ladow, Father Daley, 
and Farrell monuments, and in St. Joseph's may be mentioned those of Weiss and 
Dehs, George Windheim, Helfert, and Spath, and the cemetery cross. Besides they 
have set up scores of monuments in Syracuse, Canastota, Higginsville, Auburn, 
Ithaca, Clayville, West Winfield, Unadilla Forks, Richfield Springs, Cooperstown, 
Waterville, Geneva, Middleville, Herkimer, Richmondville, Brookfield, Albany, 
Rochester, Oswego, New York city, and Buffalo, in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and 
even in Siam, Asia. In fact many of the cemeteries within a radius of 500 miles con- 
tain notable examples of their work. 

Donnelley, William T., son of Patrick, a native of Ireland and one of the oldest 
Irish settlers of Utica, was born in Utica, September 7, 1860, and received a public 
school education. He followed the trade of baker for seven years and the shoe- 
maker's trade for nine years, during three of which he was foreman of H. J. Hol- 
brook's shoe factory. In the spring of 1895 he formed with his brother-in-law, John 
J. Barry, the firm of W. T. Donnelley & Co., and engaged in the gents' furnishing 
business. He is a member of the A. O, H., and is somewhat active in Democratic 
politics. 

Clark, Hiram G. , son of Hiram S. (born in Crown Point, N. Y., and moved to 
Vermont when a young man), and grandson of Elam, was born in Brandon, Rutland 
county, Vt, August 6, 1843, was educated in the public schools of his native town 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 225 

and in Brandon Seminary, and taught school there for three or four terms. In 1864 
he went to Syracuse, N. Y., as bookkeeper for Jacob Pinkerton & Co., and in the fall 
of 1867 came to Utica, where he engaged in the same employment for Harrison Gil- 
more, a coal dealer. In 1871 he formed a partnership under the firm name of H. G. 
Clark & Co., which continued until 1890, Mr. Gilmore being an inactive partner. In 
that year Mr. Clark succeeded to the business and in the spring of 1891 formed a 
partnership with T. L. German, as Clark & German, consolidating with his own the 
coal business of Hiram Gilmore & Co. , in which Mr. German was interested. This 
firm still continues and carries on a large coal and wood trade. Mr. Clark was for 
several years a trustee of the First M. E. church. He is now a trustee of Grace M. 
E. church and a trustee of the Y. M. C. A. since the erection of the new building in 
1888, and for the past four years has served as secretary of the board. 

Dimbleby, Wesley, was born September 1, 1838, in Oriskany, Oneida county, is a 
son of John, who came to America from England and settled on a farm in the town 
of Marcy at a very early day. Later John Dimbleby moved to Oriskany village, and 
in 1865 came to Utica, where he died in 1880. He was a local M. E. preacher and a 
man highly respected. Wesley Dimbleby was educated at Oriskany, and when six- 
teen came to Utica and entered the employ of A. E. Culver's warehouse and canal 
boat establishment. Later he learned the molder's trade in Hart & Dagwell's (now 
Hart & Crouse's) foundry, where he remained until April, 23, 1861, when he enlisted 
in the Citizen's Corps. At Albany he was transferred to Co. B, 14th N. Y. Vols., 
was promoted corpora], and served two years in the Rebellion. He was wounded 
at the battle of Malvern Hill and discharged on account of wounds at Harrison's 
Landing on July 25, 1863. Returning to Utica he went to work for Hart & Dagwell 
and remained there till the shop was closed. In 1858 he joined the old volunteer fire 
department as a member of Washington No. 7, Rough and Ready Hose, of which he 
was assistant foreman and later foreman. In 1866 he was elected chief engineer and 
re-elected until 1874, when the present fire department was organized. He was at 
once appointed chief engineer of the new organization by the board of police and 
fire commissioners and has ever since held that position to the entire satisfaction of 
both his associates and the public at large. Mr. Dimbleby is a charter member of 
Security Lodge Knights of Honor and of Post McQuade, No. 4 G. A. R. He is also 
a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association and National Fire Chief Engineers, 
and representative of the Firemen's Benevolent Association. 

Childs, William Tapping, was born in Utica July 1, 1862. Lucius Curtiss Childs, 
his father, was the second child of Parker Morse and Sabina (Robinson) Child, and 
was born in Exeter, Otsego county, November 24, 1831. His ancestor, Benjamin 
Child, came to America from England about 1630 and died in Roxbury, Mass., in 
1678. A valuable family genealogy, prepared by the late Reverend Elias Child, of 
Utica, gives the unbroken lineage of his descendants, many of whom were promi- 
nent in civil, commercial and military life. Lucius C. Childs learned the trade of 
printer and first established himself in business in Boonville, Oneida county, where 
he was the editor and publisher of the Boonville Herald, a paper devoted to the in- 
terests of the old Whig party. Several years later he sold out and came to Utica, 
where he started a general book and job printing establishment, which has ever 
since been successfully continued by the family. After four years he formed a part- 



226 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

nership with his brother-in-law Henry H. Curtiss, and in 1884 the present firm of L. 
C. Childs & Son was organized. Mr. Childs was a successful business man and a 
public spirited citizen, and died in Utica July 31, 1895. January 13, 1853, he married 
Anna Jane, daughter of Isaac and Jane Tapping, of Utica, who survives him. Their 
children were Charles Parker, born October 10, 1854, died July 30, 1862; Alice Jane, 
born August 20, 1857; William Tapping, born July 1, 1862; and Carrie Louise, born 
December 17, 1867. William T. Childs became a member of the firm of L. C. Childs 
& Son in 1884 and upon his father's death succeeded to the management of the busi- 
ness which consists of general printing, lithographing, and blank book manufactur- 
ing. In July, 1882, he married S. Alice, daughter of John G. Fowler, of Utica, and 
their children are Lulu C, Mabel L. and Johnson F. 

Storrs, William Mansfield, was born in Utica and is a son of Shubael Storrs and 
grandson of Ebenezer, who served as a private in Captain Experience Storrs's Com- 
pany, Third Connecticut Continental regiment, in the Revolutionary war. Shubael 
■Storrs came to Utica from Mansfield Conn., in 1803. He died July 29, 1847. Will- 
iam M. Storrs was educated in the Utica Academy, and in 1860 engaged in the fancy 
goods business, in which he continued eighteen years, at 71 Genesee street. In 1880 
he took charge of the office of the American Express Company, a position he has 
since filled with credit and ability. He has long been a director in the Utica and 
Binghamton Railroad Company, and has been prominent in many other business 
enterprises for the last twenty-five years. He was an active member of the Utica 
Citizens' Corps from 1853 to the time of its entering the N. Y. State Guard, holdirg 
every office in its gift. He is a warden of Trinity Episcopal church, and in all mat- 
ters of a public nature takes a lively interest. In 1861 he married Harriet L., daugh- 
ter of John Butterfield, a prominent citizen of Utica, and they have living four 
children: Henry C, Mrs. E. W. Haslehurst, E. Virginia and Sophia B. 

Goodsell, Lawton B., was born in Westmoreland December 24, 1S26, son of Sam- 
uel P. and Mercy (Barker) Goodsell. Samuel P. Goodsell was born in Washington 
county in 1792, and moved to Westmoreland about 1802. His father, Jacob Good- 
sell, was among the earliest settlers in the township. Samuel P. Goodsell engaged 
in the manufacturing business, was a farmer, and was also a soldier in the war of 
1812, where he was stationed, part of the time, at Sackett's Harbor. His entire life 
was passed in the township of Westmoreland, where he died May 8, 1873, at the age 
of eighty-two. Mrs. Goodsell, his wife, was born in 1879, in Washington county, 
and removed here with her parents in 1805, where she lived to be ninety years old. 
Lawton B. Goodsell was educated in Westmoreland, and engaged in farming, which 
he still continues. He has a fine farm of 140 acres all under a good state of cultiva- 
tion, occupying one of the most eligible locations in the township. Mr. Goodsell is 
a staunch Republican, and one of the most active supporters of his party. He has 
been assessor of the town thirteen years. He married Cordelia Stevens of Lewis 
county, by whom he had three children: Cornelia M., wife of George Thomas, who 
died August 8, 1886, aged thirty-one years, Ida M., married to Menzo Corey of 
Deansboro, N. Y. , and Sarah M., married to M. A. Shafer of Utica. Mr. Goodsell 
and family are members of the Baptist church. 

Euin, Joseph F., was born in Utica, N. Y. , son of the late Joseph Euin, who was 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 227 

shoe busing Utf Can w t0 thC Unit6d StateS ' Wh6re he en ^ ed j " the boot and 

chMren Ma " A P T^ AM ° aley ' ° f Ire,and ' b ? who » he h *d five 

children Mary A., Francis A., Ehza J., Joseph F. and William T. J F Euin was 

waTtt TmoT dT* 1 U w ' and ^ S gradUat6d fr0m th£ Acad 4 « He 
was first employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company; then as clerk in 

appointed station and express agent at Clinton, where he has remained up to this 
time, notwithstanding all the changes of said road. 

NoVTmber o"?^^ ^ ^f^™* ^ New Hartford), Oneida county, 
house about 1798 T„t P ^ „ J ^^ Wh ° Se Wrlh ° CCUrred in the s ^ 
TedediS * !„ f J £ ^ Ch ' Sn ' S randfather °f James G. . came here with Judge 
Jedediah Sanger from New Hampshire, and settled in New Hartford, two and one" 
half rn.es south of Utrca. John, jr., was for many years a prominent citten and 
figures largely m the history of the town and vicinity 5 . He died in 1886 H is wffe 
was Almira, daughter of Robert Gilmore, another early pioneer of New hII 
and of their thirteen children eight are living, viz- Mrs AT Lord Thomas W n' 
iam M. Henry C, and Daniel, of New Hartford; James ^/of Utta F ra 'is M 
o Morehousevlle, New York; and Mrs. Abbie Pendergast, of Norw ch NY Ar" 
other, John, died in 1894. James G. French came to Utica in July 1839 and £as 

admitted IX I U "? S ^ ** ™* W ** ^ ™™£ ™* wa 
admitted to the bar here m 1847, and practiced his prof ession successfully until abou 

i co:X%t" g oT c m h he in rr ce business - In i866 he ac -p ted a po-tSS 

the county clerk s office, where he has since remained. 

Wood Francis C son of George W., was born in Utica March 8, 1837. George 

fTunS bulTss and C d- d° m J 6 ™ 00 ' *°« "* ™ S ^ ™ the «w^ 
toundry business,, and died while on a trip to New York city in 1854 He was a 

director in the Bank of Utica and a trustee and one of the building commHtle of 
Westminster church. Francis G. Wood was one of the first graduating da s o 
what is now the Utica Free Academy. He was graduated from Princeton Unilersity 
in 1808, pursued his legal studies at Columbia Law School in New York cUy under 
Professor Dwight, and was admitted to practice in 1860 H P wl 
Mprt ir. t-v,o «ffi„^ c t> ^ , pi«tcuce m i«t>U. He became manasrmg- 

clerk m the office of Roscoe Conklmg and Montgomery H. Throop, and in April 

of the ZTmlT:l aTy t0 f """I MerViDe ' Wb ° ™ a PP° lnted S the command 

,1 , , ™ ,? g S£ l uadron - In ^e following autumn Admiral Mervine was 

recalled and Mr. Wood returned to Utica, formed a law partnership with Thomas R 

F A W *fp CUCed hlS P rofessio » with success for several years. In 18W with 

in lt 3 He hldT the Uti ° a St6am ° aUge Com ^- ^ **** ^ w thdT w 
m 882. He had become interested in the organization of the American District 

£ £2 and "tT ""h a n r WaS ° De ° f the ° rganizerS ° f the Central New York 
Telephone and Telegraph Company, of which he became a director and the secre 
tary and treasurer, which position he still holds. He is president of the ^ board 
of trustees of Bethany Presbyterian church and since 1861 (a period of forty years 
superintendent of its Sunday school, a trustee and treasurer of the Home fo, The 
Homeless, a trustee of the Utica Female Academy and of the Utica Cemetery Asso 
ciation, and a director :n the First National Bank, the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mil" 
and the Skenandoa Cotton Company. In September, 1864, he married Mary 



228 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

H., daughter of E. M. Gilbert, of Utica, and their children living are Sarah G. , 
George W., and Anna G. 

Douglass, William, was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, October 8, 1831, son of 
Charles and Catherine Douglass. Charles Douglass died in 1861, and Mrs. Douglass 
died in 1884. William Douglass was educated partly in Scotland and partly in 
Canada. He came to New York Mills in 1855, and engaged in dyeing, at which he 
continues. Mr. Douglass is boss dyer in No. 3 mill, which position he has held 
a number of years, being one of the oldest employees of the company. He married 
Mary Agnew, daughter of Alexander Agnew, of Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, 
and by whom he has three children : Jennie, Isabel, and W. A. Douglass, who is a 
lawyer in Utica, N. Y. 

Hitchcock, Albert, was born at Lebanon Springs, Columbia county, March 9, 1848, 
son of Julius V. and Delia Hitchcock. Julius Hitchcock was born in 1807, and was 
engaged in farming and sheep raising, and he moved to Whitestown in 1850 and con- 
ducted a farm of 125 acres. He was commissioner of highways several terms, and 
always took an active interest in the success of his party, in which he was a 
staunch Democrat. Albert Hitchcock was educated in the Whitestown Seminary, 
from which he was graduated. He was for sixteen years proprietor of the Whites- 
town and Utica Express. He was for two years conductor on the New York Central 
Railroad, and is now one of the firm of the Central Coal Company of Whitesboro. 
Mr. Hitchcock owns the old Wetmore homestead, and this celebrated residence is 110 
years old. There is on this property a spring, out of which the Marquis de La Fay- 
ette drank when he was serving in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Hitchcock married 
Elizabeth Wetmore of Whitestown, by whom he has one son, Clarence W., a drug- 
gist in Newark, N. J. Mr. Hitchcock is a Democrat, and he and his wife are mem- . 
bers of the Baptist church at Whitesboro. 

Scott, W. J., was born July 28, 1823, son of Marvin and Julia M. (Ives) Scott, and 
his grandfather was Amos Scott. His grandfather on his mother's side came to 
Bridgewater in 1793, and with his cousin, Jesse Ives, were the first settlers in the 
town. W. J. Scott has been engaged in farming all his life, and is to-day one of the 
most extensive owners of farm land in Central New York; his farm aggregating 
1,250 acres, 625 of which are on one block surrounding the homestead. The old 
Masonic lodge erected 100 years ago now stands on his land. Mr. Scott is full of 
anecdotes and good stories of the old times, when the now fertile fields were a wilder- 
ness. He is a strong Republican, and very patriotic to his party. In 1865 he estab- 
lished Scott's Bank in Bridgewater, and conducted it successfully for fourteen years, 
when his health compelled him to relinquish it. In 1847 he married Emeline Munn, 
by whom he has three children : Anna, now Mrs. S. T. Meservey, of Fort Dodge, la. , 
Lizzie, now Mrs. Charles G. Wood, of Utica, N. Y. ; and Dayton M. Scott, who is a 
farmer in Bridgewater, 

Beebee, Edward B., was born in Bridgewater, N. Y., March 11, 1845, and with his 
parents removed to Oneida in 1860. His father, Galutia Beebee, was born in Brook- 
field, Madison county, February 18, 1828, and is a sash and blind maker by trade 
and has continued to reside in Oneida since his removal there in 1860. His wife, 
Louisa H. Brown, born in Brookfield, July 14, 1826. Edward B. attended the 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 229 

Oneida public schools and afterwards the Oneida Seminary. At the age of seven- 
teen he entered the office of the "Democratic Union" and learned the printer's 
trade, and has spent the greater part of his time since in connection with that estab- 
lishment, at present acting as foreman. In 1883 he bought a market gardening farm 
at Oneida Castle, where he has since resided, carrying on that industry in connec- 
tion with his business in Oneida. Mr. Beebee is an ardent Democrat, and on that 
ticket has been elected three times president of the village, which office he now holds, 
and is also a member of the Board of Education. January 27, 1875, he married 
Mary A. Tefft, an accomplished young lady, who was the daughter of Almon and 
Ann H. Tefft, formerly of Stockbridge, Madison county, N. Y. Mrs. Beebe has ever 
been a helpful adviser and an exemplary wife and mother; her ever kind and cautious 
advice has had much to do with her husband's success, and her children are living 
testimonials of her careful and christianlike training She was born January 24, 
1858, near Waterville, N. Y., and they have had six children, five of whom are liv- 
ing: Harry E., born May 5, 1878; Francis C, born May 30, 1880; Susie B., born 
December 7, 1882; A.' Louisa, born June 28, 1888; S. Maxon, born November 12, 
1889; C. Ray, born September 9, 1894. The family circle has once been broken by 
the death of the second daughter who was an unusually bright child, whose death 
occurred at the age of five months. Harry E., the oldest son, is an ardent student 
and is preparing himself for a teacher. Mr. Beebee has been prominently connected 
with the affairs and improvements of the village and energetic in the work of im- 
provement of the public schools under his supervision. He has one sister, Carrie 
A., who was born April 10, 1868, and is living at home with her parents in Oneida; 
she is unmarried and is an expert dressmaker, which occupation she is at present 
engaged in. 

Lane, A. V., was born in Vienna, N. Y., September 23, 1862, son of "William and 
Salome (Dunton) Lane. His father was a lumber merchant, and Mr. Lane was early 
associated with that business. At the age of seventeen he was a can maker at Cam- 
den, and after working at several different places, including Chicago and St. Louis 
in the west, and Rome in this county, he came to Sauquoit in 1892, and superin- 
tended the building of the canning factory and warehouse at Sauquoit, and has been 
superintendent of the business since. In 1887 he married Emma Mohat, by whom 
he has two children; Fordyce G. and Catherine. The canning factory turns out 
30,000 cases a year, each case containing two dozen packages, and 200 people are 
employed in the busy season. 

Maine, August, was born June 20, 1848, in Hannover, Germany, and came to 
America in 1864 settling first in Baltimore, Md., where he remained three years, be- 
ing for a time assistant in the Annapolis Army Hospital during the latter part of the 
Civil war where he obtained his first experience in medicine and surgery. In 1867 
after letters patent had been granted to H. and F. Marx, his uncles, for the manu- 
facturing of wood pulp, he associated himself with them, and became their representa- 
tive in various parts of the country, finally settling in Utica in 1871. Here he en- 
gaged in the book business which he successfully continued for about five years. 
He then read medicine under the late Dr. Joseph D. Kellner, and continued five 
years longer with the late firm of Dr. W. Sawens & Co. , druggists, and after exami- 



230 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

nation started a drug store in Ilion, N. Y. , but four years later returned to Utica and 
started a drug store on Columbia Square, West Utica. which he has since continued. 
He is a member of Utica Lodge No. 47, F. & A. M., the American .and New York 
State Pharmaceutical Association, the Utica Maennerchor, the' German Sick Aid 
Society, the German Order of Harugarri, the Utica German Rifles and other organ- 
izations. In 1875 he married Anna, daughter of the late Joseph D. Kellner of 
Utica. 

Foster, Mrs. Theodosia M. — She married James H. Foster, son of Charles, and 
they had two sons: Edward Snow, who was educated in the Home School and 
Hamilton College, and is at present residing upon and managing the home farm ; 
and James Henry, who was graduated from Hamilton College, class of '95, being 
first prize debater and first classical scholar, and is now Latin professor in Wabash, 
Ind. Mr. Foster died a few years after their marriage. Mrs. Foster is the author 
of several published volumes, and is known to the public as " Faye Huntington." 
Daniel D. Toll, Mrs. Foster's father, was born in 1812, and was educated in Whites- 
town Seminary when it was known as Oneida Institute. He married Ruth H., 
daughter of Samuel Hills, who settled in the eastern part of the town early in the 
century. They had four children : Theodosia M. , Eunice H. , Alida S. , and Adeline F. 
Eunice H. has had remarkable success as a teacher and for several years has been 
associated with her sister, Mrs. Foster, in the well and favorably known institution, 
The Home School. For a few years the school was located at New Hartford, but 
since 1883 in the home of the Toll family. The third daughter married Frank 
Everett, of Sharon, Conn , and their children were Edward, Ruth, Daisy (deceased), 
Harriet, Richard F. and Frank W. The oldest son resides in Sharon, Conn. Mr. 
Everettt is dead and Mrs. Everett resides with her sisters and their father, who is 
eighty-four years old. His wife died in 1890. The fourth daughter, Adeline F.; 
married Henry Velie Clark, of Rochester, N. Y. She died in 1892. The family have 
resided on the homestead since 1815, Simon De Witt Toll being the first to settle here. 
He was the son of Daniel and Susan (Switz) Toll, and was born in Albany in 1780. 
He married Susan Conde, a native of Schenectady county, the granddaughter of 
Adam Conde, a French Huguenot who fled to Holland on account of religious per- 
secution and emigrated to America in the sixteenth century, settling at Schenectady. 
He was of the family of the "Princes of Conde" and was himself known as the 
" Chevalier." The Tolls descended from Karl Hansen Toll, who was of Norwegian 
descent, but came to America from Holland in the latter part of the sixteenth century 
and settled at Schenectady, the family being for several generations among the 
most noted for wealth and influence in that region. Of the eleven children of Daniel 
Toll and Susan Conde only two are living, Daniel D. and Parthenia Ogden, wife of 
A. C. McDannald, of Central College, Ohio. The first of the Fosters was one Chris- 
topher, on the shipping list as a farmer when he embarked at London, June 17, 1635, 
in the ship Abigail. The Snows (maternal ancestors of James H. Foster) came in 
1622, and the Hopkins whom this Snow ancestor married came in the Mayflower. 

Beck, Christopher, was born in Baden, Germany, December 18, 1841. He came 
with his parents to the United States when ten years of age, and located in Coonrod 
Settlement, near Rome, N. Y., and came to Verona three years later. He was 
educated in the common schools, and has always been a farmer. March 31, 1880, he 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 231 

married Allie J. Poppleton, of this town, by whom he had two children : Ernina C. 
and A. Leora. Peter Beck, father of Christopher, was born at the old home in 
Germany in 1804, was educated there and aftewards engaged in farming. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth White, also of Germany, by whom he had nine children: Jacob J., 
Elizabeth, Caroline, Mary, Christopher, Catherine, Addie, and two who died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Beck died in 1877, and his wife in 1885. Mrs. Beck's father, Zenas 
Poppleton, was born in this county in 1837. He was educated in the public schools, 
and is a farmer by occupation. He married Josephine A. Hess, of this town, by 
whom he had two children: Allie J., and Archie H. For his second wife Mr. Pop- 
pleton married Pauline Gates, formerly of Germany, by whdm he had seven 
children. 

Stone, Richard, was born in the town of Nelson, Madison county, N. Y., Septem- 
ber 10, 1815. He was educated in the district schools and has since followed a 
variety of occupations. He followed the canal for thirty years, but is now a farmer. 
In 1840 he married Olive A. Hardin, of Verona, who was born in Granville, N. Y. 
They had four children: Alvin R., who married Emma Boyd, of "Western, and has 
six children; Everitt L. , who married Sarah West and has three children ; Frances 
L., who married S. E. Burdick, of this town, and has two children; and Agnes A., 
who died at the age of six years. Mrs. Stone died in 1879. His father, Oliver Stone, 
was born in Braintree, Vt., in 1761 and came to this State at an early day. He mar- 
ried twice, his second wife being Lydia Mentor, born in Brattleborough, Vt., by 
whom he had nine children. He died February 2, 1831, and his wife in 1870. He 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Richard Stone has $7.50 in Continental 
currency in his possession. The family is of English, Irish, and Scotch descent. 

Gilchrist, Florence. — The late Charles W. Gilchrist was born in Otsego county, N. 
Y., July 7, 1825. He was educated in the public schools, and afterwards engaged 
in farming. He came to this county when a young man, and June 25, 1874, married 
Florence Brown, formerly of Herkimer county, by whom he had two children: F. 
Agnes and Alice B. Mr. Gilchrist died February 19, 1895. The ancestry of Mrs. 
Gilchrist's family is Scotch, dating back to 1774. 

Sherrill, L. T., was born in the town of New Hartford in 1840, son of Joseph Allen 
Sherrill, who is now living in his eighty-fifth year, in the town where he was born, 
and who is a man of much ability and a great reader. L. T. Sherrill is a representa- 
tive of a family closely identified with the early history of the town of New Hart- 
ford, and his paternal ancestors figured in the growth of the nation, being active 
participants at the Boston tea party, and in the war of the Revolution. His grand- 
father, Lewis Sherrill, came here from East Hampton, L. I., before 1800. Mr. Sher- 
rill received his education in New Hartford, and in Utica, and was for several years 
a salesman in an importer's house at New York; but in 1863 went to the front with 
the 23d Brooklyn Regiment, and was in service three months, going out as a private 
soldier, and returning as lieutenant. Since the war he has been a staff officer in 
Utica. In 1868 he married Adelaide E., daughter of Goodwin P. Soper, a lumber 
merchant at Oneida, N. Y., by whom he had four children: Cecelia Adelaide, class 
of '93 Smith College, now in the library at Utica; Arthur Lewis, a student in the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York ; Grace Munger, an art student of 



232 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Smith College, also in the library at Utica ; and Goodwin Allen, pursuing studies in 
Boston, Mass. Mr. Sherrill is a member or the Presbyterian church, of which his 
father has been elder for fifty-four years. 

Porter, J. M. was born in the town of New Hartford in 1837, son of Rufus. Porter, 
who was born in Connecticut. He is a direct descendant of Captain John Porter, 
and a representative of a family identified with the settlement of the town, his grand- 
father, Martin Porter, being one of the first settlers here. Mr. Porter was educated 
at Whitestown Seminary, and first engaged in farming. In early life he began 
making cider on his farm, and in 1886 moved into town and built the cider mill here, 
relinquishing all care of the farm to his son, Eugene C. Porter. He has also two 
daughters, Nettie R. and Grace A. ; and One son, Wallace, died at the age of two 
years. Mr. Porter is a Democrat and has served his party as supervisor and assessor. 

Griffith, William H., was born in the southern part of Wales, in 1832, and came to 
New Hartford when ten years of age, where he was educated in the common schools. 
He has been engaged in farming from boyhood, and owns seventy acres, where his 
father, John Griffith, settled. John Griffith was born in Wales in '1800, coming to 
this country in 1842. He first worked the quarry located on the farm, and once did 
a large business in building stone. His industry and integrity placed him in the 
front rank of the men of the county, and he died at eighty-two years of age. In 
1864 William H. married Amelia Dennig, of Washington Mills, by whom he has four 
children: Wallace, who is residing at home; George, an expert mechanic, and a 
valued employee of the Ilion typewriter works ; Carrie, wife of Delos Terry, who is 
station agent on the D. , L. & W. R. R. at Washington Mills ; and Hettie, who is 
living at home. Mr. Griffith is an ardent Republican, serving acceptably in the 
offices of collector and highway commissioner. 

Barnes, Samuel C. , was born in Russia, Herkimer county, April 31, 1844, son of 
Samuel and Lydia Barnes. Samuel Barnes was a native of Oneida county, and was 
engaged in the coopering business. He died in 1871, aged eighty years. Samuel C. 
was educated in New York Mills, after which he engaged in the mill. In the late 
civil war he volunteered and went to the front with Co. A, 97th Infantry, and was in 
the battles of Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap, Rappahanock River, and Second 
Bull Run, and although in some of the hottest battles of the war, escaped without a 
wound and was discharged by reason of disability. Mr. Barnes is second hand mule 
spinner in Mill No. 1. He married Jennie A. Herron, daughter of James Herron of 
New York Mills, by whom he has one daughter, Jennie S., married to Frederick 
Shaw of New York Mills. Mr. Barnes is a member of the F. & A. M. , Oriental 
Lodge No. 334, and also of the A. O. U. W. 

Mallory, A. P., was born in the town of New Hartford, N. Y., in 1826, as was also 
his father, Samuel Mallory, who was born in 1800. The latter died in 1872, after a 
long and useful life in which he was engaged in farming. The grandfather came 
from Connecticut in the latter part of the last century. Mr. A. P. Mallory has been in- 
strumental in opening and developing an extensive quarry of building stone, for 
which he finds ready market in and about Utica. He is a Republican and has served 
his party as commissioner of highways. In 1859 he married Margaret Griffith of 
Welsh parentage, by whom he has four children: James D. ; Mary, wife of F. B. Sev- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 233 

erance, a Methodist Episcopal minister; Howard A.; and Susan, wife of James 
Davis, of Washington Mills. 

Ashtnore, George, was born in England May 23, 1821, came to America in 1841, 
and has since resided in Utica, following the trade of carpenter and builder. He has 
worked on a large number of the finer buildings and is one of the oldest carpenters 
in the city. May 23, 1854, he married Hester Kimball, of Utica, and they have five 
children: Thomas George, John E, (a photo-engraver in Syrachse), Wallace E. (a 
painter in Syracuse), Mary L. and Nellie E. 

Martin, Chester H., was. born in Vienna, Oneida county, in 1859. His father, 
Stephen J. Martin, was a carpenter and builder, following that occupation through 
life. He was also born in the town of Vienna, his parents having settled there in the 
early history of the county. The Martin ancestors came from England at the begin- 
ning of this century. He -married Phcebette Gager, a native of Oneonta, N. Y., who 
died in 1865, and Mr. Martin is still living in Oneida county. After attending school 
in Vienna Chester H. Martin made a three years' tour through the western part of 
the country, visiting nearly all of the States. Upon his return he went to Nashville, 
Tenn., where he engaged in carpentry and building for ten years. In 1890 he re- 
turned to Oneida county, settling in Oneida Castle, and built a handsome block, the 
first floor of which he occupies with a general store. He is a Republican in politics, 
and a member of the Odd Fellows. He married Anna Gager., a native of Vienna, 
■who was born in 1862, and by whom he has four children: Lucile M., Etta O., Earn- 
est A. and Stephen J. 

Van Swall, Pernett, was born near Vernon Center, N. Y., in 1854, being the second 
in a family of five children. His father, George W. Van Swall, is a leading farmer 
of the town of Vernon. He was born in the town of Westmoreland, and lived sev- 
eral years in the town of Marshall, previous to locating in Vernon, and his father, 
John Van Swall, came from Albany, and was one of the early settlers in Oneida 
county, and the parents of the elder Van Swall were natives of ..Germany. George 
W. Van Swall married Delia M. Chesbro, a native of the town of Marshall, who is 
still living at Vernon Center. Pernett received his education at Vernon Center, after 
which he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when 
he engaged in the meat business at Vernon Center for considerable time; and finally 
running the grist and saw mill at that place, they having come into his possession. 
He discontinued the meat business, and for the next six years, conducted the two 
mills mentioned. In 1894 he sold the mill property and rented the hotel at Lowell, 
N. Y., taking possession January 1, 1895. He is an active Republican, and has held 
several town offices. He has one son, Hawiey H., who was born in 1880. 

Wight, Lyman L., M. D., was born in Wales, Mass., July 21, 1822, son of Phiny 
and Anna Fletcher Wight. Lyman L. came to Whitesboro in 1844 and studied 
medicine with Drs. Thomas and Gardner. From 1847 to 1849 he practiced in New 
York; then his health failed and he returned to Whitesboro in 1850. In 1863 Dr. 
Wight in connection with George Williams started a cheese factory in Whitesboro, 
and later the bought out Mr. Williams's interest and conducted this factory alone. 
He was interested in five factories located in New Hartfoi-d, Walesville, Colman's 
Mills, Kirkland, and Whitesboro. Dr. Wight was instrumental in forming the 



234 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Board of Trade in Utica, and of which body he was president for about fifteen years. 
He was one of the originators of the Farmers' Club in Oneida county. Dr. Wight 
was the largest cheese manufacturer in Oneida county, and he was also the pioneer 
manufacturer in turning out a large cheese, making one that weighed 5,233 pounds, 
which was unheard of at that time. He was a prominent man in politics, and was on 
the Board of Supervisors two terms, and was chairman of the County Committee. 
He is also owner of the pipe and water works system of Whitesboro ; this water comes 
from the springs on the doctor's farm, and is piped by him throughout the village, 
supplying the houses. Dr. Wight married Mary M., daughter of Julius Watkins, a 
prominent farmer of Oneida county, and also president of the bank in his place. 
They have one son, J. W. Wight, of Whitesboro, N. Y. 

Sneil, Ira L., was born October 5, 1841. In 1869 he came from Stockbridge, 
first settling on a farm about four miles south of Oneida Castle, and two years later 
he bought the farm at Kenwood, where he has since resided. His father, Frederick 
Snell, was born in the town of Manheim, Herkimer county, in 1804, and moved to 
Stockbridge in 1822, where he lived until his death, which occurred August 29, 1873. 
He became one of the leading as well as the most successful farmers in the county, 
and his grandfather, with six brothers, was in the famous battle of Oriskany, and it 
is said that five of them were killed during the engagement. He married Nancy 
Stam, also of Herkimer county, who was born in 1811, and diedin 1881. Ira L. Snell 
has for a number of years been an active and earnest worker in the Democratic 
ranks, and has several times represented his assembly district in the State Conven- 
tion. He was one of the organizers and is now a director in the Farmers' and Mer- 
chants' Bank of Oneida, N. Y He is also one of the trustees of the Oneida Savings 
Bank. In 1870 he married Ellen J. Eaton, who was born in Stockbridge in 1845, by 
whom he has two daughters: S. Edith, and Harriet E. 

Merwin, Hon. Milton H., son of Alanson and Amanda (Kimball) Merwin, was born 
in the town of Leyden, Lewis county, N. Y., June 16, 1832, and is descended from 
Miles Merwin, who came from the North of England and settled near Milford, Conn., 
about 1640. James Merwin, father of Alanson, moved to Leyden from Haddam, 
Conn., in 1800, and served as a soldier at Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812. Judge 
Merwin was educated in the public schools of his native town and in Oneida Confer- 
ence Seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y. , and in 1848 entered Hamilton College, from 
which he was graduated in 1852. He read law in Watertown, N. Y., with Joseph 
Mullin, afterward judge of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to the bar at the 
Watertown general term in July, 1853. He practiced in the office of his preceptor 
as clerk or partner until the election of Mr. Mullin to the Supreme Court bench in 
the fall of 1857. Judge Merwin then continued in the practice until October, 1874, 
when he was appointed by Governor John A. Dix, justice of the Supreme Court in 
place of Judge Charles H. Doolittle, of Utica, deceased. Meantime Judge Merwin 
had served a term of four years as surrogate of Jefferson county, and also as a mem- 
ber of the State Constitutional Convention of 1867-68. At the following election in 
November, 1874, he was elected to the Supreme Court bench for a full term of four- 
teen years, and in the fall of that year took up his residence in Utica. On the expi- 
ration of his term he was re-elected in November, 1888, for another period of four- 
teen years. As a jurist Judge Merwin has officiated with ability, credit and dignity. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 235 

He is well versed in the science of the' law and is universally regarded as an upright, 
conscientious, and honored member of the bench. He was a member of the General 
Term of the Supreme Court from January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1896, when he 
became a member of the Appellate Division of that tribunal. Judge Merwin was 
married in November, 1858, to Miss Helen E., daughter of Ira Knapp, of Middle 
Granville, Washington county, N. Y. They have five children. 

Crouse, John M., senior member of the firm John M. Crouse & Son, wholesale 
grocers, of Utica, is a son of Daniel Crouse, who joined his brother, John Crouse, 
in the business as a general store in Canastota, N. Y., in 1827. In 1860 Daniel 
Crouse moved the concern to Utica and established a wholesale trade, taking the 
name of Daniel Crouse, Son & Co. In 1871 this was changed to Daniel Crouse & 
Sons, and in 1881 to J. M. & C. B. Crouse, both sons of Daniel. In 1894 the present 
firm of John M. Crouse & Son succeeded to the business, C. B. Crouse retiring and 
Beecher M. Crouse son of John M. being admitted. Daniel Crouse was born in 1805 
in Minden, N. Y., settled in Utica in 1863, and died here in September, 1877. In 
1833 he married Catherine Jane Beecher, who survives, and of their five children 
three are living: Daniel N., Charles B., and John M., all of Utica. The firm whose 
business he founded nearly seventy years age does an extensive wholesale grocery 
trade, and is one of the oldest and most prosperous concerns of the kind in Central 
New York. Their present store on the corner of Broad and John streets was built 
by Daniel Crouse and Daniel N. Crouse in 1871. In 1874 the firm established a large 
packing and provision business on Catherine street, and still continues it in con- 
nection with the store. John M. Crouse is a director of the Oneida National Bank, 
the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills, the Roberts-Wicks 
Company, and the Mohawk Valley Scotch Cap Factory. 

Cook, Mathias, M. D., was born in Cologne, Germany, April 26, 1840, andreceived 
instruction in the gymnasia there until he attained the age of fourteen, when he came 
to America with his parents, who settled in Columbus, Ohio There he taught school 
and music, and by this means earned enough to pay for a thorough medical educa- 
tion at Starling Medical College in Columbus. In 1863 he entered the army as as- 
sistant surgeon of United States volunteers, afterwards serving as a surgeon of the 
Second Ohio Cavalry until the close of the war. In 1866 he came to Utica, where 
he has since lived practicing his profession. In 1870-71 he served in the Franco- 
Prussian war as a volunteer surgeon. The doctor is an enthusiastic member of the 
G. A. R., and surgeon of Bacon Post, No. 53, and has also been its commander. 
At the Syracuse encampment he was chosen delegate to the National Encampment 
in September, 1888. After Mr. Cleveland was elected the first time for the presi- 
dency ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour urged him to become a candidate for a foreign con- 
sulship, but various posts of the G. A. R. recommended him as an examining surgeon 
for pensions, which latter appointment he received and held during Mr. Cleveland's 
first term. In 1889 he was elected by a large majority as one of the coroners of 
Oneida county, mostly due to his popularity and the help of his comrades, who again 
in 1893 recommended him to his former position on the Board of Examining Surgeons 
for Pensions, of which board he is now the president. Dr. Cook is, with few ex- 
ceptions, the oldest practicing physician in Utica, and always ready to advise, par- 
ticularly a deserving soldier. He takes special interest in microscopical studies. 



236 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

He is a member of the Oneida County Medical Societ}', and for thirty years a mem- 
ber of the Utica Maennechor, of which he has been president. April 30, 1866, Dr. 
Cook married Josephine Brendle, a native of Paris, France. 

Capron, C. G., M. D., was born in Utica, N. Y., June 6, 1867, and is a son of John 
S. Capron, who came here with his parents from Lewis county, and for several years 
has been a partner in the extensive dry goods firm of J. B. Wells, Son & Co. His 
grandfather was the Hon. David Gray of Marcy, who died in September, 1895. Dr. 
Capron was educated in the public and private schools of his native city, at Whites- 
town Seminary, and in the Utica Advanced School, and prepared for college at Dr. 
Holbrook's Military Academy in Sing Sing. He read medicine with Dr. Frank F. 
Laird, one of the leading homceopathists of Utica, and was graduated from Hahne- 
mann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1890. During the last six months of his 
course there he was interne in the Children's Homoeopathic Hospital. In May, 1890, 
he began the practice of his profession in Utica, where he has already acquired 
success, having offices with his preceptor, Dr. Laird. Dr. Capron is a member of 
the Oneida County Homoeopathic Medical Society and its president for 1896, and for 
two years prior to this served as its secretary and treasurer. He is also a member 
of the American Institute of Homoeopathy and a member and examining surgeon of 
Imperial Council, No. 70, R. A. June 21, 1893, he married Carolyn M., daughter 
ot James W. Rathbun, of Utica. 

Olds, Marquis D., was born in the town of Oxford, N. Y., August 27, 1850, son of 
Ezra and Eliza (Brockway) Olds. He worked at farm work until twenty years of 
age, beginning at 84 a month. He next conducted a restaurant during one winter, 
when he took a position on the old Syracuse and Binghamton railroad, to learn 
operating and the duties of agent. He applied to the old Oswego and Midland rail- 
road for a position, and was appointed agent and operator at New Berlin Junction. 
He remained there two years, when the Oswego and Midland railroad failed, and he 
came to Deansville in March, 1875, as agent and operator, a position he has filled 
with ability and success, and he has also had charge of the coal department since 
1885. Mr. Olds married Carrie F. Root, by whom he has two children: Edna 
Florence and Howard Root Olds. 

MacFarland, Mrs. L. W. , is a descendant of one of the oldest and most prominent 
families of New Hartford. Her father, Hon. Samuel Hicks, came here in 1807 from 
East Hampton, L. I. He was the son of Captain Zacheriah Hicks and Rebecca 
Conkling-Sherrill, and was born at East Hampton October 7, 1783. Coming to this 
place at the age of twenty-one, he became the business manager of the New Hart- 
ford Cotton Manufacturing Company. Resigning this position in 1837, he devoted 
his attention to real estate and other business interests. In politics he was an "Old 
time Whig," and in 1824 was one of the presidential electors for John Ouincy Adams. 
February 18, 1818, he married Lucinda Huntington, of Walpole, N. H., one of whose 
ancestors was appointed by Washington major of the first troops that left Connecti- 
cut at the beginning of the Revolution. Another ancestor was one of the four offi- 
cers who originated the Society of The Cincinnati, and another, Samuel Huntington, 
was the twelfth signer of the Declaration of Independence, and president of the 
Continental Congress after Hancock resigned. She was also descended from the 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 237 

same ancestor as General Ulysses S. Grant. She died October 8, 1890, leaving two 
children. The youngest, Lucinda Huntington Hicks, married Luther Wheelock 
MacFarland of North Adams, Mass., and resides in the old mansion built by her 
father in 1826. Mrs. MacFarland's reminiscences of old New Hartford, of the cul- 
tured society, and of the men and women, who, going from here, have become 
prominent in the country, are delightful to listen to. 

De Votie, Duane D., is a son of Peter E. De Votie, who was born in Vernon Cen- 
ter in 1807, but lived the greater part of his time on the Seneca road in the town of 
Vernon. His ancestors came to this country from France in 1743, and the father of 
Peter E. settled in Vernon Center in 1801, where he followed farming and speculat- 
ing. He married Maria P. Mandeville, who was born March 6, 1839, and is now 
living on the old homestead. Duane D. is one of a family of eight children, and 
received his education at Vernon, after which he remained on the farm until 1876, 
when he traveled through the Western States, spending nearly five years mostly in 
the employ of the government. In the latter part of 1880 he returned home, and has 
since had complete charge of the farm. He has devoted much time to politics, and 
is a Democrat and closely identified with the interest of the party. 

Gardner, Mrs. O. S. — The late Orson S. Gardner was born in Sauquoit, N. Y. , July 
1, 1820, son of Asa and Dorothy Gardner. Orson S. came to New York Mills when 
sixteen years of age. He worked a short time in Rochester, and then returned to 
New York Mills, where he was in the employ of the mills for many years, and was 
one of its most faithful and esteemed employees. He was an attendant of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, and was a Republican in politics. He was also a member of 
the Oriental Lodge F. & A. M., Oneida chapter, and Yahnundahsis Lodge. He was 
a thirty-second degree Mason and was highly respected. He married Eleanor Man- 
ning, who survives him with two children: M. Eleanora and Frederick A. 

Norton, Samuel D., was born in Vernon, near the place where he now lives, Feb- 
ruar)' 12, 1843. His grandfather settled in the town in 1807, when Philo Norton, 
father of Samuel D., was seven years of age. They had immigrated from Connec- 
ticut, and settled near what afterwards became Vernon Center. Philo Norton mar- 
ried Emily Bartholomew, who was born in Vermont in 1804, but who was then a 
resident of Augusta, and she died at Vernon Center in 1881. Mr. Norto l devoted 
his life to farming, and in which he was one of the foremost in the town. Samuel D. 
attended school at Vernon, and at the Whitestown Seminary, and has since been 
engaged in farming. He has for several years held the office of justice of the peace. 
He married Mary M. Tracy, a native of Vernon, and daughter of Samuel D. and 
Emily J. Tracy- She was born September 11, 1849, and received her education at 
Vernon, and the Home Seminary at Clinton, N. Y. 

Davis. I. E., was born in Fulton county, February 22, 1852, son of Jacob B. and 
Sarah Davis, and learned the trade of joiner with his father, subsequently perfect- 
ing himself at Rockwood. In 1867 he came to Holman City with his father, who 
started the business, now conducted by I. E. Davis. Mr. Davis has a thoroughly 
equipped factory for doing all kinds of wood work, such as sawing, planing, scroll 
sawing, turning, etc. He also makes cisterns, tubs, and tanks, for which he has a 
good reputation for best work, and also owns a cider mill. In 1879 he married Miss 



238 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Ida Hopkins, of Waterville, daughter of Thomas Hopkins (a descendant of Stephen 
Hopkins). He has two sons, Thomas and Raymond. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellow Lodge No. 108,' at Sauquoit, of which he is secretary. Mr, Davis's family is 
a branch of the family of which Jeff. Davis was a scion. 

Kenney, Marcus E., was born in Truxton, Cortland county, April 8, 1848, received 
his education at Cortland Academy and Cazenovia Seminary, and at the age of nine- 
teen engaged in the hardware business at Trnxton in partnership with his father, 
Hosea M., with whom he was thus associated for nineteen years. In 1886 he came 
to Utica and for two years traveled for Russel Wheeler and for one year for D. H. 
Rowe & Co., of Chicago. Having taken up the studies of an optician, he purchased 
on December 10, 1890, the optical business of A. J. McCall, and on January 26, 1891, 
was graduated from the Ophthalmic College and Hospital of Chicago. On May 30, 
1893, his son, Arthur M., was graduated from the same institution and has since been 
his business associate. Mr. Kenney is a member of Faxton Lodge, F. & A. M., 
Oneida Lodge, I. O. O. F. , Imperial Council No. 70, Royal Arcanum, the Com- 
mercial Travelers' Mutual Accident Association of America, and a trustee "of the 
Tabernacle Baptist church. 

Linsley Harvey, is a native of Middlebury, Vt, and in 1833, when but one year 
old. came with his parents to Madison county, settling in the town of Lenox. His 
father, Hiram Linsley, was a lifelong farmer, and was born in 1796. He married 
Maria Rugg, a native of Vermont, who died in 1874. Mr. Linsley died in 1876. 
Harvey Linsley, at the age of nine years, was bound out until he became of age. In 
the mean time he attended the public school in Klockville, Madison county, and 
afterwards pursued his farm life. At the age of nineteen, having bought his remain- 
ing time of service, he went to Wampsville, and soon after, in 1862, enlisted in the 
157th N. Y. Vols., remaining in the service for three years, and while there he re- 
ceived a severe wound from a shot in the left side. He was promoted from private 
to corporal, then to fifth sergeant, and finally to third sergeant, serving in that 
official capacity during the rest of the war. Since his return from the army he has 
been engaged in farming in Madison and Oneida counties, having occupied his 
present farm residence for a long period of time. He married Lucretia C. Stam, 
daughter of George D. and Elizabeth Stam, by whom he has one daughter, Blanche, 
married to George I. Lloyd, who is in business in Syracuse. 

Ely, Belle, is one of the most notable personages of Oneida county to-day, and as 
the last representative of her line of the Ely family, she inherits not only a large 
farm property, but also the ability of her ancestors that accumulated it, and there is 
no farm in the town better managed than her 300 acre homestead, and she supervises 
it entirely herself. Her great-grandfather, Thomas Ely, settled on the present home- 
stead when the country was a wilderness, and his neighbors were a very few white 
people and mostly Brothertown Indians. He had five sons and one daughter. Her 
grandfather, Thomas Aden Ely, was the second son of Thomas; he remained on the 
homestead, and was the father of one son and one daughter. Francis Alonzo, the 
son, was the father of Belle. He also spent his life on the homestead, adding to its 
acres as his ancestors had done and improving the comfort and beauty of the old 
home. The bounteous orchard now surrounding the horse and the thrifty maples 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 239 

growing along the highway and yard bear testimony to his love of nature; and the 
httle water-house by the roadside, built by himself with his mother's ancient 
spmnmg-wheel on the top, furnishes many cooling draughts for weary beast and 
thirsty man and bnngs to the minds of his many friends his ever-ready joke and 
pleasant smile. He died October 10, 1890, and his wife, Charlotte (Farm lee) Ely 

bul J ei y alii ity M1SS E,y " " fflember ° f ^ GraDge ' aDd " "^^ ™ ted for h « 

Mason, Harry was born in Huntingdonshire, England, in 1839, where he spent his 
earlier boyhood days, and at the age of fourteen he went to London, where he en- 
gaged m the care of horses. After five years in this line of employment, he enlisted 

, ? a TJ; W C S °° n t0 ° k hil " t0 EaSt India ' and later t0 ma °y countries of the 
world. After be.ng quartered in India eight years, he returned to Colchester and 
remained three or four years at the various army quarters, and finally in 1868 he 
purchased of the government a discharge from its service. He then spent a year in 
Ireland and >n the following year came to America, and connected himself with the 
Oneida Community Laundry for a period of eleven years, and three years farming 
and for the past ten years has been herdsman. His father, Henry Mason, was born 

180 ' rfr ^ ^t 1894: aDd hiS m ° ther ' EHzab6th < Thurbu ™> Mason born n 
1803, is strll living In 1870 he married Mary Rowe, a native of Cornwall, England 
by whom he has four children. S"*"", 

Powell, John N., was born near where he now resides, in Trenton, April 24 1823 
son of Isaac and Lydia (Wood) Powell, who came from Lanesboro, Mass with a 
yoke of oxen, and were among the first settlers in the town of Trenton. They had 
nine chUdren: Laurie, George, Lydia, Lewis, Leman, David. Ruth, John and 
Esther all born on the Powell homestead. He was a pioneer farmer, and a member 

EhzaSh VT "A ^ Meth ° diSt EpiSC ° Pal ^^ J° hn N " m -ried Lucy 
Elizabeth Fowler, and is interested in town and county afiairs. 

r,i R ^ d l S '^' J " WaS b ° rn in Paris ' N - Y - March 6 - 1845 . son of Samuel B and 
Elizabeth (Davis) Rhodes. He lived on a farm until seventeen years of age when 
he wentinto the office of S. A. Millard and remained two years' He thenTnglg d 
in railroading, which he has followed successfully. In 1868 he was appointed agent 
at ClayviUe, and has filled that office for twenty-seven years. He has also been "„ 
the coal business since 1868, and sold the first coal brought by railroad in Clayville 
He s at present president of the village, and was supervisor of the town in IsLsoI 
81 and has also filled other offices. In 1869 he married Susan Brown, by whom he 
has three children: Fred A., Blanche, and Clara V. 

(RSards7sm a ir S W b T " *! ^ ° f MarShaU ' N ' Y - s °« ^ ^avid and Susannah 
(Richards) Small He receded an academical education, and afterwards engaged 
If farming. In 18 91 he married Alta V., daughter of Rockwell B. and Lucinda 
Brown. Her grandfather was Asbel Brown, and her great grandfather, John Brown 
was one o the early settlers in Madison county, and he served seven years as a 
patriot soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Brown died in March 1894 Mr 
Small is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican ' 

Burgess, William A., M.D., was born on a farm in West Winfield, Herkimer 
county, June 26, 1864, and is a son of Isaac T. and Marion (McKown) Burgess He 



240 OUK COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was graduated from West Winfield Academy in 1882, read medicine with Dr. E. S. 
B. Spencer, of West Winfield, and was graduated from the medical department of 
the University of the City of New York in 1888. After a few months' practice in 
Clayville, Oneida county, he came to Utica in 1889, and has since built up a large 
general and surgical business. In 1889 he was appointed visiting physician to St. 
Elizabeth's Hospital and in 1892 the visiting surgeon, which post he still holds. He 
has been a member of the medical and surgical staffs of the Masonic Home since 
the organization of the Board in 1893 and is attending physician to the Infants' 
Hospital (opened in 1895). He is also a member of the Utica Medical Library Asso- 
ciation and the Oneida County Medical Society, and a permanent member of the 
New York State Medical Society. He was a charter member, and one of the organ- 
izers, the first president of the Utica Medical Club, is assistant surgeon of the 28th 
Separate Co., N. G. S. N. Y., a member of Faxton Lodge No. 697, F. & A. M., and 
a charter member of the Masonic Club. February 25, 1885, Dr. Burgess married 
Leila I. Chapman, daughter of P. A. Chapman, of Unadilla Forks, Otsego county, 
and they have two children : Isaac Thayer and Evangeline. 

Donlon, Joseph M., was born August 10, 1852, on a farm in the town of Lewis, 
Lewis county, N. Y. , and is a son of James Donlon, a native of county West Meath, 
Ireland, who came to America in 1831 and settled in Lewis county about 1845, where 
he still lives. Mr. Donlon attended the public schools and remained on the farm 
until the age of eighteen, when he learned the stone-cutter's trade in Elizabeth, 
N. J. His health failed, and after two years at home he entered the employ of 
Proctor & Hill, tanners, of Forestport, Oneida county, and remained five years. In 
1882 he came to Utica and engaged in the retail grocery business on the corner of 
Center and Milgate streets, where he has since continued ; later he added a general 
line of merchandise and now carries on both a wholesale and retail trade. He was 
one of the founders and has always been a trustee of St. Agnes Roman Catholic 
church, organized in 1889, and takes an active interest in public affairs. April 28, 
1885, he married Mary A., daughter of Edward Coughlin, of Utica, and they have 
two children, Katharine and Mary. 

Kincaid, Frederick W. — In June, 1841, George Kincaid came to Utica from New 
York city. He was a direct descendant of a family once prominent in Scotland mili- 
tary history, and was one of the pioneers to California in 1849, where he attained 
prominence in quartz mining. He returned in 1861 and from that time his life was 
spent in Utica. He was a Mason of high degree, and for many years was an officer 
of Utica Commandery Knights Templar, and at one time was its eminent com- 
mander. He had four sons and one daughter, all living. He died in 1893. His 
oldest son, J. C. P. Kincaid, who has spent his life in Utica, was born in 1840 and 
was for many years a merchant. In 1873 he was appointed United States collector 
of internal revenue, and served under Presidents Grant, Hayes, and Garfield and a 
short time under Arthur. He was also for six years a school commissioner of Utica 
and for four years president of the board. First Lieutenant Frederick W. Kincaid, 
of the Utica Citizen Corps, Forty-fourth Separate Co., N. G. S. N. Y., his oldest liv- 
ing son, was born in 1867, and has attained a high reputation as an officer in the 
National Guard. He, with two brothers now deceased, Alrick G. and J. C. P., jr., 
have with their father been active members of that famous organization. Both 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 241 

great-grandfathers on his mother's side were soldiers of the Revolution and one on 
his father s side was a veteran of 1812. 

Hubbell Family. -In December, 1789, there came to old Fort Schuyler, from Lanes- 

laTat r^H T R HUbbe11, Wh0had — d — soldier in theVvolution and 
was at the battle of Bennington. He purchased a farm, which included much of 
wha is now known as the Eighth ward of Utica. He died in 1819. Of a large 

k2 y ;, v TL° l r\ idendfied WUh the gr0Wth ° f Utica was his son, the late 
Hon. Alrick Hubbell, who was born in 1801 and died in 1877. In early years he be- 
became colonel of what was then the 211th Regiment of State militia. He was twice 
mayor of the city and served two terms in the State Senate. From 1816 to 1818 he 

Steubt Mtl t ja ?, in T alk6r ' the f ° rmer aid aDd C -Mential friend to Baron 
Steuben. At the time of his death Mr. Hubbell had lived seventy-six years on the 
same street and within half a mile of the house where he was born. Two sons 

of7 y v aD v xt S - t 1 ^ 6 "' ° f BUffal °' Md tW ° daU 8" hters ' M - Albon P. Mann' 
of New York and Mrs. J. C. P. Kincaid, of Utica, survive him. The latter, with he 

hwT' I rederiCk W ' KiDCaid ' Md R ° bert C - are undoubtedtythe on y 

living direct representatives in Utica of any family who settled here as early as 

offhtrT' f S ' A ' Wat r S ' NeW HartfOTd -Perhaps no one thus far in the history 
Elder rTf "m T m0re al 4 MUl t0 !t a " d m ° re US6ful in k in various ca P a -ties than 
flmos^ H T HlS COnnection with 'his church dates back to 1834 and 

r S ' rOT th l V6ry be g m ™g ^ find him called to various positions of responsi- 
bility, clerk of the congregation, trustee, treasurer. Business interests calling him 

AnSlsso Z Y °;\ T? h£ , HVed tW f0r ««- y-rs returning here hAS 
And m 1853 he was elected arulmg elder, exercising the office until his death in 1877 
Sagacious firm, benevolent, large-minded, his memory still lingers with this church 

Sn^aTNew v\ ^f/Ti ^^ *" & ° ">' ^ * ™ ° f *» oldest in 
bylne dlvs It ' h 1 7 and ? ark aSS ° Ciated With ma °y interesting incidents of " 
by gone days It was built as early as 1791 with old-fashioned hip-roof and lantern 

i r o f a Roval A 6 h M ^ SanS , er ' T f ° UDder ° f the tOWD - Pr ° minent ™ the --" 
tiL „f y f ° nry ' hlS deVOti ° D t0 the ° rder led him to make the entire 

Ind beautlfuhv fitt T *?***$ ^ ^ ***> ^ '^ ^ the ^l,, ^ 
and beautifully fitted up for a Masonic lodge, which was constituted there April 6 

of N vTm , dge N °- 35 - In f ° rmati0n ° f the Grand Chapter of the State 
office M I"' 1?98 ' Jed6diah Sang6r was chosen to one of the highest 

offices of that august body in connection with De Witt Clinton. The first magis 
trate , judges members of assembly, congressmen, supervisors, veterans of The 

hi tot rufdlll "^ t 1813 "^ ' iD the ^^ l0dgE r0 ° m - T ° ™ te o U « 

history would fill many a volume. Mr. Sanger possessed ability, great energy de- 

ision of character, close application to business and strict integrl y He was fhosen 

the first supervisor of the town of Whitestown. In 1894 he was efected to represent 

Herkimer and Oneida counties in the Assembly of our State. In 1797 he went to 

FoHowin; Tudte S ^ ** V ^^ ** ***> ° f C °" rt ° f Common ^a S 
Follow ng Judge Sanger are two other judges who have lived in the old house- 
judge Ledyard Talcott of the Supreme Court of New York State and Judge Char es' 
Eraser McLean of the Supreme Court of New York State. The second owner wa 



242 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Frederick Stanley who purchased it of Judge Sanger in 1807. Samuel Austin 
Talcott, who was one of the most talented and extraordinary men of the age, mar- 
ried Mary Eliza, the beautiful daughter of Mr. Stanley and resided in the house. 
Gen. Joseph Kirkland having removed to Utica, Mr. Talcott maintained a law office 
in New Hartford and also in Utica with his partner and contemporary of his college 
days, William H. Maynard, until 1821, when at the age of twenty-one he received 
the appointment of attorney-general of the State of New York. He made his home 
in Albany during the administration of his office, then he removed to New York city 
where he practiced law until his death in 1836 in his forty-second year. His two 
sons spent their early years in New 7 Hartford. John Ledyard, the eldest, studied 
with Josiah Spencer in Utica and became one of the foremost exponents of law in 
the State. Thomas Grosvenor, the youngest son, was a lawyer of ability and set- 
tled in Hartford, Conn. Mr. Stanley sold the house in 1824 to Mr. John Lyon who 
came to New Hartford from New Jersey in 1805. He was a large owner of real 
estate; he had the store opposite his dwelling, the grist mill, and paper mill where 
he is said to have made the first writing paper in the county, perhaps in the State. 
After Mr. Lyon's death in 1852 Mr. Charles McLean bought the property. Mrs. 
McLean, who was born in 1810, is still living, bright in mind and perfect in health. 
The brick stage tavern, long owned and occupied by Noatl Porter, is still standing, 
though now converted into a dwelling. Being at the intersection of the Seneca turn- 
pike — later Genesee — and the Oxford and Chenango turnpike, many four-horse 
stages stopped on their way from Albany to Buffalo, also covered wagons in which 
families traveled to homes in the new west. An electric car has replaced the four 
horse stage coach. The toll gates which exacted tribute every ten miles have disap- 
peared. The store where the early post-office was kept is still standing on land 
given by Judge Sanger to the First Religious Society of New Hartford, a perpetual 
lease with the yearly rent of "one wheat corn." The dwelling next south is the 
building where the Whitestown Gazette was published in 1794, by William McLean, 
the beginning of the Utica Morning Herald. The grist mill built by Judge Sanger 
in 1709; the paper mill adjoining; the large Sanger barn where the First church was 
formed August 27, 1791 ; and the first court of Oneida county (then Herkimer) was 
held in October, 1793. Amidst all the changes the house so well built by Judge 
Sanger more than one hundred years ago remains little changed and is still kept as 
the home of the McLean family. 

Stately she stands, her terraced gardens broad 

Still wander down to Sadequada's flood; 

Her open door, her welcoming halls and hearth, 

Still call her children from. around the earth. 

Fuess, Philip, jr., was born in Annweiler, Bavaria, January 5, 1852. He learned 
the trade of brewer in the old country, and came to America in 1868, where he en- 
gaged in farming, in which he has been very successful. He has resided in this 
county twenty-seven years, and has been on his present farm twelve years. He has 
long been regarded as a leading man in Marshall, and was assessor of the town nine 
years. He was elected supervisor in the spring of 1894, and is at present filling that 
office. He purchased his present farm when it was in poor shape, and has improved 
it until it is now one of the finest places in the town. ' In 1877 he married Maria Mc- 
Guire, of New York city, by whom he has a family of four sons and one daughter. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 243 

Metz, Charles W. , was born in province of Nassau, Germany, March 15, 1836, 
came to America with his mother in June, 1852, and first settled in Salisbury Center, 
Herkimer county, N. Y. He afterwards went to Rochester, N. Y., where he learned 
the trade of carpenter and builder, and about 1856, located permanentry in Utica, 
where he was for several years under the instruction of A. J. Lathrop and also of 
Timothy Cronin, two of the leading contractors of the city. In 1861 Mr. Metz began 
contracting on his own account, and since 1872 has had mostly all the building con- 
tracts let by the Utica State Hospital. Since 1890 he has been permanent master 
mechanic of that institution, having charge of all the buildings and the workmen 
thereon. Besides attending to these duties, which now command his entire atten- 
tion, he also erected before 1890 a large addition to the Utica Orphan Asylum and 
also a number of dwellings and other structures. July 21, 1859, he married Selma 
Sophie Obst, who died June 14, 1866, leaving three children: Emma (Mrs. Charles S. 
Spiegelberg), of Waltham, Mass. ; Matilda B. (Mrs. John Lindner), of Carlisle, Pa. : 
and Charles H., of Waltham, Mass. September 20, 1866, Mr. Metz married a second 
time Matilda M. Geinitz, a native of Germany, and has resided at 232 Court street 
since 1870. 

Jones, John R. , was born February 12, 1837, in Wales, England, and is a son of 
Rees J. and Gwenne Jones, who came with their family to America in 1841 and 
settled in Utica. The family soon removed to a farm in Marcy, Oneida county, and 
later to the town of New Hartford, on the old Dr. Paine farm, where Rees J. died 
in August, 1895, aged eighty-two. His wife died in 1842, and he married, second, 
Susan Morgan, who survives him. By his first marriage he had two sons and four 
daughters: John R. , of Utica; Margaret, widow of Richard Hughes, of New Hart- 
ford; Henry, of Rome; Winnie (Mrs. William Denbigh), of Port Byron, 111.; and 
Jane and Laura, both deceased. John R. Jones was educated in the public schools 
of Marcy and in private schools of Utica, and remained on the farm till eighteen 
years of age. He then went to Chicago, and about 1859 became the first conductor 
on the first street car ever run in that city. He continued in street railroading 
about five years. On May 22, 1862, he was appointed an attendant and super- 
visor of the Utica State Hospital, and from 1871 to 1887 he was clerk and store- 
keeper there. Since January, 1887, he has held the responsible position of steward. 
He was second and first lieutenant in the 45th Regiment N. G. for seven years,' or 
until the regiment was mustered out, and he commanded his company as acting cap- 
tain when Lincoln's remains passed through Utica. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. 
March 19, 1863, he married Jennie M., daughter of Evan Lewis, of Utica, and 
they have two sons: John L. and George H. 

Jones, Lewis, son of Morgan and Mary (Lumley) Jones, was born in Machyulleth, 
Montgomeryshire, Wales, October 10, 1810, settled in Utica in 1827, being among 
the very early Welsh residents, and died here September 2, 1874. He received a 
collegiate education and was engaged as bookkeeper for several years, becoming an 
expert. He was clerk in Whiting's crockery store until 1850, when he became pro- 
prietor of China Hall, the largest crockery establishment in the city. Business re- 
verses in 1856 and 1857 compelled him to retire from business, and afterward he was 
a clerk in the New York Central freight office and for eight years bookkeeper for the 
Utica Herald until he was stricken with paralysis February 2, 1873. He always 



244 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

took an active interest in municipal affairs and served one year as city treasurer, 
but declined a re-election on account of his health, though he was urged by citi- 
zens of all political parties to accept it. He was an excellent Welsh scholar, a 
fluent writer in that language, and at one time a frequent contributor to Welsh 
magazines. He was an honest, upright man, a loyal and respected citizen, and a 
kind and sympathetic benefactor. He traveled extensively through the Eastern, 
Southern, and Western States, and visited Wales and other parts of Europe in 1835, 
1840, 1845, and 1851. In October, 1830, he married Eleanor Hughes, who was born 
December 14, 1807, and died October 7, 1892. Their children were: Morgan A., 
John H. (deceased), Mary (deceased), Lewis A., Sarah E., Katherine E., Thomas M. 

Watson, William L., was born in Utica, March 27, 1856, and is a son of Dr. 
William H. and Sarah Thompson (Carlile) Watson. His father is one of the most 
eminent physicians and surgeons of that city. Mr. Watson attended the public 
schools and was a graduate from the Utica Free Academy in 1874. He attended 
Phillips Exeter Academy at Exeter, N. H., in 1874-75, and entered Harvard Col- 
lege in the class of 1879. He has always lived in Utica and is prominently iden- 
tified with the city, and for the last fifteen years has been extensively interested in 
real estate operations. He is a member of Fort Schuyler Club, the Royal Arcanum, 
and the Arcanum Club. He was married, first, October 12, 1887, to Miss Alice G. 
Parkinson, daughter of E. K. Parkinson of Jamaica Plain, Mass. She died October 
4, 1893, leaving one daughter, Alice. Mr. Watson married, second, April 22, 1896, 
Miss Ellen Swan, daughter of the late John Swan, of Baltimore, Md. 

Harrer, Karl, was born in Baden, Germany. January 18, 1844, and came to Amer- 
ica with his parents, Mathias and Julia Harrer, in 1852. They settled in Utica, 
where the mother died about 1884 and the father in 1892. Mathias Harrer was a silk 
plush weaver by trade. Karl Harrer was educated in the public schools of Utica and 
learned the trade of shoemaker of his uncle, Captain Frederick Harrer (who was 
wounded at the battle of Gaines Mills and died in 1862, and from whom Harrer Post 
G. A. R. was named). Mr. Harrer followed his trade as journeymen until 1872, when 
he established his present business as shoemaker and dealer in Whitesboro street. 
In 1894 his son, George M., was admitted to partnership under the firm name of 
Karl Harrer & Son. Mr. Harrer was two terms supervisor from the Sixth ward, and 
since the spring of 1893 he has served as alderman. He is a member for man}' years 
and a trustee of Utica Lodge No. 242, order of Harugari, is a member and was for- 
merly trustee of Zion's German Lutheran church and president of its parochial school 
for sixteen years; and is now a trustee of the Utica Maennerchor, treasurer of the 
Baden Sick Aid Society, and a member of the Utica German Literary Society. He 
was married in November, 1868, to Belinda Knox, of Schenectady, N. Y., and they 
have four children: Julia (Mrs. Frederick Hammes), George M., Katharine and 
Frederick, all of Utica. 

Morehouse, Hon'. George C, was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., May 
14, 1846. His father, James L. , a teacher, died in Oswego county in 1860; the death 
of his mother, Emeline Crane, a teacher of music in the old Fairfield Seminary, 
occurred in Herkimer county in 18S8. Judge Morehouse was educated in the public 
schools of Brooklyn, where his parents lived several years. He also attended Falley 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 245 

Seminary in Fulton and the State Normal School at Oswego, and was graduated as 
B. S. from Cornell University in 1873 In 1874 he came to Utica and read law with 
Hon. William J. Bacon and H. P. MacKoon, later with Hon. William B. Sutton, and 
in 1875 received the degree of LL. B. from Hamilton College, being admitted to the 
bar at Clinton in May of that year. He began the practice of his profession in Utica 
as managing clerk for Mr. Sutton, and in 1876 77 became his partner under the firm 
name of Sutton & Morehouse. This continued until 1885-86, when the partnership 
was dissolved. Judge Morehouse practiced alone until March, 1892, when he was 
elected city judge which office he held until April 1, 1896. He then resumed the 
practice of his profession. He has been an active Republican, and served two years 
as supervisor of the Eleventh ward. He is a member and past master of Oriental 
Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M. , a member and a trustee of Oneida Chapter No. 57, R. 
A. M., and a member of Utica Commandery No. 3, K. T. , and the Scottish Rite 
bodies, 32d degree, Northern jurisdiction. He is also a member of Fort Schuyler 
Council, R. A., and OrJeida Lodge No. 70, I. O. O. F. In 1877 he married Eugenia 
M., daughter of Henry Miller, of Trenton, N. Y., who died in 1879. In 1888 he mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Charles Breen, of Trenton, and they have three sons, Law- 
rence, Merwin and Russell. 

Cantwell, John A., city clerk of Utica, was born in that city September 14, 1861, 
son of Roderick J. and Mary (Conlon) Cantwell, and was educated in the public 
schools of the city. He learned the printing trade in the composing room of the 
Sunday Tribune, finishing his apprenticeship in 1881. After learning his trade he 
spent one year in travelling, during which time he worked on most of the leading 
journals in the west. Returning to LTtica he accepted the position of foreman of the 
composing room in the office in which he served his apprenticeship, holding such 
position until his appointment as city clerk. During the period in which lie was 
employed in the printing business he issued many creditable periodicals and papers, 
notably among which was the Illustrated Daily, illustrating the events transpiring 
on the grounds each day during the last State Fair held in Utica. In 1884 he was 
elected by the Utica Typographical Union delegate to the International Typographi- 
cal Union Convention then held in Buffalo. He is a Democrat, and has been active 
in politics since reaching his majority, and for the past six years has been secretary 
of the Democratic City Committee. Mr. Cantwell is unmarried. He is a member 
of the Arcanum, and Union Social Clubs, also of the Typographical Union, Trades 
Assembly, Knights of Honor, C. B. L., and Saturday Globe Benefit Association. 

Culliton, John, was born in Montreal, Canada, January, 28, 1849, and came to the 
United States in 1865 ; after spending one year in Rochester, six years in Canandai- 
gua, two years in Honeoye, N. Y., a short time in Grand Rapids, Mich., and also in 
Washington Mills, N- Y., he came to Clayville in 1883, and in 1889 he assumed the 
proprietorship of the Murray House, which has since ranked as a first-class hotel 
with the traveling public. Mr. Culliton is an influential Democrat, and was post- 
master of Clayville under Cleveland's first administration, and was also collector 
when in New Hartford. In 1876 he married Ellen Fitzmaurice, of Canandaigua, 
who died in 1880 leaving one child, Mary Culliton, and his present wife is Emogene 
Rogers of Washington Mills. 



246 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Dobson Family. — In 1828 William Noble Dobson came to this country from Eng- 
land with his family, and located in Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y. He be- 
gan business as a tallow chandler; he was also an expert bookkeeper, and at various 
times took charge of the books of some of the leading business firms of Utica. He 
died in Syracuse in 1838, leaving a wife and four sons: William B., Charles L., Fred- 
erick H., and Alfred B. In 1840 the family removed to Utica. Charles L. estab- 
lished himself in the fruit business in a very modest way at the corner of Genesee 
and Fayette streets, but with industry and perseverance became successful and 
prosperous. He afterward removed his business to Oneida Square, where he sold 
out to his brother, Alfred B. He then taught dancing schools, and for thirty-two 
years was the leading tutor of the gentle art in Central New York. In 1892 he 
retired from active life and has since devoted himself to the management of his large 
real estate interests. In 1878 he erected the Dobson block on Oneida Square, and in 
1895 built the Dobson flats on Genesee street and Dobson Hall on Oneida street. 
William B. Dobson removed to Binghamton, where he died in 1858. Frederick H. 
removed at the same time, enlisted in the Union Army in 1862, and died in the Wind- 
mill Point Hospital, on the Potomac River, in 1863. Alfred B. Dobson sold out his 
business and retired in 1875. 

Rowley, Warren C, of the firm of Rowley & Horton, Utica, was born in Trenton, 
N. Y., September 28, 1841. The pioneer ancestor of the family, Henry Rowley, 
came to the Plymouth Colony from England in the Ann, in 1632 and was one of the 
founders of Scituate ; he later removed with pastor John Lothrop to Barnstable 
where he was one of the original proprietors. In 1643 he was one of the Barnstable 
Committee ; in 1644 and 1650 a representative to the General Court; in 1661 removed 
to Falmouth where he died 1673. His wife, from whom the subject of this sketch is 
desceaded, was Frances, daughter of William Palmer who came to America in the 
"Fortune," in 1621. Moses Rowley, sr. , son of Henry and Frances Rowley, moved 
with his father from Scituate to Barnstable and later to Falmouth where he held 
many offices of trust and was representative to the General Court for several terms; 
he died in 1705; his wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Matthew Fuller, at one 
time surgeon-general of the colony, and granddaughter of Edward Fuller who came 
in the Mayflower in 1620. Moses Rowley, jr., the next inline, was born in Barn- 
stable in 1654, removed to Falmouth and later to East Haddam, Conn., where he 
died in 1735. His wife Mary died in 1764 aged ninety-seven years. Their son, Ebe- 
nezer, sr., was born in Falmouth in 1695, married in 1719 Mary Church, a grand- 
daughter of Richard Church, "the warrior," who came to New England in 1630. 
Ebenezer, sr., died in 1757 in East Haddam, Conn., where his son, Ebenezer, jr., 
was born October 20, 1727.. The latter died in February, 1811, having married, Oc- 
tober 18, 1750, Susanna Anable, a great-granddaughter of Anthony Anable, who 
came to Plymouth 1623. Asher Rowley, son of Ebenezer, jr., was born in Haddam, 
Conn., in 1766, and died in Winsted, Conn., in 1843, where he had resided many 
years. In 1792 he married Mehitabel, daughter of Lieut. Jonathan Dunham, who 
served as corporal in Capt. Amos Jones's company, Col. Jonathan Latimer's regi- 
ment, under Gates at Saratoga and elsewhere. He was descended from John Dun- 
ham, one of the first settlers in the colony. Warren Dunham Rowley, son of Asher 
and Mehitabel, and father of Warren C. Rowley, whose name appears at the head 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 



247 



years an agent tf the Toll Land SmnT ™ ^ ° f 1812 ' ^ ^ fOT =«* 
the peace a'nd snpe^sfr ln d i^ 84 7 ^eTe^edToThe ST? T " ^ ° f 
in Trenton in 1854. The father of ^ I^wL 1^^ ^ ^ 
Dumfries, Scotland, who came to this couX v about Td?* ^ *. T™ ° f 
sister of John Post, the first merchant of U L Wail en C LT 1 T^' 

niercLnt in TrentTa^in S.'TSK S^^^i^ 

Curry retired from business anf Geo Je C S rto n * ° ^ ^ ^ Mr " 
Rowley Bros. & Co. This P-tJS^^^^^ R ™ ^ 
tired and removed to Spring-field Ma« Th Q c «. f Kowley re- 

Rowley ft Horton. T*J » ^^pj^^^f^ ™ nt ^ 
great prosperity. In politics Mr. Rowley is a Republican and he £K 3 
having cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln and also for every succeedmt J , 
tial nominee of his party. He is a member of various socTetL and t * ! 
including the Oneida Historical Society in which he hasT Je alt ^T^7' 
been its treasurer for several years Hew«n n , n fti, ■ • , terest and has 
Plymouth Congregational church ^m^^^^S^^^ % 
beginning. Mr. Rowley married, August 3 1870 Tulia A Wait. Z J ° 

N. Y , October 20 1848, daughter of lev Hiram HwfJT " Cartha ^ e - 

scendant from Richard Wafte. the »^SThe H^^J^lS^ ^ 
" Commissary of the Horse » in an expedition against Te Nar~e t 1 r ' ° * 
same year, and a member of the •■ Ancient and LJrlu e A^XJsT ' 
also the grandson of a second Richard Waite a soldier of tZ I i ' WaS 

in Lieut.-Colonel Flaggs regiment ^^^Tl^^^^T^ 
Bennington. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are the parents of two chMren Edith ZV 
born in Utica, March 2, 1873, a graduate of Mrs. Piatt's Semta^' ^^g? 1 

■ a C tT rcT A°c^my C ' °* ^ ""* *» *** * > 8 '^ - W »t££ 

learning operating, and worked at North Nonvic^ He tnf 7l "S^^ 
Mills and from there to Pulton. Returning! th D. fw 7 R ^f^f ° D 
extra operator for a time, when he went to the N. Y. O & W andfiL „ > ** 
Smyrna; from there he went to Sherburne as assistant Tnd Ten" loXthNof 



248 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

wich as agent, which position he filled for eight years, when he was promoted and 
sent to Waterville in 1891. In 1888 Mr. Graves married Hattie L. Brooks of North 
Norwich, N. Y. Mr. Graves is a member of the International Association of ticket 
agents. 

Quinlan, Patrick F., son of James, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, March 
17, 1848, came to America with his parents in 1851, and settled in Utica, where his 
father died in 1872. At the age of sixteen he began learning the plumber's trade 
with John Carton, with whom he continued fourteen years, and following this he was 
with Edward Martin for eight years. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Edward 
D. Tuigg and William Foley, as Quinlan, Tuigg & Co., and engaged in the general 
plumbing, steam and hot water heating, and steam and gas-fitting business, which 
thev still continue. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, trustee of the Fire- 
man's Benevolent Association, and chairman of the Board of Plumbing Examiners. 
In politics he has been an active Democrat, and served four years as alderman of 
the Fifth ward, four years as police commissioner under Mayors Sherman and 
Kinney, three years as health commissioner under Mayors Darrow and Goodwin. 
For fourteen years he was a member of Co. B, Fire Zouaves, N. G. S. N. Y., and for 
about eight years its first lieutenant. 

Hicks, Alpheus, son of Jacob, was born in Wisconsin October 5, 1846, and in 1847 
came with his parents to Lee, Oneida county, where his father died in 1850. In 1856 
his mother married Ezekiel Van Dresar, and he remained on the farm in Western 
until he reached the age of eighteen when he entered the employ of his uncle. In 
1867 he married Amelia C. Crill, a native of North Steuben, Oneida county, and 
resided on a farm in Western and Trenton five years each. During the next ten 
years he was proprietor of Hicks's mills, near Rome, and later was engaged in mill- 
ing in Delta. In August, 1889, he came to Utica, and with Charles S. Davis kept a 
livery on Hotel street for a year. Mr. Davis then sold out to John B. Whitten and 
since then the firm has been Hicks & Whitten. Mr. Hicks is a member of the 
Oriental Lodge F. & A. M., Fort Schuyler Lodge, I. O. O. P., and the K. P. He 
has three children: Mabel A., William A., and Edward C. 

Gibson, William M., M. D., was born in Waterville, Oneida county, May 12, 1856, 
and is a son of Rev. William T. Gibson, now of Utica, an Episcopal clergyman in 
this county since 1854. He attended the Utica Free Academy and in 1875 entered 
the medical department of the University of the City of New York, from which he 
was graduated in medicine in 1878. He took a post-graduate course in Bellevue 
Hospital under the late Dr. Alfred L. Loomis of New York, and in 1879 began the 
practice of his profession in Utica with the late Dr. Daniel G. Thomas, and since his 
death in 1880, has continued alone. He was made attending physician to the Utica 
Dispensary in 1880, physician in charge in 1881, and a trustee in 1882, and held 
appointment on the corps of city physicians for the Eleventh ward from 1880 to 1889. 
He became a member of the Oneida County Medical Society in 1878 and was its pres- 
dent in 1889 ; was made a member of the Utica Medical Library Association in 1879 
and served as its president in 1884 and 1885 ; has been a member of the staff of St. 
Luke's Hospital since 1883. He was elected a member of the American Climatological 
Society (a branch of the Congress of American Physicians and Surgeons) in 1892, also 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 249 

to membership in the Medical Society of the State of New York in 1893. In 1894 he 
was appointed by Governor Flower one of the managers of the Utica State Hospital. 
He has been a vestryman and warden of St. George's Episcopal church since 1888, 
and is thoroughly interested in the welfare and prosperity of the city and its institu- 
tions. In June, 1888, he married Mary Louise, eldest daughter of William M. Burr, of 
Cazenovia, N. Y. , and their children are: William Burr, born April 12, 1889; Anna 
Katharine, born July 22, 1891; Mary Burr, born May 23, 1893; and Emily Martha, 
born April 4, 1895. 

Sparrow, Joseph, was born in Shropshire, England, in 1818. He was educated in 
their schools, and came with his parents to the United States in 1832, settling in 
Florence, Oneida county. He finished his education in this country, graduating 
from Oberlin College in the class of 1851. He was principal of Camden Seminary 
two years, then went to California where he remained nine years, a portion of the 
time employed as bank clerk in San Francisco, and the balance in teaching and 
assisting in organizing the educational system of the State, serving as a member of 
the committee which selected the site for the University of California, also member 
of Board of Education of Alameda county for some years. He returned to this 
locality in 1861, and in 1863 settled on a farm near Oneida, Oneida county. Here 
he built and operated the Verona Central cheese factory, being apioneer in tbisline, 
his being the third cheese factory in operation. June 24, 1862, he married P. Eliza 
Sanford of Camden, Oneida county, by whom he had one son, T. Sanford, who was 
born in Camden in 1863. He was educated in the public schools and Oberlin College 
and afterward taught school, but is now engaged in agricultural pursuits. March 
10, 1894, he married Jane Gawm, formerly of the Isle of Man, by whom he had one 
daughter, Gladys Ethelind. Mrs. Joseph Sparrow's father, Linus Sanford, was born 
in Litchfield, Conn., January 16, 1782, and came to Oneida county, N. Y., when a 
young man. He was for years a successful teacher, afterward engaging in mercan- 
tile business. Was twice married, first to Polly Woods, by whom he had two sons, 
Samuel T. W. , who was a prominent physician and also engaged quite extensively 
in real estate. William W. , the second son, was in mercantile business. Mrs. San- 
ford died May 18, 1818. For his second wife he married Rhoda Alcott of Connecti- 
cut, by whom he had five children, four of whom died in infancy, P. Eliza as above. 
She was a teacher for a number of years in Camden's public and private schools. 
Mr. Sanford, her father, was repeatedly elected to public offices, and was one whose 
counsels were often sought and whpse name was closely connected with the success 
of Camden's interests. He was largely instrumental in locating and planning their 
cemetery. He died May 29, 1842, his wife May 11, 1881. The ancestry of the family 
is English and Scotch. 

Wolf. Henry, was born in Bavaria, October 28, 1824, son of Henry and Magdaline 
(Schmidt) Wolf, both natives of Bavaria where they lived and died. Both father and 
grandfather were farmers in Germany. Henry Wolf, jr., came to America in 
August, 1849, and settled in Ava, where he has always resided, commencing as a 
farm hand. He soon bought 220 acres of land, 120 of which he cleared. In 1852 
he married Catherine Traxel, daughter of Jacob Traxel, of Ava, by whom he had 
five children: Caroline S. , Jacob H., Henry J., William C. , and Katie, who died in 



250 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

infancy. Mrs. Wolf died April 28, 1893. In 1891 Mr. Wolf sold the farm to his son, 
William C. 

Harris, James, is a native of Prince Edward Island, where he was. born in 1838, 
son of Thomas Harris. His father's people were from Bath, England, and his 
mother's people were from Aberdeen, Scotland. See was a descendant of the Ken- 
nedy family. James Harris began his education in Nova Scotia, and continued his 
studies in this county into which he came with his parents about the year 1849. In 
1862 he engaged in bookkeeping here for Charles McLean; he also kept books for 
the firm of McLean, Royce & Co., doing business in Utica. In 1867 he opened up a 
general store in company with Lafayette Royce at Chadwicks, but after a year sold 
out to Mr. Royce and engaged in business in Utica with George W. Chadwick, late 
of Chadwicks, until 1870, when he returned here and took charge of the office work 
of the New Hartford Cotton Manufacturing Company, then just organized. In the 
same year he was appointed treasurer of the company and March 15, 1871, he was 
appointed secretary. October 15, 1874, he was appointed superintendent of the 
company's business, all of which offices he has continued to hold up to the present 
time. He has been chairman of the Board of Trustees of Union Free school, dis- 
trict No. 1, and president of the village. In 1868 he married Phebe Horrocks, of 
Little Falls, N. Y., by whom he had four children, one of whom, George Elbert, 
died when two years and ten months of age. He is a trustee and treasurer of the 
Butler Memorial Hall, a building erected and given to the town by the late Morgan 
Butler. 

Smith, Charles E., M. D., was born in Whitesboro, N. Y., March 22, 1837. He- 
was one of a family of three children, of whom he is the only survivor. His father, 
Edwin Smith, was born at Plymouth, Conn., in 1805; he came to Whitesboro in 
1836, and engaged in an active commercial life, with which he was prominently 
identified up to a short time before bis death, which occurred in 1885. He married 
Helen A. Burns, of Hagaman's Mills, Montgomery county, N. Y. , who died in 1889. 
Dr. Smith received his education at the Whitesboro district school and the Whites- 
town Seminary, which was for many years one of the leading educational institu- 
tions of the State. After completing his course there he entered the Albany Medical 
College, from which he was graduated in 1858. He then returned to Whitesboro 
and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has since continued. He 
is not only popular and successful in his profession, but is also successful in business 
and esteemed by all who know him. He has for many years been an earnest Re 
publican in politics and has wielded a strong influence in the party's affairs in town 
and county. He was postmaster at Whitesboro for twenty successive years, an office 
which he conducted with much satisfaction to the citizens of the town and village. 
In his professional circle Dr. Smith has been recognized and honored in many ways. 
He has served as president of the County Medical Society and has been its delegate 
to the State Medical Society. In 1861 he married Theresa A. Marchisi, of Utica, by 
whom he had one daughter, Anna M. Mrs. Smith died in 1867, and for his second 
wife Dr. Smith married Anna L. Malsan, a native of Clyde, N. Y. , by whom he had 
three children : Adrian W. , Claude M. , and Bertha B. Mrs. Smith was educated at 
Miss Butler's private school at Hudson, the Sacred Heart Convent at Albany, and at 
Miss Hart's school at Farmington, Conn. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 251 

Cronin, James V., son of Timothy, was born in Utica, February 14, 1861. His 
father, a carpenter and builder, was born in Ireland, in 1828, came to America in 
1829 with his parents, and finally settled in Utica, where he died in 1871. Mr. 
Cronin was educated in the Christian Brothers' Assumption Academy, and in 1879 
enlisted on a man of war in the U. S. navy, serving four years. He then spent four 
years in mining in Colorado and California, and re-enlisting in the navy served six 
years more, completing a service of ten years. He was attached at various times to 
the North Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and South Atlantic stations, and on 
the U. S. man of war Alliance participated in the search for the Jeannette expedi- 
tion. Returning to Utica in 1893 he was shipping clerk in a foundry for a short time 
and then became manager of the Utica Carpet Cleaning Works. 

Norton, Mrs. E. A., is the widow of the late G. P. Norton, who was born at Che- 
shire, Conn., in 1817, where he was a clockmaker. He came to Leyden in 1840, where 
he erected a saw mill and cheese box factory. In 1874 he came to Boonville, where 
he engaged extensively in the manufacture of sashes, doors and blinds. In 1864 he 
married Mrs. Eliza A. (Roberts) Dowd, widow of James Dowd. She had four chil- 
dren: Ellsworth, born in 1866, and died in 1870; Lizzie, born in 1868; Roscoe George, 
born in 1870 ; and John Arthur, born in 1874. 

Clark, William A., was born in Utica May 13, 1864, and is a son of Benjamin A. 
Clark, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., about 1835, and came to Utica, where he 
still resides, a banker, real estate dealer, an insurance agent, in 1858. He was edu- 
cated in the Utica public schools and academy, and entered his father's office. 
In 1883 he entered the pay department of the West Shore railroad and continued 
about six months, or until the road went into the receiver's hands. In Febru- 
ary, 1884, he entered the office of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills as a clerk and 
has ever since been connected with that corporation, acting at the present time as 
assistant secretary and treasurer of both these and the Mohawk Valley Cotton Mills. 
He is a member of Faxton Lodge No. 697, F. & A. M., of Imperial Council No. 70, 
R. A. , the Arcanum Club, the Utica Citizens Corps, and the Forty-fourth Separate 
Company, N. G. S. N. Y. He is a sergeant in the Forty-fourth Separate Company 
and for eight years served as its clerk. He is also an associate member of the Mili- 
tary Service Institution situated on Governor's Island, and was for two years (1892- 
93) secretary of the Board of School Commissioners of Utica. June 18, 1889, he mar- 
ried Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Edwin Peckham, of Utica, and they have five chil- 
dren : Kenyon H. , Natalie P. , Irving B. , and Leonard S. and Lois S. (twins). 

Zimmerman, Mrs. L. — The late Leonard Zimmerman was born in Germany, April 
5, 1839, and came to the United States with his parents when fourteen years of age, 
locating in the town of Verona. He was educated in the district schools, and was a 
cooper by occupation. March 5, 1865, he married Mary Hart, of Utica, N. Y., by 
whom he had six children: Fannie A., Leonard F., Hattie L. , Alva H., Amelia A. 
and Mary E. , who died February 17, 1874. Leonard F. , who is in the employ of the 
Southern Pacific Railway, married Georgia Lyon, of Illinois, by whom he had two 
children: Leatha F. and Flo: ence E. They now reside in Utah. Amelia A. is a 
school teacher. Leonard Zimmerman died March 11, 1894. Mrs. Zimmerman's 
father, John Hart, was born in Germany in 1813, and was educated there. In 1835 



252 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

he married Harriet Pratch, of his native place, and they came to the United States 
in 1842. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: Fred- 
erick, Harriet C, William, Mary C. , as above, George J., Frances E. and Alva G. 
Mr. Hart died August 19. 1892, and his wife September 1, 1894. The ancestry of 
this family is German on both sides. 

Graves, Ferdinand V., was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., where in his boyhood he 
was an intimate friend of James Fenimore Cooper. He was a tailor by trade, and 
came to Boonville when twenty-nine years of age. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 
146th Regiment, and participated in many important battles. He became first lieu- 
tenant and raised two companies from Boonville. He was also a prominent figure 
in the nomination of John C. Fremont. Since the war he has resided in Boonville 
and lived a retired life. He married Phebe M. Brinkerhoff, of a celebrated family 
of local pioneers, who died soon after celebrating her golden wedding. She left 
four sons and five daughters, one of the sons being Byron P. Graves, who took care 
of his father in his declining years and until his death. Mr. Graves was for thirty 
years a clothing merchant in Boonville, and has been president of the village. 

Kent, M, J., was born in Limerick, Ireland, November 9, 1844, and came to 
America with his parents, John and Mary Kent, in June, 1846. His father being 
overseer of coloring in the woolen mills in Massachusetts, he resided in that State 
for some time. He next moved to Providence, R. I., and from there to Bridgeport, 
Conn., then to Skaneateles, N. Y., from which place he went to Pascoag, R. I., then 
to Carolina R. I., and from there to Dayville Conn. He worked successively in 
Auburn, N. Y., Oswego Falls, N. Y., Bennington, Vt., Franklin, N. J., Utica, N. 
Y., Lisbon Falls, Me., Rockville, Conn., Beacon Falls,. Conn, and Skaneateles, N. 
Y., finally settling in Clayville, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1886. In September, 1893, 
he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and has one of the largest 
and best stocked stores in this part of the country. In 1876 Mr. Kent married Bridget 
Maher, by whom he has one daughter, Jennie. Mr. Kent takes a great interest in 
educational matters, and has been trustee of the Clayville Union school for eight 
years, four years of which he has been president and three years secretary of the 
Board of Education. 

Dwyer, Michael, was born in Ireland, August 28, 1845, and came to America in 
1852 with his parents, Thomas and Nora (Hickey) Dwyer, who settled and died in 
Utica. She died in 1880 and he in 1881. He was graduated from Assumption Acad- 
emy in 1859, and became a clerk in a grocery store. In 1862 he learned the butcher's 
trade, and in 1863 went west, where he remained until 1865, when he returned to 
Utica and engaged in farming. In 1868 he began railroading and in 1872 established 
his present business in Bleecker street. He is a member of the Holy Name Society 
of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. 
July 23, 1876, he married Mary, daughter of John Lackey, of the town of Annsville, 
Oneida county. Their children living are Nora, Thomas, Catherine, John, Margue- 
rite and Agnes; two died in infancy. Mrs. Dwyer died February 13, 1893. 

Haley, Hon. Cornelius, was born in Little Falls, N. Y. , December 20, 1860, and is 
a son of John and Mary Haley, natives of Ireland ; Mr. Haley still lives in that village ; 
Mrs. Haley died June 2, 1896. He received a public school education and at the age 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 253 

of eleven entered the woolen mills in Little Falls where he remained about five years 

returned' o LiUleTlf T^^ ^ 0t ^° — ty, but two yeaJLter 
returned to Little Palls, where he again entered the woolen mills. He soon went to 
New Jersey and learned the moulders' trade, which he followed for severaTyelrs 
He came to Utica in 1883. In 1890 he was nominated for member of alsemUv bt 
the Democratsand the labor organizations of thecity and was elect S by a han dso - 
ma o Mty . He was re-elected in 1891 and again in 1892, and served in an three terms 
During his first year m the assembly he was a member of the committee on can! 
labor industries etc During the second year he was chairman of th ^committee 
on labor and mdustnes, and a member of the committee on excise and cTnals 
During his third term he served as a member of the committee on railroads el ' 
tncity, gas and wrter, and others. He introduced and succeeded in pa sinJ 'a Si" 

Flower and the commissioner of iaWT. f i ISS £ £^5 

restned 3 a H ^ Albany ' WhiCh P ° Siti0n he hSld UQti] A ^ 33 - 1896 B ; h e e a n U he 

re igned^ He is a promment member of several labor and other or, animations of 
Utica. December 28, 1886, he married Elizabeth daughter of W ?J i T 
Hannon, of Sharon, Mercer countv, Pa., who died Octet 1 lim L ^ 

children : Mamie Perpetua and James Bernard. ' ' ^"^ tW ° 

Avery J. B.— Billious Avery was born in thp t- n „, n „e c ^■ i 
M^^J; ^^^ '• 18 ° 2 ' -" ied ^ One^^s le,°k S Y ah tug y usUr k 18To r 

S h r d edAultuTSI L ^ ina ' da r ter ° f C0L IChab ° d ^-«et g of slh'sbu ; 
sne aiea August 15, 1833, leaving him three sons: Milton B., Morgan L and n^L 

F. Avery. May 13 1838, he married Melinda Adelaide Nor on daughter of T 

1380 Th N r; y ' Herkjmer C0Mty ' N - Y - Wh ° died - N?w Yor! jLua T/ 
1880. Their children are Emeline L. and Tames B Avm, w «ii J JanUar y 14 ' 

of trust both in his native town and in the town of his adoption F r ^ ^ 
he represented his town as supervisor, and for nearly TZ vc L i ^ 

justice of the peace of the town in which hell Tnl^ consecut ' ve Y™™ was 
as candidate for member of assembly of M dTstdct I ^ 857 e h rePreSente / ** *"* 
Castle, Oneida county, N. Y„ where'he spent TrJ^SJ J £S*£ 2?" 
he was a staunch Republican from the first foundation of that M tv W, In R P f tlCS 
son of Billious Avery, was born in Salisbury, Herkin^e county N V N T* 

Castl^N Y ^^?^ ^^reZJZ^l^yToT^l 
Castle, N. Y, where he with his sister occupies the family homestead A I * 

eleven Mr. Avery began the foundation of his subsequent education iif h F ** 
mental School, a training school of the Normal College at A bany i fT 

szrisirEssrcS: s r da and A*^2^ «; 

-ng his Bachelor degree ^r, L^« ^T^^TT^ 

olvernSSSS SSST^^ «^ V ^^ 
—- school at his residence at ^^^SSiiSS: 

Peck, Dwight Bristo,._The Peck family is one of the best known and oldest in the 



254 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

town of Marshall, being descended from Paul Peck, who came to Hartford, Conn., in 
1035 and was a prominent man in the colony; was ordained deacon in the first church 
in Hartford under Rev. Thomas Hooker. Zebulon, of the fifth generation, came to 
Marshall from Connecticut in 1801 to join his son Isaac, who came in 1797. He was 
a remarkable man in many ways, and especially noted as a deep thinker and concise 
writer. Was a member of the Connecticut Legislature for fourteen sessions and a 
delegate in the Constitutional Convention in 1788. Isaac Peck, his son, was the 
father ot George Bristol Peck, a substantial and influential citizen, and he was the 
father of Dwight B. Peck. In February, 1869 Dwight B. Peck married Ada 
Marie Lewis, by whom he had two sons: Paul, who died in 1885, and Percival D., 
who lives with his parents at the homeslead, which contains many heirlooms and 
much of historic interest. Mrs. Peck is a writer of ability, contributing to many 
leading periodicals. The early pedigree and arms of the Pecks may be found in the 
British Museum under the date of November 20, 1620. Marriages with two heiresses 
of rank formed the quarterings. The motto is "Probitatem Quam Divitias." 

Fisher, G. M., M. D., was born in Johnstown, N. Y., April 6, 1868, son of Henry 
and Lenora (Yager) Fisher, of Newport, where the doctor spent twenty years of his 
life. His grandfather, Rev. George Fisher, was an Englishman. He was born in 
1805, and came to America when an infant. George Fisher, the doctor's grand- 
father, also an Englishman, served under Lord Nelson, and was with him when he 
was killed. He came to this country and settled in Utica, N. Y. Dr. Fisher was 
educated at Colgate University, and Albany Medical College, from which institu- 
tion he was graduated in 1892. He then became assistant to K. H. Bissel of Troy 
for one year; and in 1893 he came to Clayville. He is a member of the Oneida 
County Medical Society, and also the Rensselaer County Medical Society. He is 
also a member of the Masonic fraternity, Sauquoit Lodge. 

Green, Adelbert, was born in the town of Paris, on the farm where he now resides, 
January 29, 1847, son of Daniel and Irene (Hammett) Green. In 1869 he married 
Mary Jones, daughter of John R. Jones, of Paris, by whom he had three children: 
Wallace, Ida and Cora: the two latter are teachers. Mr. Green is a Republican in 
politics, and takes an intelligent and active interest in the welfare of his party, by 
which he is highly valued. He has frequently been delegate to county conventions 
and has repeatedly served on committees. 

Delester, John, was born in France, October 25, 1829, son of Peter and Mary 
(Lemut) Delester, natives of France, who came to Utica in 1832. Mr. Peter Delester 
was a blacksmith by trade, and was in the war under Napoleon at the battle of 
Waterloo. He married at the age of forty, and reared nine children; and he died in 
Utica at ninety-five years of age. John Delester came to America with his parents, 
and in 1855 married Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Smallinberge, a native of Ger- 
many, and an early settler in Marcy. Mr. Delester was engaged in farming in Marcy 
and in 1S71 engaged in the manufacture of the extract of witch hazel in connection 
with his farm work. In 1892 he retired from his farm work and came to Deerfield 
Corners, and is still engaged in the extract business. 

Irion, Elias, was born in Germany, in 1835, son of Elias and Maria Irion, also of 
Germany, where Mrs. Irion died. Elias Irion, sr. , came to America when well 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 255 

advanced in years, and settled in Wisconsin with his children, where he died. Elias 
Irion, jr., came to America in 1860, and settled in Deerfield, where he has since car- 
ried on market gardening. In 1863 he married Rachel Wolf, sister of George D. 
Wolf. 

Evans, Owen J., was born in the town of Floyd, April 2, 1849, "son of Owen J. and 
Rose (Owen) Evans, who settled in Floyd about 1830. Their children were Jane 
(deceased), John, William (deceased), Owen J., Mary Jane (deceased) and Charles, 
all natives of Floyd. Owen J. Evans, sr. , was one of the pioneer dairy farmers and 
was active in educational interests. Owen J., jr., engaged in teaching school at the 
age of twenty, but is now engaged in farming and civil engineering. He is a gradu- 
ate of Whitestown Seminary. He was elected supervisor in 1886 and is very active 
in school work. 

Wynn, John D., was born in the town of Marcy, September 8, 1856, son of George 
and Jane Wynn, who came from Wales in 1850, where he engaged in farming, and 
was also active in matters of public interest. John D. Wynn was one of seven chil- 
dren, all natives of this county except the oldest. He married Mary Jane, daughter 
of Daniel and Martha (Pigott) Smith, by whom he has one child, Rosa M. Mr. 
Wynn is a farmer by occupation, and was elected constable one year. He is a mem- 
ber of the Patrons of Industry, of which he is treasurer, also a member of Wright 
Settlement Grange. 

Smith, Daniel, was born December 24, 1818, son of John and Mary Smith, who 
settled in the town of Floyd about 1830. John Smith was a pioneer farmer and was 
active in the M. E. church of Western. Daniel Smith married Martha, daughter of 
James Pigott, a resident of the town of Rome. They have two children: Mary Jane, 
wife of John Wynn ; and Emaline, both born in the Smith homestead. Mr. Smith 
is a farmer by occupation ; he is a member of the Presbyterian church. 

Jones, R. K., M. D , was born at Hollyhead, Wales, September 21, 1840, son of 
the Rev. Richard Jones. He is the eldest of eight children, and settled in this 
county in 1871, where he has practiced medicine, and also been engaged in iarming. 
He studied medicine in Dublin, and was graduated from the Ledwich School of 
Medicine and Combe Maternity Hospital. He was assistant surgeon of Union par- 
ish of Hollyhead. He first settled in Pennsylvania, but later came to Floyd where 
he has since followed the practice of medicine. He married Ellen T. , daughter of 
Thomas J. Jones. He was formerly of the Welsh Congregational church, and is 
active in church and educational interests. He was elected justice of the peace one 
term, and is now a retired physician. 

Williams, Thomas H, was born in Comarshire, Wales, January 8, 1833, son of 
John and Rosemond Williams, who settled in Floyd in 1852 with his family, and 
have six children now living: David, John, Elizabeth, Thomas H., Edward, Howell 
and William. John Williams was engaged in farming, and very active in town and 
county affairs. Thomas H. Williams married Elizabeth, daughter of Joel S. and 
Margaret (Roberts) Williams, who died leaving nine children: John, Edwin, Rose- 
mond, Prichard, Julia, Walter, Mary, Everett and Thomas. He married for his 
second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas and Eliza Nichols. He enlisted in 



256 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Rome, August, 1862, in Co. H, 117th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, and served twenty- 
two months in regimental hospital until mustered out, June, 1865. He is engaged 
in farming, and is very active in educational interests and town and, county affairs, 
and was commissioner of highways for two terms. 

Miller, Philip J., was born January 28, 1833, son of Peter and Margaret Miller, 
who were natives of Alsace, Germany. Philip settled in Oneida county in 1865, and 
is engaged in farming. He married Catherine, daughter of Peter Bahrr of Germany, 
by whom he has three children : Emma, wife of Welcome Van Buskirk ; William, 
and Clara, who is the wife of Charles Sporie. William Miller married Mary, daugh- 
ter of Robert L. Prichard, by whom he has three children: Clarence, Katie and 
Rena. William is also engaged in farming, and like his father is interested in both 
town and count)' affairs, and takes an active part in the educational interests of his 
town. He is a member of the S. F. I. 

Dewey, Rev. Sanger, was born in Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., March 27, 1823, 
youngest son of Chester Dewey, who was born in Westfield, Mass., in 1787, and 
came to LeydeD, N. Y., in 1801 with his parents, and for several years followed the 
business of a clothier, but afterwards bought a farm in Turin and spent the rest of 
his life in that industry. He died in Turin in 1844. He was a descendant of, and 
the sixth generation from, Thomas Dewey, who came from England in 1633. He 
married Phebe Wetmore, a native of Connecticut, who died in December, 1845. 
The Rev. Sanger Dewey became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
thirteen years of age of which his parents had long been honored members. At 
twenty-one he received exhorter's license, and on March 18, 1848, was licensed to 
preach. The following June, after spending several years teaching, he was em- 
ployed as junior preacher on the Steuben circuit (which then embraced several towns) 
with residence in Trenton. The next year he joined the Black River Conference 
on probation. In 1851 he was received in full connection and ordained deacon, and 
two years later was ordained elder. He has been pastor in the following charges: 
Steuben, Oriskany, East Canada Creek, Marcy, Brackett's Bridge (now Dolgeville), 
Delta and Westernville (two full terms), New London, North Manlius, Jordan, Sack- 
ett's Harbor, Hermon, Rodman, Ogdensburg district, Antwerp, Brownville and 
Dexter, Martinsburg and Glendale, Taberg, Deansboro, Vernon Center, and in 
April, 1896, was appointed to Constableville. On November 13, 1851, he married 
Miss Chloe G. Williams, of Oriskany, by whom he has two daughters. She was 
born September 28, 1820, and died in Taberg October 16, 1883. On October 14, 
1891, he married Miss Addie R. Crofoot, of Constableville, N. Y. , daughter of the 
late Benjamin P. Crofoot. She was born December 1, 1850, and was educated at 
Cazenovia Seminary. 

Grace, John, was born in Deerfield, N. Y. , in November, 1843, son of John and 
Ann Grace. John was a native of Deerfield, and was engaged in farming until he 
died in 1867 in his eighty-third year. John Grace was educated in Deerfield, and 
came to Whitesboro in 1886, where he has since been engaged in farming. He has 
a fine farm of eighty-one acres, all under a fine state of cultivation. In politics 
he is a Democrat. He married Annie, daughter of Charles Ferguson, of Whites- 
boro. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 257 

Mo^af ° tS S '; WaS b °/ n " Wal6S ' MarCh 25 > 1866 ' son of Da vid and Eliza 
to !n 1867 and ^ ffl T T NeW Y ° rk MmS iD 1869 - David M °^n came here 

^r; "io'TSm w, iS,n h s f s ayin1869 - , Davi - Morgan is empi ° yed ° n 

. , , , . ", L mnL J ohn S - Morgan was educated in New York Mills after 

2 mi h tr:;i*'f trade ' aa /; s now in cha ^ e asb - -^1?;^ 

pi ,v w .? ' ' e marr ? ed Harriet Ellen, daughter of Robert and 

BtaabWh Watkins, of New York Mills, by whom he has one child, David wltkTns 
Morgan. Mr Morgan is a member of Samuel Campbell Council, RoyaT Arcanum 
also Oriental Lodge No. 224, F. & A. M. num ' 

n Da Jw E r^ gene ' b0m " Frankfort - Herkimer county, June 18, 1850 is a son of 
time D d E w' ' Sh ° emaker ' Wh ° had PreVi ° USl ^ f0 " 0Wed ^ade in Utiea for a 

Lm Z V mamed , Lydla SteVeDS ' a Dative ° f Herkimer county, who to 
in Richfield Springs aged eighty six. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812 

keiscf Y ^HiHf uf eSS ,' ° f U , tlCa; Harriet < M -- Cbauncey Johnson of YonJ 
Eueene If m P ; ^ San ^ Jam6S CaStler >' ° f Richfield Springs; and 

Eugene, of Utica. Eugene Davis was educated in the Frankfort public school and 
first engaged m various business occupations, principally in the carting and verv 
business and hotel keeping in Lexington, Ky., for several years. In f 8 81 he ame 
to Utica and engaged m carting, and in 1888 purchased his present livery and safe 
stable of John Butterfield. He then combined the livery business and cartinTon an 
extens,ve scale and also extended the boarding and sales stable enterprise He i a 
member of Onental Codge, F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter, R. A. M Utica Com 
;*!' K ; T ', th K eSC ° ttiSh Rite b ° dieS ' 32 °> ^t Schuyler Counc ',, R A aTd 

an r 7 f ul n Febl " Uary ' 188? ' he married Ne » ,e McKennan of Utica 

and they have four children: Chauncey W., Lillian, George A., and Bessie 

Crippin A. E was born in Decatur, Otsego county, December 13 1861 son of 
George and Catherine Crippin. Mr. Crippin was educated in the schools of OtLo 
and Oneida counties, after which he entered the employ of the New York M Us Man- 
ufacturing Company and is now overseer of the weaving department of No 2 miU 
In : 8 o,.he marned Miss Lucy Harington of Kasoag, Oswego county, he is a member 
of Schuyler Lodge No. 147, I. O. O. F., and Samuel Campbell Counc 1 No 1090 Roval 
Arcanum ; in politics he is a staunch Republican. Y 

Thompson, Henry D., was born in New Hartford, N. Y., in 1826 and since his 
re tirement twenty years ago from farming he has been a resident of the village He 

Et an Th y omP or' ^ tc I ^T^' Wh ° ™™ he " *™ C — ^icut 

Ethan Thompson took a lively interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the 

SSTi'S Z tT V church and was always en ^ ed in i^ 

Mary J Wetter ' g mDety " tWO ^ Heary D " Thom P son «>» ried 

He has been a resident of New Hartford sir,r P 1SSR ^a ■ <. . P 

vears on the R P lt T ;™ t, "aurora since 1888, and assistant superintendent two 

years on the Belt Line, having served several years, as conductor and also as motor- 



258 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

man for a time. Fifteen years ago he married Maggie Boyle of Yorkville, by whom 
he has one son, George, aged eleven years. Mr. Vanderzee is an honorary member 
of Troy Fire Department. 

Davies, R. M., was born in Wales in 1827. son of John R. Davies, who came from 
Wales when R. M. Davies was five years old and settled in Utica where he always 
resided. Mr. Davies acquired an education by his own efforts and first engaged in 
farming; but in 1843 was employed in a factory at Oriskany where he remained seven 
years. In 1850 he married Jane Purdy, by whom he had four children : Ella, Henry, 
Margaret, and George W. , who died at eleven years of age. He spent three years 
in California and New Mexico, mining and railroading. Mr. Davies has been iden- 
tified with the Republican party from the time of its organization, and was super- 
visor in 1882. 

Stevens, Franklin, was born in Camden, Oneida county, N. Y., August 18, 1813. 
He obtained his education in the district schools and has since been engaged in 
many occupations. He was a merchant in Cleveland, Oswego county, N. Y., dur- 
ing the war. He has had much experience as a hotel man and has conducted the 
Lake Beach Hotel at Sylvan Beach, N. Y., for the past thirteen years. In 1834 he 
married Mary R. Potter, of his native place, by whom he had three children: Ellen, 
who married C. C. Cady, now of Boston, Mass. ; Welthena, who is at home; and one 
deceased. Mr. Stevens's father, William, was born in Connecticut and came to this 
State when a young man. He married Marinda Pond, of Camden, N. Y., by whom 
he had five children: Henry, Menzo, Franklin, Gilbert, and Welthena. Mr. Stevens 
was town clerk of Cleveland for one year. 

Buell, Wales, M. D., was born in Walesville, Oneida county, March 31, 1837, son 
of Alton and Julia Ann (Wales) Buell.. Alton Buell was the son of Benjamin Buell 
of Westmoreland, and Julia Ann Buell was the daughter of Jonathan Wales, who 
came from Windham, Conn. , in 1797, settled in Whitestown and built up the village 
of Walesville, and in addition to residences, he built the paper mill, hotel and other 
buildings. The larger portion of the village of Walesville was built by Jonathan 
Wales and Alton Buell. Mr. Wales died in 1838. Alton Buell built up the village 
of Walesville from the point where Jonathan Wales left off, and also the stove 
foundry, which was run as A. Buell & Co. They manufactured the Walesville cook 
stove, in which wood was used, and it was the greatest stove of its day, known and 
sold in every section of the country. Dr. Wales Buell was educated at Whitestown 
and Fairfield Seminaries, and at the Bellevue Medical College in New York. He 
practiced in Utica six years, and removed to Walesville, where he has since prac- 
ticed. Dr. Buell's family is the oldest in the county, and have done almost the entire 
work of building up one of the oldest villages. 

Parmelee, David E., was born in Kirkland, May 12, 1821, and was one of the ten 
children of Chester and Haddassah Parmelee. Chester Parmelee came here from 
Connecticut ninety-five years ago, and was about nineteen years of age when his 
parents settled here. His father and brother died soon after coming here. David 
E. Parmelee was educated in the district schools of Kirkland, and engaged in farm- 
ing, which he followed up to a few years ago, when he moved to the village of Clin- 
ton. He is the owner of the old homestead farm of 130 acres. December 8, 1846, he 



FAMILY SKETCHES. -259 

carried for his first wife, Amy Pierce, and January 14, 1852, he married Elizabeth 
Cole, by whom he has two children: Flora R. and Charles W. Mr. Parmelee was 
tor six years town assessor, and for nine years village assessor. 

Fowler, William H jr., was born at Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., June 13, 1880. 

Sed t T e n, f 7 m v T^ ^ b ° rn at FairfieId ' CoM - N °vember 8, 1801, and 
died at Little Falls. N. Y , April 17, 1896. In 1827 he removed to Trenton, N. Y. In 
1832 he moved to Cold Brook, Herkimer county, N. Y, where he carried on a furni- 
ture and undertaking business for fifty years. In 1829 while in Connecticut he mar- 
ned Mary Ives of New Haven, who was born in 1803, and died in Cold Brook in De- 
cember 1881 WUham H., jr., was educated in the common school in Cold Brook 
where he lived until twenty-three years of age ; from which place he went to Poland' 
Herkimer county, and was manager of the Union store, a position he held for 
twelve successive years. December 25, 1857, he was married to Mary M Slocum 
daughter of Sidney Slocum of Cold Brook. In 1866 Mr. Fowler moved to Trenton' 

WW« Tl i 7^ aSS ° Ciated with Levi Wheaton, under the firm name of 
Wheaton & Fowler, dealers m general merchandise, and remained until 1870, when 
he settled at Onskany Falls, N. Y, where he has since resided and is now engaged 
in the general merchandise trade. Mr and Mrs. Fowler have three children • Frank 
u T \ ]a Zo Ty l• 1861; Ruth IV6S ' b0rn Ma ^30, 1866; and Nettie E., born De- 
cembers, 1872 Frank S. is engaged with his father in business, and October 15 

CHft'o^r" 1 n" l, rn L °, 1Sa R ° 0t ' ° f MadiS ° D ' N ' Y - A P rfl 19 Ruth Ives carried 
Clifton C. Newell, of Onskany Falls. Mr. Fowler has been identified with the Pro- 
hibition party for the past ten years. 

Palmer, E. H., was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y. in 1837 His 
father Joshua Palmer, was born in Connecticut, and was an early 'settler of this 

slnfor^n? 1 ^ *w ^"T^T " ° D ^ Whitesto ™ "»*. He married Adaline 
Sanford, of New Hartford, by whom he had four children, of whom E. H is the onlv 
survivor: Ai, Celia, Elias H., and Esther. Elias H. Palmer has spent his whole 
life here, and has always been a farmer. In 1860 he married Clara H. Jones of an 
old local pioneer -family, also of Connecticut, by whom he had one daughter, ' Belle 
now the wife of William Owens, of Whitestown. 

An^T^ 311 !; 11 ' ?- ^ b0m ^ the t0Wn ° f Fenner ' Madiso ° county, N. Y., 
medtf.; >K * , neady twentv - five y^rs engaged in the practice of 

medicine a Knoxboro. having at that time just graduated from Bellevue Hospital 
Medical college at New York city, and his professional work began with his resl 

ulZT Tr He I" 6 "" 6 " tbe CaZen ° Via SemiDar y' P r -ious to entering 
upon his medical course, which included one year at Ann Arbor and two years a! 
Bellevue graduating m 1871. Dr. Munger's father was Chauncev Munger also a 
native of he town of Fenner, and a lifelong farmer in that section. Chauncey 
Munger s father was one of the first three settlers in the township, and a part of the 
farm upon which he settled in 1793 is still in the possession of the family descend 
ants. Chauncey Munger married Minerva Hathaway, a native of Massachusetts 
who was born in 1803, and died at the homestead in 1868. A noteworthy accot 
p ishment of her early life was the weaving of a bed counterpane when she'was sa- 
teen years of age, which, although seventy-six years old, is still in use in Dr Mun- 



260 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ger's home. Mr. Munger died at his son's home in Knoxboro in 1879. Mr. Munger. 
married Mary E. Strong, a native of Stockbridge, who was born April 20, 1842, and 
she died June 1, 1881, leaving two daughters: Jessie Strong, born July 11, 1874, and 
H. Louise, born September 5, 1876. Dr. Munger married for his second wife, Emma 
O., daughter of W. G. Strong, of Knoxboro, by whom he has had three children: 
Edith Frances, born November 28, 1886; Margaret Strong, born May 26, 1892, and 
Robert Strong (deceased), born October 19, 1894. 

Foster, Burton G., was born May 15, 1838, in Greenville, Greene county, N. Y., and 
was educated in the public schools and Greenville Academy, coming to this part of 
the State in 1867, where he conducted a stock farm of choice blooded Ayershire and 
Jersey cattle. December 8, 1869, he married Estelle Silvernail, of Oneida Valley, 
N. Y., by whom he had five children: Nellie M., Burton G., jr., Homer B. , Theo- 
dore and John H. Mr. Foster's father, Theodore Foster, was born in Westerlo, Al- 
bany county, N. Y., December 28, 1797. He was of New England or Connecticut 
stock. He was educated in the schools of his da)', and was a blacksmith and farmer 
by occupation, and a member of the Presbyterian church. April 18, 1833, he mar- 
ried Maria Moore, of Rensselaerville, Albany county, by whom he had three chil- 
dren: Joseph, Benjamin and Burton G., as above. Mr. Foster died in April, 1877, 
and his wife August 10, 1880. Burton G. Foster's grandfather, Apollos Moore, came 
from Pittsfield, Mass., and settled near Rensselaerville in 1785, coming on foot while 
his wife rode a horse that cost five dollars, as stated in an old directory of Albany 
county, carrying with them all their worldly goods. Mr. Moore afterwards became jus- 
ticeof the peace, supervisor, and was the first judge of Albany county, an office he held 
until he was nearly seventy years old. He had a store on his farm, also a large 
flouring mill in the village ; also was a foremost member of the Episcopal church. 
He was an officer in the Revolutionary war, enlisting when sixteen years of age, and 
served till the close of the war; he also served in the war of 1812. He died in 1840, 
aged seventy-six years. Mr. Foster's father, John H. Silvernail, was born in Colum- 
bia county, N. Y., September 30, 1817. He married Helen Johnson, by whom he 
had eight children: Homer, Estelle, Alfred J., Bradish, Mary, Henry, John H. and 
Helen. He died January 13, 1886, and his wife July 18, 1885. The family are of 
New England stock. Mr. Foster is now a farmer and horse breeder of first-class 
trotting stock, at his farm, Oneida stock farm, one mile east of Oneida, N. Y. He 
has a horse of the Electioneer and Wilkes blood of 'Senator Stanford's California 
breed. He has been a resident of Verona five years. He is a member of Oneida 
Lodge No. 270, F. & A. M., and in politics a Republican. 

Chamberlin, George L., was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., October 24, 1829. 
He was educated in the common schools and Vernon Academy and afterwards 
taught school for five years, but is now engaged in farming. August 11, 1850, he 
married H. Ellen Fleishman, of this town, by whom he had three children: Marion 
F., Rhoda A. and Bayard L. Mr. Chamberlin's father, Loel Chamberlin, was born 
in Vermont, February 12, 1793, and came to this State and county with his parents 
when a boy. He was educated in Clinton common schools, after which he engaged 
in farming. He married Elizabeth Lanning, of this town, by whom he had nine 
children: Samuel, Isaac W. Eliza, Meriba, three infants not named, George L., as 
above, and Rhoda. He was in the war of 1812. He died November 25, 1872, aged 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 261 

eighty years, and his wife May 20, 188.4, aged eighty-eight years. Mrs. Chamber- 
lin's father, Augustus Fleishman, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1823, where he 
was educated, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to the United States in 
1858 and located here. He married Ellen Gladwell, formerly of England, by whom 
he had nine children: Frederick, William, Ellen, Emma, Josephine, Julia George, 
Charles and Evelyn. The ancestry of this family is English and German. 

Gerwig, Frederick, was born near New London, in the town of Verona, November 
21, 1843. He was educated in the district schools, and afterward learned the car- 
penter's trade. July 12, 1884, he married Catherine Angley, of Rome, N. Y., by 
whom he had seven children: Edward W., Laura M., Bertha A., Frederick B., 
Martha B., Frank C, and Elmer H. Mr. Gerwig is a contractor and builder with 
his brother George. Mr. Gerwig's father, Frederick Gerwig, was born in Alsace, 
France, in 1821, and came to the United States with'his parents when nine years of 
age locating in this town, where he was a boat builder by occupation. He married 
Barbara Ruby, of this town, by whom he had eleven children: Frederick, as above, 
Margaret, Elizabeth, Barbara, George, Jacob, Caroline, Amelia, Sarah, Charles, and 
Benjamin. Mr. Gerwig died in 1877. Mrs. Gerwig's father, Jacob Angley, was 
born in Germany. He married Margaret Fembel, and came the the United States 
locating in Rome, N. Y. They had twelve children, three of whom survive. The 
father and mother are dead. Mr. Gerwig is a member of Romania Lodge, No. 271, 
A. O. U. W., of Rome, N. Y. The family are of German ancestry on both sides. 

Leete, Pelatiah W., was born in Guilford, New Haven county, Conn., May 4, 1815, 
and came to Verona, N. Y., with his parents when three years of age. He was ed- 
ucated in the public schools, and in early life was a boat builder. He is a natural 
mathematician, and his main business is that of a civil engineer and surveyor. He 
has served the town of Vienna as justice of the peace and school commissioner. He 
has been married twice, first in 1846, to Elizabeth Fuller, and they had one son, 
Pelatiah W., jr., who is a resident of Sioux City, Iowa. Mrs. Leete died in 1855 and 
he married for his second wife, Jennie E. Gardner, of the town of Amboy, Oswego 
county, in 1870, by whom he had one son, Arthur L. Mrs. Leete is station agent, 
telegraph operator, and express agent at West Vienna, for the past seven years, on 
the Ontario and Western Railway. This old family is of New England stock, and 
dates back to England to 1639. William Leete was the first of the family in this 
country; he became governor of New Haven colony, and when Hartford and New 
Haven united, was governor of the State of Connecticut which position he held when 
he died. Mr. Leete is the fifth of the name of Pelatiah, his son the sixth, and his 
grandson the seventh. 

Gates, Henry L., son of Nathan Gat.es and Phebe York was born in Brookfield, 
Madison county, N. Y., May 12, 1859. His grandfather, David Gates, was the pio- 
neer settler in the Beaver Creek Valley in the town of Brookfield having come there 
from Putney, Vermont, in April, 1793. The old Gates mansion at Putney where 
David Gates was born is still standing. Mr. Gates was educated at Brookfield 
Academy, read law in his native village with S. B. Daboll, now circuit judge in 
Michigan, and in West Winfield with the late Hon. S. S. Morgan, and was admitted 
to the bar at Ithaca in 1882. He first practiced in Brookfield, where he also served 



262 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

one year as town clerk. In 1882 Mr. Gates was married to Miss Roxie Waterman 
of Utica. In 1886 he removed to Utica and was associated in business for two years 
with the late John G. Jones. Since then he has practied alone. In 1890 and again 
in 1894 Mr. Gates was elected justice of the peace and still serves in 'that capacity. 
Although having decided cases numbering into the thousands his decisions have only 
been appealed from five times and none have ever been reversed. Mr. Gates has 
been assistant journal clerk of the Assembly of the State of New York since January 
1, 1894. For the last five years Mr. Gates has been chairman of the Republican City 
Committee of the city of Utica. He is a member of Utica Lodge No. 33, B. P. O. 
Elks, Faxton Lodge F. & A. M., Samuel Read Lodge K. P., the Utica Mannerchor, 
one of the original Board of Governors of the Masonic Club, a director in the Oneida 
County Sportsmen's Association, and for many years a vice-president of the New 
York State Association for the Protection of Fish and Game. Mr. Gates as a lawyer 
ranks high among the younger members of the bar. 

Small Lewis J., was born October 7, 1852, in Deerfield, Oneida county, and is a 
son of Gottlieb Small, who came from Germany and died in Deerfield March 10, 1860. 
He was educated in the district schools and Utica Business College, was reared on a 
farm, and at the age of twenty engaged as clerk for Weaver & Watkins, general 
merchants of Deerfield Corners, with whom he remained for five years. He then 
became a clerk in Utica for Roberts, Butler & Co., wholesale clothing manufacturers, 
spending five years in the stock department and seven years in the office of the 
manufacturing department as bookkeeper. In 1889 he organized with G. A. Grant 
as president and the late F. W. Kuhn as vice-president, the Utica Clothing Compan}', 
incorporated with a capital of $15,000. Mr. Kuhn retired in 1892 and George 
E. Vail became vice-president. Mr. Small is secretary and treasurer. November 25, 
1891, he married Eleanor J., daughter of the late Robert R Watkins, of Holland 
Patent, Oneida county. They have one son, Harold Watkins, born August 15, 
1893. 

Quinn, John, born January 6, 1840, in Boonville, Oneida county, is a son of John 
Quinn, who was born in Ireland in 1802, came to America in 1833. and settled 
in Quebec, Canada. About 1838 John, sr., went to Boonville, in 1856 moved to 
Rome, and in 1861 located in Utica, where he died in 1878. John Quinn, jr., went to 
Arizona Territory in 1858 and remained there till the war broke out. He then came 
to Utica and joined the family, and entered the employ of the Gulf Brewery where 
he remained until 1874. In that year he formed a partnership with John Myres, 
James O'Toole and Thomas Quinn (his elder brother) and built the Star Brewery on 
the corner of Mohawk and Jay streets, the firm being J. Myres & Co., which still con- 
tinues. The capacity of this brewery is about 30,000 barrels a year. In 1888 the 
same men and six others incorporated the Eagle Brewery Company with a capital of 
S100.000, and built the present Eagle Brewery on the corner of Jay streetand Third 
avenue. Its capacity is 50,000 barrels per year. Mr. Quinn has been president since 
the incorporation. He has been a member of the Board of Charities since 1879, and 
was its president in 1895. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and a member 
of the C. B. L. May 2, 1864, he married Ann T. Venn, of Utica, who died Decem- 
ber 10, 1881. They had nine children of whom four are living: Frederick J., Rebecca 
H. (Mrs. Thomas Hobbs), Anna and Margaret E. January 10, 1883, he married 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 263 

second, Mrs. Mary A. (Welch) Kelly, and they have nine children, of whom six are 
living: Bessie, Thomas, John, Agnes, Mary, and Harry. 

Sharp, Charles W., was born in Morrisville, Madison county, August 12, 1842, and 
is a son of Charles H. Sharp, a mechanic, who came with his family to New York 
Mills in 1853 and died in Wisconsin in 1886. He learned the trade of scythemaker 
and machinist in the town of Paris, Oneida county. In July, 1862, he enlisted 
in Co: G, 117th N. Y. Vols., as a musician, and remained with his regiment two years 
and eleven months, or until the close of the war, being honorably discharged June 6, 
1865, at Raleigh, North Carolina, and mustered out at Syracuse on June 17, 1865. 
In 1877 he came to Uticaand engaged in manufacturing and bottling small beer and 
soda water, which he still continues. He is an active Republican, and was formerly 
a member of Post Reynolds G. A. R. and its commander nine years. He is now a 
member of Post Bacon, and active in G. A. R. circles. He was a member of the 
committee on the chief's staff under Gen. S. S. Burdett, and later one of the State 
G. A. R. inspectors. He is now a member of the general committee of the G. A. R., 
Department State of New York, and was active in securing the annual encampment 
for Utica in May 1896. He is also a member of the Utica Lodge Knights of Honor. 
He married first Martha Lloyd, of Clay ville, N. Y. , and they had one daughter, 
Jennie M. (Mrs. Nathaniel Crask) of Utica. In April, 1874, he married, second, 
Carrie A. Tillson, also of Clayville, Oneida county, and they have one daughter. 
Grace A. 

Ball, Emmett J. , was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, N. Y. , November 22, 
1852, son of Daniel and Esther (Wood) Ball. Daniel Ball was district attorney of 
Oneida county from 1868 to 1872. Emmett J. was educated in Whitestown Semi- 
nary, and was graduated from Hamilton College in the class of 1875. He received 
the degree of LL. B. from Hamilton College Law School in 1876, and the same year 
opened a law office and commenced the practice of his profession in the city of LTtica. 
In 1886 he and his brother, Willard D., formed a copartnership. Emmett J. held 
the office of special surrogate of Oneida county for two terms, from 1878 to 1884. He 
was the candidate for city judge of Utica on the Republican ticket in 1882, and was 
defeated by Judge P. F. Bulger. Mr. Ball is unmarried. He is a Mason, an Odd 
Fellow, a veteran of the Utica Citizen Corps and a member of Royal Arcanum. 

Barney, Moses, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, December 23, 1833, came 
to America in 1854, and first settled at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N. Y. A year 
later he moved to Holland Patent, Oneida county, and in 1856 located in Utica. 
where he has ever since been engaged in the livery business, a period of forty years. 
He has occupied his present quarters in Elizabeth street since 1872, and is the oldest 
liveryman in continuous business in the city. He was the first Democratic alderman 
elected from the Fourth ward and served two years. He is a member of Mohawk Valley 
Lodge Knights of Honor, and one of the organizers of the Gulf Brewery and Brew- 
ing Company, which he has continuously served as president. He was also one of 
the originators of the Eagle Brewing Company. 

Kelly, Patrick E., city treasurer of Utica, N. Y., was born in that city March 27, 
1851, son of Thomas and Ann (Doody) Kelly. He was educated in the public schools, 
and was graduated from the Assumption Academy. He learned the printer's trade 



264 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in the composing room of the Utica Observer, and was publisher of the Sunday Trib- 
une for eighteen years. Mr. Kelly was excise commissioner of the city for four 
years, and was appointed city treasurer January 11, 1896. January 23, 1872, he 
married Ellen M. Carroll, of Utica. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Elks, Maenner- 
chor, Utica Lodge, Knights of Honor, of which he has been treasurer for many 
years. He is a member of the Grand Lodge, being chairman of the committee on 
printing and supplies. He also a member of the Utica Division, Ancient Order of 
Hibernians. 

James, A. Willard, was born June 20, 1863, in Utica, as was also his father, Arthur 
M., who was a son of Joseph James, who came here from Welsh Bush, town of 
Frankfort, and followed his trade of architect and builder, and who was prominent 
in church work, being for several years an officer in the Tabernacle Baptist church. 
He was educated in the public schools of Utica and became a clerk of Bradstreet's 
Commercial agency. In 1883 he accepted a position as bookkeeper with Henry 
Hopson, real estate and fire insurance, with whom he has since remained. Mr. 
James has been an active Republican, and in 1893 was elected city assessor of the 
Tenth ward for two years, being re-elected in November, 1895, for another term. 
He has been ward and city committeeman several times and a delegate to several 
political conventions. He is the official appraiser of real estate for the Mutual Life 
Insurance Company of New York and a member and past noble grand of Oneida 
Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., and a member and past chief of Tri-Mount Encampment, 
No. 24, I. O. O. F. He is also a trustee of the Odd Fellows Union. 

Bannigan, Michael T., son of Patrick, was born in Utica, November 22, 1868, and 
was graduated from the Assumption Academy in 1881. His father came from 
Ireland about 1845, and is the senior member of the firm of Bannigan & Weber, 
masons and contractors. At the age of fifteen Michael T. entered the employ of 
J. A. Marrow & Co., coal dealers, with whom he remained two and one-half years, 
when he became bookkeeper and rodman in the city surveyor's office. After filling 
these positions for three years he spent one year in the post-office under Postmaster 
E. Prentiss Bailey, and later four months as city treasurer to examine the books 
under appointment of the Common Council. In April, 1891, he accepted his present 
position as cashier for the Warren- Scharf Asphalt Paving Company. 

Bagg, Egbert, is a great-grandson of Moses Bagg, sr. , who came to Utica with his 
wife and two sons from Westfield, Mass., in 1794. He was a blacksmith' and also 
kept a log, and later a frame, tavern on the east side of Bagg's square. His son 
Moses Bagg, jr., became a merchant and afterward took charge of the tavern, which 
stood on the site of Bagg's hotel of to-day. In 1812-15 he erected the central por- 
tion of the present building and to it he subsequently added on either side. He 
kept the hotel with brief intermissions until 1836, when it was sold to a company. 
Egbert Bagg, son of Moses, jr., was born February 2, 1820, was educated at Geneva 
(now Hobart) College, was engaged on the Erie Canal enlargement, completed a 
course of law study, and formed a partnership with William Roberts, then foreman 
of the New York Cotton Mills machine shop, and engaged in machine making in 
Utica. Later Mr. Bagg gave himself to surveying and in 1853-54 was surveyor of 
the city. From 1855 to 1861 he resided in Fort Dodge, la. In 1862 he became 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 265 

quartermaster with rank of first lieutenant in the 117th N. Y. Vols rose rapidly 
and in August, 1864, was made major. He was engaged in thirteen fights, nine of 
which were pitched battles, and had command of the regiment in several engage- 
ments. At Fort Fisher he distinguished himself, was wounded, and for gallant 
and meritorious service was brevetted lieutenant-colonel by the United States gov- 
ernment. He was again surveyor of the city from 1866 to 1869 and in 1878 and 
was both surveyor and superintendent of Forest Hill Cemetery. He died Novem- 
ber 18, 1885, while on a trip to Europe. His wife was Cornelia, daughter of Mont- 
gomery Hunt, and sister of Justice Ward Hunt, of the United States Supreme 
Court. Their son, Egbert Bagg, was born August 10, 1850, was educated at 
Hobart College and Cornell University, and since 1871 has been engaged in the 
insurance business, first as clerk for Hoyt & Butler, later as clerk for Erastus Clark 
& Co., subsequently as a member of the last named firm, and since 1884 alone 
He was for many years a member of the Utica Citizens' Corps, rising from private 
to captain. On the death of his father in 1885 he was elected to succeed the latter 
as a merfiber of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He is also a member of the 
Society of the Sons of the Revolution, in which struggle Daniel Bagg father of 
Moses, sr., participated. He is a member of the Oneida Historical Society and an 
associate member of the American Ornithologists' Union, and has written numer- 
ous articles on birds for leading magazines and periodicals. In connection with 
Dr. William L. Ralph he wrote a paper on "Birds of Oneida County," which was 
read before the Oneida Historical Society and published in the society's proceedings 
and also in book form, and has since been the authority for Central New York He 
married in 1882, Sarah A., daughter of William Clarke. 

Barber, William F., was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county N Y in 1836 
He completed his education at Fort Plain Seminary, after which he engaged in 
farming for several years. Besides conducting an insurance business, he is at 
present an egg dealer. In politics Mr. Barber is a Republican ; he served as justice 
of the peace. for four years, and is now serving his third term as assessor His 
father, George Barber, was also a farmer, and died in 1843, from injuries received 
by accidentally jumping on a pitchfork. In 1866 Mr. Barber married Adelaide 
daughter of Abner H. Waters, of Westmoreland, by whom he had four children ■ 
Estella M., Alice J., and Roy De Forest. 

Siegman, Frederick, was born in Rome, March 8, 1849, son of Frederick and Ros- 
anna Siegman, who came from Bavaria, landed in New York, and came by the canal 
to Rome. In 1846 he first began work in Adams's foundry, then assisted in building 
the second track of the N. Y. C. R. R. and also assisted on the R W & O R R 
From Rome he went to Taberg, from there he returned to Rome, and about 1857 
came to Westmoreland, where he first rented a farm, and subsequently purchased 
one which he conducted until he retired from active work. He died in May 1891 
aged eighty-four years. Frederick Siegman, jr. , was educated at the district school' 
after which he engaged in farming at which he has since continued. He married 
Charlotte Herrick, of New London, N. Y, by whom he has four children: Lela 
Lydia I., Fred J., and Florence. 

Lee, Robert, was born in Westmoreland, March 14, 1845, son of Thomas and Lola 



266 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

(Candee) Lee. Thomas Lee was born in 1806, and Lola, his wife, was born in 1809. 
Thomas Lee was a merchant in Berkshire county, Mass. , and settled in Westmore- 
land in 1838 and engaged in farming, which he continued till his death in 1892. 
Robert Lee was educated in the district school at Westmoreland, and the liberal in- 
stitute at Clinton. He married Irsie Barber, daughter of B. Franklin Barber, of 
Oneida county, by whom he has had four children: Merritt E., Frank D., who died 
when sixteen months old, Fred J. and Lola P. Mr. Lee is a member of the Congre- 
gational church at Westmoreland, and is a prominent Republican, highly esteemed, 
and has contributed efficient efforts in support of his party. He has been collector 
of the town, and commissioner of highways. 

Foote, Samuel G., was born in Westmoreland, February 8, 1849, son of John B. 
and Mary P. Foote. John B. Foote was born in North Adams, Mass.. February 10, 
1807, and died January 24, 1870. He was educated at Williams College, Mass., and 
was a minister prior to his settlement in Westmoreland, where he came in 1839. 
Mrs. Foote was born in 1805 and died July 30, 1888. She came to Westmoreland 
when she was four years old, and lived here seventy-nine years. Samuel G. Foote 
was educated in Clinton, and then engaged in farming on the old homestead. His 
grandfather, Aaron Foote, was the inventor of the original threshing machine, from 
which the great modern improvements in this line have sprung. 

Cottman, Joseph S. , was born in Philadelphia, Pa. , August 9, 1836. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools and afterward learned the plumber's trade, which busi- 
ness he followed about thirty-four years. In December, 1860, he married Frances 
Mattison, of Rome, N. Y., who died October 4, 1881. In that year Mr. Cottman sold 
his business and came to Sylvan Beach, N. Y., where he is proprietor and captain of 
the steamboat, L. C. Spencer, on Oneida Lake. He also has a shop there, well 
stocked with machinery for performing skillful jobs in iron and wood work. Mr. 
Cottman's father, William B. Cottman, was born at the old home in Pennsylvania, 
July 27, 1793. He was educated there, and was a chair manufacturer by trade. 
November 26, 1818, he married Maria A. Streiby, of his native place, by whom he 
had eleven children: F. Louisa, John A., George S., Sally A., William B., Joseph S., 
who died in infancy, Maria, who also died in infancy, Joseph S., as above, Anna E., 
Edward S., and Martha J. Mr. Cottman died in 1876, and his wife in 1871, aged 
seventy-four years. The ancestry of the family is English and German. 

Groves, Adelbert D. , was born in Kirkland, July 18, 1853, son of Allen and Ada- 
line J. Groves. Allen Groves came from Massachusetts and settled in Kirkland, 
where he conducted a farm until his death, which occurred June 6, 1878, aged sixty- 
two 3'ears. Mrs. Groves is still living in Westmoreland, and is seventy years of age. 
Adelbert D. was educated in Westmoreland, and also at Whitestown Seminary, 
after which he engaged in farming which he followed until his death, in April, 1896. 
He married Annie Thompson, of Westmoreland, by whom he had three children: 
Newton B. , Irwin A., and Hartley I. 

Fargo, Orrin S. , was born in Chittenango, Madison county, N. Y., in 1847. He 
was educated in the district schools, and has followed the canal all his life in connec- 
tion with farming. September 6, 1869, he married Eliza Cooley, of the town of Ve- 
rona, who was born in Germany, by whom he had one daughter, Laura. E., who 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 267 

married William A. Wright, of New London, N. Y. , and they have two children: 
O. Leroy and Beulah I. Mr. Fargo' s father, Simon Fargo, was born in New Hart- 
ford, Conn., in 1814, and came to Madison county when a young man. He married 
Jerusha Thompson, of Clockville, Madison county, N. Y., by whom he had seven 
children: Clinton, Maryette, Jerusha, Orrin S., as above, Edward, George, and 
Alice. Mrs. Fargo died about 1856. Mrs. Fargo's father, Simon Cooley, was born 
at the old home in Germany, in 1817. He married Eva D. Manuel, of his native 
place, by whom he had nine children, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Fargo. The 
family came to the United States in 1852. Mr. Wright is a member of New London 
Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. The ancestry of the family is of English and German 
extraction. 

Siegman, Leopold, was born September 8, 1858, son of Frederick and Rosanna 
(Newcomb) Siegman. Frederick was a native of Bavaria, and came to the United 
States in 1846, settled in Rome, and assisted in building the Rome & Watertown 
railroad, also in building the second track on the New York Central R. R. , then set- 
tled in Westmoreland, where Ke engaged in farming until 1876, when he retired. He 
died May 2, 1891. Leopold was educated at the district school at Westmoreland, 
and then engaged in farming. In addition to farming he also deals largely in butter, 
eggs, and meat, which he buys throughout the country, and ships to the city mar- 
kets. Mr. Siegman married Helen D. Effenberger of Utica, by whom he has one 
son, Harold Henry. 

Ensworth, George W., was born m the town of New Hartford, N. Y., in 1836, the 
youngest of a large family of Ezra Ensworth, of Connecticut birth, who came here 
in 1792, when two years of age; his father, Elihu Ensworth, having died when he 
was fifteen years of age, a widowed mother and two sisters were left to his care. 
He bravely met with these adversities of fortune, and at one time peddled home 
made cheese in Utica, when there were so few buildings that he could visit them all 
in less than one hour. He died at ninety-three years of age ; his wife. Hannah 
(Munson) Ensworth, having died previously, January 17, 1876, leaving eight chil- 
dren, of whom only three are now living. George W. has always occupied the old 
homestead of 200 acres on the site where his father lived for ninety years. His 
grandfather, Samuel Munson, once kept a hotel, or as it was then called, a half-way 
house, on the site where the W. S. R. R. now crosses Genesee street. In 1872 Mr. 
Ensworth married Josephine Wilcox, of Portland, Chautauqua county, by whom he 
had two children: William E., who is engaged in farming at home; and Libbie E., 
who died in 1891, at fourteen years of age. 

Aldrich Reuben M., was born in Hamilton, Madison county, June 15, 1825, son of 
Zimri and Sarah (Mills) Aldrich. Zimri was born in Cumberland, R. I., in 1791, and 
died July 17, 1881. He always followed the occupation of farming. Sarah Aldrich 
was born in Paris, Oneida county, in 1805, and died March 28, 1891. Reuben M. 
Aldrich was educated in Westmoreland, where he has lived since he was seven years 
old. He is one of the best known farmers in the township of Westmoreland. Mr. 
Aldrich married Mary Goodwin, by whom he had one daughter, Libbie, who mar- 
ried George Teal, son of William Teal, of Westmoreland. 

Dempsey, Thomas E., was born at College Hill, in the town of Kirkland, July 14, 



268 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1857, son of John Dempsey, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States 
in 1848, settling in Utica, where he followed his trade as mason ; later he engaged 
in farming on College Hill. He now lives retired in Clinton village. He married 
Catherine Lyons, of Ireland, by whom he had eight children. Thomas E. Dempsey 
was educated in the old Liberal Institute at Clinton. He taught in the village schools 
for about three years, and in 1881 he engaged in the buying of hops, which business 
he still follows. He was one of the first members of the school board which organ- 
ized the Union School and Academy and erected one of ( the finest school buildings 
in the State. He was one of the organizers of the Clinton Burial Case Company, 
and was its secretary and treasurer for about three years, but resigned upon the 
transfer to Utica. 

Sanders, E. E., was born in Columbia, N. Y., March 25, 1862, son of William and 
Frances Sanders. He learned the trade of cheese maker when quite young, which 
he followed for twelve years, and then engaged in farming for five years. In 1891 
he purchased the Hibbard House in Bridgewater, which he has since conducted suc- 
cessfully, and is a very popular host. In 1886 he married Bertha M. Eckler, by whom 
he had one daughter, Hazel. Mr. Sanders is an active and influential Republican, 
and at present is street commissioner of the village of Bridgewater, and has been 
delegate to several Republican conventions. 

Horton, George C, son of James, was born in Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Mass., 
July 10, 1843, and moved with his parents to Herkimer, N. Y., in the spring of 1849. 
There James Horton was for three years the buyer and salesman for the Laflin 
Brothers Paper Company, manufacturers of writing papers. Leaving them he en- 
gaged in the powder business in Frankfort and continued until his death in 1870. 
George C. Horton was educated in the public schools of Herkimer and Frankfort, 
Whitestown Seminary, and at Hamilton College, teaching school in the mean while 
during part of each year for eight successive years. His school teaching commenced 
in the fall of 1860. In the spring of 1869 he settled in Utica and became a member 
of the firm of Rowley Brothers & Co. , which in January, 1879, was changed to Row- 
ley & Horton. This is the oldest paper firm in L T tica. Mr. Horton is a member and 
trustee of the Tabernacle Baptist church, and has been very prominent in the Young 
Men's Christian Association, serving as one of the trustees since its organization, as 
treasurer of the board since February, 1895, as its first secretary, and two years as 
its president. He was one of its founders, and has always taken an active interest 
in its growth and prosperity. 

Bielby, Isaac P., son of Thomas A., was born March 11, 1847, in Oriskany, Oneida 
county, in the old house just west of the Presbyterian church, now used as a grocery 
store. Thomas A. was born near Malton, England, in June, 1800; he came to 
America and located in the western part of Oneida county in 1827, and in 1828 set- 
tled in Oriskany where he had charge of conveying woolen goods to New York city 
for Newton S. Dexter & Co. , proprietors of the first woolen factory establishment 
in the United States for manufacturing supplies for the Federal arm)' in the war of 
1812. In 1852 Mr. Bielby settled on a farm two and a half miles southwest of Oris- 
kany, in the town of Whitestown, which Isaac P. now owns. There he died in 
December, 1873. In politics originally a Whig, and an early Abotitionist, and later' 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 269 

a Republican; lie was a college bred man, and civil engineer; he held several local 
offices, and in the military rose through the various grades in the service to lieuten- 
ant-colonel, to which he was appointed by his friend and coworker, Governor Will- 
iam H. Seward. His maternal grandfather was archbishop of Canterbury, and his 
father a major in the British army who distinguished himself with Wellington in the 
battle of Waterloo. Mr. Bielby married Christy Ann, daughter of Isaac and Eliza- 
beth 'Prudens, pioneers of Oriskany. She survives him. Their children were 
Thomas Picton and John Allison, both deceased; Isaac Prudens of Utica; William 
James, who occupies the homestead; and Elizabeth Ann, who married Bielby Yates 
and died in 1872. Isaac Prudens, father of Mrs. Bielby, was a deacon and local 
Methodist preacher, widely known as an earnest Christian, and died in 1870, aged 
nearly eighty years. His wife died about 1871. Isaac Prudens Bielby attended the 
district schools of his native town, Misses Cunningham and Grahame's, Whitestown 
Seminary, and Oberlin College in Ohio. He read law with Johnson & Prescott of 
Rome, was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in June, 1875, and began practice in the 
office of his preceptors. Becoming deeply interested in religion he entered Auburn 
Theological Seminary to master the Hebrew and Chaldean languages. While there 
his home was destroyed by fire, and all his property lost in the ruins. He returned 
to the homestead to settle the estate and lift the encumbrances, and also practice law 
at Oriskany. January 1, 1876, he entered the sheriff's office as counsel under George 
Benedict, and has remained there ever since, and has been attorney for the sheriffs 
in all the courts and before the governors. Mr. Bielby became an active abolitionist 
from his boyhood and in the Lincoln campaign joined the Republican Wideawakes, 
now the Utica Continentals, of which he is still a member. In 1861 he was a drum- 
mer in the recruiting service and a member of the Whitestown Seminary cadets. 
He enlisted in Co. E, second N. Y. Volunteers, but was too young to muster. He 
afterwards served in the 145th Regiment. In September, 1864, he was mustered 
into Co. C, 14th N. Y. H. A. and served till his discharge in September, 1865. In 
the great temperance reform movement of 1877 he was one of the most able and 
eloquent advocates, being the friend and companion of thelamented John P. French. 
In the political campaign of 1880 he raised the Lawrence cadets (afterwares recog- 
nized as the Conkling Unconditionals) and of which he was captain. He was a 
lieutenant-colonel on General Grant's staff of the Boys in Blue, a national veteran 
organization, which local organization became the Forty Roundels in the Blaine and 
Logan campaign of 1884. He was also commander of the Plumed Knights and 
adjutant-general of the Thirteenth Division (Central New York) of the Boys in Blue, 
and is now president of the Forty Rounders and the Veterans' Organization of Oneida 
County. He has been very active in politics and has often been nominated for office, 
but has declined to run. He was made a Mason in Roman Lodge, and since April, 
1876, has been a member of Oriental Lodge, Utica. He is a member of the Veteran 
Masonic Association, a charter member of the Masonic Club, and for many years 
active in the I. O. G. T., holding offices in the Grand and Supreme Grand Lodges. 
He was also for many years an officer in the Y. M. C. A. He joined the G. A. R. 
in Illinois in 1866 and in 1867 became a member of Post Worth, Westmoreland; 
later he joined Post Ross, New York Mills, and about 1872 became the first chaplain 
of Post Skiller of Rome of which he was the organizer and charter member. He is 



270 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

now a past commander of Bacon Post, Utica, was president of the old Utica Veteran 
Zouaves, and formerly chaplain with the rank of captain of the 26th Battalion N. G. 
January 27, 1886, he married Anna E., daughter of Langford T. and Elizabeth 
Hewett. Mr. Hewett is an old engineer on the D. L. & W. Railroad and a descend- 
ant of one of the pioneer families of Paris, Oneida county. He is one of the histor- 
ians of Oneida county, and author of a book of patriotic songs, Illustrated History 
of Utica, Sheriffs of Oneida County, District Attorneys and Surrogates of Oneida 
County, and other works of the different organizations to which he belongs. He is 
a member and officer of the Presbyterian church. He has the reputation of being 
an eloquent advocate, a competent official and faithful public servant. 

Comstock, Ira Morris, was born at Salisbury, N. Y., January 1, 1856, son of Morris 
W. and Sarah (Rice) Comstock, and grandson of Ira Comstock, moving to Whites- 
town from Salisbury in April, 1866. With a preparatory education at Whitestown 
Seminary and Utica Busines College, he began to read medicine in 1876 at Whites- 
town under Mm. M. James, M. D., of that place; attended three courses of lectures 
at the University of the City of New York, and was graduated February 18, 1879; 
also took post-graduate instruction at the same institution in 1880. On May 1„1880, 
Dr. Comstock commenced the practice of medicine at New York Mills, and has made 
no change in location since. He is a member of the Oneida County Medical Society. 
He is visiting physician to Faxton Hospital; assistant surgeon Patriarchs Militant; 
member of the I. O. O. F. ; Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., Utica, N. Y. ; of 
the League of American Wheelmen; and of the Order of United Friends and A. O, 
U. W. ; also medical examiner for several life insurance companies. April 7, 1880, 
he married Emma L. Bartlett, of Williamstown, by whom he had four children: 
Morris W., May Asenath, Aletha Emma, and Charles Ward. 

Hale, Andrew Jerome, was born in the town of Sangerfield, N. Y., April 14, 1825, 
and died in Waterville, N.Y., May 8, 1896. His grandparents, Minerva Hale and 
wife, were of the earliest settlers of the town, having come to it in 1793 from Con- 
necticut, and the large farm which they cleared and cultivated was in the possession 
of their grandson at the time of his death. Their oldest son. Seneca, was the first 
male child born in Sangerfield; thus three generations of the family have been in- 
timately connected with the history of the town and have been among its foremost 
citizens. In early life Mr. Hale engaged in the culture of hops and the wool in- 
dustry, afterwards substituting dairying for the wool business. In 1873 he moved 
into the village of Waterville, N. Y. , letting his farm on shares. At one time he 
was engaged with Charles Bacon and W. P. Locke, all of Waterville, in buying hops 
for brewers. Mr. Hale was a member of the Presbyterian church, and for many 
years both an elder and trustee. In the Waterville Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, 
he was an active member and held the post of worthy master for eight years. In 
politics he was first a Whig and afterwards a staunch Republican, and had served 
his town as assessor and highway commissioner, and also had been trustee of the 
village for some time. He was public spirited and always encouraged with substan- 
tial help all enterprises. When the Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Rail- 
road was built he took a large block of stock. He generally attended county con- 
ventions of his party and in 1892 he attended the Congressional Convention. Mr. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 271 

Hale married Maria, daughter of Horace F. Locke, of the same town. His wife 
survives him, also a daughter, Mrs. D. H. Livermore, of Atlanta, Ga. 

Adkins, F. A., was born in Otsego county, June 5, 1851. He followed railroading 
for twenty years on the New York Central, holding every position from brakeman 
to conductor. Six years ago he purchased the Junction House at Richfield Junc- 
tion, and has since conducted it with great success. In 1873 he married Emma 
Matteson, by whom he has three children: Frank, Linden, and Raymond. Mr. 
Adkins's father, Emery Adkins, was for years connected with the hotel business 
in this county, being at one time proprietor of the old Sherman House in Utica. 
His mother. Anna (Talbot) Adkins, is still living and resides in Chicago. Mr. Ad- 
kins has a model little hotel, admirably conducted and capable of accommodating 
twenty guests. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 581. 

Armbrust, John, was born in Ebenezer, Erie county, N. Y. , January 12, 1869, son 
of John and Charlotte (Landefeld) Armbrust. In 1889 he came to Sauquoit and en- 
gaged in the butter and cheese business and is superintendent of the Sauquoit milk 
station, where they ship from 100 to 125 cans of milk daily, and make 500 pounds of 
high grade butter each week. In 1892 he married Ada E. Cress. Mr. Armbrust is 
an enterprising and progressive young business man, and the industry he rep- 
resents so ably is an important factor in the business life in this part of the county. 

Dewing, W. H., M.D., was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., June 4, 
1858, and was educated in Whitesboro Seminary and Hahnemann Medical College 
of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1882. In 1885 he settled in Clay- 
ville, where he has since carried on the practice of his profession. Dr. Dewing is a 
son of George and Mary (Ball) Dewing, and his grandfather came from New Eng- 
land to Litchfield about 100 years ago. Dr. Dewing married Olive E. Van Auken, 
by whom he has two children: George and Ethel Mary. He is a member of the 
Oneida County Homoeopathic Medical Society, and has been president of that 
organization. 

Costigan, W. H, was born in New Hartford, N. Y., May 24, 1861. He followed 
farming until 1891, at which time he opened a furniture and undertaking establish- 
ment in Sauquoit, which has steadily increased in volume and popularity from its in- 
ception under his able management. Mr. Costigan's parents were Daniel and 
Catherine Costigan, of the town of Paris. Their children are W. H., Francis I., and 
Mrs. William McGuirk, of North Bridgewater. 

Carpenter, W. H, was born in Oneida county, where he has lived all his life, 
May 17, 1847, and was engaged in farming until 1880, when he retired, but later 
went into the saw mill business, and also conducts a wagon shop and a cider mill, 
his three industries forming a prominent and notable factor in the manufacturing in- 
terests of the Sauquoit Valley. Mr. Carpenter is a thorough and enterprising busi- 
ness man, who not only holds a front place among the business men of this part of 
the county, but is also highly respected for his integrity and progressive ideas. He 
possesses a great deal of literary ability inherited from his mother, who was a 
cultured and literary woman. Mr. Carpenter's parents were Lucas and Alphea 
(Radford) Carpenter. His great-grandfather Carpenter came from England and was 



272 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

one of the early settlers. His grandfather, Oliver Carpenter, was a native of Con- 
necticut, and settled m Oneida county, so that this family has been associated with 
the growth and progress of Oneida county during its entire history. October 26, 
1870, Mr. Carpenter married Mary E. Jones, by whom he has one son, Arthur L., 
who is associated with his father in the conducting of their various enterprises. He 
is a popular and talented young man, and is a member of the Clayville Band. 

McGurk, William, was born in Ireland, June 14, 1841, and came to America when 
seven years of age. His parents settled in Clayville, and his home has been in this 
State all his life. September 6, 1863, he enlisted in Co. G, 146th N. Y. Vols. , and 
served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged in July, 1865. 
He served in the Fifth Army Corps, and participated in all the battles in which his 
regiment engaged, including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, Gettys- 
burg, Cold Harbor, all the battles of the Wilderness, and was at Appomattox when 
Lee surrendered. In the battle of Gettysburg he was shot through the hand with a 
buck-shot, and was in the hospital one month and twenty days. Mr. McGurk mar- 
ried for his first wife, Annie Leary, who died leaving eight children: William J., 
John, Francis, Emma, now Mrs. William Kerwin, Maggie, Florence, and Leo. 
October 19. 1893, he married his present wife, Mary Costigan, by whom he has one 
daughter, Grace. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post and of the Patrons of In- 
dustry. 

Loomis, U. L. , was born in Cassville, July 6, 1856, son of George R. and Clarissa 
(Maxson) Loomis. He began for himself by first engaging as clerk in the store he 
now owns ; and has been twenty-seven years in this stand, seventeen of which he has 
been in business for himself, and in 1888 he purchased the property. He is an active 
Republican and has been a member of the town committee for five years, and has 
been justice of the peace for over ten years. In 1778 he married Julia Nichols, by 
whom he has one daughter, Martha L. Mr. Loomis was postmaster of Cassville 
under President Harrison. 

King, A. E., was born in Clayville, January 21, 1855, son of Harmon H. and 
Hannah King. Mr. King has been connected with the foundry business all his life, 
and the enterprise which he now conducts was founded in Holman City by his 
father, and Mr. King has been sole proprietor for nine years. The plant consists of 
a machine shop and foundry, and with the outlying premises comprises three acres 
of ground. In 1876 he married Jennie Talcott, by whom he has two daughters: 
Florence and Dora. Mr. King proposes to move his foundry to Clayville in the near 
future. 

Johnson, Charles H., was born in the town of Paris, N. Y., July 11, 1827, son of 
Lloyd, a native of Connecticut, and Laura (Luce) Johnson, a native of Vermont. 
His grandfather, Sampson Johnson, was one of the first settlers in the town of Paris, 
In 1852 he married Kate A., daughter of Eleazer and Fidelia (Eldred) Brace, by 
whom he has two sons: Bert C. and Fred. The latter is a member of the Patrons 
of Industry, and is a prominent Odd Fellow, in which he is noble grand. Mrs. 
Johnson's grandfather was Capt. Asel Brace of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Johnson 
has been engaged in farming all his life, and has been inspector of elections for 
nearly forty years in succession. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 273 

Latus, George F., was born in the town of Bridgewater, N. Y., August 11, 1852. 
son of George and Sarah (Stokes) Latus, natives of England. His grandfather, 
Henry Latus, came to Bridgewater about seventy years ago. After receiving a lib- 
eral public school education, he engaged in farming for about seven years. At the 
age of twenty-two he went west and engaged in the mercantile business; and May 1, 
1894, he engaged in business in Clayville, Oneida county, and conducts one of the 
best general stores in the town of Paris. He conducted. a store in Chicago for 
twenty years previous to settling in Clayville, and is a thoroughly experienced and 
successful business man. He married Mary Ann McDevitt, of Belvedere, 111. by 
whom he has eight children, four sons and four daughters. 

Chapman, W. H., was born in New Hartford, N. Y., April 19, 1844, son of Gates 
W. and Elmira (Robbins) Chapman. In 1861, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in 
Co. B, 121st N. Y. Vols., and served in the Sixth Army Corps, participating in all 
the battles in which his regiment was engaged up to Fredericksburg, where he was 
terribly wounded in seven places by bullets and shell. He was two years in the 
hospital, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. In 1891 Messrs. W. 
H. & E. T. Chapman opened the Cottage Hotel at Clayville, which they have since 
successfully conducted. January 2, 1867, Mr. Chapman married Mary E. Johnston. 
He is a member of the G. A. R., Chadwicks Post, and in politics a staunch Repub- 
lican. 

Biggar, Rev. David I., is a native of Quebec, Canada, but has spent the greater 
part of his life in the United States. His father, James Biggar, came from Roxboro- 
shire, Scotland, where he was born in 1790. He engaged in teaching until 1819, 
when he came into possession of a land grant of several hundred acres from the Brit- 
ish government, and settled upon it at Huntington, where David I. was born. After 
settling in Canada he married Janette Murray, also a native of Scotland, but a resi- 
dent of the province of Quebec, who was born in 1800, and died in 1855. Mr. Big- 
gar died in 1851. David I. was one of a family of eleven children, all of whom were 
born at the original homestead. He attended the Huntington Academy, and pre- 
pared for college at the Burr Seminary, at Manchester, Vt. He then entered Am- 
herst College, from which he was graduated in 1862. After spending three years at 
Auburn Theological Seminary, he preached a year and a half at Norwich Corners, 
near Utica, and then acted as pastor for the Presbyterian church at Vernon for ten 
years. From that place he went to Camillus, where he remained for seven and a 
half years, and from there he was called to the Owasco church, where he preached 
for five years. In 1890 the Vernon Center Presbyterian Society called him to the 
church there, and he is now engaged in building up and strengthening the church 
society. He married Mary E. Wood, who was born in Litchfield, N. Y., June 27. 
1843, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are now living. 

Butterfield, Charles, was born in the town of Vernon in 1830, and has lived in the 
town since ; his residence since 1844 being at Skenandoah, a small settlement one 
mile north of Oneida Castle. He is descended from a family eminent in history as 
soldiers and generals, from the early English wars down to our late Civil war. His 
father, Samuel Butterfield, moved there at that time and built up a large industry, 
which he carried on for more than twenty years. It was there that he started the 



274 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

manufacture of ingrain carpets, this being one of the first in the country. Previous 
to this he was a partner with S. Newton Dexter in the same line at Oriskany. Mr. 
Butterfield was the leader and means of Skenandoah becoming an important busi- 
ness point in early times. He was born in England in 1792, and died in 1879. He 
married Elizabeth Laister, also a native of England, who died in 1863, leaving a 
family of seven children. Charles Butterfield is now occupying the old family house 
at Skenandoah. Since his father's death and for some time previous he has carried 
on a large farm. He has always been an active Republican, and has held several 
important offices, being at the present time justice of the peace. 

Coon, LukeH., was born in Fabius, Onondaga county, N. Y. , November 13, 1835, 
son of Samuel Coon, who was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., in 1805. He was prin- 
cipally engaged in farming, and accumulated considerable property. While in Fa- 
bius he was a hatter, but in 1843 he moved to Homer, Cortland county, and bought 
the farm upon which he spent all but the last two years of his life, having at that 
time retired from active labor, and he died in 1892. He married Sarah Thompson, 
also a native of Cherry Valley, who was born in 1801, and died in Oneida Castle in 
1893. Luke H. was the fifth child in a family of nine, and after his school days in 
Fabius and Homer, he remained at home until he was twenty- one years of age. He 
then worked for some time on a farm in summer, and attended school in winter. He 
afterwards learned the painter's trade, and devoted some time to that vocation, 
mostly in Homer and vicinity. In 1860 he entered into the hotel business in Canada, 
at the same time speculating in horses. Returning to Lockport, he spent a year in 
a paper mill, and twenty-one years ago he bought the Sherman House at the Castle, 
and has been proprietor since, having one burned out and rebuilt. In 1864 he mar- 
ried Perice Conger, who was born in Ovid, N. Y. , in 1846, and by whom he has one 
daughter, Grace A. , born May 27, 1878. 

Cody, Francis A., jr., was born at Vernon Center, N. Y., June 19, 1852, son of 
Francis A. Cody, who was also born at Vernon Center in January, 1820. His great- 
grandfather was one of the pioneers of the town, having settled near what is now 
Vernon Center before the close of the last century, and the family has ever since 
been identified with the growth and progress of the town. Peter Cody was the first 
postmaster appointed at the Center. Francis A. Cod)' devoted his life to agriculture 
in Vernon until 1879, when he retired from active business and moved to Oneida 
Castle, where he is now living. He married Phoebe Faulkner, who was born in the 
town of Fenner, Madison county, in 1823, and died in Vernon, in January, 1868. 
Her ancestors were of Scotch descent. Francis A. Cody, jr., attended the Vernon 
Center school and afterwards took a course at the Whitestown Seminary after which 
he returned home and engaged in farming, in which he has since been eminently 
successful. Mr. Cody is a Republican in politics, and for two terms was elected to 
represent his town on the Board of Supervisors. February 4, 1880, he married Mary 
R. Carey, daughter of James A. and Rosetta H. Cary, who was born January 26, 
1855, by whom he had two children: James C. , born March 7, 1884, and Francis A., 
born February 26, 1888. 

Risley, John R., was born in the town of Marshall, Oneida county, June 4, 1856, 
son of Herman G. Risley, who was engaged in farming in Oneida county until 1866, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 275 

when he moved to Jefferson county, and is now a resident of Ellisburg, that county. 
He was a soldier in the arm)' from 1862 till the close of the war. He married Juliette 
Vanswall, who was born in the town of Marshall, August 3, 1840, and died July 7, 
1862. John R. attended the Deanville Academy, after which he engaged as clerk 
with Hatheway & Reynolds, merchants at Oriskany Falls, for one year. After this 
he conducted the Vanswall farm near Oriskany Falls until 1887, at which time he 
moved to Vernon Center and bought the farm upon which he now resides. January 
26, 1887, he married Estella S., daughter of George W. and Harriet E. Klock, who 
was born in Oneida, March 10, 1860, by whom he has one son, Lawrence G. Mrs. 
Risley received her education at the Onondaga Valley Academy, and the Oneida 
public schools. 

Lewis, Marion P., is a native of Sennett, Cayuga county, N. Y., where he was born 
February 1, 1851, and his father, Edward J. Lewis, was born in the town of New 
Hartford, N. Y., in 1820; and his father, Russell Lewis, came to New Hartford from 
Connecticut in the latter part of the last century. Edward J. lived in that town till 
1840, when he removed to Cayuga county, after which they moved to the town of 
Vernon in 1859, where they have since resided. Mr. Lewis married Jane Stevenson, 
who was born in the town of Sennett in 1825, and died in Vernon in June, 1892. 
Marion P. attended the school in Vernon, subsequently spending some time at the 
State Normal School at Albany, N. Y., after which he engaged in farming, and still 
continues. He married Alice D., daughter of Alfred and Mary Mason, who was 
born in Vernon, in November, 1849, and by whom Mr. Lewis has two children : De 
Verny, born June 8, 1878 ; and Winifred, born May 8, 1881. Mr. Lewis was engaged 
in the meat business in Waterville for about four years, and retired from that to en- 
gage in farming. 

Olmsted, Henry L., was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, N.Y., May 8, 1811, 
and spent his early life there, but since 1842 has been a resident of the town of Ver- 
non, living continuously upon the same farm, which is situated near Kenwood sta- 
tion. His father, Gamaliel Olmsted, came from Connecticut, where he was born in 
1760. He served four years in the Revolutionary war, and in 1782 emigrated to 
Utica, and a little later settled in what is now New Hartford. He was the first to 
purchase land in the town, the receipt for payment thereon being now in the possess- 
ion of Henry Olmsted, dated 1788. He finally moved to Willowdale, where he died 
in 1832. His wife was Elizabeth Downer, a native of Vermont, who died in 1870. 
In 1835 Henry L. married Samantha Budlong, by whom he had six children, four of 
whom are living, one in California and three at home. Mr. Olmsted's farm was at 
one time a part of the Indian lands, he having bought it at auction in 1842. 

Hamilton, William, was born in Stockbridge, Madison county, N. Y. , in 1814, and 
received his early education at the district school on Stockbridge Hill. He came 
from Stockbridge in 1842 and has since resided in the town of Vernon, near Sherrill. 
His father, Elias Hamilton, was one of the pioneers in Stockbridge, where he came 
from Massachusetts in 1808. In 1842 he moved into the town of Vernon and lived 
there until his death in 1844. He was born in 1776, and his wife, Amy Lamb, was 
also born in Massachusetts in 1777, and died in 1832. Mr. Hamilton has long been 
one of the leading farmers of Oneida county, now owning three farms in Vernon 



276 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

adjacent to Sherrill. He first married Amanda Smith, a native of Vernon, who died 
in 1858, after which he married his present wife, Helen Garlock, also a native of 
Vernon, by whom he had four children, one of whom, a daughter,, is now living in 
Sherrill, and was married to Mr. Thurston, now deceased. 

Watson, James was born in England in 1843, and received his education before 
coming to this country. He came from England in 1866 and settled at Kenwood, 
N. Y., in the employ of the Oneida Community. His father, John Watson, was also 
a native of England, where he was born in 1813, and died in 1895 ; and his wife, 
Jane Garner, also died in 1895. After coming to this country Mr. Watson engaged 
for a time on the farm, and then in the dye house in connection with the silk depart- 
ment of the Community; he there learned 'the trade, and for the past twenty years 
has had charge of the dye works of the silk departmeat. He married Eliza Coaks, 
born and educated in Ramsey, England, by whom he has four children : Rhoda, 
Maud, Clarence and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Presbyterian 
society of Oneida Castle. 

Smith, George W. , was born in the town of Vernon, April 19, 1844, and although 
a native of the town, he has lived as much outside as within its borders. His father 
came from Turin, Lewis county, and settled, when a young man, about three miles 
south of Vernon village, living there until his death. His wife, Mary A. Leffingwell, 
is a native of Vernon, and was born in 1815, and she is still living in Vernon. 
George W. is the second in a family of four children, and finished his education at 
the Vernon Academy when nineteen years of age, and after which he returned to 
the farm, remaining three years. He then entered the store of J. Harry Walters in 
Oneida, as a clerk, where he continued for three years, after which he again re- 
turned to the farm for six years. After that he was employed for some time as a 
manager of the bakery of the Oneida Community, and this continued for three years. 
He was next engaged as proprietor of a bakery in Lyons, N. Y., and at the end of 
two years, the Vienna Pressed Yeast Company requested him to act as their travel- 
ing salesman, which position he accepted and continued for ten years. In 1888 he 
started a bakery, confectionery and lunch room in Oneida, N. Y., and by good busi- 
ness management has built up a large wholesale and retail business, having the 
finest bakery and cafe in Oneida. In 1867 he married Marie Winchell, a native of 
Gouverneur, N. Y. In addition to his business in Oneida, he also conducts a farm 
of 315 acres in Vernon. 

Scott, W. I., was born in Brookfield, Madison county, April 8, 1849, son of Giles 
Scott, who is a native of Madison county, and Elizabeth G. (Babcock) Scott. He has 
resided in Oneida county for the past eight years, and has an attractive residence at 
Bridgewater Center. In 1888 he married Alice R. Robbins, whose parents are na- 
tives of Connecticut. Mr. Scott's grandparents on both his mother's and father's 
side, are eastern people. 

Robinson, Henry, was born in Bridgewater, N.- Y. , January 2, 1840, son of Henry 
L. and Mary A. (Maxson) Robinson. At sixteen years of age he engaged as clerk, 
and followed that occupation for four years, at which time the war broke out, and 
he enlisted in Co. A. 4th Mich. Infantry, and participated in all the engagements of 
the regiment, including Bull Run, the battles of the Peninsular Campaign, Chancel- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 277 

second FTe i e 1? ^T' Ant V etam ' and Gett y sb "g. -here he was wounded the 
second day s battle. He was then in the hospital for nine months, after which he 

251 A BroT™^' ",? Tt ° Ut hiS three ^^ tlme - In 1866 he "« ried 
N v hT o ^ * tW ° Children: MrS - Burton Bl 7 ant of Buffalo 

N. Y and Lynn Robinson. Mrs. Robinson's family came from Connecticut and 
her father settled on the land where the Robinsons now live; and their residence 
and farm known as Maple Dell, is one of the prettiest places in Oneida county Mr 
Robinson is a member of the Masonic fraternity and G A R w„ I 

under President Johnson, and has been town cL^and ^ sn^ZT^- 

Leonard, Franklin, was born in the town of Smyrna, Chenango countv N V F.h 
ruary 6 1837, son of Rufus and Navagal (Green) Leonard. He^ss empioyelm the 
Springfield armory during the war, and made 60,000 gun barrels for the United 
States government while there. He was one of ten men selected for special work 
in the armory when the English experts struck. After leaving Springfi l7he 
was foreman of the Stearns Manufacturing Works in Erie, Pa., fof two years and 
was then with the Otis Forge & Iron Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, for over two ^ears 
He next had charge of the smithing department of the city forge and iron works for 
nine years then came to Schenectady, N. Y, and had charge of the frame work in 
he ocomotive works for over nine years; when he took the position of foreman of 
he forge and blacksmith department of the Rogers Locomotive Works Caving 
there he came to Bndgewater and purchased a farm where he settled down anThf 
has now one of the finest farms in this part of the State. Mr. Leonard Jan inten 
tor of note and has taken out eleven different patents. He invented the firs time 
lock for safes ever used, an improved corn harvester, also a link machine an m n 
other notable devices. Mr. Leonard married Fannie Bates, by whom he has Two 
sons: Cassius, who married Grace Joslyn, and they have one daughter Jesst *Z 
Rufus, who married Alice Randall, and they have one son, Louis. ' 

Burgess, George H„ was born in Otsego county, August 23 183^ srT1 „* „■ 
and Mahala P. (Morey) Burgess, who was a native of Connect cut Geor ee 5™" 
engaged in farming, and in 1864 he came to Oneida county settiL m thf t t 

Bridgewater. In 1858 he married Larinda A Loomis who dw 1 
ter, Mrs. Flora E. Crist. He married for hfs second w £ Addle "r ?" 
January 19, 1895. Mr. Burgess is a successful and highly fesp ctedtenUem 1 

and he has one of the finest farms in the town of BrfdgL-a te t gen0eman ' &nd 
the peace for ten years, and has been delegate to ^^J*™^* 

Luther, Thomas and Mary.-The late John Luther was born in the parish of Dun 

IT"' tlf' N ° Vember U ' 1814 ' aDd WaS educated there, comingto the United 
States m 1849, remaining for a time in New York citv and ,h m 7 

f 8 ^her ia h Pa dr r h e ^ reSMed S6Veral ^ «• -Lmac^t 1 rSe^rn 
1852 he purchased the homestead in the town of Rome and M m e t„ ■ * 

about the year 1855. July 3, 1860, he married Janet R^bertsoTo, he ^ Tclr^ 
den, by whom he had four children: Mary B„ Nettie Tohn H 7r,d th Z~ 

Mary B. is a school teacher, and is now prj.pal'of ^^^^2^^ 



278 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mr. Lauther died May 30, 1884. Mrs. Lauther's father, John Robertson, was born 
in Scotland in 1787. He married Mary Lawson, who was born in the same year and 
place, by whom he had eleven children. They came to the United States in 1852, 
locating in Camden, N. Y. Both father and mother are dead. 

Thomas, Hugh E., son of Ellis, was born in Utica, October 22, 1860. His father, 
a blacksmith by trade, came here from Wales, England, in 1852, was foreman of the 
New York Central Railroad repair shops, and died in 1878, aged fifty-six. Mr. 
Thomas, after leaving the public schools at the age of fifteen, became a clerk in the 
clothing store of T. Solomon Griffiths, with whom he formed a partnership in 1883 
under the firm name of T. S. Griffiths & Co. In 1891 he succeeded to the business. 
He is an active Republican, was a delegate to the State Convention at Rochester in 
1891, and at Saratoga in 1895, and is now and has been for several years city and 
county committeeman from the Tenth ward of Utica. 

Georg, Emil J., was born in Utica, November 9, 1871. His father, Joseph Georg, 
a native of Alsace, Germany, came to America in 1858, and settled in Utica, where 
he was first a teamster for a few years. He then started in the wood business on a 
small scale and in 1877 engaged also in the retail coal trade, in which he successfully 
continued till his death, May 17, 1892, at the age of fifty-five. In 1890 his son 
Joseph L. became his partner under the firm name of Joseph Georg & Son. He 
was a member of the C. M. B. A., the Germania Industrial Association, and other 
benevolent movements. He married Frances Hurstell, a native of Alsace, Ger- 
many, who survives him. Their children were Joseph L., and Emma M., both de- 
ceased, and Sophia M. and Emil J., of Utica. Emil J. Georg was educated in the 
Utica public schools and Business College, learned the trade of brass turner, and 
upon his father's death became a partner in the coal and wood business with his 
brother Joseph L., as Joseph Georg's Sons. His brother died April 25, 1895, and 
since then he has continued the business alone under the name of Joseph Georg's 
Son. He is a member of the Utica Maennechor, the Knights of St. George, the 
Y. M. C. A., the Utica Cycling Club, the Young Men's Sodality of St. Joseph's 
church, and the Coal Exchange. 

Lindsley, Smith M., was born in Monticello, N. Y., in 1847. His grandfather, 
Eliud Lindsley. was a pioneer settler of Sullivan county, and is prominently men- 
tioned in the histories of that county. His father, Rufus B., was a well known 
farmer and stock dealer while his mother was a daughter of Smith Weed, of whose 
family the famous Smith Weed, of Clinton county, is a member. Mr. Lindsley was 
graduated from the Monticello Academy as valedictorian of his class and completed 
his studies at the Wyoming Seminary and College in Pennsylvania, and was after- 
wards a member of the faculty of that institution for one year. He then read law in 
Wilkesbarre, Pa. . till 1869, when he came to Utica and entered the office of Hon. 
Francis Kernan. He was admitted to the bar in 1870 and immediately entered upon 
his successful professional career in Utica. A Democrat in politics he was elected 
city attorney by popular vote in 1872 and served two terms. Since then he has 
declined many political honors and devoted himself assiduously to his extensive law 
practice. In 1885 he became president of the First National Bank of Chittenango 
and still holds that position. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a prominent mem- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 279 

ber of the Royal Arcanum, having served two years from 1887 as supreme regent of 
that order His work in furthering the interests of this latter organization has given 
him a wide reputation. In 1873 he married Dorlissa, daughter of John W fohn 
ston a prominent lawyer of Sullivan county. In 1895 he was unanimously' nomi- 
nated by his party for justice of the Supreme Court of the State, but he declined to run. 

« Jf*' l erV / E " SOn of Ela and Ann E - was born in Greig, Lewis county, Julv 25 
1855. The family is of English extraction and descends from Enos Kent who was 
among the Pilgrim ssettlers of Massachusetts and later one of the founders of Kent 
Conn, which took his name. Enos, great-grandfather of Perry E. (brother of Tames 
Kent, LL.D., the celebrated jurist, chancellor of N. Y., and once a professor at Co 
qTo ™ l eg6) ' WaS a Revolutionar y tidier, while his son served in the war of 
181. Ela Kent was a captain in the old Lewis county militia and an early school 
teacher, and married Ann E. Wheeler, of Scotch descent. They bad three children • 
Mrs. j E. Lewis and Perry E. of Utica, and R. E. H. Kent, of Lee, Oneida county' 
Perry E. Rent attended the Boonville High School and at the age of eleven entered 
the then Black River Herald office, which his father had been instrumental in found- 
ing as the Boonville Ledger. In 1869 he entered the office of the Geneva Courier 
Later he was assistant foreman of the Illion Citizen and still later assistant instructor 
at the Cornell University Press. Afterward he was foreman and finally manager of 
the Phelps Citizen, superintendent of the Geneva Courier, and connected with the job 
printing office of the Scran ton, Pa. , Republican. In the fall of 1879 he came to Utica 
to accept a position with Curtis & Childs, job printers, and in 1880 he started in busi- 
ness for himself in Seneca Falls. After three years of success in business he returned 
to Utica, and again entered business which afterwards became the firm of Kent & 
Fierstein; selling out his interest there in 1888 he established his present job print 
ing office on the corner of Genesee and Bleecker streets. In January 1893 William 
E. Davies was admitted to partnership under the firm name of Kent & Dav'ies Mr 
Kent has been an Odd Fellow since 1881, is a past grand, and also a past chief patril 
arch of the Encampment and a member of Canton Utica, No. 3 P M He joined 
th< ;L 0f ~ ^ 1882 and WaS chancellor commander two terms; he became a Mason 
in 1886. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and in 1886 joined the Utica Citi 
zens Corps, which was subsequently mustered into the National Guard as the 44th 
Separate Co. After serving five years he joined the 28th Separate Co Utica Citv 
Guards, m 1893, and is an exempt fireman. He was a charter member of the Old 
Fort Schuyler Rifle Association and the Utica Cycling Club, and for several years 
has been an active member of the Y. M. C. A. and the South Street M E church 
As a marksman in military circles he has won valuable medals and handsome 
trophies. During the first year that the expert class was authorized by the State he 
was the only man outside of New York city to qualify as an "expert" marksman 
and the seventh in the State at large to receive the decoration for long distance 
shooting. In 1893 he won a gold medal at the World's Fair. In 1895 he won srold 
and silver medals at the International Scheutzenbund at Glendale L I In 1878 he 
married Carrie E. Sheeler, and their children are Lulu Bell, Harold L Leslie Mar 
guerite. ' 

Benton, George, was born at Frankfort, Herkimer county, N. Y in 1836 son of 
the late Janjejs Benton, He came to Utica in 1839, where he was educated in 



280 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Williams's Private School, and began his agricultural pursuits at his present location, 
a 200 acre dairy farm overlooking Utica, it being the old homestead where his father 
resided for twenty-five years. The latter was a man of rare ability and a prominent 
builder of Utica, who died at ninety years of age. He was born at Warwickshire, 
England, in 1805, and his parents being poor, and he the oldest of the family, he was 
early thrown on his own resources. After acquiring his trade as a builder, he came to 
America and settled in Utica, where he was a man of great discrimination and tact, 
an essential requisite of an employer of many men of whose welfare he was ever 
mindful. He upheld the principles of the Democratic party, but was elected mayor 
of Utica in 1878 by the Workingman's party. He married Susan Bradley, of Eng- 
lish birth, who died in 1889, leaving five children. In 1867 George Benton married 
Rhoda, daughter of Thomas Wheatley, of New Hartford, by whom he had twelve 
children, of whom eight are now living. Mr. Benton was elected supervisor in 1890, 
by the largest majority ever received by a Democrat in New Hartford. 

Selbach, John H., was born in Utica, N. Y., February 15, 1866, son of John and 
Mary Selbach. John Selbach was born in Germany, and came to America over forty 
years ago. He was first a merchant in Utica, and later engaged in farming, at which 
he continued, until he retired in 1892 Mrs. Selbach died in 1872. John H. was edu- 
cated in the public schools of Utica, after which he engaged in farming, and is also 
a milk dealer, running a route in Utica. He is one of the best known farmers in 
Whitesboro, and is also school trustee. He married Catherine Miller, of Whitesboro, 
by whom he has two children : Mary and Fred. Mr. Selbach and his wife are mem- 
bers of St. Paul's church at Whitestown. 

Gates, William M. , was born in New York Mills, February 18, 1844, son of James 
and Mary Ann Gates. James Gates came from England in 1832, and was engaged 
in the manufacture of soap and candles. He died in 1887. William M. Gates spent his 
early life on a farm, and when he came to Whitesboro, he engaged in the cheese 
manufacturing business, and in which he was engaged for ten years. He afterwards 
engaged in building, but of late years has been retired from active business. He 
married Lizzie Kennedy, of Marcy, by whom he has one daughter, Libbie B. Gates, 
who is interested in kindergarten work. Mr. Gates is school trustee of Whitesboro, 
a position he has held for a long time, and he has also been a member of the Village 
Board. Mr. Gates and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Whites- 
boro. 

Tyler, Henry H., son of Dr. John Tyler, was born in the town of Lee, Oneida 
county, N. Y., August 1, 1831. Henry H. Tyler was educated in the schools of Rome, 
attending the first school term organized in the Rome Academy. He engaged in 
mechanical business for a number of years, then turned his attention to farming, at 
which he has since continued. In politics Mr. Tyler has been an independent Re- 
publican. Mr. Tyler is a successful well known farmer in the town of Westmoreland 
where he resides, and his place is noticeable for its tasteful and attractive appear- 
ance. He married Elizabeth A. Stevens, by whom he had four sons: Bayard H., 
who is an artist in Yonkers, N. Y. ; Fred A., who isamemberof the Pease Furnace Co. 
of Syracuse, N. Y. ; C. Edwin, connected with the mercantile business in Rome ; and 
Jesse S., who is at the homestead farm. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Tyler, his wife, died in 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 281 

1886, and he is now married to Mrs. E. F. Terpening of Westmoreland. His father, 
Dr. John Tyler, was a prominent physician of Rome for many years. He died at 
the age of sixty-three. Asa P. Tyler, the grandfather of Henry H. Tyler, was born 
in Massachusetts, and was one of the earlest settlers in Rome, there being but five 
houses where the city of Utica now stands at the time of his settling in Rome. At 
a little later date the territory where Rome now stands was sold at auction at Johns- 
town for taxes at $1.00 per acre. 

Bell, Henry Dwight, was born in Westmoreland, N. Y., September 4, 1840, son of 
John Morris and Sarah Bell. John Morris Bell was the son of Phineas Bell, a soldier 
in the American Revolution ; and Mrs. Sarah Bell was the daughter of Anson Smith 
of Walesville, N. Y. Henry D. was educated at the district school, and at the 
Whitestown Seminary. He then engaged in farming at which he always continued. 
In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Bell married Helen Rogers of Whitestown, by 
whom he has three children: Louis W. , Edna and Grace. 

Miller, Morris S., is a native of the town of Augusta, where he wasborn February 
10, 1843, son of Morris S. Miller, who was also born in the town of Augusta in 1814, 
and was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of that town. He 
lived in the town forty years, when he removed to Deansville and resided there for 
a period of twenty years, after which he returned to Augusta, settling in Oriskany 
Falls, living there seven or eight years, when he retired and came to Oneida Castle, 
where he died in 1887 ; his father, Isaac C. Miller, came from Connecticut, settling in 
the town of Kirkland, and at one time he and his four sons owned a body of land 
covering a distance of four miles in length. Morris S. Miller, sr., married Lucinda 
Wood, of Augusta, who was born in 1817, and died in Oneida Castle in 1891. Morris 
S. Miller, jr., is one of a family of five children, and received his education at 
Augusta and Deansville, after which he devoted himself to stock raising, principally 
that of fine horses. He is an active Republican, and in the years 1885 and 1886 rep- 
resented his town on the Board of Supervisors. He married Jane A. Cody, daughter 
of F. A. and Phoebe Cody, of Vernon Center, by whom he has had four children, 
three of whom are now living. 

Allen, Hiram J., was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., November 11, 
1831, son of Henry Allen who was a native of Vermont. H. J. Allen wasfor a num- 
ber of years in the employ of the government, and has gained a great knowledge of 
traveling, and when quite young, was in California, Mexico and many other places 
of interest. He learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which business he fol- 
lowed many years. He was the builder of two of the Hamilton College buildings, 
also two of the society buildings, and at present conducts the leading plumbing 
business and hardware store in the village. He is a director in the Mercantile Co- 
operative Co. of Rome, N. Y. , and married Adelaide Clough, of Vermont, by whom 
he has seven children: Walter H., Nellie M., Alice D., Edith V., Herbert, Harold 
and Leslie H. Mr. Allen is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

Cross, John Cleveland, was born in Stirlingville, Jefferson county, N.Y., Septem- 
ber 12, 1833, and was a son of Theodore and Harriet ((Seymour) Cross. Theodore 
Cross was born in Weare, N. H., November 14, 1804. His ancestors came from 
Massachusetts, being among the first settlers of Ipswich, Haverhill and Methuen, 



282 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

where they held a large colonial and Indian grant of land, a portion of which, the 
homestead farm with house originally built about 1640, is still in the possession of 
George L. Cross, the seventh lineal descendant of the original owner. Many mem- 
bers of the family served in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars, and were prom- 
inent in the early history of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, being connected 
with the Adams, Cleveland^ Choate, Eastman and Burbank families of those States. 
Theodore Cross came to the town of Philadelphia in 1818, where he engaged in 
farming and lumbering till 1856, when he removed to Boonville, N. Y., carrying on 
with his son the butter and cheese business. He died at Oriskany Falls in 1881. 
John C. Cross was educated at the Governeur Academy in St. Lawrence county, 
N. Y., graduating at the age of eighteen, when he entered the employ of W. W. & 
I. N. Herrick, general merchants in Philadelphia, N. Y. After one year of service 
there he went to Boonville as clerk in the store of an uncle. John Cross, with whom, 
after three years, he entered into partnership. Selling out there in 1858, he removed 
to New York city, engaging in the general produce and commission business. He 
continued there until 1861, when he removed to Oriskany Falls, N. Y., and for the 
next seventeen years was there engaged as a general merchant. He has since been 
engaged as an extensive farmer and dealer in hops. He is one of the largest hop ■ 
growers in the State, having now eighty acres devoted to that product. He was 
elected the first president of the village of Oriskany Falls upon its incorporation in 
1888. December 5, 1855, he married Permelia V. Goodrich, daughter of Hon. Caleb 
Goodrich, of Boonville, N. Y. , by whom he had four children: Theodore La Mont, 
born February 9, 1858. now a practicing attorney at LTtica, N. Y. ; Harriet Louisa, 
born June 16, 1860, who died August 9, 1894; Kathlenn, born March 25, 1870, now 
living with her parents; and Wylie C, born May 1, 1861, and died May 7, 1851. 

Hinman, William, born in Stockbridge, N. Y., August 15, 1832, and moved to 
Knoxboro with his parents, where he has resided since 1838. His father, Harlow 
Hinman, was a native of Connecticut, and was one of the early settlers in Stock- 
bridge. He engaged in farming for a time, and conducted the hotel at the vil- 
lage of Knoxboro. He married Caroline Powers, of Augusta, and she died in Knox- 
boro in 1860, and Mr. Hinman died April 5, 1853. William Hinman was educated at 
Knoxboro, and when his course was completed, returned to his father's farm. He 
has conducted it, accumulating and adding to it each year, until he has now one of 
the finest farm properties in the county. Mr. Hinman has. been supervisor for 
several terms, and is now president of the Oneida Agricultural Society, and has 
also been school trustee for thirty years. January 1, 1854, he married Abbie 
Vaughn, of Augusta, who was born October 1, 1833, and by whom he has four 
children: Charles V., born June 12, 1856: William J., born July 4, 1858; George G., 
born September 7, 1864 ; and Maud E. , born November 6, 1872. 

Nichols, Charles F. , M.D., was born in Milton, Sussex county, Del., June 8, 1865, 
son of Captain Charles and Susan Nichols. Charles is captain in the navy, which he 
joined about forty years ago. Charles F. was graduated from St., John's College at 
Brandywine, Del., in 1881, after which he took a medical course at Baltimore Uni- 
versity, served two years in the University Hospital, and was graduated in 1886. 
In 1887 he located at Vienna, where he has practiced to the present time. He is 
wholly a self-made man, public spirited and actively interested in educational affairs. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 283 

He is a member of Sylvan Beach I. 0. O. F. and encampment at Oneida. In 
the subordinate lodge, I. O. O. P., he has held all the offices in the gift of the 
lodge Mr Nichols married Elizabeth, daughter of Albert and Nancy Cook 
by whom he had one child, Albert Cook. Y ' 

mr°r Bri r\ J ^ n, - WaS b0m iD Ireland ' Se P tember 6, 18^9, son of John and Catherine 
McCarthy) O'Bnen. John O'Brien was educated in Ireland and America He came 
o the Wed States in 1854, and first began at railroading, then engaged 7n farm 
mg, and bought the life lease of Joshua Stivers, which he SterwarffS- ft^J 
leturned and bought back the lease he formerly owned, where he lived three years 
He sold it to George Clark, and moved to M. H. Tenant's farm, which he easld for 
five years, for $500 per year. He was elected road commissioner of the ci y of Rome 
where he served two years in succession. He then moved on to the Brook f arm Tn 
the Second ward m Rome, and lived there one year; from here he moved on to the 
Phonex Abbe place, known as the Jim Kirkland farm, and lived there three years 
■ he afterwards moved on to a farm known as the Moore, Montgomery and Schneider 
farm; there he attended an indicating station on the New York Central for two 
years. He then moved on to the farm known as the William Evans farm where he 
ived one year; hen moved on to the John Fleming farm and lived one y ar He 
then moved on to his present farm, where he has resided for the past nine years 
He marned Honora Qumn, of Ireland, by whom he has eight children : MichlelT 
Wdliam, John T., Annie, Mary, Rosie, Maggie and Fannie. Mr. O'Brien a't'houi'h 
a Democrat, was elected for two terms in succession, commissioner of highways^ 
the township of Westmoreland. This town is Republican by a large majority and 
MnO Bnen 1S the only Democrat who was ever elected to Lt office TnSown" 

Wasserman, Felix, was born in Germany, in 1826, son of Felix and Barbara W« 
serman. Felix Wasserman, Jr., came to the United States in I860 and has Ice" 
been engaged m farming. He married Darasia Smith, of Germany, by whom he 
had one son, George Wasserman, who is a farmer of Waterville, N. Y. 

Hamlin, Edward A was born in the town of Floyd, Oneida county, November 
iL h S ° n ° f , J ° S 7 h S - Hamlin, a native of Connecticut, who was born Tuly o 

n \ Y^ t en! S U H I* ^^ ° f Sge ' m0Vi " g Wlth hiS P are " ts to HollaldPa : 
W Hard of Fairfield Ht maSeDgagedin famin «- «>d in 1833 married Delia 
WUlard of Fairfield, Herkimer county, who was born July 25, 1817. Edward A re 
ceived his education at the district school where he lived and n ft„™ o ~. award A ' re ' 
a course at the Whitestown Seminary. LeavTnl school at th P f I C ° m P leted 

turned to the farm, and continued at thatfndustrv un t U 1S ^ v ** 1 7 ' ^ re " 
at Floyd and Trenton, N. Y. In 1867 toSStlS2J Zl'ZalZX^ 
A. Douglass, as Douglass & Hamlin, conducted a lumber business ■ tH, T) ] T* 
continued ten years, after which Mr. Hamlin sold ^^TLtu^T^ 
partner, and returned to his former occupation settling on a f»Z * 
village, and has continued farming with the excen on ! ^T' t0 the 

time. In June, 1895, he, with C. C Newell and C E Si ^ *' J I * ^^ 
Falls Knitting Company, to ^^^^^ ^^ 
1873, M, Hamlm married Georgia A. Mewell, a native of Orislany Pahs who ^ 



284 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

born July 32, 1847, by whom he has one son, Preston N. Hamlin, born October 5, 
1875. Mrs. Hamlin acquired her education at the Oriskany Falls school and Caze- 
novia Seminary. 

Rawnsley, William, settled in the town of Lee, Oneida county, in 1838, where he 
came from Woonsocket, R. L, with his father, William Rawnsley, who was a native 
of Bradford, England, and came to the United States when William, jr., was only a 
few years of age. After a residence of a few years at Woonsocket, they came to the 
town of Lee. Mr. Rawnsley was a cotton weaver by trade, engaging in that occu- 
pation in England and also at Woonsocket. After settling in Lee, he bought a farm 
and devoted the rest of his life to that industry. He died March 11, 1861, being 
eighty-one years of age. His wife, Mercy (Hodgson) Rawnsley, was also a native of 
Bradford, England, and died in Lee, one year before her husband. William, jr. , 
received his education in Woonsocket, R. I., and was first employed in a cotton fac- 
tory. After a few years at this service, he settled down to farm life with his father ; 
continued but a short time, however, when he moved to Trenton, N. J., and spent 
three years as salesman for a book concern. In 1848 he returned to Lee and bought 
a farm, upon which he lived one year, when he went to the town of Ava; then to 
West Branch, where he spent some time as clerk in a store ; after this he returned 
again to Lee and purchased another farm, Where he resided for fifteen years. In 
1882 he settled at Oriskany falls, where he has resided since. He first married 
Deborah Peacock, of English birth, who died in 1853 ; after which he married Caro- 
line Sexton, of Lee, anri she died January 17, 1882. The children were: Elizabeth, 
born in 1846, and now married to Eri Sherman, of Boonville ; Henry, born at Ava in 
1850, and is now living at Oriskany Falls; William, born in 1852, also living at Oris- 
kany Falls, and Horace, born in 1854, a farmer at West Branch, Oneida county. 

Wilgus, Elmer T., was born in Bartlett, June 15, 1860, son of Thomas and Martha 
Wilgus. Thomas Wilgus was a boat owner and farmer, and he died about 1872. 
Elmer T. Wilgus was educated in Westmoreland, and has always followed farming. 
He married Anna Scott, of Westmoreland. 

Snow, Eugene, was born in the village of Vernon, N. Y., May 31, 1851. His 
father, Zibeon Snow, was born in 1798 and died in 1858. He was a general merchant 
and speculator in Vernon, and married Sabrina Larrabee, who was born in Vermont 
in 1808 and died in Vernon in 1878. Eugene Snow was educated in Binghamton 
and Aurora, N. Y., after which he returned to Vernon and purchased the Barber 
farm, where he lived for fourteen years, but upon on the death of his wife's father 
in 1881, he took possession of the Dodge homestead, where he is now engaged with 
his son, G. Percy, in the breeding of trotters, road and carriage horses, in which he 
has been very successful. He owns and has bred some of the finest horses in the 
State, for one of which, the leading sire on the farm, " Mambritonian," purchased 
from the famous Woodburn farm, Kentucky, Mr. Snow refused an offer in 1891 of 
§30,000. Among the many noted horses Mr. Snow has owned and developed are 
Mambritonian 2 :20£; Tony Klock 2:18|; Klick Klock 2:14f; Prinsonian 2:20^; Billy 
Hilton 2:20; Nankeen 2:26J, and others. He has now on the farm about sixty head. 
In January, 1872, he married Algenia A. Dodge, who was born January 12, 1853, 
daughter of George W. and Sarah (Hougham) Dodge, by whom he had three chil- 



FAMILT SKETCHES. 285 

dren: George P., born June 30, 1875; Eunice R., born January 23, 1880; and Doro- 
thy D. , born April 18, 1894. 

Warren, Charles K., was born near Newell' s Corners, where he still lives, May 3, 
1858. His father, Col. William F. Warren, was born at the same place, May 17, 1816, 
and died there February 22, 1895. Colonel Warren was an active and representative 
man of the community and left his son a farm of 250 acres. He married Caroline 
Deck, of Madison, who was born June 6, 1824. The father of Colonel Warren came 
from Massachusetts and was the second settler in that part of the county, having 
located on the Warren farm more than a hundred years ago. Charles K. was edu- 
cated in the district schools and at Knoxboro and then returned to the farm, where 
he has since remained. January 7, 1888, Mr. Warren married Alice E. French, of 
Norwich, N. Y., who was educated at Norwich and Knoxboro, living for some time 
in early life in the latter place. The Warren homestead occupies a picturesque site 
and the house built nearly 100 years ago is still standing. 

Wasmuth, Fred W., was born in Augusta, N. Y., February 18, 1862. His father 
was born at Frankfort-on-the-Oder, Prussia, October 22, 1826. He was a shoemaker 
by trade and came to America in 1859. He married Mary L. Baldwin, who was born 
at Hamburg i i 1823 and died in Augusta in 1891. Fred W. attended the Augusta 
Academy and upon leaving school engaged in farming for a time. He then entered 
into the mercantile business with Wayne C. Russell in 1885, in which he continued 
for one year, then purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone 
until 1890, when he sold out to Franciscoe & Hurty. He has since been engaged in 
farming, making a specialty of hops and berries. Mr. Wasmuth married Mary E. 
Dudley, of Augusta, who was born January 21, 1863, -and died June 9, 1892. He has 
been successively postmaster, deputy sheriff, member of the County Committee, and 
is now town assessor. 

Thayer, Emory R., was born in Springfield, Otsego county, September 17, 1853, 
son of Julius P. Thayer, who was a carpenter and builder, and a lifelong resident of 
Otsego county, as were his ancestors. He was born in 1826, and died in 1860. His 
wife, Lucy H. (Bates) Thayer, was born in Dutchess county in 1828, and is now liv- 
ing at Westford, N. Y. Emory R. Thayer received his education at the district 
school and the Westford Literary Institute. Upon coming to Oneida county he first 
settled in Rome, where he remained for one year, and from there he went to Vernon, 
where he was employed on a farm, and worked three years in Madison county, at 
the end of which time he returned to Oneida county and for the next five years 
rented a farm. October 13, 1875, he married Emma, daughter of Daniel W. and 
Elizabeth Eaton of Augusta, by whom he has four children : Robert E. , who was 
born March 9, 1876; Elizabeth E., born January 11, 1879; Maud, who was born 
March 20, 1883 ; and Lulu, born July 20, 1884. 

Strong Warren C. , was born October 30, 1832, and has spent his lifetime in his 
native town, for many years living in the village of Knoxboro, which is his present 
residence. His father, Solomon Strong, was born March 1, 1784, and came from 
Union, Tolland county, Conn., in 1810, and was engaged in farming in summer and 
teaching school in winter. He bought a farm situated about two miles north 
of Knoxboro, where he settled, and spent the rest of his life in that industry. After 



286 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

coming to Augusta he married Filena Horton, also a native of Connecticut, who was 
born in 1789, and died in 1861. Mr. Strong died April 4, 1876. Warren G. received 
his education at Augusta district school and academy, finishing at Kellogg's then a 
well known school at Clinton, N. Y. ; after which he returned home and engaged in 
farming. They acquired an immense area of land, upon which he remained till 1887, 
long after the death of his father. He married Frances, daughter of Sumner Smith, 
of Knoxboro, by whom he had five children, all of whom are living. Mr. Strong has 
held several important political positions. 

Smith, Myrtalu F., was born in Sherburne, Chenango county, October 26 1834, 
son of Joseph Smith, who was born in Pitcher, Chenango coounty, in 1792, and who was 
a large manufacturer and dealer in water lime and sewer pipe, his trade extending 
over many counties. He finally removed to Bouckville, N. Y., and later to Morris- 
ville, where he died in 1846. His wife, Martha (Cook) Smith, was born in 1796, and 
died in Morrisville, in 1850. The grandfather of M. F. Smith was one of the earliest 
settlers in Chenango county, having migrated from Connecticut about the middle of 
the eighteenth century. Myrtalu F. Smith received his education at Bouckville and 
the Morrisville Academy, and after leaving school he worked for a time on a farm, 
and then went to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1862, when he returned and 
settled in Knoxboro, his present home. He continued to serve for twelve years as 
clerk for J. C. Knox & Co. He then purchased a farm adjacent to the village, and 
in 1885 bought out the Van Evera store, and with his sons has continued the business 
since under the the firm name of M. F. Smith & Sons. Mr. Smith was for 
several years assessor, and from 1887 to 1891 was supervisor. In 1856 he married 
Sarah Whitely, a native of Utica, by whom he has four children: Fanny C, William 
M., Robert P. and Edward G. William M. and Edward G. are the partners in the 
business. 

Spaulding William P., was born in Stockbridge, N. Y., May 2, 1838, son of 
Philander Spaulding, who is descended from an English family, and who was born 
in Stockbridge, N. Y., February 9, 1820 and remained in Stockbridge until 1864, when 
he moved to Lenox, Madison county, where he has since resided. He has been a 
farmer and speculator all his life, and is now largely interested in one of the leading 
banks in Oneida. He married Sarah Marshall, of Stockbridge, who died in 1866. 
William P. Spaulding attended school in Lenox, Oneida Castle LTnion school, and 
Cazenovia Seminary, and at the age of twenty came to Knoxboro to assume the 
charge of his father's farm. After conducting it successfully for two years he bought 
it, and has continued to reside there. Mr. Spaulding is a Republican, and in 1886-7 
held the office of overseer of the poor, and for three years has been a member of the 
excise board. He married Ida, daughter of George and Viletta Ballard, of Ilion, who 
was born October 11, 1860. 

Bellinger, Daniel H., is of German descent, although his father, Daniel P., was 
born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1820. Daniel P. Bellinger came to Knoxboro in 
1856 and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He married Phoebe Hunt, 
who was born in Warren, Herkimer county, m 1822 and died in January, 1895. 
Daniel H. was educated at Knoxboro and the Augusta Academy, after which he was 
engaged as a clerk in a clothing store for three years. He was then called 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 287 

here on account of sickness and has' since continued on the, farm, being quite 
as prosperous and successful as his father, and though but thirty-eight years of age 
is one of the foremost farmers in Augusta. He married Sarah A. Williams, who was 
born in Knoxboro, January, 1863. 

Kendall, Eugene M., was born on the homestead where he now lives in Augusta, 
May 20, 1852, son of Leonard Jarvis Kendall, who is also living at the old homestead, 
was born at Augusta Center, July 31, 1810, and whose father came from Massachu- 
setts in 1810, and was pastor for several years of the Congregational church at Au- 
gusta. Leonard J. married Olive J., daughter of Calvin Kendall, January 19, 1835, 
and she died March 18, 1839. October 1, 1840, he married Sarah R. Spencer, and 
she died September 20, 1855 ; he then, in 1856, married his present wife. Eugene M. 
Kendall received his education at Oneida Academy and Plattsville, Wis., where he 
spent one year, after which he returned home and engaged in farming and still con- 
tinues. January 19, 1881, he married Jennie, daughter of John and Elizabeth Jones 
of Watervifie, N. Y., who was born April 2, 1857, and was educated in the public 
schools of that place. They have two children: Mary Louise, born April 3, 1885, 
and Leonard Jarvis, born August 16, 1889. Mr. Kendall is an active Republican, 
and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian Society at Knoxboro. 

Nye, Willis C, was born at Galesburg, 111., July 29, 1858, and at the death of his 
father in 1866 removed with his mother to Oriskany Falls. His father, Richard 
Nye, was born in Hubbardsville, Madison county, N. Y. , in 1822. He was gradu- 
ated from the Cleveland Medical College, and practiced that profession until his 
death. In 1855 he married Sarah M. Peebles, of Oriskany Falls, and soon after they 
removed to Galesburg, and Dr. Nye practiced medicine in Galesburg, Morris and 
Havana successively up to his death in the latter place. When twenty-one years 
of age Willis C. Nye went to Chicago and embarked as dealer in sand and gravel, 
the product of beds owned adjacent to the city. In 1893 he returned to Oriskany 
Falls and engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of W. C. Nye & Co., 
and in September, 1894, he entered into co-partnership with C. B. Keith, in the coal 
business at Oriskany Falls, under the firm name of Keith & Nye. 

Norton, Peter J., is a native of Schleswig, German}', where he was born January 
26, 1858. His father was also a native of the same place, having been born in 1825, 
and died in 1870. His mother, also a native of the same place, was born in 1827, 
and died in 1866. Peter J. attended the school in his native town until he was four- 
teen years of age, and soon after the death of his father came to America and settled 
at Oriskany Falls, where for two years he attended the public school. He was then 
employed on a farm for three years, after which he engaged in the hotel business. 
In 1855 he built the Madison House at Oriskany Falls and conducted it for seven 
years; he then sold the hotel and bought a farm adjacent to the village; in the same 
year he purchased the Sargent House, and now conducts both farm and hotel. 
April 22, 1885, he married Mary Eustice of Oriskany Falls, by whom he has three 
children: Lois J., born March 17, 1888; Harry J., born July 31, 1892; and Mary, born 
February 15, 1894, 

Merritt, Rev. George, was born at Barrington, 111., July 15, 1855, son of Mark 
Merritt, who was born at Hastings-on-the-Sea, England, July 4, 1810, and at twelve 



288 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

years of age went to sea as a sailor, which he followed for twenty years; then emi- 
grating to Chicago, where he engaged as first mate on a boat running on Lake Mich- 
igan. After three years he abandoned this and removed to Barrington, 111., where 
he purchased a farm and devoted some time to agriculture. After ten years he sold 
the farm and returned to Chicago, where he engaged in the manufacture of iron 
and continued in that until incapacitated for work. He died April 1, 1873. June 21, 
1844, he married Ann M. Wynd, of Chicago, 111., who was a native of Scotland, born 
January 14, 1817, and she died at Chicago, June 14, 1872. George Merritt was grad- 
uated from the public school and high school of Chicago, and then entered the 
Northwestern University, remaining six years, graduating in 1880 in the classical 
course, and in 1882 in the theological department. His first charge as minister was 
at Maple Park near Chicago, 111., and after six months removed to Minnesota, hav- 
ing pastorates at Jackson, Hester, Ortonville, Ada, and Little Falls, successively. 
In 1867 he was transferred to the Northern New York Conference, and stationed at 
Oswego Center for one and one-half years. His next charge was at Trenton, N. Y., 
for two years, and then at Taberg, N. Y., for three years, and finally at Oriskany 
Falls in 1894. June 13, 1889, he married Mary J. Gormley, of Oswego, a graduate of 
the Chautauqua University, by whom he has one daughter, Ruth B., born April 6, 
1890. 

McElhinney, Daniel E., was born in Marshall, Oneida county, N. Y., November 
24 1853. His father, William J. McElhinney, was born in Ireland, and came to this 
country in 1848, settling in Marshall, N. Y. He died in February, 1890, aged 
seventy-three years. His wife, Margaret, survives him, being now sixty three years 
of age. In early life Daniel E. followed the occupation of farming with his father 
in the town where he was born. He was educated in the common schools of that 
place, and afterward taught school there and at Sangerfield for four years, engag- 
ing during vacation in clerking and canvassing for the sale of books, etc. , continu- 
ing his clerkship for some time. In 1891 he engaged in the mercantile business at 
Oriskany Falls, conducting a general store under the firm name of D. E. McElhin- 
ney & Co., which he continued until November, 1893, when he was appointed 
postmaster. Mr. McElhinney has occupied many important town and village 
offices, and is now chief of the Oriskany Fire Department, in which he takes a 
great interest. 

Thornley, Edward, was born in England, January 23, 1831, son of Charles and 
Mary Thornley. Edward Thornley came to the United States in 1848, and settled 
in Westmoreland on his present farm in 1852. He married Eliza Carwardine, 
daughter of John and Mary Carwardine, of English extraction. Mr. Thornley is 
a staunch Republican in politics, and contributes his best efforts to the support of 
his party. 

French, Frank W., was born at Deansville, N. Y., June 5, 1864, son of Abel W. 
French, who removed in early life from Chenango county to Deansville and lived 
there about twenty-five years previous to locating permanently in Augusta. Abel 
W. French was born January 22, 1828, and died August 17, 1881. His wife was 
Mary J., a daughter of Caleb Burleson, a prominent farmer of Augusta. She was 
born March 6, 1838, and is now living in Augusta. Frank W. French was educated 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 289 

at Augusta and Knoxboro Union School: He has a large farm, which he conducts 
during the summer. He has held the office of town clerk and is now one of the 
justices of the peace in his town. November 28, 1888, Mr. French married Ada 
M., daughter of Edward Tudman, who was born in Lowell, Oneida county, N.Y., 
August 9, 1864. 

Barker, Laurens M., was born in Oriskany, N. Y., October 4, 1828, on the farm 
where he now resides. His grandfather, Laurens H., was one of the pioneers in 
Oneida county, coming from Connecticut in 1797, and settling on what afterwards 
became known as Barker Hill, when there was not a house within several miles of 
his own rudely constructed home. Laurens H., father of Laurens M., was born May 
9, 1804, and spent his life on the old homestead, where he died October 20, 1869. 
Laurens M. Barker received his education at the district school in the vicinity of his 
home, after which he settled down to farm life. January 3, 1872, he married his 
consin, Phebe Barker, of Oriskany Falls, by whom he had one son, Charles H., born 
July 13, 1874. Mr. Barker's farm occupies a commanding, picturesque site, upon 
which they raise large crops of hops. 

Jones, William, was born in Wales, May 13, 1837, son of William and Mary Jones. 
William Jones, jr., came to this country in 1857, and engaged in farming, which he 
has always followed. He left home when he was eleven years of age, working his 
way up entirely through his own efforts. He married Jean Mallon, of Irish extrac- 
tion, by whom he has four children: William, Robert, Mary and Margaret. 

Tyler, Cyrus H., was born in Lee, Oneida county, March 11, 1830. Asa Pease 
Tyler, his grandfather, came to Rome, N. Y., and was one of the first settlers. Asa 
Pease, son of Dr. John Tyler, was born in Rome, and was one of its most early and 
prominent physicians. His entire life was spent in practicing in Rome, except for 
a period of several years, where he was noted for his liberal and progressive ideas. 
Cyrus H. Tyler was educated at Rome attending the select schools until the academy 
opened, from which he was graduated. Having delicate health, he chose the occu- 
pation of farming at which he has always continued. Mr. Tyler was a staunch Re- 
publican, until he became a Prohibitionist. Mr. Tyler married Martha Smith, 6f 
English extraction, by whom he has six children: John R. , Henrietta S. , William 
Henry, Katie A., Cyrus W. and Eliza M. John R. Tyler is in the mill and feed busi- 
ness at Waterville ; William Henry Tyler has a large creamery business in Rome ; 
and Cyrus W. Tyler is running a branch creamery at Westmoreland. Mr. Tyler 
and his family are members of the Congregational church at Westmoreland, and he 
is secretary of the Kirkland Creamery Association, and is one of the representative 
farmers of Westmoreland. 

Storey, William H., was born in Westmoreland, August 26, 1866, son of Joel and 
Mary J. Storey. Joel Storey came from Ohio, and settled in Westmoreland, about 
1850, where he engaged in farming, and which he has since followed. William H. 
was educated in Westmoreland, and partly in Rome, and after receiving his educa- 
tion, he engaged in the cheese business with his brother, having a finely appointed 
factory, where they handle about 10,000 pounds of milk a day, and turn out about 
2,000 boxes of cheese a year, which is supplied principally for export. This is one 
of the standard industries of Westmoreland, Mr. Storey married Jennette Abbe of 



290 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Westmoreland, by whom he has three children: Mary J., William H. and Lloyd. 
Mr. Storey is a member of the Hampton Lodge, No. 347, F. & A. M. 

Stoddard, Dwight L., was born in Westmoreland, September 29, 1843, son of 
Reuben and Mary C. Stoddard. Reuben Stoddard was born in Sheffield, Berkshire 
county, Mass, July 18, 1807, and came to Westmoreland in 1838, where he conducted 
a farm during his lifetime. He died March 10. 1887, in his eightieth year. Mary C. 
Stoddard died January 29, 1892, in her eighty-first year. Dwight L. Stoddard was 
educated at Whitestown Seminary from which he was graduated, taking his diploma 
in 1866, after which he engaged in teaching, which he afterward relinquished to 
give his entire attention to farming. Mr. Stoddard is a staunch Republican, al- 
though his sympathies are largely with Prohibition. Mr. Stoddard is a member of 
the Congregational church at Westmoreland. 

Olney, Thomas J., was born in Westmoreland, October 12, 1826, son of James and 
Phoebe (Smith) Olney. James Olney came from Connecticut. He had a cloth 
dressing establishment, rope walk, and also carried on farming. He lived in West- 
moreland till his death in 1841. Thomas J. Olney received a district school educa- 
tion ; engaged in farming ; then became owner of the grist mill and saw mill ; went 
into the coal and feed business; and also bought out the Heckla works, which is now 
his private property. Mr. Olney has been road commissioner for sixteen years, and 
is a staunch Republican. He has been supervisor four years; is a prominent Mason, 
and has been master of his lodge for four terms. He is also an Odd Fellow. Mr. 
Olney married Frances Thornly, of English extraction, by whom he has one daugh- 
ter, married to Frank M. Wilson. He also had one son, Charles, who died in his 
twenty-first year. Mr. Olney is one of the most popular citizens, and energetic busi- 
ness men in the town of Westmoreland, and has always been prominent in all its 
affairs. 

Nicholson, William, was born in Westmoreland, N. Y., September 2, 1822, son of 
John and Elizabeth Nicholson. John Nicholson was born in Cambridge, Washing- 
ton county, July 29, 1788, and came to Westmoreland May 6, 1811, where he was one 
of the early settlers m the northeast section of the town. He was a surveyor and 
farmer, and surveyed the roads and a large part of the adjacent territory. He was 
assessor of the town, also supervisor, and a man noted for his high principle and 
strict integrity. William Nicholson has always been a farmer, owning and conduct- 
ing the farm that was owned by his father, and partly cleared by both father and 
son. William Nicholson married Mary Julia, daughter of John Green, of Deerfield, 
by whom he has one daughter, Anna G. John Green's father, also named John, 
was one of the earliest settlers in Deerfield, and one of the pioneer brickmakers of 
the county. 

Kellogg, Hiram Spencer, was born in Westmoreland, May 23, 1843, son of Uriah 
and Mary E. (Nichols) Kellogg. Uriah Kellogg was born in New Hartford, Oneida 
county, and came to Westmoreland in 1840, where he conducted a farm until his 
death in 1890. Mrs. Mary Kellogg, his wife, was born in New Hartford in 1815, and 
died in Westmoreland in 1884. Hiram Spencer Kellogg was educated at the Will- 
iams Collegiate Institute. He then went west and engaged in the express business 
for two years, and then returned to farming. He has always been prominent in 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 291 

politics, and has been successful, although a Democrat, in being elected supervisor 
in a town that has always given a large Republican majority. This was due to Mr. 
Kellogg's popularity, and the high personal esteem in which he is held by the mem- 
bers of both parties; this being a very notable instance in the history of the county. 
Mr. Kellogg is a member of the Hampton lodge No. 347, and is one of the oldest Ma- 
sons in his lodge. He married Fannie A. Slocum, of Clinton, by whom he has three 
children : Clara L. , Charles S. and Lena M. Clara L. Kellogg is married to Dr. 
Samuel Gifford, of Whitesboro, Oneida county. Mr. Kellogg was inspector of the 
middle division of the canals of the State of New York for three years, and was also 
on the Democratic county committee. 

Van Slyke, John P. was born 111 Hrrkimer county, August 29, 1843. His father, 
Emanual Van Slyke, was born in 1814, and was a farmer. He came to Westmore- 
land from Clinton in 1859. He married Catherine Helmer, by whom he had four 
sons: Errmnual, Gladden, Sidney and John P., who was educated in the district 
schools of Herkimer and Clinton, and is now one of the best known farmers of West- 
moreland 

Houghton, Thomas, was born in the village of Barton, Leicestershire, England, 
February 4, 1822, and came to Westmoreland, N. Y., in 1852, where he engaged in 
farming until his death, which occurred in March, 1892. He married Hannah Har- 
rison, who was born in Rathby, Leicestershire, England, and they came to West- 
moreland, with three children who were born in England: Fannie, Mary Ann and 
Thomas. The children born in this country were George H., born November 6, 1852, 
a practicing physician in Albany; John, born September 22, 1854; Ira, born March 
1, 1856; Edwin, born March 6, 1858; Frederick (deceased) and Seth Albert, born 
January 12, 1866. Ira Houghton is a farmer in Westmoreland, Edwin is in Des 
Moines, Iowa; and Seth Albert is farming in Westmoreland. 

Shedd, Philander, was born in Westmoreland, July 27, 1835, son of Dyer and Polly 
(Bratt) Shedd, natives of Stephentown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., he born May 30, 
1797, and she April 29, 1821. The grandfather, Isaiah Shedd, settled in Westmore- 
land in 1803, on what has since been the family homestead. Philander Shedd was 
educated in Westmoreland, after which he engaged in farming, and also taught 
school for a few years. He married Emma Sandford, of Westmoreland, by whom 
he has four children: Francis, Morris, William and Harriet 

Reese, O. W., was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., February 1, 1835, son of Moses 
and Phoebe (Lewis) Reese. Moses Reese was born in Frankfort, Herkimer county, 
where he was engaged in farming and building, during his lifetime. He died in 
Rome, 1880, in his seventy-eighth year. Mrs. Reese, his wife, died in the fall of 1884 
in her seventy-fourth year. O. W. Reese was educated in Utica, then went to 
Schuyler, and from there settled in Westmoreland in the spring of 1860. He mar- 
ried Sarah Parks of Herkimer county, by whom he has seven children : Cora A., 
Mildred E., Georgiana, Willie O., James L., Clarence E., and Lottie Reese. Mil- 
dred E. is married and lives in Redfield, Oswego county. Mr. Reese and family are 
members of the Baptist church of Westmoreland. 

Hunt, Mrs. A. A., M. D., is the owner and proprietor of the Verona Springs 
House, and Isadora B. Payne is the conductor and manager. This is a noted sum- 



292 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

mer resort, having accommodations for about eighty guests. The celebrated Verona 
Mineral Springs are located on the hotel grounds; these springs have long been 
noted for their valuable medical properties. This hotel is, perhaps, one of the old- 
est of its kind in the country, having a reputation that has been increasing for over 
half a century. It is unsurpassed in location and surroundings, and is one of the 
pleasantest and best kept summer resorts in Oneida county, in addition to the val- 
uable curative properties of its celebrated mineral springs. Mrs. Dr. Hunt has 
owned the property for many years. 

Freinberger, Fred, was born in Germany, February 2, 1844, son of Jacob and 
Margaret Freinberger. Jacob Freinberger came to Westmoreland in 1865, where 
he conducted a farm till the time of his death in 1892. Mrs. Freinberger, his wife, 
died in 1887. Fred Freinberger was educated in Lewis county, and then came to 
Westmoreland, and engaged in farming, at which he has since continued. He mar- 
ried Mary Holmes, daughter of James Holmes, of Lewis county, by wHbm he has 
three children : William, Harriet and Cora. Harriet is married to Albert Jenkins 
of Westmoreland. Mr. Freinberger belongs to the Grangers. He has worked his 
own way in the world, and owns and conducts two fine farms in Westmoreland 
township. 

Freinberger, George H., was born in Germany, in 1844, son of Jacob and Barbara 
Freinberger. Jacob Freinberger was a tanner by trade, and later engaged in farm- 
ing. He settled in Westmoreland in 1864. George H. Freinberger came to the 
United States about 1850. He enlisted in Company L, 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, 
and participated in the following engagements: Fisher's Hill, Harper's Ferry, Mary- 
land Heights, Bolivar Heights, Loudon Heights, Charlestown, and Winchester. 
He was wounded and received apension. He married Martha J. , daughter of James 
Holmes, a farmer of New Bremen, Lewis county, by whom he had four children : 
Ida May, wife of William H. Joy, of Montague, Lewis county, Frank J., George J., 
and James H. 

Comstock, Jas. M. — Edgar J. Comstock was born in Kirkland, November 27, 1858, 
son of James M. and Eliza Comstock. James M. Comstock was born in Kirkland, 
April 20, 1821, where he was educated, after which he engaged in farming, at which 
he has always continued, moving to Westmoreland in 1854. Mrs. Comstock died in 
1886. Edgar J. Comstock married Ada Lathram, who died in 1891, and he married 
for his second wife, Mary E. Stebbins, b}? whom he has two children: Raymond L., 
and Hazel I. 

Brush, Charles W. , was born in Rome, August 28, 1835, son of Elijah and Laura 
Brush. Elijah Brush, learned the builders' trade in early life, and followed it perman- 
ently. He was one of the largest builders, in his day, in the entire county ; his 
operations extending all through the county, although the larger part of his work was 
done in the eastern section of the county. Many of the finest residences in Oneida 
county are evidences of his energy and ability as a builder. He also dealt largely in 
real estate, buying numbers of farms, which he leased. Perhaps there are few men 
to whose energy and ability, Oneida county owes more, than to the efforts of Elijah 
Brush. Mr. Brush died at the age of sixty-eight. Charles W. Brush was educated 
in Oneida county, and is largely interested in farming. He married Helen L. Knox, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 293 

Rome, by wbom he has one son, E. Knox Brush, who is in charge of one of the de- 
partments of the State Hospital at Ogdensburg, N. Y. E. Knox Brush married Annie 
Cosgrove, of Ottawa Canada. 

Brill, Fred J., was born in Lowell, township of Westmoreland, Oneida county, 
July 20, 1850, son of William and Mary O. Brill. William Brill was born in Saratoga 
county, April 1, 1823. He kept a store in North Western for three years, coming to 
Lowell in 1848, where he engaged in farming. He was one of the most prominent 
men in the township, and was supervisor for a number of years. He died August 7, 
1888. Fred J. Brill was educated in Cazenovia, after which he engaged in farming, 
and is also a large distiller of witch hazel, distilling it from the shrub and shipping 
the product all over the country. He is also engaged in the manufacture of cheese. 
He married Mary E., daughter of E. Day, of Verona, by whom he has one son, John, 
now attending school. 

Brennan Thomas, was born in Westmoreland, March 23, 1855, son of Frank and 
Mary Brennan. Frank Brennan is a farmer and has been conducting a farm in West- 
moreland for twenty-two years. Thomas Brennan was educated in Paris, Kirkland 
and Westmoreland, and has since been engaged in farming in Westmoreland. He 
married Mary Riley, of Verona, by whom he has one daughter, Lizzie. 

Johnson, James, was born in Rome, September 1, 1842, son of Thomas and Han- 
nah Johnson. Thomas came from Yorkshire, England, and settled in Westmore- 
land, N. Y., where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred February 
7, 1882. James Johnson was educated in Rome, then moved to the old homestead, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Johnson is a staunch Republican, and has always 
taken an active interest in the success of his party. 

Marshall, Elmiron C. , was born in Kirkland, Oneida county, August 9, 1847, son 
of Townsend and Elmira (Comstock) Marshall. Townsend Marshall was born in 
Perryville, Madison county, N. Y. He was a blacksmith by trade, which business 
he conducted as long as his health permitted. He moved from Madison county to 
Kirkland, where he died in 1892, aged eighty-three years. Mrs. Marshall died 
August 12, 1847. Elmiron C. was educated at the district schools of Kirkland, and 
when twenty-one years of age he went to Iowa, then returned to Kirkland, where 
he remained eleven years, and from there he moved to Westmoreland where he has 
been for the last eleven years engaged in farming and building. He married 
Virginia Poston, by whom he had eleven children: Albert E., Burton E., Carrie A., 
Flora B., Wesley A., Leslie A., Kittie M., Harriet, Elmer, Ro3^al L., and George H. 

Law, William C, was born in Westmoreland, June 3, 1871, son of William and 
Sarah (Knapp) Law, also natives of Westmoreland. Consider Law, grandfather of 
William C Law, was born in Paris, and married Joanah Comstock. William Law, 
father of William C. Law, was born February 3, 1829. He was a farmer, being one 
of the most prominent and best known in the township of Westmoreland. He was 
a staunch Republican, and an active and efficient supporter of his party. Mr. and 
Mrs. Law had five children: Charles K, who is a practicing physician in Jersey 
City, N. J. ; and William C, who is engaged in teaching school, and also conducts 
the family homestead. 



294 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Lawes, Richard, was born in London, Eng., December 9, 1857, son of Richard and 
Mary Ann (Bennett) Lawes. Richard Lawes, jr. , was educated at the Clinton Liberal 
Institute and the Grammar School, and has since been engaged in farming. He married 
Josie Lind, of Utica, by whom he had two children : Richard Gordon and Mary Eliza- 
beth. Mr. Lawes is a prominent Republican, standing among the leaders of his party in 
the township of Westmoreland, and contributing the most efficient services in the 
aid and support of his party. 

Kelly, Martin, was born in Ireland, November 1, 1842, son of John and Mary 
Kelly. John Kelly came to the LTnited States and settled in Westmoreland, and 
engaged in farming, and where he died February 12, 1865. Martin Kelly was edu- 
cated in Westmoreland, and then engaged in farming, which he has since followed. 
He married Susie McLaughlin. 

Freinberger, John J., was born in Lewis county, N. Y., June 10, 1858, son of 
Jacob and Barbara Freinberger. John J. was educated in Westmoreland, after 
which he learned the carpenter trade, which business he followed for many years, 
but is now extensively engaged in farming. He married Cora Crandall, of Brook- 
field, by whom he has one child, May A. 

Gould, George A. W. , was born in Rhode Island in 1855, son of George S. and 
Anna A. (Knowles) Gould. George S. Gould has always been a farmer, and is at 
present living in Rhode Island. The homestead farm originally belonged to Daniel 
Peckham; his father first moved here, and was among the early settlers of the 
county. G. A. W. Gould was educated in Rhode Island, and settled in Westmore- 
land in 1879. He married Sarah N. Hunt, of Westmoreland, by whom he has six 
children: Archer, Alison, Leslie, Ethel, Horace and Harold. 

Joy, William H., was born in Canada, February 3, 1861, son of Alfred and Betsey 
(Spencer) Joy. William H. was educated in the town of Montague, Lewis county, 
and has since been engaged in farming. He married Ida, daughter of George 
Freinberger, of Westmoreland by whom he had three children: Lewis T., Levant, 
and Pearl M. 

Ball, Chester A., was born in Massachusetts in 1826, and came to Vernon in 1852. 
His father, Adonijah Ball, was also a native of Massachusetts, born in 1791, and died 
in 1828. His mother was a native of Massachusetts. Chester A. Ball settled in 
Vernon and learned the blacksmith trade, which he has since continued successfully 
in Vernon Center. In 1855 he married Margaretta McLean, who was born in Scot- 
land in 1836, a descendant of the most noted Scotch ancestry. She has taken a 
prominent place and interest in the historical and church affairs at Vernon Center, 
and it was at their house that the Presbyterian society of that place was organized, 
and also the place of the first funeral in the settlement. Mrs. Ball is now postmis- 
tress at Vernon Center. They have had four children : Anna M. , born October 1 , 
1857; Ella S., born September 3, 1859; John C, born November 11, 1861; and Mi- 
riam M., born November 19, 1864. John C. is a Presbyterian minister, and is now 
pastor of the Presbyterian church at Pompey Hill, Onondaga county; Anna M. is 
the wife of Dr. J. McCullough, of Remsen; and Ella S. married Lorenzo R. Paxton, 
of Vernon Center. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 295 

Groff, Benjamin, was born in 1833, son of Benjamin Groff. He is a treasurer and 
general manager of the Chadwick Mills, and came to New Hartford with his parents 
at six years of age, and began work in these mills when only nine years old. He 
struggled through this hard apprenticeship, attending evening school and a Sunday 
school to acquire an education. At eighteen years of age he had charge of a room 
and had been superintendent since 1871. At Mr. Chadwick's death in 1885 a stock 
company was formed, and Mr. Groff was elected to his present position. He has in 
his possession an old flintlock musket carried by his grandfather, John Groff, in the 
war of 1812. He married Betsey Wrigley, by whom he had two sons and two 
daughters;. but only one son and one daughter are now living. 

Remmer, Captain Joseph H., born August 23, 1850, in Utica, is a son of Michael 
Remmer, who came here from Alsace-Loraine, Germany, about 1840, and died in 
1866. Michael was a contractor and builder and aided in the construction of many 
dwellings and other buildings, and was assessor of the old Sixth ward for four years 
until his death. Captain Remmer first engaged in the grocery business in 1875 and 
continued about three years, when he sold out. Later he was traveling salesman 
for George Young, baker, for about twelve years, and still later, he engaged in the 
meat business for twelve years. In March, 1892, he formed a partnership with John 
Cox, as Cox & Remmer, and purchased the old C. Weiss & Co. furniture establish- 
ment on the corner of Fayette and State streets where they have since continued 
successfully as wholesale and retail furniture dealers. Captain Remmer joined the 
26th Regiment N. G. S. N. Y. , September 3, 1868, and has ever since been a promi- 
nent figure in local militia circles. He was successively made corporal, sergeant, 
and on March 10, 1873, captain of Co. C, of the 26th Regiment, which was mustered 
out in 1881, the 28th Separate Company being retained, and formed by the members 
of the old body of this company; at its organization he was elected captain, a post 
he has ever since filled with conspicuous ability. He temporarily commanded a 
regiment of separate companies at the Washington Centennial Celebration in New 
York city, April 30, 1889, and commanded troops during the Buffalo railroad riots in 
1892. He has also been appointed to command at several State encampments, act- 
ing in the capacity of major. In 1894 he was awarded a valuable gold medal by the 
State of New York for long and meritorious service in the militia. He is a member 
of the Knights of Honor and the Royal Arcanum, aud a member of St. Patrick's 
Roman Catholic church and one of the prime movers in building its new edifice in 
1895. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, is a prominent Dem- 
ocrat in politics and has been a delegate to various conventions. October 28, 1875, 
he married Margaret M., daughter of Thomas Nichols, of St. Louis Missouri, and 
of their five children two are living: Harry T. and Marguerite. 

Hughes, Robert P., was born in North Wales, Denbeighshire, February 24, 1832, 
son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Everett) Hughes. Mr. Hugh Hughes with his family 
came to the United States in 1837, settling first in Western, then in Constableville 
and then went to Remsen. In these places he conducted flour mills, and he is sup- 
posed to have made the first oatmeal prepared in this State, adapting his own ma- 
chinery to that purpose. His death occurred when he was within three months of 
being ninety years of age. He was in the employ of the New York Mills for about 
forty years. Robert P. Hughes came to New York Mills at thirteen years of age, 



296 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and entered the employ of the company, and worked his way through the mills, fill- 
ing various positions, and he is now overseer of two departments, and has been in 
the employ of the mill over fifty years. He married Marcia Averill. daughter of Alba 
Crafts of Otsego county. Her grandfather, Joseph Crafts, was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war, attached to the personal staff of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes 
had three children : Josephine, married to Frank S. Williams, of Clinton, a lawyer 
in New York city ; Edward R. and Franklin R. (deceased). 

Chapman, William Wallace, was born in New Harlford, Oneida county, N. Y. , in 
1844, son of William H. Chapman, who was also born here, and was of English 
birth. The grandparents came to America in 1810 and settled in New Hartford. 
During his lifetime William H. Chapman was a prominent figure in the social and 
political life of this locality. He was a Democrat in politics, and represented his 
assembly district in the State Legislature in 1868. He was also a successful business 
man and conducted a hotel here during the period of the greatest, commercial activ- 
ity at Washington Mills. This business was pursued by his son, William W., until 
the unfortunate loss of his hearing necessitated his retirement to a farm. 

Roberts, Henry W. , was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, December 
1, 1858, son of Ellis R. Roberts, who was also born in that town, where he was for 
a number of years in the mercantile business. His grandfather was born in Wales, 
and came to the United States in 1818, where he first settled in Utica. Ellis R. Rob- 
erts married Anna Johns, who was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y. , by whom he 
had two children. Henry W. Roberts was a graduate of Clinton Grammar School 
in 1878, and has been engaged in the mercantile business most of his life. He was 
for six years clerk in the store of Comstock Brothers, of Utica, and has been in busi- 
ness for himself in Clinton for seven years. He married Anna Clark, of this town, 
by whom he has one daughter, Gertrude. Mr. Roberts was town clerk for three 
years, and at present is a member of the Board of Education, serving his second 
term, and he is also one of the county committee. 

Burns, Owen J., was born in this village, April 22, 1859, son of Patrick Burns, who 
was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1855. He followed peddling 
for about twenty years, and then with his son, Owen J. Burns, started in business, 
and died in about a year, and since the business has been conducted by the son. 
Owen J. Burns has become one of the leading men ot the town, being for three years 
in the office of town clerk, and is at present a member of the Board of Education. 
His education was acquired in the Clinton Institute and Grammar School. He mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Joseph Coffa, of Kirkland, by whom he has four children : 
Robert, Alice, Gregory and Leonard. 

Billingham, FredG., was born in the town of Kirkland, October 30, 1860, son of 
Richard J. Billingham. Fred G. was reared on his father's farm, where he remained 
until about three years ago, when he became the proprietor of the Clinton House, in 
the village of Clinton, where he and his wife, Ella (Griffith) Billingham, are always 
read}' to care for the guests in a manner which proves their ability in this line. 

Blake, Frank, was born in Clayville, August 30, 1868, and is of old Irish stock, his 
father, Peter Blake, being born in Ireland. Peter Blake kept the Blake House in 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 297 

Clinton for about twenty years, and enlisted in 1862, serving through the entire war. 
Frank Blake received his education in the schools in Clinton, and was clerk in his 
father's hotel. He engaged with a Buffalo house, where he formed an idea of the 
furniture and undertaking business, which he established in 1889 in Clinton. He 
married Jessie D., daughter of W. L. Hart of Clinton. Mr. Blake is at present town 
clerk being elected on the Democratic ticket in 1894. 

Dem'psey, J. L., was born in Ireland, April 29, 1848, and came to this country with 
his parents, John and Catherine (Lyons) Dempsey, when only three months old. He 
was reared on the farm in Clinton, where he has resided as a respected citizen and 
business man for years. He was largely instrumental in the organization of the 
Union school and academy, and was a member of the first Board of Education. He 
was elected member from the second assembly district of Oneida county in 1889, and 
was re-elected in 1891. He married Kate Blake, daughter of Michael Blake of Kirk- 
land, by whom he has seven children: John A., Francis M., Joseph W. , Elizabeth 
M., Katie, Rose and James L. 

McBride, Thomas, was born in Kirkland, July 5, 1850, son of John and Margaret 
McBride, who were born in Ireland, and came to the United States in 1847, where 
they engaged in farming in this county. They were the parents of five children: 
John E., Bridget, Ellen, Catherine and Thomas. The latter was educated in the 
district schools, and early learned the carpenter trade. He soon became one of 
Clinton's contractors and builders, erecting the Union school and academy, and 
many other buildings. About a year and a half ago he started the manufacture of 
step ladders, fruit baskets and crates, which has developed into one of Clinton's most 
prosperous enterprises. He married Catherine, daughter of Arthur and Anna 
O'Neil of New Hartford, Oneida county. 

Goodfellow, Mrs. C. H. — The late Charles H. Goodfellow was born in Kirkland, 
December, 1836, son of Charles Goodfellow, who was born in England, and came to 
Clinton in 1831. Charles Goodfellow was engaged in the storage business, but died 
at eighty-seven years of age on a farm in this town. He married Christianna Good- 
fellow, by whom he had seven children. Charles H. Goodfellow was educated in the 
schools of Clinton, and learned the trade of tinsmith, after which he engaged in the 
hardware business, which he conducted for twenty-eight years prior to his death, 
December 14, 1894. He married Jeanette McChesney, daughter of William McChes- 
ney of Richland, Oswego county, by whom he had four children: Katie E., Anna, 
William and Jeanette. William Goodfellow now conducts his father's business in 
Clinton. 

Everett, Charles M., was born in Clinton, N. Y., April 7, 1843, son of Hiram G. 
Everett, who was born'in Litchfield, Herkimer county, in 1801. He married Eliza- 
beth Blockstone, who was born in the town of New Hartford, her father, Edward 
Blockstone, being among the early settlers of the town, coming from Connecticut. 
They had two children: Edward B. and Charles M., the latter the only surviving 
one. Charles M. Everett graduated from the law department of Hamilton College, 
and was employed in the office of ex-Judge Williams of Clinton for four years. He 
then engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Utica and New York city, but for 
the last fifteen years has been traveling. He has been president of the school board. 



298 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

since the organization of the Union school and academy of Clinton. He married 
Mary V., daughter of, William Groves, who was one of the two first graduates of the 
Hamilton College, by whom he has three children: William G. , Edward R., and John 
Groves. Mr. Everett is a member of Lodge No. 169, F. & A. M., of 'Clinton. 

Evans, jr., Richard, was born in the town and house where he now resides, June 
21, 1848, son of Richard W. Evans, who was'born in England in 1812, came to the 
United States in 1835, and was first empk^ed in New York city, coming to the town 
of Kirkland in 1844, where he engaged in farming, remaining here a number of years, 

then moved to Utica where he lived retired. He married Jones, of England, 

by whom he had three children : Robert, deceased, who was superintendent of the 
county house until his death; Ellis J., a farmer in Kansas; and Richard, who is one 
of the leading farmers of this town, owning one farm of 190 acres, and another of 
fifty acres, his principal crops being hops, hay and corn. He married Hannah L. , 
daughter of George Comstock, by whom he had two children: George B. and 
Adella D. 

Burrows, Mrs. H. F. — William N. Marsh was born in September, 1804, and died in 
the house where he was born in 1884. His father, Nathan Marsh, came from Massa- 
chusetts at an early day, before the Revolutionary war. He cleared a farm of fifty 
acres, built a log cabin, and through untiring efforts, they now own a fine farm of 
100 acres. William N. Marsh married Mary A. Gridlejr, by whom he had four chil- 
dren: Eliza M., deceased, Helen M., George G., and Samuel, deceased. He married 
for his second wife, Eveline Gridley, a sister of his first wife. In the house where 
Mr. Marsh was born there now lives four generations, something that can seldom be 
said of any family. 

Comstock, M. L., was born in the town of Kirkland, July 16, 1850, on the farm 
where he now lives, son of Franklin and Lucy Comstock. Levi Comstock, grand- 
father of M. L. Comstock, came to this town in the year 1792 and clared a farm near 
where our subject now lives and built a log cabin. M. L. Comstock is one of the 
five children, three of whom are now living: Melvin, Roselma, and Hecox, and was 
educated in the public schools of Kirkland and Whitestown Seminary. A fact 
worthy of notice in Mr. Comstock' s life was his untiring efforts in establishing the 
Chuckery post-office, and in which he was successful. He is engaged in farming, 
now owning e farm of sixty acres. He married Jewell, daughter of William and 
Lucy Graham, of New Hartford, by whom he has one son, Wallace G., of the Union 
school of New Hartford, and who also took a course in the agricultural department 
of the Cornell University. Mr Comstock is a member of the Grange, and is a Re- 
publican. 

Harding, L. S., was born in Massachusetts in October, 1822, son of Stephen 
Harding, who was born in Worcester county, Mass., and where he died. L. S. 
Harding came to Madison county when nine years of age ; at that time they came 
through Albany, where they were testing the engine, which was exhibited at the 
world's fair in Chicago, it being a duplicate of the first engine in this State. At the 
age of thirty years L. S. Harding bought the historical place in the town known as 
the Kirkland homestead, the Rev. Samuel Kirkland being the minister who Chris- 
tianized the Indians, and this place has the most historical record of any property in 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 299 

ing reived hi, first ed.catio^ t N^ngland Sis "d ^ ■** f *"* 
College. He is engaged in farming, ownTng a fl^'of 140 d » Hamilt ° n 

Hannah daughter of M aj . Rutherford Barked, by whom h h^thr %?" 
Stephen R., who is ensrap-ed in f arm i„„ j • ne has thlee children: 

W.. P a> lumber dea er Kchi.S a/d M \ & ^ ^^ * Virginia; He «y 
Detroit, Mich. g ' *"* M ^ Y L - Wlfe of W]lli ^ M. Dwight, of 

Armstrong, Amos P., was born in Kirkland, October 10 1SS9 , 
and Ohve Armstrong, who were born in Vermont and Kiri'i «l ^^ 
were from Connecticut SvW^,- a 1 ° ntancl Klr "and, and whose ancestors 
Munger, of Kirkland by Jw t h , " ^ married 01ive ' da ^ter of Levi 
Sari, Elvira, uZV/I^' ^Tlf^Tn e *** f ' ^ Bet ^' 
andWhitestown Seminary, and taught schoof Z ' 1^ ^T^ ™ Erkland ' 
mth n. Y. Vols., and served up to fhe clot of L w rfn m7 uT^ " "" 
of the town from 1880 to 1894, when he was .wJ He Was ass ^sor 

fills. He married Kittie daughter of >, elect f d T SU P er ™°r, which office he now 
and who died in 1884 Mr A mstron ^a House, of Clinton village, 

C A. R, past master of ifSS^o STcT^V *""* P ° St N °' ^ 
Lodge No. 196, F. & A. M. g ' and als ° member of the Clinton 

p^s^r^iss-^ county - juiy ]s - ]835 ' «» «* * c 

and shoe business. He e m S ated rom O T' ^ ^ C ° ndUCted * *"&*<** 

at that time .wiM-ri^^^^K"^^^^^^^ 
Upham, of Hamilton, Madison countv L , t ^ mamed Caroline 

was educated in the district ^school and Z eT H f ' CMdreD - H ' D ' Peari 
thirty acres. He has filled L Ice of a s S sso/and ? ^ ""^ & farm of 

Marsha, M, ^^^^J^^^ «"» * 

Int^Se^lLe^h^e^r^ T * ^ "™* * W* *"■ 

ber of years, but later e^a^d in f ^ ^^ Whkh he followed ** a num- 

He nJried'the 5£ o & f ^The d ™{co! wt !" ^ ^ WS death ta 1885 " 
county. She had four omarenuZ^Z^FrlZ^^^' ° a ^ 
are both farmers, one in the town of Ski™* >l f Goodwin - The sons 

b. M live cbMre.: M," A ™,K™ C GiE'V J*" """^ "' "*« 



300 OUR COUNTY AlSD ITS PEOPLE. 

four children: Alice C, born in 1852; Ella C, born in 1854; Ida May, born in 1856; 
and Charley, born in 1858. 

Austin, David, was born in the town of Richfield, Oswego county, March 14, 1841, 
son of John Austin, who was born in Vermont, and came to this State when a boy 
with his parents, settling in Oswego county. When David Austin was two years of 
age, his father came to Oneida county, and settled in the town of Paris, from which 
they moved to Marshall, where they continued to reside. He married Lydia Galop 
of Oswego county, her father, Daniel Galop, being one of the pioneers from Connec- 
ticut. David Austin was educated in the district schools of Marshall, and the acad- 
emy of this place. He has been a prosperous farmer in the town of Kirkland for 
' about thirty-seven years, owning a farm of eighty-two acres. He married Mary 
Crane of Madison county, by whom he has three children: Norman J., Elmer C. and 
Edith. Mr. Austin was elected road commissioner in 1894, on the Republican ticket, 
for a period of two years. 

Barker, John S., was born in the town of Marshall, Oneida county, March 16, 1826, 
and is one of the descendants of M. W. Barker, who lived for a long time in the vil- 
lage of Clinton, where he died in 1893 at ninety-one years of age. John S. Barker 
was educated in the district schools after which he engaged in farming. He first 
married Caroline Barnard, by whom he had three children: Charles H., J. M. and 
William I. His second marriage was to Ellen E. Barber of Kirkland, by whom he 
has one son, John E. 

Kelsey, Mrs. A. P. — Ambrose P. Kelsey was born in Sauquoit, Oneida county, 
N. Y., August 30, 1833. He prepared for the sophomore class in college at the Sau- 
quoit Academy. His preference for the natural sciences was very decided and in 
his senior year he received the first Underwood prize in chemistry. After graduat- 
ing he taught the natural sciences in Wilson Academy for one year. In 1857 he was 
appointed principal in the Cincinnatus Academ}', which position he held for two 
years; and was then called to the chair of natural sciences in the State Normrl 
School at Albany. Two years later he removed to Farmington, Me. , where he suc- 
cessfully established the first normal school in that State, he being the first principal. 
In 1878 Professor Kelsey was called to Clinton to accept the chair of natural history 
in Hamilton College, which position he occupied up to the time of his death. De- 
cember 24, 1862, Professor Kelsey married Ellen V., daughter of Hon. Robert 
Goodenow, of Farmington, Me. by whom he had three children. Professor Kelsey 
died, deeply mourned by a wide circle of friends. 

McAra, William F., was born in the county of Stirling, Scotland, October 24, 1854, 
son of James and Jessie (Ferguson) McAra, James McAra being forester for Lord 
Abercrombie at Airthrey, receiving his education in the parish schools of Locherbie 
and Lochenaben, and was apprenticed as gardener at the country seat of Sir William 
Jardine, of Locherbie, Scotland, whose extensive ranges of glass were famed for 
their collection of tropical fruits, flowers and rare plants. Here he remained for five 
years, removing to Birroughtree Gardens; thence to the country seat of Sir Richard 
Musgrave, of Eden Hall, Penrith, England; was foreman at Caldwell House, the 
summer home of Colonel Mure, M. P. for Renfrewshire ; was appointed head gar- 
dener to Henry Weiss, esq., of Edgbarton, Birmingham, England, and was for four 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 301 

years in a similar capacity with Tipping Lawden at the Uplands, Handsworth, 
Birmingham ; removing to America in 1882, he received the appointment of head 
gardener to Charlemagne Tower at his country home in Waterville, where he has 
resided upwards of thirteen years, and is now overseer for Miss Henrietta Page 
Tower, at her summer home in Waterville. He is a past master of Sanger Lodge 
No. 129, F. & A. M., and also a past secretary and past high priest of Warren 
Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., and a past regent of Waterville Council No. 398, Royal 
Arcanum. 

Miller, Jacob, was born in Alsace, France, in December, 1835, and came to the 
United States with his parents when three years of age, locating in New London, 
N. Y. He was educated in the common schools, and is a carpenter and farmer by 
occupation. August 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 117th N. Y. S. Vols., and 
was in several general engagements and many skirmishes. November 1, 1864, he 
was promoted sergeant, and was honorably discharged June 6, 1865. August 10, 
1865, he married Anna Sisbrower, by whom he had six children : Jacob, who died at 
twenty-nine years of age; Francis H., Mary R., Elizabeth C. , Clara E., and Charles 
A. Francis H. married Margaret Hoffman. Mary R. married Charles Rounds, of 
Green's Corners, and they have two children, Raymond, and a baby not named. 
Mrs. Miller died February 19, 1881, and January 18, 1863, Mr. Miller married for his 
second wife Theresa F. Essinger, of Verona. Mrs. Miller's father, William Essinger, 
was born in Germany, September 22, 1822. He married Catherine Sees, of his native 
place, by whom he had nine children: John, Seuly, Frederick, George, Joseph, 
Theresa F. , as above, Catherine, Margaret and Francis. Mr. Essinger died April 
25, 1893. Mr. Miller is a member of Skillin Post No. 47, G. A. R., Department of 
New York. The ancestry of the family is French and German. 

Ague, Philip. C, was born at Lawton Bridge, in Verona, April 23, 1854. He was 
educated in the district schools, and has always followed farming. January 24, 1882, 
he married Caroline Kline, of Verona, by whom he had three children : Walter K. , 
Mary M., and Oscar G. Mr. Ague's father, Jacob, was born'in Bavaria in 1820, was 
educated there, and came to the United States when a young man, locating in 
Verona. He married Margaret Roth, formerly of Germany, by whom he had five 
children: Philip C, Francis, Jacob, Daniel, and Catherine; all of whom are now 
dead, with the exception of our subject, Philip C. Mr. Ague died in 1885. Mrs. 
Ague's father, Jacob Kline, was born in Alsace, France, in 1812. He was educated 
there and came to the United States when nineteen years of age, locating in Verona. 
He married Margaret Wiedrick, formerly of Germany, by whom he had eleven 
children, nine of whom grew to maturity: George J., Eva M., Elizabeth, Margaret, 
Caroline, Amelia, Jacob, Alice, and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Ague are members of St. 
Peter's German Lutheran church, of which he is one of the deacons. The ancestry 
of the family is German on both sides. 

St. John, N. J., was born in Montreal, Canada, September 7, 1850, and came to this 
country when eight years of age, and has resided in Waterville for the past thirty- 
two years. He learned the trade of harness maker and followed it for twelve years, 
when he engaged in the hotel business. The Central Hotel in Waterville was built 
by him. He has also been largely interested in farming for years. He first married 



302 . OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mary Burnett, who died leaving two daughters: Mary Imogean and Carrie. His 
present wife is Alice Wilson, by whom he has two daughters: Maud and Annie. 
Mr. St. John is a prominent Democrat; he also takes a great interest in horses, and 
owns some fine stock. 

Wheeler, E. A., was born in New Hampshire, and moved to Clayville, with his 
parents, when four years of age. He enlisted in Co. G, 117th N. Y. Vols, August 4, 
1862, and participated in the battles of Petersburg Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, etc. 
He served until the close of the war, and has been prominently identified with the 
G. A. R. He was commander of the post four years, and is also a prominent Mason. 
He is at present trustee of the village of Waterville and water commissioner. In 
1865 he married Anna Barker, who died, leaving four children : Mrs. F. A. Gifford, 
Mrs. Louise M. Case, Lillie, Millie B. and Nellie F. Wheeler. His present wife is 
Silvina E. Bates, of Cassville, N. Y. 

Owen, Robert C, was born in Utica, N. Y. , December 14, 1828. His father, 
Richard Owen, was born in Wales and came to the United States when seventeen 
years of age, and settled in Albany, N. Y. He afterward removed to Oneida county 
where he married Eleanor Edwards, who was born in Deerfield, N. Y. Later 
he settled on a farm in the town of Floyd where he remained until his death_ 
Robert C, the eldest of five children, received a common school education. At the 
age of sixteen he engaged as clerk in the store of White Brothers in Alder Creek, 
N. Y., where he remained several years. He was afterwards employed as clerk in 
the store of J. Howe & Co. in Remsen, N. Y., and later in the firm of Hill Brothers, 
Rome, N. Y. In 185? he started for himself in the mercantile business in Rome, re- 
moving to Clinton, N. Y., in 1860, where has since remained being one of the lead- 
ing men of the town. In 1857 he married Blanche Edwards, of Remsen, N. Y., by 
whom he has four children: Ida M., Nellie B., Jennie V., and Milton Edwards. Mr. 
Owen is a stockholder in the New Hartford Cotton Company, also in the Citizens' 
Bank and Trust Company, Chattanooga, Tenn., and a director in Texas Loan 
Agency of Corsicana, Texas. About twenty years ago Mr. Owen was elected ruling 
elder, trustee and treasurer of the Presbyterian church in Clinton, which offices he 
still holds. 

Blake, John, was born in Westchester county, N. Y. , in 1844. He was educated 
in the common schools, and is a farmer and market gardener by occupation. August 
6, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 113th N. Y. Vols. Nov. 7, 1865, his regiment was .con- 
solidated with the 7th Heavy Artillery, of the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. 
He was wounded in the leg in the battle of the Wilderness, and on June 19, 1864, in 
the battle of Petersburg, was wounded in the hand and forearm with rifle bullets, 
and in the back with a piece of shell, four ounces and a half of which was extracted 
by the surgeon. He was left on the field for dead sixty four hours, and yet survives 
to tell the story. February 12, 1865, he was honorably discharged by surgeon's cer- 
tificate of disability from Finlay Hospital, Washington, D. C. In the fall of 1869 he 
married Emily E. Dunn, of Verona, by whom he has eight children: Mary M., Julia 
E., E. Isabel, Adeline E., John L., Clara L., Carrie I., and Howard L. 

Dye, Daniel C. , M. D., son of Amasa A. and Caroline (Hutchinson) Dye, was born 
in Rockwood, Fulton county, June 23, 1860, read medicine with Dr. Nelson Everest 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 303 

of his native village, and was graduated from the Department of Medicine and 
Surgery of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor June 33, 1885, his diploma 
being endorsed by the faculty of Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York 
city. In the fall of 1886 he began the active practice of his profession in Utica, 
where he has since resided. Dr. Dye is a member of the Oneida County Medical 
Society and on April 14, 1896, was elected its president He is also a member and 
for four years was secretary of the Utica Medical Library Association and later its 
delegate to the New York State Medical Society, of which he is a permanent mem- 
ber. He is a charter member of the Utica Medical Club and in March, 1896, was 
elected its president. He is a member of the Association of Medical Officers of the 
National Guard and Naval Militia of New York State, first lisutenant and perman- 
ently commissioned (October 1, 1890) assistant surgeon of the 44th Separate Co. 
N. G. S. N. Y. , ward physician of the Eighth ward, and surgeon on the staff of St. 
Elizabeth's Hospital, of which he was resident physician three and one-half years. 
June 23, 1892, he married Jessie M., daughter of Alonzo B. Walling, of Utica, and 
they have one daughter, Dorothy Jessie. 

Hewett, C. E., was born in the town of Marshall, March 27, 1830, son of Jedediah 
and Falley (King) Hewett. He learned the trade.of joiner and carpenter, and worked 
at it for fifteen years, when he engaged in wagon building, which he followed for 
twenty-six years, retiring in 1895. In 1850 he married Adeline C. Wilmott, by whom 
he has two daughters, Mrs. Richard Corcoran of Albion, Mich., and Nellie A., born 
in Appleton, Wis., in 1860. 

Roberts, Henry W., was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county, December 
1, 1858, son of Ellis R. Roberts, who was also born in that town, where he was for a 
number of years in the mercantile business. His grandfather was born in Wales, 
and came to the United States in 1818, and first settled in Utica. Ellis R. Roberts 
married Ann Johns, who was born in the town of Trenton, N. Y., by whom he had 
two children. Henry W. Roberts was a graduate ot the Clinton grammar school in 
1878, and has been engaged in the mercantile business most of his life. He was for 
six years (1883 to 1889) clerk in the store of Comstock Brothers, of Utica, and since 
1889 has been in business for himself in Clinton for seven years. He married Anna 
Clark, of this town, by whom he has one daughter, Gertrude, and one child deceased, 
Vincent Ellis Roberts. Mr. Roberts was town clerk for three years, and at present 
is a member of the Board of Education, serving his second term, and he is also 
Republican county committeeman for his town, and a stockholder and treasurer of 
Empire Park Granite and Marble Co., located at Syracuse, N. Y. 

Barker, Laurens M., was born in Oriskany Falls, N. Y., October 3, 1828, on the 
farm where he now resides. His grandfather. Munson, and his brother Miles were 
pioneers in Oneida county, coming from Connecticut in 1797, with an ox team and 
settling on what after became known as Barker Hill, when there was not a house 
within several miles of their own rudely constructed homes. Laurens H., father of 
Laurens M.. was born May 9, 1804, and spent his life on the old homestead, where he 
died October 20, 1869. Laurens M. Barker received his education at the district 
school in the vicinity of his home, after which he settled down to farm life. January 
3, 1872, he married Phebe Barker of Oriskany Falls, by whom he has one son, 



304 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Charles H., born July 13, 1874. Mr. Barker's farm occupies a commanding pictur- 
esque site, upon which they raise large crops of hops. 

Dempsey, Hon. James L. , son of John and Catharine (Lyons) Denipsey, was born 
April 29, 1848, in Dublin, Ireland, and came to America with his parents the same 
year, settling first in New York city. In 1849 the family came to Utica and in 1853 
moved thence to a farm in Westmoreland. In 1856 they settled in Kirkland, Oneida 
county, where his parents still live. John Dempsey is a farmer and mason by oc- 
cupation. He had eight children, all of whom are living: James L., Terrence J.. 
Thomas E., all of Clinton; John J. of the town of Kirkland; William, of Clinton; 
M-ery J. (Mrs. John R. Tierney), of Lairdsville, Oneida county; Anna (Mrs. John 
Nichols), of Utica; and Nellie (Mrs. Michael Dolan), of Albany, N. Y. James L. 
Dempsey was educated in the public schools of Kirkland, learned the trade of mason 
and builder, and for a time carried on a successful contracting business. In 1870 he 
became proprietor of a hotel in Clinton, his partner being Peter Blake, his brother- 
in-law, continuing seven years. In 1869 he commenced dealing in hops and farm 
produce, and has ever since continued in that business with unusual success. He 
has been an extensive operator in this connection, buying, handling, and shipping 
large quantities of hops, etc. In 1886 he was one of the organizers and first directors 
of the Clinton Bnrial Case Company, since removed to Utica. He was the prime 
mover and mainly instrumental in securing the location of the Clinton Canning 
Company in the village of Clinton, the leading manufacturing industry there. Mr. 
Dempsey has always taken a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of the village 
of Clinton, contributing liberally of both time and means toward every worthy en- 
terprise, and encouraging all movements promising general benefit. Public spirited, 
progressive, and energetic he is prominently identified with the town, and is active 
in furthering its moral and material interests. He is a staunch Democrat, and has 
been for several years an influential member of that party. In 1890 and 1891 he 
represented his district in the State Legislature, where, as the records show, he 
looked carefully after the interests of his constituents, and especially after the wel- 
fare of the farming and laboring classes. As member of assembly he was instru- 
mental in starting the movements which resulted in the selling of the old county 
farm and poor house at Rome for §209,000, which gave to the county the present 
county house and poor farm and also the Rome State Custodial Asylum, two insti- 
tutions of permanent local as well as general value. He has been a trustee and one 
of the water commissioners of the village of Clinton since the spring of 1893. He 
was also a member of the first sewer commission, and as such was instrumental in 
introducing the present sewerage system, resigning to become village trustee. In 
all matters of local improvement he has taken a conspicuous part, and has labored 
assiduously for the benefit of the place. May 19, 1870, he married Catharine, 
daughter of Michael Blake, of the town of Kirkland, and they have had eight chil- 
dren: John A., Francis M., Joseph W., Elizabeth Maria, James L., jr., Kate, Robert 
(deceased), and Rose. 

Foster, William S. , president of the Foster Brothers Manufacturing Company of 
Utica, was born in Durhamville, Oneida county, February 15,' 1848, and is the fifth 
of six sons of Orson Foster, a native of Litchfield, Conn., born in June, 1809. 
Orson Foster lived in Clinton, N.Y., during his youthful life, and about 1835 settled 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 305 

in Durhamville. He was a farmer, millwright, and contractor, prominent in local 
affairs, and served two terms as supervisor. He died in Utica in Febraary, 1893. 
He married Dulina A. Smith, of Verona, whose death occurred in 1891. Their chil- 
dren were Albert N. , deceased ; Oscar S. , of Utica ; Charles M. , deceased ; Theo- 
dore, of Utica; William S., of Utica; and Niles H., of St. Louis, Mo. William S. 
Foster conducted his father's farm for a time. His brother, Oscar S., had become 
a partner and finally sole owner of the furniture manufacturing business of C. T. 
Segar & Co. , in Utica, which was originally established by Mr. Segar in a building 
on John street in 1871. In January, 1881, William S. Foster purchased a half inter- 
est in the concern under the firm name of C. S. Foster & Brother, which in 1885 was 
changed to Foster Brothers. In April, 1892, the establishment was incorporated 
with a capital of $70,000, and adopted the present style of the Foster Brothers Manu- 
facturing Company with William S. Foster as president and Oscar S. Foster as 
secretary and treasurer. January 1, 1888, the concern occupied its present plant on 
Broad street, and in the fall of 1893 the manufacture of iron beds, brass trimmed, 
was commenced. Prior to that the business had been confined to the manufacture 
of springs and spring beds, woven wire cots, cribs, etc. Now all these articles are 
manufactured on a large scale and about seventy-five hands are employed, the trade 
extending throughout the United States. They are also interested in the Foster 
Brothers Manufacturing Company of Baltimore, Md., of which Oscar S. is presi- 
dent; the Foster Brothers Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, of which Oscar S. 
is president and Niles H. is secretary and treasurer ; and is also interested in the 
Rome Metallic Bedstead Company of Rome, N. Y. 

Jewett, James G., was born in Whitestown, now a portion of Utica, August 17, 
1807, son of Samuel and Sarah Jewett. Samuel Jewett was born in Jeffrey, N. H. , 
November 17, 1765, and died January 31, 1831. Sarah, his wife, was born April 27, 
1769, and died February 12, 1861. James G. Jewett was educated at the Utica 
Academy, after which he engaged in farming. He married Orissa F. Rhodes, of 
Paris, Oneida county, N.Y., who died in August, 1870, aged forty-eight years. They 
had these children: Annette O. ; Sarah E., who married J. J. Taylor, of Forest City, 
la.; Samuel F., who lives at Elgin, Ills.; Emma E., deceased; James G., jr., who 
is a Mason, a member of Hampton Lodge No. 347 and Fort Stanwix Chapter No. 
153 ; Lillias C. , who married Carl A. Bliesmer, both deceased ; Charles F. , deceased ; 
Grant R., who is in Circle City, Alaska; Arthur P., in Port Angeles, Wash. ; Grant 
R., is also a Mason, Hampton Lodge No. 347, and Arthur P. also belongs to the 
same lodge, No. 347, and Fort Stanwix Chapter No. 153. 

Glatt, Joseph, was born in Forbach, France, in 1824 and in 1833 came to this 
country with his father and seven other children, he (Joseph) being the younger of 
the eight. Joseph Glatt, sr. , was a brick and tile manufacturer by trade, which he 
followed in France ; but upon coming to this country settled on a farm in Deerfield, 
remaining there until 1854, when he moved to Utica, where he spent the remainder 
of his days, living to the ripe old age of ninety-three years. While in France he 
was ten years in the French revolution and was one of Napoleon's body guard. 
Joseph, jr., and a sister in Iowa are the only surviving members of the family. In 
1851 he married Sarah A. Johnson, of Deerfield, and moved to New Hartford on a 
farm of 250 acres, where he still resides. In 1858 his wife died, leaving three chil- 



306 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

dren: George A., Phebe M., and Ernest J. In 1862 Mr. Glatt married H. Cornelia, 
daughter of the late Peter and Delia A. Smith, old and much respected citizens of 
New York Mills. His present wife was for a number of years an experienced 
teacher in the public schools of that place. They have one son, Albert Smith, born 
November 38, 1863. 

Thorneley, Edward, was born in England, January 23, 1831, son of Charles and 
Mary Thorneley. Edward Thorneley came to the United States in 1848, and settled 
in Westmoreland on his present farm in 1852. He married Eliza Carwardine, 
daughter of John and Mary Carwardine, of English extraction. Mr. Thorneley is a 
staunch Republican in politics, and contributes his best efforts to the support of his 
party. 

Bacon, Ezekiel, son of Rev. John Bacon, was born September 1, 1776. His 
father was pastor of South church, Boston, later a resident of Stockbridge, Mass., 
a representative to the Massachusetts Legislature and the Congress of the United 
States, and for several years the presiding judge of the Berkshire Common Pleas. 
When fourteen Mr. Bacon entered Yale College and was graduated in 1794. He 
read law with Judge Reeve in Licthfield, Conn., and with Nathan Dane in Beverly, 
Mass. , and practiced for some years in Berkshire county. He was a member of the 
Massachusetts Legislature in 1806 and 1807, and represented his county in Congress 
from 1807 to 1813, serving one year as chairman of the ways and means committee. 
He was appointed chief justice of the Circuit Court and Common Pleas for the 
Western district of Massachusetts, and soon after assuming the office was made first 
comptroller of the treasury by President Madison. On account of ill health he re- 
signed this latter office within two years and came to LTtica, where he became a part- 
ner in the mercantile firm of Alexander Seymour & Co. In 1818 he was appointed 
associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas; in 1819 he was elected to the Assem- 
bly ; in 1821 he was a member of the State Constitutional Convention. About 1824 
he was nominated for Congress but was defeated by Henry R. Storrs by less than 
100 votes. In October, 1825, he was selected by the citizens of Utica to do honor to 
Governor De Witt Clinton in locally celebrating the Erie Canal. He was also at one 
time chief of a packet boat company. Judge Bacon was for a while the main edi- 
torial writer on the Oneida Whig and Utica Daily Gazette, to both of which he fre- 
quently contributed valuable articles. At his death on October 18, 1870, he was the 
oldest living graduate of Yale College and the last representative of Madison's ad- 
ministration. In 1799 he married Abby, daughter of Dr. Reuben Smith, of Litch- 
field, Conn., and their children were John H., William J., Francis, Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Henry Colt), and Fanny (Mrs. Theodore Pomeroy). William Johnson Bacon was 
born in Williamstown, Mass., February 18, 1803, came with his parents to Utica in 
1815, and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1822. He read law with Gen. 
Joseph Kirkland and his son, Charles P., and also in the law school of Judge Gould, 
of Litchfield, Conn., and was admitted to the bar in 1824. Soon afterward he be- 
came partner of Samuel D. Dakin in the proprietorship and editing of the Sentinel 
and Gazette, now the Utica Morning Herald, for about two years. He then resumed 
his profession and in 1832 formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles P. 
Kirkland, which continued successfully until Mr. Kirkland's removal to New York 
in 1851. In 1853 Mr. Bacon was judge of the Supreme Court, and by re-elec- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 307 

tion remained on the bench sixteen, years, retiring in 1870. Afterward he 
acted as counsel and referee. He was a most able jurist, high minded, and 
dignified. 'He was city attorney in 1837, elected to the Assembly in 1850, 
and was sent to Congress as a Republican in 1876. He was for many years 
a trustee of Hamilton College ; for more than twenty years a director of the 
Oneida County Bible Society; a director of the Second National Bank; a trustee and 
president of the Savings Bank of Utica ; a director and vice-president of the Utica 
Gaslight Company and the Forest Hill Cemetery Association ; a director of the Utica 
and Black River Railroad, Company, the Utica Water Works Company, and the 
Utica Steam Cotton Mills; a trustee of the Home for the Homeless, and consulting 
manager of the Utica Orphan Asylum; councilor and vice-president of the Oneida 
Historical Society; a trustee of the Saratoga Monument Association ; and president 
of the Utica Philharmonic Association. He was a profund Bible student and an able 
writer and speaker. For forty-nine years he was an officer of the Reformed church. 
He died July 3, 1889. His first wife was Eliza daughter of Gen. Joseph Kirkland, 
and their only surviving child is Mrs. Seth W. Crittenden. He married second, Mrs. 
Susan Sloane Gillett. 

Tracy, Charles, was born at Vernon Center, in 1851, and spent the early part of 
his life in that vicinity. The Tracys were among the earliest settlers in Oneida 
connty, and were also the foremost citizens, having been identified with the develop- 
ment and progress of that part of the country. His father, Samuel Dill Tracy, was 
born at Ridge Mills, Oneida county, N. Y. , October 22, 1813. When a mere boy he 
went to work for Joshua Hathaway, one of the first merchants in the city of Rome, 
N. Y., and in 1828 he went to New York city, where he learned the art of piano 
making, in company with Steinway, Chickering, Hardman, Nunn Bros., and others 
who were learning the trade at that time. Leaving New York he went to Albany 
in the latter part of the twenties, and had the honor of stringing and tuning the first 
piano manufactured in this State (outside of New York city), for George Meecham 
& Co., of Albany. Leaving Albany he located at Hampton, Oneida county, where 
he built several pianos; later on he moved to Vernon, N. Y., where William H. 
Beebe and the late E. D. Buckingham, of Utica, learned the piano trade of him. Mr. 
Tracy invented the "back catch" and " spring jack" that were first made in square 
pianos. He was the first American piano tuner in Oneida county, where he prac- 
ticed tuning for over fifty years. He married Emily Jane, daughter of Silas and 
Prudence (Gridley) Crocker, by whom he had these children: James, Henry C. 
Mary Maria, Charles, Luna Jane, Samuel D., jr., and Edwin C, all of whom are 
deceased but Mary Maria (Mrs. S. D. Norton), Charles, and Edwin C, who is post- 
master at Vernon Center. Charles Tracy is connected with Buckingham, Moak & 
Marklove, piano dealers in Utica. He is a musician of considerable reputation, and 
one of the most skillful piano tuners in the State. His paternal grandparents, Silas 
and Prudence (Gridley) Crocker, came from Connecticut and settled in Vernon, N. 
Y., in 1802. With them came Titus Pettibone, a brother-in-law, who married Cyn- 
thia Gridley. They settled on and cleared up a lot of sixteen acres, which is now 
owned by Clayton Lewin. Mr. and Mrs. Crocker had these children: Silas, Edwin, 
Mary and Emily Jane, all of whom are now deceased. 

Meyer, Otto Angus, was born at Prospect, N. Y., February 1, 1861. His father, 



308 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Dr. William Meyer, was a prosperous and much respected physician who had a large 
practice in that section. The family came to Utica when the subject of this sketch 
was nine years of age. Mr. Meyer was educated in the public schools and was 
graduated from the Utica Free Academy. During his school days he worked morn- 
ings, Saturdays, and vacations in the circulation department of the Utica Herald, 
which department was then in charge of the late William H. Tutton. In this way 
he early acquired a knowledge of an important branch of the newspaper business 
which has since stood him in good stead. After leaving the academy he was for a 
year and a half employed as the business manager of the Sunday Tribune, then 
owned by P. E. Kelly. He made a marked success of this enterprise, and in charge 
of both the advertising and circulation departments of that paper rendered valuable 
service. When in March, 1883, the corporation known as the Utica Press Company 
was organized, Mr. Meyer was induced to go with the new concern as its secretary 
and treasurer and its business manager, positions he has since continued in, with 
credit to himself and profit to all concerned. Two or three years later Mr. Meyer 
and another secured a controlling interest in the stock of the company, whose busi- 
ness under his direction has shown steady and substantial growth, till the Daily and 
the Weekly Press have come to be recognized as among the most prosperous leaders 
of Central New York journalism. To Mr. Meyer's energy and good business judg- 
ment much of the success of these papers is due. Few have a wider acquaintance or 
are more popular with those who have business with newspapers. He is a member 
of the American Newspaper Publishers' Association and has been honored with ap- 
pointments on some of its important committees. For several years he has been a 
director of the Second National Bank of Utica. He belongs to the Fort Schuyler 
Club and to the Utica Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Meyer is deservedly regarded as 
one of the brightest of the city's young business men. 

Kirkland, George A., was born in Utica, N. Y., November 24, 1858, son of Charles 
and Elizabeth Kirkland. Charles Kirkland was born in England, and came to this 
country and engaged in the wagon manufacturing business. He entered the gen- 
eral mercantile business in Utica, and then removed to Whitesboro. where he 
started the mercantile business in the fall of 1868, being the business now owned 
and conducted by his son, George A. Mr. Kirkland died in March, 1893. George 
A. was educated at Whitestown Seminary, and started in the mercantile business as 
clerk for his father, and assisted his father until 1889, when he became sole proprie- 
tor of the business, and it is the oldest and largest mercantile business in the village 
of Whitesboro. Mr. Kirkland married Gertrude Peck, of New York Mills, by whom 
he has one son, Charles Kirkland. 

Crandall, J. Wells, was born- in Kirkland, Oneida county, N. Y, December 21, 
1826, and when seven years of age removed with his parents to Oswego county, 
where he was educated in the public schools. He has had numerous occupations, 
mostly farming, until he retired in 1883. He came to Fish Creek in 1883 and erected 
a fine residence, finishing it in January, 1885. In 1851 he married Cynthia Luke,- 
of Amboy, Oswego county, N. Y., who died July 22, 1884. For his second wife he 
married Mrs. Lurana M. (Potter) Babcock, of West Monroe. She had three children 
by her first marriage: Willis G. Babcock, a physician, with a drug store and practice 
in Cleveland, Oswego county ; Alice V. and Gracia R. Babcock, who died at the age 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 309 

of. twenty-one years. Mr. Crandall's father, Daniel Crandall, was born in Brook- 
field, N. Y. , was educated there, and was a blacksmith by occupation, conducting a 
business in Kirkland. He married Martha Wells, by whom he had eight children : 
Daniel, Pattie, Horace, William, Warren, J. Wells, Charles, and Fannie ; only three 
of them are now living. Mr. Crandall died at the age of sixty-one, and his wife at 
the age of eighty-one years. The family is of New England stock. 

Joy,' William H., was born in Canada, February 3, 1861, son of Alfred and Betsey 
(Spencer) Joy. William H. was educated in the town of Montague, Lewis county, 
and has since been engaged in farming. He married Ida, daughter of George 
Freiberger, of Westmoreland, by whom he had three children: Louis F., Lavant, and 
Paul M. 

Butterfield, Samuel, was a native of England, born in 1792. His -grandfather, 
John Butterfield, was killed in the battle of Minden in Germany, 1760. His father 
and three elder brothers died in the English army. Mr. Butterfield came to America 
in 1827; with two sons by his first wife (William and Samuel). In 1828 he married 
Elizabeth Laister (a native of England), a sister of Thomas Laister, of New Hart- 
ford. In 1830 he moved to the town of Vernon, remained about two years and went 
back to New Hartford where he carriend on business until 1838, when he went into 
partnership with the late S. Newton Dexter, of Whitestown, and manufactured in- 
grain carpets at Oriskany. In 1844 he moved to Sconondoa and carried on the same 
business with his son William for about twenty years ; they employed about thirty 
hands. Mr. B., son of Thomas, carried on the business of manufacture and sale of 
leather. Thomas was supervisor of the town of Vernon several timqs. About 
.twenty years ago he moved to Buffalo where he died in 1888. Samuel, jr., was 
a soldier of the Republic during the late war; he died in 1882. William died in 1891. 
Mr. Butterfield's three daughters (Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Woodhull, Mrs. Stewart), are 
still living, also his son Charles, who is one of the justices of the peace of the town of 
Vernon, and lives with Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Patton, daughter of William, at the old 
homestead. During the time Mr. Butterfield and his sons were carrying on business 
Sconondoa was a lively little hamlet. 

Whitcher, Rev. Benjamin Williams, was born in Rochester, Vt., December, 8, 
1811, his father, Stephen, a native of Haverhill, Mass., being one of a large family, 
of which Thomas Whitcher, who came from England to New England in 1638, was 
the founder. Mr. Whitcher was graduated from Geneva College in 1840 and after- 
ward continued and completed his theological studies at the General Theological 
Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal church in New York city. ' He was ordained 
by the late Bishop De Lancey in 1844 and settled in Whitestown, Oneida county, 
where he organized and became the first rector of St. John's church. Afterward he 
officiated at Saratoga Springs and Oswego, and later had charge of the parishes at 
Theresa and Redwood, N. Y. During his ministry he was earnest and active in 
urging people to baptism and the sacraments, and was recognized as a high church- 
man. When the Oxford or " tractarian movement" was at its height he was a 
student. This movement was a school of thought led by Cardinal Newman and 
other great minds. In 1850 Mr. Whitcher was received into St. John's church, 
Utica, by the late Bishop McFarland, and for a score of years thereafter was en- 



310 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

gaged in lecturing, becoming widely known in the United States and Canada. His 
lectures were on subjects connected with the Catholic faith. Although he re- 
nounced the Protestant Episcopal church he never forgot the courtesy of the clergy 
with whom he had been associated. A man of commanding presence he possessed 
a logical manner of reasoning and a singularly conciliating style of address. In 
1877 he published a book, "The Story of a Convert," which was favorably com- 
mented upon by the celebrated reviewer, Brownson. In 1847 he married Frances 
Miriam Berry, of Whitesboro, who was distinguished as the author of the " Widow 
Bedott Papers," which have been dramatized and accorded a foremost place among 
humorous writings. She died in January, 1852, and in the autumn of 1853- he mar- 
ried Martha Letetia Ward, of Jefferson county, who survives him. In 1855 Mrs. M. 
L. Whitcher collected and arranged the scattered newspaper articles which became 
the well known " Widow Bedott Papers," printed by James C. Derby in 1856. She 
also finished a manuscript, " Trials and Changes," which had been begun by Mrs. 
Frances M. Whitcher and left incomplete by her death. This story with a biograph- 
ical sketch of its author and a story entitled, " The Widow Spriggs," were published 
in 1867. Mrs. Whitcher is a talented writer, both in prose and poetry, as the follow- 
ing stanzas entitled "In Memory of Nellie," abundantly illustrate: 

Two years ago, dear child, to-day 

Thy gentle spirit passed away 
From earth and pain; 

All calmly then my grief I hid, 

And wrote upon thy coffin lid, 
''To die is gain." 

Two weary, sad and bitter years, 

Alone in sorrow and in tears — 
A sad refrain. 

Yet watching by the low green mound, 

Which thy dear dust makes holy ground, 
I can not weep. 

Such kindly thoughts of hopeful rest. 

And peace and joy among the blest, 
Soft vigils keep; 

And bid me only " stand and wait " 

Till He unclose life's sunset gate, 
Who gave thee sleep. 

Mr. Whitcher was a cousin of John Greenleaf Whittier, ard died December 17, 1891, 
while the poet was celebrating his eighty-fourth birthday. Besides his wife he left 
four daughters and two sons: Alice Miriam, wife of William S. Wood, of Muskegon, 
Mich. ; Mary Lavina, widow of Warren F. Thayer, of Sioux Falls, S. D. ; Frances- 
Margaret; Caroline E. ; Ward W., of Rome; and Charles E. , of Whitesboro. 

Callahan, W. C, D. D. S., was born in Madison county, July 28, 1870, son of Den- 
nis and Catherine (Carpenter) Callahan, and the family have lived in Morrisville, 
Madison county, for fifty years. He was educated at the Morrisville Union School 
and Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1892. In 
that year he came to Waterville, and began the practice of his profession. He was 
in partnership until January 1, 1895, when he opened an office of his own, where he 
is meeting with the success his abilities merit. He is especially successful in crown 
and bridge work, -end met with surprising success in reinserting the natural teeth. 
Dr. Callahan is a member of the Pickwick Club. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 311 

Young, Robert Grant, was born in New York Mills, Oneida County, June 26 1849 
the youngest of nme children of William and Jean (Buchanan) Young, who came to 
Amenca from near Pauley, Scotland, about fifty-five years ago. Attending the 
common schools until the age of sixteen he began work for the New York Mill! Co 
in the weave room, leaving there four years later to take charge of the weavine de' 
partment of the Clark's Mills Co., at Clarks Mills, New York. *!„ Janua ly l 7 f he" 
entered the employ of the Utica Cotton Co., at New Hartford and remained there 
over e.ght years In 1880 he left New Hartford to engage in the Manufacturers' 
Supply bu «„ ess ln utica, bnt this not prQving a guccess ^ «£«« 

pos tion ^ with the Utica Cotton Co. in New Hartford. March 15, 1889, he began work 
for the Utica Belt Line Street Railroad Co. as an engineer. Four months latere 
was made master mechanic of the company and held that position until October 1 
when he assumed charge of the road as superintendent, being also a director which 
position he still holds. He is a member of Faxton Lodge, I. & A M and otlt 
Masonic Club, and in religion is a Presbyterian. He mined, June 4 i 8 7 1 Anna 

"X rilf'b e u?a S tth aU t S t hter ° fD ; MarCUS aDd M ^ E - falter) Clkrk, formed 
ot Elgin, 111. but at that time residing at Clark's Mills, N. Y. Mrs. Youngs ances 
ors came tothis country from England among the first settlers here, and in rehgiou" 
aSO^^Ll hey haVetW Child ™ ^ ^ May, hES 

oo B , e «£' G ' P -; ri b ° rn ^ the tOWD ° f Sherbu ™e, Chenango county, September 
22, 1859 son of L M. and Sarah (Kershaw) Beers. His grandfather was GarrTp 
Beers, of Connecticut and his great-great-grandfather Kurd had the management 

Geor^"? I 7 6 C ° l0Dy ° f C ° MeCticut ' «d -eld his commission from KW 

George. At twenty-one years of age G. P. Beers engaged in the paintW andpanef 
hanging business, which he has since followed with marked success In 1892^ 
par nership of Beers & Davies was formed. On January 14, 1895, Mr. Beers marr ed 
tli w m , m ° n n °£ Watervil,e - Mr - Be «s is a noted musician. He has been leaTe r 
• o he Waterville Band since its organization in 1886. He was a good cornet P aver 
at the age of ten years; a member of the Deansville Band at thirteen ° vea« ; and 
leader of that band at sixteen. tmrceen jears, and 

^ d r n ; c J ° hn ' WaSb ° rn at Paris HiU ' N ' Y " December 5, 1863, son of William 
and Ellen (Simmons) Bardeen, residents of Oneida county. He was educated ta 
Waterville and learned the trade of harness maker. He hL been successfuHy en 
gaged in business for himself forseven years, and is a member of the Roya, Arcan""" 
^^'S^^^^^''"^^^ Inl889heinarried a M U a , ry 

T r UeSS ',w P " WaS b ° rn ln NeW Y ° rk Cit y- Feb raary 14, 1858, son of Tacob and 
Johanna (Woerner) Fuess, natives of Bavaria, Germany" He received an academic 
education and read law with E. H. Lamb of Waterville, and at Columbia Law School 
He was admitted to the bar in March, 1882, since which time he has practiced law in 

ZaZi iS T Cl6rk f ° r S6Veral yearS aDd haS been i usti - of the peace 

In October, 1883, he married Helen A. Moore of Syracuse. 

Goodwin, S. W., was born in Waterville in 1850,-son of Daniel B. and Catherine 
(Bacon) Goodwin, natives of Hartford, Conn., and Oneida county, respectively 7, 



312 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

was educated in the schools of the village, and at the military college in Worcester, 
Mass. , after which he engaged in banking. He was assistant cashier of the Water- 
ville National Bank for ten years, cashier for six years, and has been president one 
year. He is also treasurer of the village of Waterville, and is the senior member of 
the firm of Goodwin & Rice, the leading insurance house in this part of the county. 

Brainard, I. D., was born in Hubbardsville, N. Y., September 27, 1846, son of Ira 
and Jemima (Beebe) Brainard. He was educated at the Clinton Liberal Institute, 
after which he engaged in the hop business, and his firm is one of the largest in 
Central New York. In 1891 the firm of Charles Green, Son & Co. , hop merchants 
and bankers, was formed. The banking house is in Waterville, and is in charge of 
Mr. Brainard. He has been president of the village two terms, and has been a 
member of the Board of Education ten years. In 1870 Mr. Brainard married M. 
Geneva Green, by whom he has one son, Charles Green Brainard. 

Edwards, L. D., is a native of Wales, and came to America with his parents, 
David L. and Ann (Roberts) Edwards, when thirteen weeks old, and settled in 
Oneida county, but afterwards removed to Lewis county, and later they returned 
to Oneida county. L. D. Edwards was educated in the district schools and Winfield 
Seminary. He taught school for ten terms in Oneida and Wyoming counties, and 
studied in Waterville. He was admitted to the bar, January 9, 1880. Mr. Edwards 
was supervisor of the town of Marshall in 1887 and 1888, and was justice of the peace 
in 1886. He was supervisor of the town of Sangerfield in 1891, and was elected 
chairman of the board. He is a Mason, a member of the Chapter and Utica Com- 
mandery. In 1881 he married Margaret A., only daughter of Isaac Jones of Water- 
ville. 

Jenks, M. S., is a native of Deansville, son of Chester and Emily (Cowan) Jenks, 
natives of Massachusetts. His father being a farmer, he spent his early life on a 
farm, and has always been identified with the hop industry, for which this part of 
the country is celebrated. He has been a hop dealer for forty-three years, and has 
been supervisor of the town of Manheim. In 1866 he married Mary Browning, by 
whom he has one daughter, Mrs. D. C. Morgan of Clinton. 

Jones, T. Z., M. D., was born in Waterville, June 23, 1860, and after an academic 
course, took up the study of medicine, entering the Bellevue Hospital Medical col- 
lege, New York, where he was graduated in 1883. He spent thirteen months as a 
physician in the Insane Asylum on Black well's Island, when he accepted a position 
in Ossawatomie, Kansas; his failing health forced him to resign this position, and he 
came to Waterville in 1884, where he built up a large practice. In 1892 he went to 
London, England, and took a post graduate medical course. Dr. Jones is a member 
of the Oneida County Medical Society, and of both the Blue Lodge and Chapter in 
Masonry. His father was Zephaniah Jones, a native of Remsen, this county, and 
his mother was Margaret Goodwin, a native of Wales. In 1893 Dr. Jones married 
Clara Allen. 

Eastman, W. J., was born in the town of Marshall, and educated in Waterville. 
His father was Virgil S. Eastman of Marshall, and his grandfather, Socrates East- 
man. His mother, Julia (Lincoln) Eastman, was a native of Ionia, Mich. , and was 
the first white child born in that county. He engaged in the electrical and bicycle 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 313 

business in 1893, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Eastman is a mem- 
ber of the popular Waterville Band. 

Hilsinger, Myron, was born in Milford, N. Y., son of Samuel and Alvira (Oster- 
hout) Hilsmger. He has been a horseman all of his life, excepting a short time in 
the mercantile business. Since the Waterville race track came into his control it 
has been noted for its excellent training facilities, and Mr. Hilsinger has a reputa- 
tion second to none for handling horses. He came to Waterville in the spring of 
1889. In 1880 he married Ida, daughter of David Baird, one of the greatest horse- 
men of his day, by whom he has two sons and two daughters. 

Hubbard, George M., was born in Wayne county, August, 1822, son of Maximus 
and Zilpha (Sylvester) Hubbard. His grandfather, Simon Hubbard, came to Wayne 
county in 1790, and George M. Hubbard still owns the land upon which he settled 
Mr. Hubbard has been engaged in distilling, brewing and farming, and is now con- 
ducting a coal and mill business. He is married to Myra M. Scott, by whom he has 
one daughter, Helen, wife of H. M. King, who is in partnership with him Mr 
Hubbard is a prominent Mason, also a Knight Templar, and has belonged to the 
fraternity for over three years. 

Bensted, W. H., is a native of England, and came to America when seventeen 
years of age. He resided one year in Hamilton, two years in Madison, and came to 
Waterville in 1886, since which time he has conducted the leading meat business of 
the place. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and chief engineer of the 
Waterville fire department. In 1889 Mr. Bensted married Mary Jane Maxted a 
native of England, and they have one son, Clarence Bensted. 

Finn, E. L., is a native of Waterville, Oneida county, N. Y, and for five years has 
successfully conducted a popular meat business, which was established by his father 
seventeen years ago. Henry Finn, father of E. L., was a native of England 
and he died in 1890. He married Mary Lindsley. E. L. Finn is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, both the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He has held several 
offices, in the order. 

Mason, C. B.. was born in Madison county, N. Y., March 29, 1837, and remained 
there until he was fourteen years of age, when his father moved to Vernon and 
after remaining there a short time, came to Sangerfield. In 1860 Mr. Mason married 
Emily, daughter of Wanton and Betsey (Croft) Gorton. The Gorton family has been 
in New York for over a century. Mr. Mason is one of the most extensive and most 
successful farmers of Oneida county. For the history of the ancestry of C. B Mason 
see article on John C. Mason. 

Mason, John C, was born in Madison county, December 4, 1839, son of Edward 
A. Mason, one of seven brothers, who settled in Madison county. His grandfather 
David Mason, came from Connecticut. John C. Mason came to Waterville when 
thirteen years of age, where he has resided ever since. He is engaged in farming 
in which he has been very successful. He is an able financier and thorough business 
man, and personally looks after the details of his large interests. In 1864 he mar- 
ried Emma M. Jones, of Otsego county, by whom he has three children: William 
E., Mrs. B. G. Lawrence and Eva. 



314 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Mulverhill, F. C, is a native of Ireland, and came to America in 1848. He learned 
the trade of carpenter and builder, at which he still continues. In 1858 he enlisted 
in the regular army, Co. C, 3d U. S. Infantry, and served until 1863, participating in 
the battles of Gaines Mills, Fort Pickens, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Second Bull 
Run, Antietam and Gettysburg, and was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg. 
He also served in the Indian war against the Mojaves in Arizona. In 1870 he 
married Elizabeth Gagan, by whom he has five children: Flann C, Thomas E., 
Daniel Sheridan, Patrick Henry, and Mary Ellen. Mr. Mulverhill has been collector 
for the town of Marshall, and was elected justice of the peace in 1895. 

Monroe, C. Wilbur, was born in Sangerfield, June 12, 1870, son of Charles D. and 
Josephine A. (Everson) Monroe. He was educated in the district schools and Water- 
ville Academy, graduating in 1889. He then took a course in the Cornell University, 
from which institution he was graduated in 1892. He also read law in the office of 
the late E. H. Lamb, and with Jones & Townsend, and was admitted to the bar 
November 15, 1894. He opened an office in Waterville, and has been actively en- 
gaged in his profession since that date. He is the present justice of the peace for 
Waterville, and has held office since March 6, 1894. April 5, 1894, he married Nina 
Sophia King of Waterville. 

Putnam, E. B., was born in Waterville, N. Y., and was educated in the public 
schools and at Columbia College. He was admitted to the bar January 1, 1882. He 
now resides in Rochester, where he follows the practice of his profession, but has a 
summer residence near Waterville. He is a member of Kent Club, of Rochester, 
the Genesee Valley Club, and other social organizations. In 1882 Mr. Putnam mar- 
ried Grace Williams Tower, daughter of Charlemagne Tower, of Philadelphia, now 
deceased. Mr. Putnam's father, George Putnam, was one of the leading and most 
highly respected men of this part of the country. He married Sarah M. Bill, 
daughter of Dr. Earle Bill, in his day a prominent physician in the northern part of 
the State. 

Putnam, Frederick W., was born in Waterville, N. Y., in 1861, son of George and 
Sarah M. (Bill) Putnam. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Bill, a prominent phy- 
sician of his day, and the family came from Connecticut. The Putnam family came 
from Massachusetts, and George Putnam was one of the most highly respected 
citizens of this place, where he died in 1891. F. W. Putnam received a liberal 
education in both academy and college, and took charge of the business left by his 
father. 

Potter, G. R., was born in the town of Morris, Otsego county, August 17, 1846. 
He learned the trade of shoemaker and followed it for many years, after which he 
engaged in the hotel business at Sherburne, then at Oriskany Falls, and finally pur- 
chased the Central Hotel at Waterville in 1887. This he has recently improved and 
enlarged. September 1, 1866, he married Mary E. Roberts, by whom he has one 
daughter, Anna D., wife of C. W. Perry. Mr. Potter is a member of the Red Men, 
and is held in high esteem by a great many friends. 

Waldo, Wellington, was born in Bridgewater, where he lived until he was twenty- 
two years of age, when he came to Waterville. H received a common school and 
academic education. He first educated himself for the dental profession, which he 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 315 

followed for fifteen years, when he took up surveying, to which he has devoted his 
attention for the last twelve years. He has done a great deal of farm surveying and 
possesses a thorough knowledge of the topography of this part of the country He 
was for some time interested in milling in Waterville, but has lately disposed of that 
business. Although not desiring office, he has been president of the village of 
Waterville during the years 1891-92-93, and was again elected for 1895 which term 
of office he is now serving. His father, Ephraim Waldo, jr., came from Connecticut 
with his father, Ephraim Waldo, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Bridgewater 
Ephraim Waldo, jr., died in 1885. 

Snell, Albert M., was born in Sangerfield in 1842, son of Josiah and Betsey (Fel- 
ton) Snell, natives of New England. He learned the trade of carpenter and builder 
m which he is now prominently engaged; he also added lumber and erected a 
planing mill, thoroughly equipping himself for any kind of contracts. In 1872 he 
married Harriet Melvin, a native of the town of Marshall. 

Williams, R. C, was born in Wales and came to America in 1852 when three 
years of age. He is a son of William Williams, who came to America in 1851 and 
died in 1883, and Mary (Hughes) Williams. He lived on a farm until twenty-two 
years of age, when he engaged in the mercantile business which he has since 
followed successfully. In 1893 he started in business alone and conducts one of 
the leading stores in Waterville, dealing in dry goods and groceries. In 1892 he 
married Catherine, daughter of David L. Edwards, of Cassville, and sister of Mr 
Edwards, a prominent attorney in Waterville. They have three children : Norman 
Raymond, and Mary. 

Singleton, W. H., was born in Utica, September 16, 1842, son of Richard Single- 
ton, of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, who came to America in 1837, and Eliza (Booth) 
Singleton, of Bradford, England. His grandfather, William Singleton was one of 
three brothers who conducted an extensive lumber business in Edingburgh Scotland 
W. H. Singleton moved to Newark, N. J„ with his parents in 1844 where he re- 
ceived his education, and at sixteen years of age he moved to Whitesboro where he 
lived ten years. He then went to Clinton for one year, and after traveling for a 
year through the Western States he returned to Whitesboro and remained eight 
years, and from there he came to Waterville, where he has since resided and has 
been engaged m the furniture and undertaking business all of his business life as 
was his father before him. He has one of the finest libraries in this part of 'the 
county. Mr. Singleton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, both the Blue Lodge 
and Chapter, and has held offices in both. He has also been justice of the peace 
and has been a trustee of the village for two years. In 1870 he married Mary e' 
Bagg, of Kirkland, by whom he has two sons: Grove W. and Harry Earl Singleton. 
Smith, F. A., was born in the town of Clayton, Jefferson county, July 19 1834 
He learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon builder, and after living a while in 
Herkimer county and Boonville he came to Waterville. He is one of the trustees of 
the village and was also highway commissioner for four years. He married Kate 
Vincent, of Herkimer county, by whom he has five children: William T F B Mrs 
William G. Stone, K. Maude, and Ethel B. 

Waters, J. F., is a native of Oriskany Falls, N.Y., where he lived until nine years 



316 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of age, when he came to Waterville. His father died when he was but five years 
of age, and his mother when he was nine years old, leaving him at this early age to 
support himself. He has been in business for himself nine years, and has a high 
business reputation. In 1894 Mr. Waters married Maggie Tierman, of Paris Hill, 
N. Y. 

McCamus, Lucia C, is a native of Sangerfield, and the only surviving member of 
the family of Julius Candee. In 1851 she married Mr. McCamus, who died in 1864, 
and in 1887 she returned to Waterville, and has since resided in the old Candee 
homestead. Her parents were Julius and Lucia (Osborn) Candee. Julius Candee 
was born in Connecticut, February 19, 1800, and came to Sangerfield when twenty- 
one years of age. November, 1826, he married Lucia Osborne, by whom he had 
four children. He was one of the leading men of his day in Waterville, where he 
was engaged in business for fifty-one years. He was vice-president of the Water- 
ville Bank for many years, and president for two years. His long life was distin- 
guished for honesty and benevolence, and he was greatly respected by all who knew 
him. Mr. Candee died July 2, 1880, and his wife in 1887. 

Mason, Morris, was born in Vernon, N. Y., July 17, 1852, son of Edward Mason. 
In 1872 he married Margaret Foster, by whom he has four children : Edward, Frank, 
Harold and Maud. Mr. Mason is engaged in farming and dealing in stock, and is 
one of the leading farmers of the county. 

Marvin, W. Tyler, was born July 2, 1842, son of Alonzo and Mary (Beach) Marvin. 
He engaged in farming until twenty years of age, when he engaged in the stone 
business, and followed it until 1892. He laid nearly all of the stone walks and curb- 
ing in Waterville, and did the cut work on the Candee block, and on the crematory. 
In 1862 he enlisted in Co. E, 114th N. Y. Vols., and served until the end of the war, 
being honorably discharged June 8, 1865. He served with the Army of the Gulf two 
years, in the Shenandoah Valley, Port Hudson, etc. He is a member of the G. A. 
R., and has been secretary of the organization. In 1861 he married Lucretia Bald- 
win, by whom he has one son, Dallas Marvin, who is manager of Irwin's general 
store. Mr. Marvin has conducted a splendid livery business for the past seven 
years. 

McElhinney, N. B., was born in Waterville, May 20, 1865, son of William and 
Margaret McElhinney, natives of Ireland, who came to America about fifty years 
ago. N. B. McElhinney has been a resident of this county all of his life, excepting 
six years which he spent in Pennsylvania. In 1888 he married Lizzie, daughter of 
Andrew and Ellen Murray, of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, by whom he has 
three children: William, John and Margaret. Mr. McElhinney was engaged in 
liquor business for four years, with Rooch & Foley, but in the spring of 1895 he en- 
gaged in business for himself, and is a popular gentleman, highly esteemed by all 
who know him. 

Matthews, Joseph, was born in Montreal, Canada, and came to the United States 
at the age of seven years. He has lived in Waterville for twenty-three years, and 
has been very successful in all of his undertakings. He married Louisa, daughter 
of Jeremiah Knapp, by whom he has one daughter, Frances. He learned the trade 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 317 

of a shoemaker in Carthage, N. Y., and followed it for many years, after which he 
engaged in the liquor business. Mr. Matthews is one of the substantial men of 
Waterville. 

Gossin, William A., was born in the town of Marcy, Oneida county, October 3, 
1845, son of Andrew and Rose (Sheridan) Gossin. He engaged in farming for a 
time, and took up cheese making, after which he engaged in the liquor business, and 
the firm of Reed & Gossin existed in Waterville for sixteen years, and in 1887 Mr. 
Gossin retired. He is a prominent Mason, and a member of both the Blue Lodge 
and Chapter, and is one of the excise commissioners for Sangerfield, an office which 
he has held for two terms. In 1873 he married Mary E. Benedict, deceased, and in 
1889 he married Carrie L. Berrill. 

Doolittle, F. C, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., son of Charles and Eliza (Coates) 
Doolittle. His grandfather was a patriot in the Revolutionary war and came from 
Connecticut. F. C. Doolittle was educated in Buffalo. He is a bookkeeper, and for 
the past thirteen years for the Hop Extract Co., which time he has been a resident 
of Waterville. In 1870 he married Emma C. Hill, by whom he has two children : 
Alexander, who is a law student in Utica and graduated from the Columbia College 
in the class of 1893; and Elizabeth Doolittle. 

Lumbard, H, was born in Waterville, July 16, 1825, and learned the harness busi- 
ness with his father, Philip Lumbard, who walked from Massachusetts and settled 
here over eighty years ago. His mother was Abigail Winchester of New Hartford, 
daughter of Lucretia Pyporn, a French lady. Mr. H. Lumbard followed the harness 
business for some years, and was noted for the superior quality of goods he carried. 
After giving up this business he engaged in farming and is one of the leading farmers 
of Sangerfield, and also the leading auctioneer of the southern part of Oneida county. 
He has also done a great deal of patent right business here and in Ohio and Michi- 
gan. 

Huggins, E. H, was born in England, June 19, 1845, and came to America with 
his parents in 1852, when they settled in Waterville. Mr. Huggins learned the 
butcher trade, and followed it for several years, after which he engaged in farming. 
After fifteen years of that occupation he returned to the meat business, as partner of 
the firm of Huggins & Melvin, October 1, 1895. Mr. Huggins married Margaret 
Jones, by whom he has three children: George, Clarence and Hattie, now Mrs. 
Walter Mack. Mr. Huggins is a Republican and a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity. 

Freiberger, George H, was born in Germany in 1840, son of Jacob and Barbara 
Freiberger. He was a tanner by trade and later engaged in farming; he settled in 
Westmoreland in 1864: George H. Freiberger came to the United States when six 
years of age ; he enlisted in Co. L, 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery and participated in 
the following engrgements: Fisher's Hill, Harper's Ferry, Maryland Heights, 
Bailey's Heights, Loudon Heights, Charlestown and Winchester, and for disability 
receives a pension. He married Martha J., daughter of James Holmes, a farmer of 
New Bremen, Lewis county, N. Y. His parents came from Connecticut when the 
country was new ; there were four children born to them : Ida May, wife of William 
Joy of Montague, Frank J., George J., and James H. 



318 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Evans, Richard J., was born in the town and house where he now resides, June 
21, 1848, son of Richard W. Evans, who was born in England in 1812, came to the 
United States in 1835, and was first employed in New York city, coming to the town 
of Kirkland in 1844, where he engaged in farming, remaining here a number of years, 
then moved to Utica, where he lived retired. He married Miss Jones of England, 
by whom he had three children : Robert, deceased, who was superintendent of the 
county house until his death; Ellis J., a farmer in Kansas; and Richard, who is one 
of the leading farmers of this town, owning one farm of 190 acres, and another of 
fifty acres, his principal crops being hops, hay and corn. He married Hannah L., 
daughter of George Comstock, by whom he had two children: George R. and 
Adella D. 

Martin M. F., was born in Salem, Washington county, son of Adam and Elmira 
(Fitch) Martin. Mr. Martin has been connected with the postal service, and has also 
been connected with a mercantile business in New York, and was proprietor of the 
stage line running from Hecla to Utica. He sold out that line and went to Utica, 
where he was engaged in the livery business for over thirty years. Mr. Martin re- 
tired from business in 1889 and is now living in Whitesboro. He married Irene 
Parks, by whom he has two children: Asa F. and Pliny F. Asa F. is engaged in 
business for himself in Utica, and Pliny F. is engaged in the flour, feed and grain 
business in Whitesboro. 

Whitten, John B., was born in Marcy, Oneida county, January 2, 1846, son of 
Daniel and Isabella (Mclntyre) Whitten. Daniel Whitten was born in Scotland, on 
the banks of the Clyde, in 1809, and came to this country when seventeen years of 
age. He engaged in farming, at which he has always continued, and is still living 
in good health. Mrs. W'hitten died in 1874. John B. Whitten was educated in 
Marcy, and at Whitestown Seminary. He first engaged as carpenter and builder, 
and later engaged in the undertaking business in Whitesboro. He married Mary F. 
Curie of New York Mills, by whom he has three children ; William D., John S., and 
Jennie F. Mrs. Whitten died February 22, 1890. Mr. Whitten is a member of the 
Presbyterian church, and one of the most highly esteemed citizens in Whitesboro. 

Williams, W. B., was born in Rome, N. Y. , August 18, 1836, son of Jesse Williams, 
who was a son of David Williams who was born in 1752. David Williams had five 
brothers, all of whom served in the American Revolution, one of them being killed 
in this war. Jesse Williams was born in 1800. He was a farmer, and also a manu- 
facturer of cheese. He was the first man to manufacture cheese in a factory, and 
the factory built by Jesse Williams in 1851 was the first built in the world for the 
manufacture of cheese. Prior to this factory the manufacture of cheese had always 
been a home industry. He was always engaged in farming, and continued the man- 
ufacture of cheese until his death, which occurred in 1864. W. B. Williams was 
educated in Rome, and then engaged in farming. He was also engaged in the 
lumber business for about twenty years, after which he engaged in contracting and 
building, at which he still continues. He has been one of the most active and ener- 
getic men in this township, and has been engaged in various enterprises. He mar- 
ried Mary A. Aucutt, who died in 1870, leaving four children : Nettie F. , Edwin W. , 
Dewitt C, and Howard. Mr. Williams is now married to Mary E. MacMorris, of 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 319 

Whitesboro, by whom he has three children : Mary A. , Stacy H., and Florence L. 
Nettie F. is married to William S. Thomas; Edwin W. is superintendent of a large 
shirt factory at Hoosick Falls ; Dewitt is at Aurora, 111., and Howard is superintend- 
ent of a shirt factory at Mechanicsville, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are both 
members of the Baptist church. 

Symonds, James, was born in Herkimer county, August 1, 1826, son of Francis 
and Mercy Symonds. Francis Symonds was born in Herkimer county, in 1797, and 
followed the occupation of merchant to the time of hisdeathin 1861. Mrs. Symonds 
died in 1849. James Symonds came to Whitesboro in 1826. He was educated in 
Whitesboro, and then started in business, selling merchandise on the banks of the 
Erie Canal for forty-eight years. He married Ellen, daughter of Cornelius and Mar- 
garet Clark, of Marcy, by whom he had three sons: Albert A., who died at the age 
of twenty-four; Charles H., who died at the age of twenty-five; and James T. , who is 
now living, at the age of twenty- four, and who is in business with his father, and 
also engaged in the bicycle business in Whitesboro. Mr. Symonds and wife are 
members of the Baptist church in Whitestown, of which Mr. Symonds is deacon. He 
is the earliest established merchant now living, engaged in business in the township 
of Whitestown. 

Cole, John N., was born in Floyd, N. Y., March 1, 1850, son of Thomas and Ann 
Cole. Thomas Cole was a farmer and died in Vernon at the age of seventy-two. 
John N. was educated in Whitestown, first at the public schools, and then at Whites- 
town Seminary. He then engaged to work for the Quigley Manufacturing Co., re- 
maining there until 1880, when he started in business for himself, beginning in the 
furniture business on a small scale. He has built up a large business and carries a 
stock that is not surpassed in size by any furniture store in Oneida county, and this 
is remarkable from the fact that Mr. Cole's warehouse is located in a small village ; 
and people send from the large places to buy his goods, which he ships as far as New 
England, and all of his furniture is sold to the consumer. This is a unique business 
differing from all others in the fact that in a small village, the largest stock of goods 
in the county is carried. Mr. Cole married Ella J. Serlye, who died in 1886, leaving 
one daughter, Mabel E., and he is now married to Fannie M. Kellogg of Westmore 
land. 

Cavana, James, was born in Marcy, N. Y., February 26, 1823, son of Martin and 
Betsey (Thurston) Cavana. Martin Cavana was born in Utica, when it was first set- 
tled, and what is now Utica, then comprising a few log houses. From Utica he 
went to Marcy, where he followed the occupation of farming until his death, which 
occurred November 9, 1860. His wife was born in Whitestown, and died in Marcy, 
May 11, 1880. James Cavana was educated partly at the Whitestown Academy, and 
partly at the Delany Institute in Westmoreland, after which he engaged in farming . 
' in Marcy. He was elected town superintendent of the public schools in Marcy for 
nine years. He was also prominent in politics, and was elected supervisor and jus- 
tice of the peace. During the civil war, he was enrolling officer and assessor in the 
town of Marcy. He is a staunch Republican, and has always contributed active 
efforts to the support of his party. He married Sarah Wolcott of Marcy, by whom 
he had two children: C. J. Cavana, and one who is deceased. Mrs. Cavana died 



320 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

April 8, 1883, and Mr. Cavana married his second wife, Mrs. Carrie Hannahs of 
Richfield Springs, who died March 16, 1893. Mr. Cavana is now married to Jeannette 
Ranstead, of Chicago, 111. , 

Ackroyd, Joseph, was born at Little Falls, Herkimer county November 23, 1847, 
son of Abram and Harriet (Robinson) Ackroyd, natives of England. Abram came 
to the United States in 1842. He was a dyer and followed this occupation in New 
York Mills until he retired in 1880, and he died in 1887, aged seventy-seven years, 
and his wife died in 1882, at seventy-six years of age. Joseph was educated in the 
common schools at New York Mills and Whitestown Seminary, then engaged as 
clerk, remaining until he went in business for himself. Mr. Ackroyd has been very 
prominent in politics, being a Democrat, and has been elected supervisor of the 
town, justice of the peace, and member of assembly in a district that is strongly 
Republican. Mr. Ackroyd is a merchant and undertaker, and is foreman of the fire 
company. He is president of the Odd Fellows' Union and also of the Anti-Treat 
Society. He is a member of the Board of Education, and was the first postmaster 
appointed in Oneida county under Mr. Cleveland's administration. He married 
Adeline Hoag. daughter of Sylvanus Hoag, an old and respected merchant of York- 
ville, by whom he has two children : Harriet C. and Sylvanus H. 

Pender, William, was born in Ireland in 1832, and came to the United States in 
1853,. and first settled in Deerfield. He afterwards went to Marcy and engaged in 
farming, and then came to Whitestown, where he hired a farm, and later bought his 
present one. He also assisted Dr. Wight on his farm, and then resumed the culti- 
vation of his own farm, and he has a good farm all under cultivation. He married 
Sarah J. Metcalf, of Whitestown, by whom he has two children: Charles and Will- 
iam. Charles is engaged in the creamery business, and William assists his father 
on the farm. Mr. Pender is a member of St. Paul's church at Whitestown. 

Hall,' Henry L., was born in Rome, N. Y., September 29, 1846, son of Luther 
L. and Patience S. Hall. Luther L. Hall was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., and 
both grandfathers on his father's and mother's side were in the Revolutionary war. 
Luther L. first settled in Floyd. He was engaged in farming, and came to Whites- 
town, N. Y., and bought the family homestead, which has been in possession of the 
family for forty-seven years. Henry L. was educated at the Whitestown Seminary, 
and then started in the milk business in Utica, and also in supplying the city with 
garden vegetables. He has also been engaged in the grocery business. He is a 
real estate dealer, and owns the principal business block in Yorkville, also several 
farms in the county, and is interested in the canning factory at Whitesboro. He 
has always been noted as one of the most active and leading business men of the 
township. He married Kate L. Russell, of Jersey City, by whom he has two chil- 
dren: Henry Russell, and Bertha Alene. 

Glatt, A. S., was born in New Hartford, November 28, 1863, son of Joseph and 
Amelia Glatt. Joseph Glatt came from France when he was nine years of age, and 
his family settled in Deerfield. A. S. Glatt received his education in New Hartford 
and Utica, after which he engaged in farming, including gardening and greenhouse 
business. He raises vegetables and flowers, sending his flowers to Rochester and 
Buffalo. Mr. Glatt married Catherine Owens, of Kirkland, by whom he has seven 
children: La Mott, Edith M., Bertha, Joseph, Ella, Charles, and George. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 321 

Crisman, William N., was born in Oriskany, N. Y., April 10, 1837, son of William 
and Sapry (Kenyon) Crisman. William Crisman was a farmer and also a hotel 
keeper m Oriskany, and was a man noted for his generosity. His wife, Sapry (Ken- 
yon) Crisman, was born in Lee Center, and died in Oriskany. William N received 
his education in Oriskany, after which he engaged in farming and in manufactur- 
ing, making knit and other goods, and in addition to his farming he has been en- 
gaged m manufacturing for over thirty years. He is a staunch Republican and 
takes an active interest in the success of his party. He married Mary Ann Tier of 
Oriskany, by whom he has had four children: Sarah, married to H. G Millington 
of Waterville; Emma B. (deceased), Orrin W. and H. Edward. Orrin W is con- 
ducting the mineral spring at Franklin Iron Works, and H. Edward is assisting his 
father in the manufacturing business. 

™ BHSS ; F ^ derick ' was born in F1 °y d . N. Y, February 5, 1859, son of Jonathan and 
Maria A. Bliss. Jonathan Bliss was engaged in farming during his lifetime. He 
was born in 1819 and died in 1887. Frederick was educated in the Whitesboro dis- 
trict school and at business college, after which he engaged in farming and still con- 
tinues He also conducted the Oriskany Mill, which property he bought and in- 
stalled steam power in the mill instead of water power; but after conducting it for 
three years he sold it. and gave his attention entirely to farming. Mr. Bliss mar- 
ried Lillian M. Champlin of Whitesboro, by whom he has five children- Stuart T 
Henry F., Spencer E., Sarah M. and Ruth F. The family are members of the Pres- 
byterian church, and Mr. Bliss and his father have always been staunch Republi- 

_ Cooper, Lansing B., was born in Whitestown, N. Y„ March 12, 1835 son of Will- 
iam and Zada Cooper; and William was the son of William, sr., who moved to this 
county in 1827. He was a blacksmith by trade, but engaged in farming up to the 
time of his death m 1855. William, Jr., was also engaged in farming. He was bom 
in Albany, and was apprenticed to a hatter, and after learning that trade he left 
Albany and came to Whitestown, where he engaged in farming. He is now retired 
and living on the old homestead farm at the age of eighty-four; and his wife, Zada 
Cooper is also living at the age of eighty-two, and she has a twin sister, Mrs L M 
Allen of Floyd, who is also living in good health. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were mar- 
ried sixty-one years, March 4, 1895, and they have eleven grandchildren and one 
great-grandchild. Lansing B. Cooper was educated at the common schools after 
which he engaged in farming on the homestead farm. He married Mary E. Van- 
derhoof, of Floyd, by whom he has one son, William A., who is now assisting his 
lather on the farm^ Mr. Cooper and family are members of the Methodist church at 
New York Mills He is a staunch Republican and actively interested in the success 

Ce^Tf ^ ,f 1Sb ;°?r T r ' WilHam HeDry C °° per ' is ^ ht bossat *eNew York 
Central freight yard at Utica; his brother Albert is in the Wyoming Conference 
and his brother John W. is practicing medicine at Granville, Mich. 

an? AfiT^1 P \' n^ T™ * WhiteStown . N " *■■ February 20, 1826, son of Albert 
-„„ „1 n ( ^n PS) ? 0US T AIben D ° UglaSS WaS also bo ™ on tbj s ^rm in 1805, 
T P f^7 2° nS T? Wh ° Wasborn m New London, Conn., February 12, 1768 
He settled on the old homestead in 1794, and resided here until his delh in 1832 



322 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

His son Albert was also a farmer, and conducted the old homestead farm until his 
death in 1841. Arthur P. was educated in the district school, after which he engaged 
in farming, and still continues. He -married Esther, daughter of Asa Hewett, of 
Sodus, Wayne county, by whom he has three children: Anna Frances, married to 
William Ashley; Edna Lucy, married to Prof. M. L. Brown; and Addison H., who is 
living at home. Mr. Douglass is a staunch Republican, and takes an active interest 
in the success of his party. Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Baptist church at 
Walesville. 

Rose, F. W., M. D., was born in Jackson county, Ohio, September 30, 1852, son of 
Horace P. and Margaret (Stephenson) Rose. Dr. Rose graduated from the Cincin- 
nati College of Medicine and Surgery in June, 1874, and then began the practice of 
medicine in Greene county, Ohio, where he practiced until 1884. He then removed 
to Clay county, Nebraska, where he practiced until 1889, and removed to Hastings, 
Adams county, Neb., where he devised the system of treatment that bears 
his name. Here he formed a partnership with John Nafe, L. M. Whitney, and 
William B. Coggeshall, cousin of Senator Coggeshall, and removed from Hastings, 
to Grand Island, Neb. He left a sanitarium there in charge of Dr. Henry Jackson, 
and in January, 1892, came to Clinton, N. Y. , and entered upon the treatment of 
alcoholism at the Willard House, where he remained till September 17, 1894, when 
he opened a sanitarium in Whitesboro in the commodious building in which the cele- 
brated Whitestown Seminary was formerly located. Dr. Rose is medical director 
in chief of his system, known as the Baker Rose Gold Cure, and under his super- 
vision and direction, physicians are educated, who conduct the system in various 
parts of the country and the world. Among the various branches of Dr. Rose's sys- 
tem may be mentioned the following: Cornwall on the Hudson; Albion, N. Y. ; 
Boston, Mass.; South Manchester, Conn.; Dallas, Texas; Guthrie, Oklahama; and 
Logansport, Ind. The following are some of the branches in Europe: Copenhagen, 
Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; and Kupie, Finland. 

Brownell, James B. , was born in Madison county, N. Y., son of Nathaniel S. and 
Abbey L. (Barker) Brownell. Nathaniel S. was born in Little Compton, R. I., and 
was engaged in the tanning business in Rhode Island, where he still resides, having 
retired from active business. James B. was educated in Hamilton and then became 
a commercial traveler. He later engaged in market gardening, in which he is still 
engaged supplying the Utica and Rome markets. He married Mary Throop, 
of Hamilton, by whom he had one daughter, Kate. Mrs. Brownell died in 1876, and 
later Mr. Brownell married Kate Wentworth of Madison, by whom he has one 
daughter, Mary E. 

Bardsley, John S. , was born in New York Mills, April 26, 1859, son of Josiah and 
Mary Bardsley, natives of England, who came to New York Mills, where they have 
resided about forty years. John S. was educated at the New York Mills public 
school, and then engaged as clerk in a grocery business. He entered the postal ser- 
vice as deputy in which position he served about eleven years, and then became post- 
master, and during all this period, he was conducting a grocery business, which he 
sold out in 1895. Mr. Bardsley at the present time owns and conducts the New York 
Mills and Utica Express, in addition to holding the position of postmaster. He mar- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 323 

ried Ellen A. Goodrich of Yorkville, and he is a member of Faxton Lodge of F. & 
A. M., and also belongs to the Royal Arcanum. 

Herbage, Mrs. William. — The late William Herbage was born in Northampton- 
shire, England, son of James and Martha Herbage. He came to the United States 
in 1830, first coming to Utica, and from there to New York Mills. He was employed 
bjr the New York Mills to do their painting, both of the mills and residence prop- 
erty, and was engaged in this work for almost sixty years. He was a member of 
the Presbyterian church, and was a man highly esteemed in the community in which 
he lived. He married Janet, daughter of George and Christine Braid of Edinburgh, 
Scotland, by whom he had four children: Mary; William, living in Whitehall, N. 
Y. ; Janet ; and Frances, married to C. J. Barber of Auburn, N. Y. Mr. Herbage 
died April 19, 1889. 

Wilson, Charles W., was born in New York Mills, September 18, 1851, son of 
William and Charlotte Wilson. William came from England and was in the employ 
of the company about forty years. He was one of the overseers in the mills, and 
was noted for his success as a financier, and when he died he was one of the princi- 
pal property owners in New York Mills, having laid the foundation of his success in 
the mills, which was increased by wise investments. Charles W. was educated in 
the public schools of New York Mills, and in Whitestown Seminary. Mr. Wilson 
was employed in New York Mills, and then was absent for twelve years. He is now 
foreman in the carding room. His mother, Charlotte (Babcock) Wilson, was a 
daughter of William Babcock, one of the early settlers of New York Mills. Mr. 
Wilson married Bessie E. Smith of Camden, N. Y., by whom he has three children: 
W. Edward, Florence A. and Maud C. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are both members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church at New York Mills, and he is also a member of the 
F. & A. M., Faxton Lodge No. 697, Utica, Oneida Chapter No. 57, also Knights of 
Pythias and Royal Arcanum. 

Cooper, Robert, was born in New York city, April 12, 1841, son of Peter and Jean- 
nette (Petrie) Cooper. Peter Cooper was born in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and 
engaged in boot and shoe manufacturing, and in farming. He died at the age of 
seventy-nine years, and his wife also died at the same age. Robert Cooper enlisted 
in the late civil war, February 5, 1862, and went to the front with the 5th Regt. N. 
Y. Vols, at Piedmont, W. Va., June 5, 1864. Mr. Cooper was captured by the Con- 
federates and taken to Andersonville. He had two brothers, William L. and David, 
who were in the same regiment, and captured at the same time. William died at 
Annapolis May 10, 1865, and David died a Confederate prisoner at Stanton, July 24, 
1864. Robert Cooper was in Andersonville prison from July 12, to October 28, 1864, 
when he was removed to Millen, Ga., and from there to Florence, S. C. He passed 
almost nine months in Confederate prisons, and was paroled February 25, 1865. He 
was one of two out of twenty-four that returned from captivity, as all of the others 
died. Mr. Cooper married Francis Naomi Munn, of Orwell, Oswego county, by 
whom he had eight children : Flora J., married to Fred Wooley of New York Mills ; 
William E. ; John P., married to Ann Bradley; George W. ; Robert L. ; Anna B. ; 
Nellie E. ; and Rollo B. Mr. Cooper and wife are members of the Presbyterian 
church of New York Mills, and he is a member of the G. A. R. 



324 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hepworth, Joseph, was born in England, October 27, 1840, son of William and 
Judith Hepworth. The family came to this country in 1842, and first settled in Oris- 
kany, where they lived three years, and from there moved to New York Mills about 
fifty years ago. William Hepworth was in the employ of the New York Mills for 
over forty years, and died in 1887. Joseph was educated in the public schools of 
New York Mills, and Whitestown Seminary, after which he entered the employ of 
the New York Mills. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he volunteered and went to 
the front with Co. L, 14th New York Artillery, and was engaged in the battles of 
the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House, and Petersburg. He was 
taken prisoner at Petersburg, June 17, 1864, and was taken direct to Andersonville 
prison, where he spent four months, and was then removed to Florence, where he 
spent two months. He was paroled at Florence, and then exchanged after he re- 
turned to the Union lines. He was mustered out by reason of the close of the war. 
He participated in some of the hottest battles of the war, and was fortunate in escap- 
ing without a wound, but was compelled to endure the horrors of Andersonville 
prison. Mr. Hepworth is a member of the G. A. R. and has been commander for a 
number of terms. He married Sarah Ackroyd of New York Mills by whom he has 
two children: William and Addie. Mr. and Mrs. Hepworth are members of the 
Methodist church, of which he is trustee and also superintendent of the Sunday 
school. He has been a merchant in New York Mills about twenty-two years, and 
carries a large and varied stock of merchandise. His son William is associated with 
him, the firm now being J. Hepworth & Son. 

Reilly, Rev. Thomas W. , was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., January 29, 1844, son of 
Thomas and Catherine (Gibney) Reilly. Thomas W. was educated in the public schools, 
then in the University of Ottawa, after which he entered the Provincial Seminary 
at Troy, N. Y. , in 1865, where he was ordained to the priesthood June 6. 1868. His 
first appointment was as assistant to St Mary's church at Albany, where he re- 
mained one year, when he was given charge of Delaware and Schoharie counties, 
and also a part of Greene county. These missions consisted of a few people scat- 
tered here and there, but the father organized them, and formed a parish in Cobles- 
kill, where he built St. Paul's church. He established another parish and erected 
the Church of the Sacred Heart at Stamford, and this was the first church in all the 
great original diocese of Albany that was dedicated to the Sacred Heart. He then 
established another parish and church in the village of Hunter in the Catskill 
Mountains. Father Reilly continued in this work until 1874, and left in these mis- 
sions, where he began without anything, over .820,000 of property. He then went 
to Waterville where he assumed charge of St. Bernard's church and St. Joseph's in 
Oriskany Falls. Father Reilly rebuilt the church which he found in a poor condi- 
tion, graded the cemetery, and established St. Bernard's School, which he main- 
tained for three years at his own expense. He resigned and was appointed to St. 
John's church of Syracuse, the present cathedral of the new Catholic Diocese of 
Syracuse, where he assisted the Rev. Joseph Gurdet, who was advanced in years, 
and unable to continue the active duties of pastor, where he remained twelve years, 
and in February, 1890, he was appointed to St. Paul's church m Whitesboro, St. 
John's in New Hartford, and St. Leo's in Holland Patent; and he has also purchased 
land for a church in Oriskany, and is organizing a new parish at Gang Mills. Dur- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 325 

ing his present pastorate he has built a fine parsonage in Whitesboro, and also made 
other improvements. 

Mackie, William S., was born in New York Mills, N. Y., April 7, 1859, son of 
William and Maria Mackie. William Mackie came from Scotland to New York Mills 
in 1852, where he was postmaster for eleven years. He was a merchant of New 
York Mills, and also conducted a large boarding house. He took a lively interest in 
politics, and was a staunch Republican. He died May 24, 1895. William S. Mackie 
was educated in the Whitestown Seminary, after which he read law in the office of 
S. M. Lindsley, of Utica, and after being admitted to the bar became associated 
with Mr. Lindsley, and is engaged in the general practice of the profession. He 
has been justice of the peace in the township of Whitestown for twelve years, and 
has been school trustee for fifteen years. He married Charlotte C. Cummings, of 
New York Mills, by whom he has six children: Edith, Mary, Grace, Helen, J. Will- 
iam, and Lottie. 

Kelly, Edward, was born in Whitesboro, N. Y., December 19, 1858, son of Edward 
and Mary Kelly, natives of Ireland, who came to the United States and settled in 
Whitesboro. Mr. Kelly died in 1886. Edward Kelly was educated in Whitesboro, 
after which he engaged in farming and the creamery business. He is engaged in 
the manufacture of butter, which he supplies to the trade in his immediate vicinity. 
He married L. Mina De Long, of Oswego county, by whom he has one son, Edward 
De Verne Kelly. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Oriskany Lodge No. 799, F. & A. M- 

Sweet, Herman L., was born in Marcy N. Y., May 10, 1858, son of Levi and Julia 
(Browning) Sweet. Levi Sweet was born in Milford, Otsego county, and was en- 
gaged in farming during his lifetime. He came to Marcy when eight years of age, 
where he died August 4, 1875. Mrs. Sweet is still living in good health, and her 
mother is also living at the age of ninety-two. Herman L. Sweet was educated at 
Whitestown Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1877, after which he engaged 
in business for himself as a merchant at Oriskany. The firm is now Sweet & Baer, 
and consists of H. L. Sweet, George A. Baer and W. A. Baer, and they conduct 
the largest business in Oriskany. Mr. Sweet married Florence, daughter of Luther 
G. Williams, of Oriskany, by whom he has three children: Florence Lee, Stuart W., 
and Harrison. Mr. Sweet is a member of Oriskany Lodge No. 799, F. & A. M., and 
the Schuyler Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Utica. 

Allison, William E., was born in Illinois, January 9, 1862, son of William and 
Emeline Allison. William Allison has always been engaged in the commercial 
business, and he resides in Rome, N. Y. William E. was educated at Clinton 
Grammar School, after which he engaged in manufacturing, conducting a knitting 
mill business for five years, then engaged in the grocery business, and later in the 
electric business, and then organized a knitting mills company in Oriskany. He 
afterwards sold out and started as a florist, and although he started this business in 
a small way, he has now a large and constantly increasing business. He raises 
specialties in plants which he ships to the wholesale trade throughout the entire 
country. He married, Adah, daughter of S. W. Baker, by whom he has one son, 
Seward W. Allison. Mr. Allison belongs to the Episcopal church, and Mrs. Allison 
is a member of the Presbyterian church at Oriskany. 



326 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

McLean, John, was born in Scotland, January 28, 1827, son of John and Margaret 
McLean. They came to New Hartford October 1, 1841, and John McLean, sr., then 
entered the employ of the New York Mills as dyer, and continued in that position 
until his death, at the age of seventy-five, and Mrs. McLean died at the age of 
seventy-nine. John McLean, jr., was educated parti}- in New Hartford, and also 
attended night school at New York Mills. He has been in the employ of the mills 
for fifty-four years, and passed through various grades in the department in which 
he started to work. He is now overseer in the department, and is one of the oldest 
employees of the company now living. Mr. McLean married Violetta Bardsley. 
Mr. and Mrs. McLean are both members of the Wolcott Memorial Presbyterian church 
at New York Mills, of which Mr. McLean is an elder. 

Bardsley, Josiah, was born in Lancashire, England, January 1, 1826, son of John 
and Elizabeth Bardsley. Mrs. Bardsley died in England in 1850. John Bardsley 
came to the United States in 1851 and settled at New York Mills. Josiah Bardsley 
worked in the mills in England when a little over eight years of age, and at eighteen 
years of age had learned the trade of mule spinning, at which he has since continued. 
When he first came to New York Mills he worked in the dye house for a short time, 
and then resumed his trade of mule spinning in the mills. He is now boss mule 
spinner, and has had charge of the mulespinningin Mill No. 4 for thirty-seven years. 
He married Mary, daughter of Joseph Stafford of England, by whom he has seven 
children: Sarah Jane, Joseph, Violetta, Ella, John S., Edward, and Lottie. In 1892 
he visited England on a three months' vacation. Mr. and Mrs. Bardsley are mem- 
bers of the Methodist church at New York Mills. 

Corbitt, James, was born in Oriskany, N. Y. , January 29, 1855, son of James and 
Sarah Ann Corbitt. James Corbitt died in 1861. James Corbitt, jr., was educated 
in Oriskany and was a State officer for over seven years. He began as proprietor of 
the Park House at Whitesboro in 1890. It was then a frame building, which burned 
down January 28, 1893, and Mr. Corbitt then constructed a handsome brick hotel on 
the same site, which was built under his own supervision. It is constructed of brick, 
and finished principally in hard wood. It overlooks beautiful grounds, and is an 
ideal summer residence, always full during the summer months with people from 
Utica and other large cities. Mr. Corbitt is a thorough hotel man, and the house is 
conducted in a first class manner, in keeping with the building and its surroundings. 

Crandall, Charles E., was born at Verona Center, Oneida county, N. Y. , Decem- 
ber 1, 1833. He was educated in the district schools, and remained on the farm un- 
til he was sixteen years of age, and then learned the currier's trade, which business 
he followed until 1859, when he became a manufacturer of boots and shoes. He con- 
tinued this business six years, then added the grocery business, and in 1872 began 
conducting a general store, which he still follows with success, taking his son, Will- 
ard L., into partnership April 1, 1885, under the firm name of C. E. Crandall & Son. 
October 5, 1853, he married Maria T., daughter of George C. Cadwell, of Verona, by 
whom he has three sons: George C, Willard L. and Charles F. George C. mar- 
ried Minnie Bell, of Glens Falls, and they have one daughter, Florence. Willard L. 
married Marian Barrett, of Medina, Orleans county, and they have two children, 
Charles A. and Barrett L. Charles F. resides at home and runs the stage route, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 327 

carrving the mail. Mrs. Crandall's father, George C. Cadwell. was justice of the 
peace twenty years. Willard L. Crandall is treasurer of the School Board, also 
president of the Y. P. S. C. E. The ancestry of the family is of Dutch extraction. 
Klammer, Charles N., was bora in Syracuse. N. Y., December 6, 1840. He was 
educated in the public schools, and all his early days were spent as a barber, but 
since he came to Durhamville has been farming his own land. August 39, 1862, he 
enlisted in Co. B. 149th N. Y. Yols., serving in the Army of the Potomac and par- 
ticipating in all the engagements with his regiment, with the exception of Gettys- 
burg, being at that time a prisoner of war ; he was captured in the battle of Chan- 
cellorsville, and was confined in Libby and Belle Isle prisons. He was honorably 
discharged June 12, 1865, and returned to Syracuse. October 8. 1867. he married 
Mrs. Frances (Archambeault) Morse, of Oneida, formerly of Ctica. by whom he had 
one son, Elmer, a barber by trade, who married Agnes Lampman, by whom he had 
two children, Harriet J. and Frances E. Mr. Klammer' s father. Christian, was bora 
in Alsace, France (now Germany), in 1812. He married Mary Rakel, of his native 
place, by whom he had five children: Christine, Jane, Charles N-, Elizabeth and 
Joseph. They came to the United States in 1840 and located in Syracuse, where he 
died in 1879, and his wife in 1846. Mr. Klammer is a member of John R. Stuart 
Post, No. 176, G. A. R.. Department of New York. The ancestry of the family is 
French and German. 

Starr, John P., jr. — John P. Starr, sr., was bora in this county, and was educated 
in the common schools. He married Philena Peckham, of Yeraon. N. Y.. by whom 
he had four children, the oldest of whom died at twelve years of age: John P., jr., 
as above, Kate A. and Norman S. Mr. Starr's mother, Helen S., married for her 
second husband Ezra Mansfield, who was bora in New Hampshire, in 1797. and came 
to this count}- when a young man, where he engaged in farming. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics, and was assessor of the town over twenty years; also justice of the 
peace forty-eight years. He died August 25, 1892. Mrs. Mansfield's father, Stephen 
Parkhurst. was born in New Hampshire in 1780, and came to Oneida county when 
two years of age. He married Sarah Gibson, of Great Barrington, Mass . by whom 
he had nine children: Alice A., Sarah M., Emeline E., Phcebe A., William S.. 
Catherine A., John G., Helen M., as above, and Helen M.. No. 1, who died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Parkhurst died in 1859. The family are of New England stock on both 
sides. 

Ferris, V. Seaman, was born in the town of Flushing, Queens county. N. Y.. 
March 4, 1841. He was partly educated there and afterward in Brooklyn. In early 
life he was a clerk, then engaged in the lumber business on his father's land in 
Hamilton county for twelve years, afterwards in Herkimer county for eleven years, 
and then came to this town. December 28, 1868, he married Alma J. Miller, 
formerly of Herkimer county, by whom he had two sons: Jesse S., a clerk at Yer- 
ona Station with Hugh H. Miller, a merchant of that place ; and Eugene B. . a 
farmer at home. John M. Ferris, father of Y. Seaman, was bora in Westchester 
county, N. Y., in 1794. He was educated there, and was a boat owner and a lum- 
berman He married Elizabeth U. Powell, by whom he had five children : Anna, 
George P.. John T., Y. Seaman, and Esther P. Mr. Ferris died in 1861, and his wife 



328 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

in 1846. Nicholas Miller, father of Mrs. Ferris, was born in Herkimer county, N.Y., 
in 1809. He was educated there, and was a sawyer by occupation. He married 
Angeline Barker, of his native place, by whom he had nine children: •Peter, Daniel 
H., John H., Almira, Joseph, Arceolia, Hugh H., and Ellen M. Mr. Miller died in 
June, 1864. The ancestry of the family is English and Dutch. 

Bates, Charles E., was born in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., 
September 26, 1860. He was educated in the district schools, and is a farmer by 
occupation. October 8, 1881, he married Estella H. Elmer, of this town, by whom 
he had four children: Harvey, Elmer N. , Bessie M., and Viola E. Mr. Bates's 
father, Harvey Bates, was born in Oswego, N. Y. , in 1836. He was educated in the 
schools of that time, and always followed farming until he became an invalid. He 
married Julia Emory, of the town of Westmoreland, by whom he had four children : 
Ida A., Charles E., as above, Alma L., and Mary. Mr. Bates came to this county 
when a young man. He died March 12, 1893. Mrs. Bates's father, William Elmer, 
was born in Lewis county, N. Y. , in 1824, where he was educated. He married 
Emily Brownell, of that county, by whom he had six children: George L., deceased, 
Luella, deceased, Jennie S., Louisa M., Estella H., as above, and William H. The 
family came to this county in 1865. Mr. Elmer died September 30, 1894, and his 
wife February 26, 1889. The ancestry of the family on the paternal side is Scotch, 
and on the maternal side, New England stock. 

Dohn, Frederick, was born near Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, October 13, 1843. 
He was educated there, and came to the United States in 1866 and first located in 
New York city, but after a period of ten months went to West Virginia, coming to 
the town of Verona in 1870. He married Mrs. Margaret Coles, of this town, 
formerly of Westmoreland, by whom he had five children, four of whom are living: 
Jennie P. , wife of Mr. Cheesbro, and they have one son, Frederick ; Christina, who 
is at the head of the housekeeping establishment ; Sarah, a stenographer at Rome, 
N. Y. ; and Emma, who resides at home. Mrs. Dohn died September 20, 1894. Mr. 
Dohn is a farmer and proprietor of a cider mill, making about 2,000 barrels annually; 
he also manufactures vinegar. He is the owner of a canning factory called the 
"Criterion," putting up about 2,000 cases of tomatoes per year. Mr. Dohn is a 
member of the A. O. U. W., and Rome Council No. 150, Royal Arcanum. 

Clark, Roland H., was born in Turin, Lewis county, N.Y., May 10, 1849. He was 
educated in the public schools, and is by occupation a farmer. September 22, 1874, 
he married Jennie F. Hills, of his native town, by whom he had one son, Edward 
D., now a student in the Union School. The family became residents of Verona, 
November 22, 1894. Mr. Clark's father, Philo Clark, was born in Granby, Conn., 
November 17, 1797, and was educated in the schools of his day, coming to Lewis 
county with his parents when five years of age. April 18, 1827, he married Amy A. 
Hubbard, formerly of Connecticut, by whom he had seven children, two of whom 
died in infancy: Lucinda A., Julius L., Milton P., Roland H., as above, and 
Lorinda. He died March 15, 1890, and his wife November 20, 1882. Mrs. Clark's 
father, Andrew W. Hills, was born in Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., October 22, 1834, 
and was educated in the district schools. He married Josephine Gookins, by whom 
he had four children, two of whom died in infancy: Jennie F., as above, and Alice, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 329 

who married Noah Whittlesay, of Greig. Mr. Hills was a soldier in the late war 
and died in Andersonville prison, starved to death. His wife died March 20, 1895.' 
Mis. Claries grandfather, Cornelius Hills, was born in the town of Lowville Lewis 

Mr 4 "", M^ '"A T He marHed HarHet Salm ° nd ' ^ whom he ^d five children! 
Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the M. E. church of Verona, of which he is one 
of the stewards. He is also collector of the Union School. The family are of New 
England stock, and of English and Scotch ancestry. 

_ Ressegue, James M., was born on the homestead May 8, 1838, and was educated 
m the common schools. He was a re S1 dent of Buffalo twenty-two years, and was 
captain and part owner of steam tug boats, but is now a farmer in the town of Ve- 

cMdren m "' 18 f ** ^^ ^^ C EadS ' ° f Buffal °' and they had these 

children: Florence, who married Forrest Wilson, of the town of Westmoreland • 
Ha ley H, who is a paper hanger by occupation, and is also a fine elocutionist; and 
Lyle M, a student at school. Mr. Ressegue's father, James, was born in 1813 and 
was educated m the schools of his day. He married Lydia Leet, of Verona N Y 
nZ Z hehad / T hesech « dreen: Maria ' Har1 ^ Em %. Caroline, Henry', Mary,' 

1864 Mr? P Jam6S f ,' " ab ° Ve - Mr - ReSS6gUe died in 1851 ' aad ^ wife in 
1864. Mrs. Ressegue s father, Hiram B. Eads, was born in Oneida county in 1806 

married e n UC wn the SCh °° 1S ° f ** ^ ^ WaS a f-mer by occupation. He 

Saran A pT m v °' *" "* C ° Unty ' ^ whora he had *»* children: 

Sarah A.. Polly Nancy Frances C, Fannie, Abigail, William B., Alonzo B., and 

he" ' f T P ^ d iD 1854 and WS WifS in 1889 - Mr ' Resse S ue * a mem- 

berof he Royal Arcanum, No. 150, of Rome, N. Y. Mr. Ressegue's grandfather 

SETS' wIT soldier in the Revolutionary - The — 5 «- *-£ 

ir^Tr^ H ° ra ^ M " ^ b ° rD " Herkimer - Herkimer county, N. Y, February 
16, 1838. He was educated in the district schools, and came to this county in 1860 
He is a general and dairy farmer. November 14, 1878, he married Eliza Rener of 
this town, by whom he had two children: Florence and Harry. Mr. Carpenter's 
father Samuel Carpenter, was born in Herkimer, in 1810. He was educated in the 
schools* the day and was also a farmer. He married Caroline Stevens of that 
county, by whom he had three children: Horace M„ as above, Stephen, and Al- 
mira He died January 7, 1888, and his wife, April 7, 1892. His grandfather 
Stephen Carpenter, was born in Rhode Island. He married, and in 1788 came to 
Herkimer county with an ox team, and drove two cows and some sheep. Mrs Car 
penters father Frederick Rener, was born in Switzerland July 6, 1830 and came 
to the Umted States when a young man, locating in this conn v. He roamed 
Susanna Bechthept, of this county, formerly of Germany, by whom he "ad ten 
children Eliza, as above, Philip, Susie, George, TheJa Jouisa Kate, mLT 
who died m infancy, Frederick, and Charles. Mr. Carpenter's great-grandfather' 

Tafft Julian E was born in Oneida, N. Y, May 3, 1858. He was educated in 
the public schools and Oneida Seminary and now follows farming. He married 
Emily S. Fnsbie, of Verona, N. Y, by whom he has two sons; Charles F and 



330 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

James H. Mr. Tafft's father, James S., was born in Swansea, N. H. , in 1812, where 
he was educated. James S. Tafit came to this State when twenty-one years of age: 
he was a carpenter and contractor. He married twice, second to Julia A. Robinson, 
of Dunstable, Mass., by whom he had five children: Emma, died in infancy, Flor- 
ence, Marian, Julian E., and Murray. He died November 13, 1888. Julian E. Tafft 
is a fine musician. The family is of New England and Scotch descent. 

Maurer, George H. , was born in the town of Verona, N. Y. , June 15, 1854. He 
was educated in the district schools, and has since been engaged in farming. De- 
cember 15, 1881, he married Caroline Niece, of this town, by whom he had two 
children: Arthur G., and Esther C. Mr. Maurer' s father, George Maurer, was born 
in Germany in 1823. He was educated there and came to the United States when a 
young man and located here. He married Salome Esche, formerly of Alsace, Ger- 
many, by when he had seven children, five of whom are living: Amelia, George H., 
as above, Henry F. , William and Jacob. Mr. Maurer died in July, 1885. Mrs. Maurer's 
father, George Niece, was born in Germany, in 1819. He was educated there and 
came to the United States when a young man, locating in this town. He married 
Barbara Clau, formerly of Germany, by whom he had six children: Barbara, 
George, Eve, Salome, Caroline, as above, and Alice M. Mr. Niece died in 1884. 
The ancestry of the family is German on both sides. 

Shepard, Luther M., was born in the town of Verona, N Y., in 1832. He was edu- 
cated in the district schools, and has always followed farming. March 23, 1854, he 
married Barbara Bell, of this town by whom he had three children : Estella B. , Etta 
A., and Fred L., who married Agnes Hamilton of New York city. Mr. Shepard's 
father, Luther Shepard, was born in Connecticut, about 1780, and came to this town 
in 1803, where he engaged in farming. He was married twice, first to Polly Mer- 
riam, by whom he had three children: Sophia, Joseph, and Mary Ann. For his sec- 
ond wife he married Eliza Nichols, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had eight 
children: Eliza, Juliette, Harriet, Luther M. , as above, Sarah J., George A., Delight, 
and Edward. Mr. Shepard died April 20, 1S68, and his wife April 2, 1855. Mrs. 
Shepard's father, Paul Bell, was born in France, and came to the United States 
when a young man, and was employed in a New York French importing house. He 
married Miss Wagner, formerly of France, by whom he had one daughter, Barbara, 
as above. Mr. Bell died when Mrs. Shepard was a little girl, and his wife Febru- 
ary 10, 1892. The ancestry of the Shepard family is of Puritan New England stock, 
and Mrs. Shepard's people were of French and German origin. 

Knittel, Joseph, was born in Alsace, France, in June, 1833. He was educated 
there and came to the United States in 1861, locating in the town of Verona. He 
enlisted twice, first in the Oneida Cavalry, N. Y. S. Vols., and was honorably dis- 
charged in 1863, when he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment and served 
until the close of the war. In 1866 he married Mary Goodsell. of Westmoreland, by 
whom he had ten children: Minnie, Annie, Josephine, William, Caroline (who died 
in infancy), Caroline, Louisa, Frank (who died in infancy), Frank, and Catharine. 
Minnie is also dead. Mr. Knittel is a member of Joseph H. Warren Post. No. 615, 
G. A. R. , Department of New York. The family is of French origin. 

Cagwin, Marenus, was born on the homestead near Verona, July 24, 1838. He was 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 33l 

ltT£ e mi t m StriCt /^ SdeCt SCh °° 1S ' Md " a fa ™ er ^ «*« P'aKoB. Noven,- 
H Fr'ankL MrelT ^'f^. Ma " ice > by whom he had four children: George 

SnurTSi b^^ g cX ^"lT; Sill The old f r is a sL 

this State with his parents when an infant He married r> P «r„ rV a " d Came to 
county, by whom he had five children: Lydia J Ma" E mZn^T ^T^ 
Julia M. Mr. Cagwin died in 1868, and his wife July 20 1887 Zr ^ t ' ^ 

The ancestry of the family is of New England and S^EcSt? X ^ ° ,d ' 
ca£S££ came S^f sSTSS nT * T , * ~ P ^ ^ 

ii an in. Y. Vols., and served in the Army of the Tame* w» ™„ e j „ 

hip in the battle of Drury's Bluff, was transferred CE ^Tv^n R " * 
and w honorably discharged June 25, 1865, when he retufned to Verona nTT 
1864 he married Barbara Strell of Rome N V H j, I , ' \f rona ' N - v - In 
Ida B., Frank J., Catherine M„ Emma E R teV ££? ££ d «*" dbildren: 
B Catherine M. married John Bisenfelder, of Rome NY and ttevf ?, " 
children: Albert P., Pauline I., and Margaret E Mrs ' T " ^ I ^ 

Strell, was born in Austria and upon his SahhS ■? ,? * ^^ J ° Seph 

band, Casper Streabb, and hey had Le chl dtn Th e TmT ^ "^ hUS ' 

iocated in Oneida, where they remained ?^^^SS;^ 8, S an v d 
Mr. Lorenz is a member of Joseph H. Warren Post, No. 615, GAR iw N V 

by occupation. In !864 he ^^TeTlr^l Tvl^T * T* 
ably discharged on account of sickness in 1865 In 18 J' hi ™" , T ^ 

three children: Ellis, ^^^0^^^^^^ £7 ^ 

^^tn^^ 

blacksmith and farmer. He married Louisa Ben^amin^d S^S^^ 

10 F Sr , a S thaniel 1 W "T bOrn ° nthe h0mStead ' near Durhamville N Y May 
10, 1832, and was educated in the public schools and Clinton Liberal Institute' n 
has been a salesman on the road several years but ;« „„„ f ^oerai Institute. He 
Decemher 11 i<Jiw t, . // eral yeals ' but ls n °w a farmer and horse breeder 

Decembei 15, 1862, he married Lucy Clark, of Verona, by whom he had one son,' 



332 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Frank C. Mrs. Foster died in 1866, and March 18, 1874, he married Rebecca Smith, 
of Litchfield, Herkimer county. December 22, 1886, Frank C. Foster married Anna 
M. Currin, by whom he had two daughters: Lucy M. , and Evelina M. Mr. Foster's 
father, Franklin Foster, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., January 30, 1805, and 
in October, 1829, he married Maria Segar, of New York Mills, and they came here 
in January, 1830. They had three children : Nathaniel W. , as above, Mary S., and 
Elnora, who died in infancy. Three of the Foster brothers came here into the 
primeval forest, where wild beasts were plenty; two of them were contractors 
(Julius and Orson), and erected the trestle on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R., at Oneida, 
and were the pioneer contractors on the N. Y. , E. & W. Railroad near Elmira. 
Franklin Foster died in 1878, and his wife in 1876. His grandfather, Nathaniel 
Foster, was born in 1778, and his great-grandfather, Timothy Foster, in 1749. 
Jonah, son of Josiah, was born on Long Island, February 7, 1721. 

Newton, Frank J., was born on the homestead in the town of Verona, N. Y., 
October 1, 1862, and was educated in the common schools and Cazenovia Seminary. 
He was bookkeeper and shipping clerk in the glass factory five years, and after- 
wards carried on a meat market in Durhamville five years, but is now a farmer on 
the old homestead in Dunbarton. December 25, 1884, he married Mira A. Mills, of 
the town of Lenox, Madison county, by whom he had four children ; Harry M. , 
Minnie M., Howard F., and Fred W. James K. Newton, father of Frank J , was 
born in this town, October 9, 1819, and was educated there. He followed the canal 
for six years, but later engaged in farming. He married Martha Jordan, of Boon- 
ville, N. Y., by whom he had three children: Theresa, Melissa, and Frank J. Mr. 
Newton died February 6, 1888, and his wife February 20, 1885. Mrs. Newton's 
father, Nathan Mills, was born in the town of Grafton, Rensselaer county, March 17, 
1831. He was educated in the common schools and came to this county when a 
young man. He married Angeline Manchester, of the town of Lenox, Madison 
county, and they have five children: Mira A., Minnie L., George E., Hattie A., and 
S. Emma. 

Baker, Daniel, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 4, 1832, and came to the 
United States with his parents when thirteen years of age, and located in Deerfield, 
where he was educated. He learned the carpenter trade, and has since followed the 
occupation of contractor and builder. October 27, 1857, he married Eliza Ague, of 
Syracuse, N. Y., by whom he had seven children, three of whom died in infancy: 
William, E. Frederick, Henry L., and Louisa C. Frederick married Myra Collins, 
and they have one son, Lester H. Frederick, Baker, father of Daniel, was born in 
Hanover, Germany, in 1801. He married Mary Haper, of his native State, by 
whom he had five children : Daniel, Caroline, Henry, Dorothy, and one who died in 
infancy. They came to the United States in 1845, where Mr. Baker died in 1856, and 
his wife about 1880. Daniel Baker is one of the inspectors on the Erie Canal. The 
family on both sides are German-American. 

Yager, Helen. — The late Luther E. Yager was born in the town of Vienna, May 
14, 1849. He was educated in the public schools, and was a farmer by occupation. 
He was in the late war as drummer boy, and bugler in the cavalry branch of the 
service, and was honorably discharged from the service. May 7, 1867, he married 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 333 

Helen Suits, of the town of Verona, by whom he had one son, Burton E., who is a 
farmer on the homestead with his mother. December 7, 1888, he married Alice W. 
Spavin of this town, by whom he had two children: Luther E. and Flossie P. Mr. 
Yager died March 2, 1881. Mrs. Yager's father, Christopher Suits, was born in 
Stone Arabia, Montgomery county, N. Y. , October 19, 1812, and came here with his 
parents when a child. March 19, 1844, he married Barbara Wagner, of this town 
formerly of France, by whom, he had four children : Helen, Christopher, William H. 
and Mrs. Mary R. Kilts. Mr. Suits died September 6, 1886, and his wife December 
12, 1888. The family have resided on this homestead since 1856. 

Suits, Mrs. Verena C. — The late William H. Suits was born on the homestead in 
the town of Verona, March 19. 1849. He was educated in the public schools and 
Oneida Seminary, and was a farmer by occupation. September 29, 1872, he married 
Verena Cook, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had four children: Jennie M., 
E. Leroy, Guy A., and Bessie P. Mr. Suits died November 23, 1895. Mrs. Suits's 
father, Andrew Cook, was born in the town of Palatine, Montgomery county, N. 
Y., November 11, 1800. He was educated in the common schools, and was a farmer 
by occupation. He came to the town of Vienna when a voung man, and married 
Jane Covil, of the town of Verona, who was born April 4, 1811, by whom he had 
seven children: Betsy, John, Charles, George, Casper, Joseph, and Verena. Mr. 
Cook died in December, 1893, and his wife about 1868. The ancestry of this family 
is Dutch, Welsh and Swiss. 

Wright, George E., was born in the town of Vienna, March 11, 1863, He was edu- 
cated in the district schools and Canastota Academy, and was graduated from East- 
man's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, after which he taught school three years. 
He has had numerous occupations, finally engaging in the merchandise business 
February 1, 1887. February 17, 1895, he married Mary E. Weismouth, of this town. 
Mr. Wright's father, Reuben B. Wright, was born in the town of Camden, Novem- 
ber 16, 1837, and came to the town of Vienna when eight years of age. He was edu- 
cated in the common schools, and was a cheesemaker by trade. February 12, 1862,' 
he married Mary A. Herder, of the town of Vienna, formerly of Wurtemburg, Ger- 
many, by whom he had two children: George E., and Frances J., now Mrs. Bar- 
low, of New London. Mrs. Mary E. Wright's father, Casper Weismouth, was born 
in Germany, in 1831, was educated there and came to the United States with his 
parents when ten years of age, locating in the town of Verona. He married Eliza- 
beth Miller, of this town, by whom he had nine children : Catherine, Joseph, 
Nancy, John, Margaret, Mary E., Anna, Caroline, and Bertha. Mr. Wright is a Re- 
publican in politics, and was appointed postmaster in 1887, and continued in office 
until 1893, and since that time has been acting as deputy. He has also been justice 
of the peace six years, and is now notary public. 

Covel, Stephen A., was born in the town of Vienna, N. Y., April 10, 1830. He 
was educated in the district schools, after which he followed the canal twenty years, 
was a shipper in Buffalo six years, a farmer in Wayne county four years, and a mer- 
chant in Niagara county several years. In 1873 he purchased the old homestead, and 
came to reside in New London in 1883. He has resided in Dakota six years, with 
the exception of one winter. In 1851 he married Louisa Brown, af his native place, 



334 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

by whom he had one son, Albert L. , who married Sarah Taber, of Walworth, Wayne 
county, N. Y., and they have oneson, Harry. The family are residents of Glovers- 
ville, Fulton county, N. Y. Mrs. Covell died in 1892, and Mr. Covell married for his 
second wife, Mrs. Linda E. (Brown) Chapman, of his native place. ' Mr. Covell's 
father, Stephen A., was born in Massachusetts, in 1805, and came to this State with 
his parents when a child, locating in the town of Vienna. He was educated in the 
district schools, and was a farmer by occupation, was also justice of the peace and 
supervisor. He married Lydia Holden, of the town of Vienna, by whom he had 
thirteen children: Andrew and Ada, twins, Stephen A., as above, Laura J., Henry 
and Harriet, twins, Benjamin, deceased, John, Emeline and Emily, twins, Horace, 
Franklin and Luther. Mr. Covell died in 18S9. and his wife in 1866. Mrs. Covell's 
father Sanford Brown, was born in New Baltimore, Greene county, N. Y., in 1804. 
He married Ruth Hicks, of his native place, by whom he had eleven children: 
George, William T., Marcus, Linda E., as above, Mary, Worthington, Abbie A., 
Sanford, George 2d, Emma and Steven. Mr. and Mrs. Brown died in 1892. Mr. 
Covell is a Democrat in politics and has been supervisor of the town of Vienna 
three years. He is a member of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. The 
ancestry of the family is of New England stock. 

Collins, Reuben, was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., March 27, 1833. He was 
educated in the common schools, and has followed the canal all his life in connec- 
tion with farming. In June, 1861, he married Emily Collins, of his native town, by 
whom he had three children: Orrin D., Emma L. , who died at the age of nineteen, 
and Lottie A. April 7, 1890, Orrin D. married Nettie M. Gibbs, of Wayne county, 
N. Y., and they have had three children: Florence E.. Edgar, who died in infancy, 
and Eva J. Mr. Collins's father, Joel Collins, was born in this county, about 1800. 
He was educated in the schools of his day, and was a farmer by occupation. He 
married Esther Ferguson, of this town, by whom he had eight children: Richard, 
Emeline, William, Mehetable, Caroline, Stephen, Reuben, as above, and Matilda. 
He died about 1890, and his wife about 1870. Mrs. Collins's father, Job Collins, was 
born about 1776, He married Almedia Laning, of the town of Verona, by whom 
he had nine children: Betsey, Nathan, Sarah, Alfred, Acus, Charles, Keziah, Wash- 
ington and Emily. Mr. Collins died in 1850, and his wife in 1876. Mr. Collins is a 
member of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M. Mrs. Collins is a member of 
Vesta Chapter, No. 115, O. E. S., as is also the daughter, Lottie A. The ancestry 
of the family is of New England stock, of Scotch extraction. 

Drummond, Thomas, was born in the town of Verona, near the old homestead, 
March 26, 1845, and was educated in the district schools. He followed the canal be- 
fore and after the war, but is now a hotel keeper in New London, N. Y. January 
7, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 2d Heavy Artillery, participated in several heavy en- 
gagements, and was wounded in the left hand and wrist in the battle before Peters- 
burg; on June 16, 1864, he was sent to Grove Hospital, Portsmouth, R. I., was trans- 
ferred to general hospital at Elmira, N. Y. , and was honorably discharged by surg- 
eon's certificate of disability May 25, 1865. April 16, 1868, he married Emma G. 
Guest, of this town, by whom he had three children: Eugene E., Charles T. and 
Gertrude M. Mrs. Drummond's father, William Guest, was born in England about 
1810. He married Sarah Forward, of his native place, by whom he had ten chil- 



FAMILY SKETCHES/ 335 

dren: Jemima, William, Joseph, Thomas, Henry, Mary, James, Eugene, Emma 
G., as above, and Jerome, who died in his fourth year. The family came to the 
United States after four children were born, and located in the town of Verona. Mr. 
Guest died in 1879, and his wife in 1880. Mr. Drummond is a member of New Lon- 
don Lodge 420, F. & A. M. The ancestry of this family is Scotch and English. 

Bacon, Hiram H., was born in the town of Oppenheim, Fulton county, N. Y., 
April 3, 1826. He was educated in the district schools and the Little Falls Academy, 
then engaged in farming. July 4, 1850, he married Sarah J. Barker, of his native 
place, by whom he had three children: H. Eugenia, David E. and Alice A. H. 
Eugenia married Jacob Seme, of this town, and they have five children: Harold J., 

D. Alvin, Sidney G., Jennie M. and Frank H. David E. Bacon married Emma 
Cagwin, of this town. Alice A. married John W. Owen, of Rome. N. Y., and they 
have two children, Spencer and Mildred. August 7, 1862, Mr. Bacon enlisted in Co. 

E, 117th Infy., N. Y. S. Vols., and participated in twelve general engagements and 
was honorably discharged June 20, 1865. He is a member of Joseph H. Warren 
Post No. 615, Verona, N. Y. Jonathan Bacon, his father, was born in Fulton county, 
N. Y., about 1787. He married Huldah Davies, formerly of Massachusetts, by 
whom he had seven children : Davis W., Warren A., William S., Harriet, George 
H, Hiram H. and Eliza A. He died when a young man and his widow died in 1871, 
aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Bacon's father, David Barker, was born in New Hamp- 
shire, January 5, 1797. He married Lois Heald, of his native State, who was born 
in December, 1801. They had four children: David, Lois, Mary and Sarah J. Mr. 
Barker died October 13, 1846, and his wife in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are mem- 
bers of the M. E. church of New London, N. Y., and he is steward of the church. 
The family is of English and Scotch descent. 

Conley, William, was born in the town of Verona, N. Y., July 1, 1830, and was 
educated in the public schools. He has been foreman of public works, canal, etc., 
seven years, was keeper of the insane department at the county house seven years, 
but is now engaged in farming in the town of Verona. In 1856 he married Nancy 
Hess, formerly of Herkimer county, by whom he had two children, George H, and 
William D. George H. married Helen Wanzey, of Amityville, Long Island, where 
they reside. They have one son, William G. William D. married Hattie Marcellus 
of New London, N. Y. Mr. Conley's father, Michael Conley, was born in Ireland in 
1796, and came to the United States when a young man, locating in this town. He 
had a contract on the canal when it was first being made at Oriskany. He married 
Mary McGahn, of the town of Half Moon, Saratoga county, by whom he had twelve 
children: Edward, Mary Ann, John, James, Jane, William, Henry, Hugh, Michael 
Helen, Elizabeth and Margaret, only five of whom are living. Mr. Conley died in 
1852. Mrs. Michael Conley died in 1874, and Mrs. William Conley August 16, 1892. 
Mr. Conley is a member of the M. E. church at New London, of which he is trustee. 
The ancestry of the family is Irish and Scotch. 

Darrow, Nicholas N., was born in the town of Schuyler, Herkimer county, N. Y., 
June 12, 1825. He was educated in the schools of that early day, and has had a 
variety of occupations, farming, and has also followed the canal several years. He 
served in the United States Navy three and a half years, on the flag ship Indepeii- 



33G OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

dence, in the Miditerranean Sea. March 13, 1855, he married Margaret Raut, of the 
town of Vienna, by whom he had one daughter, Mary A., who died at twenty-two 
years of age. Mr. Darrow has served as assessor several years, and is a member of 
New London Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M., in which heholds the office of junior deacon, 
Mr. Darrow's father, Nicholas N. Darrow, was born in Schenectady county, N. Y. 
He married Mary Akin, of his native place, by whom he had six children. Our sub 
ject is the oldest living member of the family. Mr. Darrow, sr. , was in the ' ' patriot 
war" in Canada, was tried, and never heard of again. His mother, Mrs. Mary 
Darrow, died in 1845. Mr. Darrow's grandfather, Daniel Darrow, served under 
Washington, in the Revolutionary war. The family on both sides are of New Eng- 
land stock, of English and German origin. 

Weismantle, Casper, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 6, 1831. He was 
educated there, and has had a variety of occupations since he came to the L T nited 
States ; driving stage for others and on his own account, followed the canal for several 
years, and conducted a general store at Grove Springs several years, but now lives 
retired. May 15, 1856, he married Elizabeth Miller, of New London, by whom he 
had nine children: Catherine, Nancy E., Joseph H., John A:, Margaret, Maryette, 
Annie W., Carrie R., and Francis B. Mrs. Weismantle's father, Joseph Miller, was 
born in Alsace, France, and came to the United States when a young man. He 
married Catherine Seigel, formerly of his native country, by whom he had five 
children: Catherine, Elizabeth, as above, Joseph, Nancy, and Mary F. Both father 
and mother are dead. The ancestry of the family on both sides is German. 

Ague, Charles, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in December, 1846, and came with 
his parents to the United States when six months of age, locating in this town where 
he was educated in the district schools. He has followed the canal for thirty years 
in connection with farming. April 26, 1880, he married Caroline Sipp, of this town, 
by whom he had one daughter, Bertha A. Mr. Ague's father, Paul Ague, was born 
at the old home in Germany, where he was educated. He married Elizabeth Schmidt, 
of his native place, by whom he had two children: Catherine, now Mrs. Martin 
Snyder, of New London, N. Y. ; and Charles, as above. Paul Ague died in 1848, 
the result of an accident. For her second husband Mrs. Ague married Jacob Kropp, 
of the town of Verona, and they had six children: Elizabeth, Salome, Amelia L., 
Edward J., George M., and William H. Elizabeth married William Reiger, of this 
town, and they had six children: Martin, Camelia, William, Emil, Edwin and Cora. 
Salome married Michael Ungerer, of Verona. Amelia died in 1872. Edward J. 
married Catherine Lanscidel, now of Utica. George married Matilda Borer, of this 
locality. Mrs. Ague's father, William Sipp, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, 
and came to the United States when a young man. He married Helen Maherh, of 
the town of Verona, by whom he had nine children: Caroline, as above, William, 
Peter, Helen, Amelia, Philipena, John, Lewis and Jacob. Mrs. Sipp died in 1888. 
Mr. Sipp is a member of the World's Mutual Benefit Association, of Wheeling, W. Va. 

Wright, George P., was born in Verona, near New London, N. Y., March 1, 1854. 
He was educated in the district school, followed the canal twenty-five years with 
success, and kept a hotel three years. November 7, 1876, he married Julia A. Raut, 
of the town of Verona, by whom he had three children: Daisy L. Edith A., and 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 337 

George E. Daisy L. married John Link, of Ilion, N. Y. Edith A. died at eleven 
months of age. George E. is a student at school. Mr. Wright's father, John Wright, 
was born in Germany, June 2, 1822. He was educated there and came to the United 
States about 1842 and located in Croghan, Lewis county, N. Y. About 1846 he 
married Christina Gates, formerly of Germany, by whom he had seven children : 
Mary, deceased, John, deceased, George P., as above, Louisa, deceased, Amelia, 
deceased, William and E. Isabel. The family have resided in this county since 1850. 
Mrs. Wright died Feb. 17, 1892. Mrs. Wright's father, John Raut, was born near 
Fish Creek, in the town of Vienna in 1836. He was educated in the district schools, 
and was a boatman and farmer by occupation. About 1858 he married Helen Lar- 
rabee, of the town of Vienna by whom he had seven children: Mary, who died at 
five years of age; Julia A., as above; Everett, who died at seven years of age; 
Christopher H., E. Allie, who died at two years of age; John W. and Blanche D. 
Mr. Wright is a member of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M., and Mrs. 
Wright is a member of Vesta Chapter No. 115, O. E. S. , in which she holds the 
position of associate conductress. The ancestry of this family is German on both 
sides. 

Armstrong, George H., of Armstrong, Baker & Co., of New Hartford, is the son 
of the late well-known James Armstrong, who was one of the most worthy and 
prominent citizens of the place. He occupied many positions of trust and honor, 
one of which being a seat in the State Legislature. The works of Armstrong & 
Baker were originally established by him in 1864, and have since grown into one of 
the most important industries of the place, furnishing employment to about seventy 
people. The present firm was organized in 1871, as the New Hartford Knitting Mill, 
and their entire output consists of children's wear of all grades, which is handled 
by commission in New York city. 

Risley, Orville, was born at Hamilton, N. Y, in 1850, son of Chauncey Risley, 
who came with his own team to Madison county, from Glastonbury, Conn., in 1833. 
He is a representative of one of the families to whom the town of New Hartford is 
indebted for its name; they having emigrated from Hartford, Conn., where Richard 
Risley settled with its founder, Thomas Hooker, in 1635, after having escaped the 
religious persecutions in England. Chauncey Risley died in 1894, at the age of 
seventy-nine years, leaving a widow, who is still living at eighty years of age, 
having brought up twelve children, of whom eight are now living, the youngest 
being forty years of age. Orville Risley was educated in Hamilton, and came to 
this towu at seventeen years of age, and engaged in farming, and for sixteen years 
has been engaged in an extensive creamery business with his brother Fremont A. 
Risley, located at New, York Mills. In 1873 he married Ada Perkins, of Chenango 
county, by whom he had four children: Fenimore C, an art student in New York; 
Walter C. ; Floyd F. ; and Lena. 

Henderson, W. H., was born at Richland, Oswego county, in 1839. During early 
life he was engaged in farming in the vicinity of his birthplace, and after a tour of 
the far west, including four years in Northern Dakota, he purchased the Chapman 
Hotel property at Washington Mills. In 1861 he married Frances Menter, of Rich- 
land, N. Y. His father, David Henderson, formerly conducted a hotel at Richland, 
N. Y. 



338 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Adams, Charles H., was born in the town of New Hartford, N. Y., in 1826, son of 
James Adams. His grandfather, James Adams, came from Hartford, Conn., at a 
very early date, and has been a lifelong resident ot Washington Mills. Charles H. 
received his education in his native place, and having been reared on a farm, en- 
gaged in that occupation, and at which he still continues, occupying the old_home- 
stead. In 1850 he married Elizabeth Thomas, of Utica. by whom he has two chil- 
dren: Celia, wife of John Emery; and Minnie, wife of George Neice. 

Prescott, D. D., was born in the town of New Hartford in 1856, son of Daniel 
Morgan Prescott. He is the owner of the farm with which the name of Prescott has 
been identified over one hundred years, and which descended from father to son for 
many generations. His great-grandfather came here from Connecticut when his 
grandfather, Oliver Prescott, was but four years of age. The death of his father, 
Daniel Morgan Prescott, in 1805, removed from the community a beloved and ven- 
erable citizen ; he held the offices of assessor and collector, and was a member of 
the Assembly one term, and also held many important positions about the State 
Capitol — postmaster, sergeant-at-arms, and librarian. He married Lydia M. Bacon, 
of Litchfield, Herkimer county, by whom he had five sons and one daughter; and 
she still survives him at the age of sixty-six. D. D. Prescott, following in the foot- 
steps of his father, is a staunch Republican, but not an office holder. He is identi- 
fied with the Presbyterian church. In 1880 he married Stella Schooley, of Litch- 
field, by whom he has four children: Fannie S., Walter D., Arthur A., and Eva E. 

Kellogg, Henry G., was born in the house where he still lives in 1838, which was 
erected by his great-grandfather in 1790. This great-grandfather, Webster Kellogg, 
the first of the family who settled here, came from Hartford, Conn., and first lived 
in a log house. This house was built in what is now a suburb of New Hartford, and 
where is located the fifty acre dairy farm, which has been handed down the paternal 
line to Henry G. He is a staunch Republican, as was his father Frederic and grand- 
father Webster Frederic before him ; and is also an efficient member of the Presby- 
terian church. In 1862 he married Mary E., daughter of John Reed, of New Hart- 
ford, and their daughter Annie E. , now wife of S. Maxwell Mclntyre of Philadel- 
phia, is the representative of the fifth generation of the Kellogg family here. 

Tibbitts, Milton G. , one of the leading farmers of New Hartford, came here from 
Kirkland, where he had been previously engaged in farming, and located on a 130 
acre farm, his present residence. He is a descendant of a family originally from 
Rhode Island, of English and Scotch ancestry, and son of Truman Tibbitts, a farmer 
of East Rome, where Milton G. was born in 1841, and from which place he came to 
Kirkland when six vears of age. There he allied himself with a family of national 
historical interest, by marriage to Susan J. Peck, daughter of Charles P. Peck. She 
is the representative of the eighth generation of Jean Paul Peck, who came to 
America in 1636, and settled at Boston, founding the family. Her great-grandfather 
was a member of the Continental Congress. She is the mother of seven children. 

Tyler, H. N., was born in Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., in 1850. He was edu- 
cated at Whitestown Seminary, also studied medicine, and has practiced to some 
extent. His father, the late Dr. A. N. Tyler, was born at Rome, N. Y., in 1818, and 
there began his medical studies, He practiced first at Sauquoit five years, then 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 339 

came to New Hartford. He married Jennie M. Carpenter of a Vermont family. By 
his untiring devotion to his calling his practice soon became large, extending into 
adjoining towns, and for forty years this successful practitioner carried on his work, 
loved and honored for his uprightness of character and kindheartedness. His death 
in 1889 at seventy -four years of age was mourned by a large circle of friends. 

Campbell, Roderic, was born in Scotland, in 1846, where he was educated, gradu- 
ating from the Inverness Royal Academy. He followed in the footsteps of his 
father, Kenneth Campbell, as a florist. He came to America in 1867, locating in 
Brooklyn, where he remained until 1875, when he came here and took charge of the 
Forest Hill Cemetery. Mr. Campbell is an expert landscape gardener and florist, 
under whose skillful hands the cemetery has developed into one of the most beauti- 
ful of its kind in Central New York. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He married Jessie Mitchell of Brooklyn, by whom he had four children : 
Douglas Henry (deceased), Lyman Forest (deceased), Catherine Finlay and Annie 
Morrison. 

Smith, E. C. , was born in Boonville, N. Y. , son of Leslie H. Smith. He was for 
some time clerk at Bagg's Hotel, and was with Mrs. Lynch's jewelry house of New 
York for four years. He was also clerk at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York city. 
Mr. Smith is the owner and manager of an extensive vineyard of twenty-two acres 
on the Capron road, which he established and planted in 1885. It is devoted to all 
choice varieties of grapes and currants, which find a ready market in Utica. He is 
engaged in an enterprise which with his industry and integrity cannot but place him 
in the front rank of the young men of the county. He is a member of the Episcopal 
church. 

Seaton, J. W., was born at Utica, N. Y., in 1844, son of John Seaton, who was 
born at Yorkshire, England, and came to Utica in 1832. Being a tailor by trade, he 
resumed his work here, and remained at one location on Blandina street for twenty- 
five years. J. W. Seaton was reared and educated upon the New Hartford farm, 
where his father died in 1885, at the age of seventy-six years. He is living in an 
elegant home on Genesee street, which he erected in 1889 ; but he is still interested 
in agricultural pursuits, and with his brother owns large and productive farms. In 
1864 he married Frances Thickens, of Utica, by whom he has one son, Albert J., born 
in 1865,. who is married and with three children resides with his father, while en- 
gaged in business in Utica. Mr. J. W. Seaton is an ardent Republican and trustee 
of the village. 

Van Auken, Myron W., was born on a farm in the town of Ira, Cayuga county, N. 
Y., June 6, 1852. He attended district schools, the Union Academy at Red Creek 
N. Y., and Fairfield Seminary at Fairfield, N. Y., and then entered Cornell Univer- 
sity, where he took a classical course of four years and received the degree of A. B. 
Subsequently he was graduated from the Albany Law School, where the degree of 
LL. B. was conferred upon him. In 1875 he began the practice of law in Utica 
where he has ever since followed his profession. He has twice held the office of cor- 
poration counsel of Utica, and was once the nominee of his party for the office of 
district attorney of Oneida county. He is the general attorney for many of the cor- 
porations and large business firms of the city. He is a director and an officer or 



340 OUR COtJNTY AMD ITS PEOPLE. 

member of business corporations, and is active in every movement that tends to the 
development and prosperity of the city and the welfare of the community. In 1889 
he was a member of a committee of nine appointed to select a suitable site for a 
Home to be established by the Masonic fraternity of the State of New York for indi- 
gent Masons, their wives, widows and orphans. Through his efforts, after an ex- 
citing competition with other cities, and after a prolonged struggle, the site was lo- 
cated in Utica, in which there has since been erected one main building costing 
§200,000, and a building for children costing $50,000, and numerous other buildings 
will follow to carry out the noble charity of this beneficent fraternity. Mr. Van 
Auken is one of the foremost Masons as well as one of the leading lawyers of Utica, 
and it was mainly through his untiring efforts and personal support that the Masonic 
Home was secured for that city. 

Kernan, Nicholas E., is a native of Utica and a son of thelate Hon. Francis Ker- 
nan, whose parents, Gen. William and Rose (Stubbs) Kernan, were natives of Ire- 
land and early settlers in Tyrone, Schuyler county. There Hon. Francis Kernan 
was born January 14, 1816. He was educated at Georgetown College in Washing- 
ton, D. C., read law in Watkins, N. Y., with his brother-in-law, Edward Quinn, 
came to Utica in 1839 and finished his legal studies under Hon. Joshua Spencer, and 
was admitted to the bar in July, 1840. He became a partner of Mr. Spencer and 
practiced until 1857, being for three years previously reporter of the Court of Ap- 
peals. He became very active in Democratic politics, and in 1860 was elected to the 
Assembly. In 1862, and again in 1864, he was elected to Congress over his Repub- 
lican opponent, Hon. Roscoe Conkling, and at the close of his second term resumed 
the practice of law. He was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 
1867-68, and was defeated by General Dix as candidate for governor in 1872. He 
was State senator from 1875 to 1881. He died September 7, 1892. In 1843 he mar- . 
ried Hannah, daughter of Nicholas Devereux, a prominent early resident of Utica, 
and they had ten children. Nicholas E. Kernan was graduated from Seton Hall- 
College in New Jersey, read law in his father's office, was admitted to the bar and 
became a member of the firm of W. & J. D. Kernan, now W. & N. E. Kernan. He 
is prominent in various business and manufacturing enterprises and is connected 
with several large corporations. He was one of the founders of the Mohawk Valley 
Cotton Mills, is vice-president of the Oneida Knitting Mills, president of the Sken- 
andoa Cotton Company, president of the Utica Burial Case Company, treasurer of 
the Utica Pipe Foundry Company, member of Fort Schuyler Club, and president of 
the Lotus Club. He married Miss Harriet Jenkins and their children are John A., 
Isabelle, Margaret, Mary, Florence, Adelaide, Nicholas, Michael, Meredith, Grace 
and Edith. 

Searle, Charles H., son of William Nelson and Eliza (Rogers) Searle, was born in 
Leonardsville, Madison county, June 23, 1842, was educated in the public schools of 
his native town, at Whitestown Academy and in Cazenovia Seminary, and was 
graduated from Hamilton College in 1869. He read law in Syracuse with Pratt, 
Mitchell & Brown, and was admitted to the bar in that city in the fall of 1870. He 
then opened an office in Leonardsville and practiced his profession until January 1, 
1873, when he came to Utica and formed a partnership with Daniel Ball, which con- 
tinued till the latter's death in the spring of 1875. Since then he has practiced alone 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 341 

except during the year 1883, when he was a member of the firm of Searle, Dunmore 
& Willis. Mr. Searle was school commissioner of the city of Utica one term, but 
otherwise has held no public office. In July, 1864, he enlisted in Co. D, 189th N. Y. 
Vols., as first lieutenant, and remained with his regiment until the close of the war, 
being in the Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, until Lee surrendered. He 
is a member and past commander of Bacon Post, No. 53, G. A. R. In 1876 he mar- 
ried Annie Pier, who died in 1879 leaving one son, Homer W. In 1885 he married, 
second, Alice L. Hotchkiss, of Phelps, N. Y. , and they have three daughters: Alice 
L., Annie P. and Ruth. 

Crandall, Dr. Charles S. , was born in Leonardsville, Madison county, September 
24, 1858, and is the youngest son of Dr. Hiram S. Crandall, whose father, Oliver C, 
was one of the first settlers in that locality. Oliver C. came from Rhode Island, and 
died in Leonardsville in 1864 aged nearly ninety-two. The family are lineal de- 
scendants of Lord John Crandall of England. Dr. Hiram S., at the age of seventy- 
eight, is still practicing medicine in Leonardsville, making a specialty, as he has for 
many years, of diseases of women. He married Frances A. Sisson, of Plainfield,, 
Otsego county, who died in 1889, aged seventy. They had five children : Stephen 
H., of Leonardsville; Mary D. (Mrs. Ellis J. Dunn), of New Market, N. J. ; Lucius 
A., of Frankfort, N. Y. ; L. Adelle, widow of Silas K. Hawkins, of Burlington Flats, 
N. Y. ; and Dr. Charles S., of Utica. Dr. Charles S. Crandall was educated in the 
public schools of Leonardsville and at New Berlin Academy, read medicine with his 
father, and was graduated from the medical department of the University of New 
York city in 1882. He took special courses in physical diagnosis in the wards 
of Bellevue Hospital under the late Dr. Alfred L. Loomis, the celebrated con- 
sumptive specialist; a special course in operative surgery and bandaging under Prof. 
J. W. Wright, M. D. ; a special course in physiological labratory work and micros- 
copy under Prof. J. W. S. Arnold, A. M., M. D. ; and a special course in chemistry 
under Prof. John Draper, M. D., LL. D., and after graduating he practiced in 
Leonardsville, and in the spring of 1884 went to Sherburne, Chenango county, 
where he remained five years. In the spring of 1889 he came to Utica, where he has 
since successfully practiced his profession, making a specialty of diseases of women. 
December 30, 1886, he married Ada M., daughter of Leander Harwood, of Sher- 
burne, N. Y. They have two children, Lee S. and Frances R. 

Cassidy, Fred A., was born in Utica, September 23, 1852, and is a son of Patrick 
Cassidy, who came here from below Albany, N. Y., in 1811, and was the first settler 
on Steel's Hill. Patrick Cassidy was a farmer and subsequently a foreman in the 
great stage business that centered in Utica. Later he traveled extensively with 
Governor Clinton's nephew, and afterward engaged in the restaurant and milling 
business. He died in Utica in 1881. Fred A. Cassidy after leaving the public 
schools was in the employ of John H. Douglass, a prominent undertaker in Utica, 
until the latter's death December 3, 1881, when he purchased the business and has 
ever since continued it. He is a member of Faxton Lodge, No. 697. F. & A. M. 
Utica Chapter No. 57, R. A. M., Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T., the Royal Ar- 
canum, the Citizens' Corps Veterans' Association, and the Oneida County and New 
York State Undertakers' Associations. 



342 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Alsheimer, John G. , was born June 10, 1855, in Marcy, Oneida county, and is a son 
of John G. Alsheimer, sr., who was born in Germany, came to America about 1853, 
and finally died in Utica April 29, 1894, aged sixty-two. He was a farmer and con- 
tractor. John G. Alsheimer, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public 
schools and the Utica Business College, from which he was graduated. He first en- 
gaged in various employments. In 1877 he started a grocery business, which he 
successfully continued until May, 1896. He is a member of the C. M. B. A. and of 
St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. In 1877 he married Mary M., daughter of Andrew 
J. Muringer, of Utica, and they have had three children: Mary M., William, and 
one who died in infancy. 

Marsden, Dr. William Robb, was born June 30, 1853, in Sauquoit. Oneida county, 
and is a son of Thomas Briggs Marsden, and Jenette Robb. She was born in Glas- 
gow, Scotland, and is living in Utica. Thomas B. Marsden was born in Darwin, 
England, in 1824, came to Oneida county, in 1839 with his father, John, and fol- 
lowed farming here, though he was a paper maker by trade. He was drowned acci- 
dentally October 3, in the town of Darling, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Marsden was 
educated in the public schools of Utica and had eight years private tutelage in Meri- 
den, Conn., and in Utica. He began reading medicine in this city in February 1877, 
with Doctors Daniel D. and P. H. Thomas, and was graduated from the medical de- 
partment of the University of the City of New York in 1881. In the spring of 1883 he 
pursued special studies at that institution and the same year, after a tour of the west, 
began practice in Meriden, Conn. In 1886 he removed to Utica where he has since 
followed his profession. While in Meriden he was a member of the New Haven 
Company, the Connecticut State, and the Meriden Medical societies. He is a mem- 
ber of the Oneida County Medical Society, the Utica Medical Library Association, 
the Utica Medical Club, and the Sons of St. George. He has been for the past three 
years ward physician of the second ward. 

Bowes, John A., is a son of John R., who was born in England, in 1827, came to 
Utica in 1842, and still resides here, having been engaged for over fifty years in the 
wool business, buying principally for A. T. Stewart & Co., and later for the Globe 
Woolen Company. He was born in Utica, September 23, 1862, received a public 
school education, and in 1879 entered the employ of B. Wilson & Co., wholesale deal- 
ers in paper, with whom he remained about ten years. August 1, 1889, he formed 
a partnership with his brothers, Henry L. and Charles S., under the firm name of 
Bowes Brothers, and established their present business as wholesale dealers in 
paper, twine, stationery, and woodenware. Henry L. Bowes was born March 1, 
1861, and for several years prior to June, 1889, was a member of the firm of B. Wil- 
son & Co. Charles S. Bowes was born November '. 7, 1866. ' 

Ehrsam, George, was born October 10, 1858, in Utica, where his father, John, set- 
tled about 1855, coming here from Germany, John Ehrsam has been for several 
years actively engaged in the cabinet and furniture business. George Ehrsam was 
educated in the the public schools of his native city. He learned and followed the 
tailor's trade until 1882, when he formed a co-partnership with B. L. Fitch, under the 
firm name of Ehrsam & Fitch, and engaged in the merchant tailoring business. 
This is one of the leading custom clothing firms in Utica. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 343 

Entwistle, John, born in Lancashire, England, May 28, 1840, is a son of Joseph 
an:i Ann (Pierson) Entwistle and came to America with his parents in 1842. In 1848 
the family went to Chicago, where the father died in 1855. In 1856 they came to 
LTtica, where the mother still resides at the age of eighty-three. John Entwistle 
was educated in the Chicago public schools. Coming to LTtica he entered the em 
ploy of Avery N. Lord, manufacturer of soda water, etc., and remained with him 
nine years. He was the first janitor of the Government building, holding the posi- 
tion three years, and since 1865 has been engaged in general merchandise in Bleecker 
street, building the present block in 1894. In 1860 he married Mary Ann Beard, of 
New Hartford, Oneida county, and they have five sons: Joseph (foreman of the 
Skenandoa Mills), James, John, jr., Ralph (engaged in the meat market business in 
his father's block), and Thomas. 

Davies, Arthur H., is a son of David J. H. and Sarah A. Davies, natives of Eng- 
land, who came to Utica in 1873. In 1883 David established a steam laundry on 
Columbia street and conducted it until 1888, when his wife and son, Arthur H., as- 
sumed the management. 

Fitch, Bordman L., son of James H., was born in Utica, November 12, 1860, and 
received a good public school -education. His father came to Utica from Salem, 
Washington county, N. Y. , and is engaged in the manufacture of shoe specialties. 
After leaving school Mr. Fitch remained with his father until 1884, when he joined 
with George Ehrsam in forming the firm of Ehrsam & Fitch, which has since carried 
on one of the leading merchant tailoring establishments in the city. 

Kilbourn, Judson G. M. D., son of Francis S., was born in Plainfield, Otsego 
county, January 11, 1860, received his preliminary education in the public schools of 
his native town and at West Winfield Academy, and was graduated from Sauquoit 
Academy in 1879. He read medicine in West Winfield with Dr. James F. Huntley, 
and in March, 1884, received his degree of M. D. from the medical department of 
the University of New York City. In July of that year he commenced active prac- 
tice in Utica, where he has become a leading physician and surgeon. Latterly he 
has given special attention to surgical work, in which he has acquired eminent suc- 
cess. Dr. Kilbourn is a member and was for five years secretary of the Utica 
Medical Library Association; and a member of the New York State Medical Society. 
He was physician and surgeon to the City Hospital, house physician and surgeon on 
the staff of St. Luke's Hospital, and physician to the Utica City Dispensary each 
four years, and is now surgeon and gynecologist to St. Elizabeth's and Faxton Hos- 
pitals. He is a member of Imperial Council, R. A., and president of the Oneida 
County Sportsmen's Association. In 1889 he married Nella E. Armstrong, of Plain- 
field, N. Y. 

Brucker, George L., was born on a farm on the town line between Marcy and 
Trenton, August 7, 1860, and is the son of Jacob Brucker, who came from Alsace, 
France, in 1856, and settled in Utica, whence he soon removed to the abovemen- 
tioned farm. The family went to Englewood, N. J., in 1863, where Jacob died in 
1892. George L. Brucker was educated and remained in Englewood until the age of 
twenty-one, when he began learning the trade of plumber and gas fitter in New 
York city. He then came to Utica for four and one-half years was with Wicks, 



344 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Hughes & Griffiths. In 1887 he established for himself in West street and in 1888 
came to his present location in South street, where he carries on a general plumbing 
and gas and steam fitting business. He is a member of AUamania Lodge, I.O.O.F., 
the Utica Maennechor and the Germania Industrial Association. December 25, 
1883, he married Louisa H. Brucker, his cousin, and they have three children: 
Clarence William, Laura Savilla, and Leroy Harold. 

Jones, Edwin E. , was born June 30, 1861, in Rome, N, Y. , is a son of Owen Jones, 
who came from Carnaervonshire, Anglesea, North Wales, about 1845, settled in New 
York city, whence he went to Rome, and thence in 1862 came to Utica, where he died 
in 1886. He was educated in the Utica public schools and at the age of seventeen 
entered the drug store of Williamson & Dunning, with whom he remained about four 
years. He was then with J. H. Sheehan & Co. about two years, and in 1884 started 
in the drug business for himself on the corner of South and Miller streets, in a sec- 
tion locally known as "Cornhill," where he still continues. He is a member 
of Fort Schuyler Council R. A. In January, 1885, he married AlmenaH., daughter 
of John O. Jones, of Utica, and they have three children: Laura Odessa, Catherine 
Anna and Edna Francis. 

Knight, Charles B. , was born in Scranton, Pa., October 24, 1864, and was grad- 
uated from the Keystone Seminar)' at Factoryville, Pa., in 1880, and from Eastman's 
Business College at Poughkeepsie in 1881. Following this he had charge of the 
books of Jermyn & Co., of Scranton, for two years, and in 1883 engaged in the 
wholesale produce business there. In 1884 his brother, M. S. Knight, became a 
partner and the firm of M. S. & C. B. Knight continued about two years, when the 
business was enlarged and another brother, E. W., admitted under the style of 
Knight Brothers. This firm dissolved in 1889, Charles B. becoming the successor 
and continuing until 1891, when the business was burned out. He then, through 
the influence of friends, came to Utica, where Albert C. Parker, his father-in-law 
and former business partner, settled at the same time, and in March, 1892, the two 
formed the present firm of Knight & Parker, wholesale dealers in soft coal and retail 
dealers in hard coal. Mr. Knight is a Mason, a member of the I. O. of F., and K. P., 
and captain of the uniform rank of the latter, a member of the Masonic Club, sec- 
retary and trustee of the Cycling Club, and a trustee of the Universalist Church of 
the Reconciliation. 

O'Reilly, Patrick J., was born in Rochester, N. Y., July 5, 1855, attended Mrs. 
Fox's private school and was graduated from the Christian Brothers Academy in 
1874 and spent two years as clerk in a large wholesale and retail crockery store in 
that city. From 1875 to 1879 he was bookkeeper for John Cunningham, Sons & Co., 
carriage manufacturers. He then came to Utica and established himself in business 
as an undertaker and embalmer, located at 230 Bleecker street. He at once insti- 
tuted new ideas and improved methods, being among the first to perfect a treatment 
for the prevention of decomposition of human bodies. He was treasurer of the Oneida 
Club during its existence, and is a prominent member of several social and benevo- 
lent organizations. May 17, 1883, he was married in Toronto, Canada, to Theresa 
M., daughter of John Sheridan, of Rochester, and their children are Edward Patrick, 
Genevieve Elwood and Charles Raymond (twins), Frank Sheridan, Stella Louise, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 345 

Lois Theresa, Howard Bernard, and Theresa Lozier (deceased). Mr. Sheridan was 
an extensive contractor in the construction of the Erie canal, having a contract for 
excavating- that portion between a point in Wayne county and through the Monte- 
zuma marshes. 

Moshier, William B., was born in Martinsburg, Lewis county, in 1856, and is a son 
of John G., a farme' . His brother Charles was born in the town of Russia, . Herki- 
mer county, July 15, 1853. In 1877 the two started in business selling tea on the 
road. In January, 1878, they established a general store in Salisbury, Herkimer 
county, and continued there until 1882, the firm being Moshier Brothers. Thence 
they came to Utica and formed their present business which consists of wholesale 
teas, coffees, spices, and flavoring extracts, and baking powder. Their trade extends 
through New York and New England and the West. Mr. Moshier is a 32d degree 
Mason. 

Morris, Price, was born August 3, 1853, in Wales England, where he followed the 
butter and grocery business from a youth. He came to America in 1882 and settled 
in Utica, where he engaged in his present business as a grocer and provision dealer. 
He is a member of Skenandoa Lodge I. O. O. F. He was married first in Wales, in 
April, 1880, to Ellen, daughter of David Morris, who died in 1890. He married 
second in May, 1895, Ruth, daughter of Evan Davies, of Denbeighshire, Wales. 

Smith, W. Harvey, born January 23, 1865, at Davenport, Delaware county, N. Y., 
is a son of J. Wallace and Susan M. (Montgomery) Smith. In 1866 the family moved 
to Schenevus, Otsego county, where he was educated in the union school and 
academy. When fifteen he began learning the trade of baker and confectioner in 
West Winfield, N. Y. , and continued there three years. He was employed two years 
in Fort Plain Spring and Axle works, and returning to West Winfield resumed his 
trade. He married there, in 1885, Ida E. Cole, and in the fall went to Waterville 
and engaged one year in the bakery and confectionery business, to which in 1886 his 
father succeeded. In 1891 he came to Utica and entered the employ of A. L. Owens 
and remained with him about three years. In the spring of 1894 he started his 
present. bakery and confectionery store in Bleecker street. He is a member of Im- 
perial Council No. 70 R. A., the Arcanum Club, Samuel Read Lodge No. 378, K. of 
P., Utica city Division No. 4 Uniform Rank K. of P. and its present second lieuten- 
ant, and is vice-president of the Boss Bakers' Association of Utica. He has one 
son, Leo C. 

Patterson, John H., son of John and Mary (Grierson) Patterson, was born in Dum- 
fries, Scotland, November 8, 1846, and came to America with his parents in 1848, 
settling in Utica, where his father died in October, 1892, and his mother in May, 
1892. John Patterson was a hatter and later a fur maker, being associated with the 
firm, of George Westcott & Co. for many years. The family lived in Kentucky from 
1855 to 1861. April 18, 1861, John Patterson enlisted in Co. H, 14th N. Y. Vols., 
and served two years, participating in the battles of West Point, Va., Hanover 
Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Fred- 
ericksburg, Chancellorsville, and others, being wounded at Malvern Hill, July 1, 
1862. In September, 1862, he was made corporal and placed in the color guard, and 
was honorably discharged at Utica, May 23, 1863. He was a clerk for J. Harter & 



346 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Son till November, 1865, when he went to Mexico and enlisted in the Mexican reg- 
ular army under General Cortenuss, serving three years and becoming lieutenant. 
He was then engaged in the cattle business in Texas until 1873, when he returned 
to Utica, where he has since carried on carpentering, building, and real estate ope- 
rations. He was a member of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Union of Utica during its 
existence and is now a member of Bacon Post, No. 5, G. A. R. , which he has served 
as quartermaster and as a delegate to State and National encampments. August 
18, 1889, he married Mrs. Mary M. R. Parks, a local writer and public speaker of 
prominence, who died May 21, 1895. 

McPherson, Henry A., was born in Utica, June 18, 1863, and is a son of John Mc- 
Pherson, a shoemaker, who came here from Scotland in 1852. After leaving school 
he was associated with his father in the shoe business until 1885, when he purchased 
the old Wilkinson laundry, which he still continues. His father still lives in Utica. 
and has always taken a prominent part in Scotch societies. 

Elwood, Ernest J., son of William Elwood, a builder, was born in Stockbridge, 
Madison county, February 19, 1856, finished his education in the Oneida Union 
School, and spent five years in the office of the Oneida Union learning the printer's 
trade. He was then in Watertown and Syracuse two years and in 1877 came to 
Utica where he followed his trade in the offices of the Herald and Observer. Later 
he was proof reader for L. C. Childs & Son, and in March, 1894, established his 
present job printing business, forming with A. J. Fierstine the firm of Fierstine & 
Elwood. Mr. Elwood is a member of Skenandoah Lodge, No. 95, I. O. O. F., and 
was for seven years secretary and treasurer of the Odd Fellows Union. He is also 
a member of Tri-Mount Encampment, No. 24, I. O. O. F. During the vears 1884, 
1885, 1886, 1887, and 1889, he served as supervisor of the Second ward and in 1886-87 
was reading clerk of the board. He is an active Democrat and in 1893 was candi- 
date for member of assembly for the first district, but was defeated, although he was 
ahead of his ticket, the district being overwhelmingly Rupublican. 

Brown, Bray ton E. , was born in the town of Fowler, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., 
October 7, 1864, received his education in Spragueville, and remained with his father 
on a dairy farm until the age of sixteen, when he accepted a clerkship with his uncle, 
Lester Munson, a general merchant in Sandy Creek. In 1882 he came to Utica and 
entered the employ of A. L. Owens, a wholesale milk dealer, with whom he re- 
mained four and one-half years. In December, 1886, he established himself in busi- 
ness as a wholesale and retail dealer in general dairy products and as a manufacturer 
of butter, etc. He is a member of Central City Lodge No. 68, I. O. O. F. 

Sessions, F. W. , engaged in the millinery business in Utica in 1888, and has since 
built up one of the leading establishments in Central New York. He employs dur- 
ing the busy season about fifty hands, besides several traveling salesmen, has an 
office in New York city, and enjoys a wholesale and retail trade covering the entire 
State. The business was first located at 204 Genesee street, whence it was moved 
February 15, 1891, to its present quarters, where it has nearly tripled its original ca- 
pacity. 

Reusswig, George A., born in Utica, November 10, 1867, is a son of Ernest H. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 347 

Reusswig, who came to this city from Germany in 1859 and died here in February, 
1895. Ernest H. was a merchant tailor in Utica for thirty years, being for seven- 
teen years a member of the firm of Belts & Reusswig, and eleven of Westcott & 
Reusswig. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, one of the originators of the Germania 
Industrial Association, and at the time of his death the oldest merchant tailor in 
Utica. George A. Reusswig, after leaving the public schools, learned the tailor's 
trade with his father, and for eight years followed it in Buffalo. In September, 1894, 
he returned to Utica to take charge of his father's business, and upon the latter's 
death became his successor. He is a member of the Maennechor and the Germania 
Industrial Association. 

Taylor, Lorenzo M., son of Job and Polly (Burdick) Taylor, was born in Bergen, 
Genesee county, July 11, 1819, and moved with his parents to Utica in 1829. Job 
Taylor was first a cotton manufacturer, but in Utica kept the Farmer's Tavern, com- 
monly called the Bull's Head, where the store of Job Parker's Sons now stands. 
Later he kept the Cottage Inn on the corner of Broad and Bridge streets, another on 

the corner of Whitesboro and streets, and a third on the corner of Fayette and 

Cornelia streets. He died about 1852, and his wife about 1870. Lorenzo M. Taylor 
completed a thorough education in the Utica public schools and academy in 1838. At 
the age of nineteen, having studied civil engineering at the academy under Prof. 
Prentice (later of Geneva College) and William M. Williams, he was appointed city 
surveyor of Utica and held that office for eleven consecutive years, being the second 
incumbent under the city charter. He was succeeded by his brother, and deputy, 
William B. Taylor, who served seven years, who was subsequently State engineer 
three terms, and who died in February, 1895, aged seventy-one. Since retiring from 
the city surveyor's office Mr. Taylor has been engaged in civil engineering and the 
real estate business. He has laid out and sold more than 700 acres of city building 
lots. Among the tracts he has developed are the Kemble, Schuyler, Seymour, 
Stocking and Devereux farms. In 1843 he married Susan L., daughter of Luther 
Rumrill, of Utica, who died March 1, 1889. They had two children: Charles S., a 
civil engineer and surveyor associated with his father, and Emily (Mrs. Leonard V. 
Beebe), who died in February, 1889. 

Remmer, William M., son of Michael, was born in Utica December 5, 1865, was 
educated in the public and advanced schools and academy of his native city, and was 
graduated from the Utica Business College in 1885. He was then a clerk in a shoe 
store until February, 1887, when he became armorer of the 28th and 44th Separate 
Cos., N. G. N Y., which position he still holds, and he is also first sergeant of the 
28th Separate Co. In 1889 he married Mary E. McCarthy, of Greenbush, N. Y. , and 
they have two children, William Joseph and Clarence Edward. 

Remmer, Louis, son of Michael, was born September 18, 1861, in Utica, and re- 
ceived a common school education. At the age of eighteen he learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, which he followed until 1893. He then formed a partnership with 
John F. Harvey, as Remner & Harvey, and engaged in manufacturing cigars in 
Varick street, where he still continues the business successfully. He has been a 
member of the 28th Separate Company, N. G. N. Y., since 1889. In August, 1895 
he married Almira B. French, eldest daughter of Daniel W. French, of New Hart' 
ford, Oneida county. 



348 OUR COUNTY AMD ITS PEOPLE. 

Salisbury, Albert C, son of Noyes, was born in Killawog, Broome county, June 
20, 1855, and when sixteen years old began life as a telegraph operator at Norwich, 
N. Y. He was afterward stationed at Waterville, and also at North Brpokfield, where 
he was station agent. In the spring of 1873 he came to Utica as night train dis- 
patcher for the D., L. & W. Railroad. A year later he went to Waterville as station 
agent, and after eighteen months returned to Utica as chief train dispatcher, which 
position he held until 1881, when he was made assistant division superintendent. In 
1892 he was promoted to superintendent. His active life has been spent in the em- 
ploy of the D., L. & W. Railroad Company and he has been identified with that cor- 
poration longer than any other man. He is vice-president of the Extension Car 
Step Company, which was incorporated in 1894, and is a member of Faxton Lodge 
F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter R. A. M. . Imperial Council R. A., and Arcanum and 
Fort Schuyler Clubs. In 1876 he married Sarah A., daughter of Deloss C. Terry of 
Sangerfield. 

Kuolt, Joseph, was born August 5, 1845, in Wurtemberg, Germany, was educated 
and learned the trades of painter, decorator, and stucco worker in his native city and 
followed them until 1866, when he was drafted as a solder and served in Austria- 
Prussian war. In 1867 he came to America and settled in Utica, where he followed 
painting until 1869. He then engaged in that business himself and at times em- 
ployed from twelve to fifteen hands. In April, 1873, he purchased a grocery store of 
the late George Haenl, at the junction of Varick street and Sunset avenue, and con- 
tinued this business for twenty years. In 1866 he purchased the woolen cloth de- 
partment of the widow of Mr. Haenl, and since 1893 has been a dealer in woolen 
cloth and tailors' trimmings exclusively. In 1892 he formed a partnership with his 
brother-in-law, William Rein, under the firm name of the Utica Paper Novelty Co., 
and since then has also carried on a large business in Deerfield manufacturing paper 
novelties, boxes, etc. Mr. Kuolt is president and one of the originators of the West 
Utica Improvement Association, a trustee and one of the founders of the Homestead 
Aid Association of Utica; a member of the German Lutheran Church since 1867 and 
one of its trustees since 18" 3, and was president of the Common Council about twelve 
years. April 17, 1873, he married Sophie C, daughter of John Rein, of Wurtem- 
burg, Germany. The)' have three children: Eugene J., Oscar W., and Sophie A. 

Breitenstein, George Frederick, was born in Rome, N. Y. , January 19, 1852, and 
is a son of Frederick Breitenstein, a native of Germany, who came with his family 
to Utica in 1854 and died here September 23, 1895, aged sixty-seven. George P. was 
educated in the public and private schools of Utica and when sixteen engaged in the 
meat business with his father, with whom he continued until 1874. He then opened 
a meat market for himself in State street and carried on business four years. In 
1878 he was appointed tillerman of hook and ladder truck number one, Utica fire de- 
partment, with which he has since been connected. He was promoted superintend- 
ent of the police and fire telegraph in May, 1895, and still holds that position. He 
is a member and was 'one of the organizers of the Firemen's Relief Association of 
Utica, and for a time served as one of its first trustees. August 19, 1874, he married 
Mary, daughter of John Heimberger, of Utica, and they have four children: Cora, 
Arthur, Grace and Pearl. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 349 

Tuigg, Edward D., son of David and' Julia Tuigg, was born in Ireland, December 

25, 1853, and came to America with his parents in 1855, setting in Utica, where his 
father died in 1888 and his mother in 1895. He was educated in the Utica public 
schools and the Christian Brothers Academy, and was employed in the railroad shops 
in Utica about two years. He then learned the plumber's trade with William H. 
Kavanagh and later with Edward Martin, remaining with the latter for sixteen 
years.' In 1885 he formed a partnership with William Dwyer and Patrick F. Quin- 
lan. as Dwyer, Quinlan & Co., and established his present business. Mr. Dwyer 
withdrew in 1886 and William Foley was admitted, and since then the firm has been 
Quinlan, Tuigg & Co. The firm does a general plumbing and gas and steam fitting 
business, and among the buildings in which their work appears are the residences of 
William T. and Thomas F. Baker, the Saturday Globe building. City Hall, Court 
House, the new State Armony, and many others. Mr. Tuigg is a member of the 
Knights of Honor. 

Mason, George C, was born March 30, 1845, in Norwich, Chenango county, and 
is a son of Hon. William N. Mason, a prominent lawyer, and United States commis- 
sioner, special county judge, etc. He was educated in the Norwich common schools 
and academy, and first learned the printer's trade, which he followed about three 
years in the Chenango Union office in Norwich. He then went west and entered the 
employ of James S. Waterman, a prominent banker and dealer in real estate in 
Sycamore, 111., with whom he remained about three years. Returning to Norwich 
he soon accepted a position with Walter M. Conkey, the first treasurer of the Mid- 
land Railroad, and about three years later engaged in mercantile business in Nor- 
wich, continuing till 1874. He then sold out, came to Utica and entered the employ 
of Owen, Pixley & Co., wholesale clothing manufacturers, and has been with Mr. 
Pixley in the same capacity ever since, being at present his bookkeeper. Mr. 
Mason was one of the organizers and is secretary and treasurer of the Kirkland 
Canning Company, and is a member of Faxton Loage No. 697, F. & A. M., and its 
master at the time of the laying of the corner stone and dedication of the Masonic 
Home. He is a member of Oneida Chapter, R. A. M., and of Fort Schuyler Coun- 
cil, R. A., and is president of the Arcanum Club of Utica. He was married June 

26, 1872, to Josephine Bliven, of Norwich, and they have one son, Charles B., a 
graduate of Cornell University, class of 1894. He won the scholarship in the post- 
graduate course in 1895, and was a prominent athlete, winning the welter weight 
prize in boxing, and being a member of the "Varsity foot ball team in 1894-95, play- 
ing in all the noted games of that year. He was also a member of the Glee 
Club that went to England in 1895, and is now a law student with Van Auken & 
Pitcher in Utica. 

Maloy, John F., son of Bernard and Mary (Kelley) Maloy, natives of County Fer- 
managh, Ireland, was born in Utica, August 9, 1854. His father, who for about 
forty years was gardener for Lewis H. Lawrence, died here March 4, 1891. He was 
educated in the Christian Brothers Academy, and became a clerk for H. J. Holbrook 
& Co., wholesale manufacturers of ladies' shoes, remaining with them twelve years, 
or until they went out of business. He then engaged in the grocery trade for two 
years, and in 1884 started his present restaurant. He is a member of the Knights 
of Honor and president of the Liquor Dealers' Association of Utica. October 27 



350 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

1881, he married Sarah J., daughter of William O'Reilly, of Utica, and their chil- 
dren are Leonard, William, John, Francis, Thomas, and Anna. 

Nugent, Patrick F. , was born in Ireland, March 17, 1845, learned the tailor's trade 
and came to America in 1863, settling in Utica. He followed his trade here as a 
journeyman until March, 1872, when he entered the employ of Griffiths, Roberts & 
Butler, wholesale clothing manufacturers, and remained with them twelve years, 
having charge as foreman of the manufactory. April 1, 1892, he accepted his pres- 
ent position as superintendent of the manufactory of Rockwell, Rhodes & Co., 
wholesale clothiers. In 1875 he married Mary E., daughter of Frank McHugh, of 
Utica, and they have four children: Agnes, Robert J., Thomas, and Frank. 

Swancott, Benjamin L., son of Philip, a native of Wales, England, was born in 
West Branch, in the town of Ava, Oneida county, August 20, 1848. His father was 
a tanner and currier, and settled in Ava about 1845, where he had a large tannery 
for many years. He was educated in the common schools of Morrisville, Caze- 
novia, and Brookfield, engaged first in farming, and learned and for nine vears fol- 
lowed the tanner's trade. In March, 1879, he came to Utica, and finally purchased 
a livery and boarding stable in Maiden lane, which he continued until the spring of 
1894, when he purchased his present livery stable in Washington street of M. M. & 
P. F. Martin. He is a member of Utica Lodge, F. & A. M. In December, 1867, he 
married Blendelia L., daughter of Charles P. Maxson, of Brookfield, Madison 
county, and they have two children : Frederick Eugene, who is associeted in busi- 
ness with his father, and Edna Pearl, who died at the age of five years. 

German, Jerome B., son of Daniel, was born in New Hartford, Oneida count)', 
August 30, 1855. Daniel German, a native of Welsh Pool, North Wales, came to 
America about 1836 and settled in New Hartford, where he died in 1881. He was an 
overseer in the cotton mills there for many years He married Jane Jones, who was 
born in Newtown. Wales' March 22, 1814, and who survives him. Their children 
were George, of Rochester, N. Y., and David, Salome, Mary J. (Mrs. Wayne 'E. 
Gifford), and Jerome B., all residents of New Hartford. Jerome B. German, the 
youngest, was graduated from the Utica Business College in 1871, and for about one 
year was bookkeeper for Sylvester Deering, a lumber dealer. He then held a similar 
position for four years in the knitting factory of ex-Senator S. S. Lowery, and dur- 
ing another four years was a clerk in the Utica post-office under Postmasters Clark 
and Stevens. In the fall of 1884 he engaged in the grocery business in New Hart- 
ford and successfully continued about five years. In 1893 he became a partner of 
the commission firm of H. H. Hurd & Co., grain, flour, and feed dealers, which was 
started at the present location, corner of Seneca and Liberty streets, about 1865. 
Mr. German was treasurer of the village of Hartford three years and was chorister 
of the M. E. church there about twelve years, being also secretary and treasurer of 
its Sunday school for more than that period. He resides in New Hartford though 
his business is in Utica. In 1877 he married Sarah R., daughter of Joseph P. Rich- 
ardson, the provost marshal at L T tica during the Civil war. They have two sons: 
Harold Richardson and Jerome Bradbury. 

Thomas, Frank E., is a son of Thomas R. and the junior member of the wholesale 
fruit and oyster firm of T. R. Thomas & Co. Thomas R. Thomas was born Septem- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 351 

ber 23, 1831, in Wales, England, where his father died, and came to America with 
his widowed mother in 1841, settling in Remsen, Oneida county. In 1849 he came 
to Utica and engaged in various employments until 1852, when he established a re- 
tail fruit business. In 1854 he started a wholesale and retail fruit and oyster 
establishment in Liberty street, and since about 1888 has done wholesaling ex- 
clusively. In 1854 he formed a partnership with David J. Evans, and from 1855 to 
1858 he continued alone. He then with T. H. Jones, formed the firm of Thomas & 
Jones, but was again alone from 1859 to 1881. He then took in his half-brother 
Griffith M. Jones, as a partner and continued till April, 1894, when Mr. Jones retired 
and his son, Frank E. Thomas came in as T. R. Thomas & Co. Mr. Thomas was 
alderman of the Second ward from 1870 to 1874, was charity commissioner about 
eight years, is a director in the City National Bank, a member of Utica Lodge 
F. & A. M. since 1856 and its trustee for twenty three years, and member of Oneida 
Chapter R. A. M. and of Utica Commandery K. T. May 4, 1858, he married Mary 
A., daughter of John Richards, of Utica, and they have had five children of whom 
two are living: Clara M. (Mrs. Beriah G. Williams) and Frank E., both of Utica. 

Gammel, George W., was born in Utica February 22, 1862, and is a son of Robert 
Gammel, who was born in Germany April 21, 1822, came to Utica in 1853 and died 
here February 13, 1895. Robert established the present restaurant business of his 
somnl860. Hehadcome to Americam 1848 because of the German revolution in which 
he was an active patriot. He married Emilie Baruschkey, who was born in Ger- 
many January 1, 1823, and of their twelve children four are living viz- Charles 
George W., and Mrs. Will H. Roberts, of Utica, and Robert W., of Cleveland Ohio' 
Charles served for two years in the war of the Rebellion as a member of the 11th 
N. Y. Cav. His brother, William, enlisted at the age of fourteen in Co. H 146th 
N. Y. Vols., being the youngest man to enlist from Oneida county, and was killed at 
the battle of White Oak Swamp in 1865, after serving gallantly for two and one-half 
years. George W. Gammel was reared in his father's business and in 1880 became 
his partner under the firm name of Robert Gammel & Son. In 1883 the senior mem- 
ber retired and since then he has continued the business alone. He is a member of 
the Elks, I. O. O. F., Order of Harrugari, the German Literary Society the Utica 
Turn Verein, the Maennechor, and the German Mutual Benvolent Association In 
1893 he married Phebe, daughter of John Z. Brown, of Frankfort, N. Y. 

Kernan, Hon. William, was born September 4, 1831, in the town of Tyrone Steu- 
ben county, and is'a son of William and Rose A. (Stubbs) Kernan. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools of that town and at the academy in Utica, where he set- 
tled in 1850. He read law with his brother, Hon. Francis Kernan, and brother-in- 
law, George E. Quinn, and was admitted to the bar in Utica in January, 1857. Be. 
gan the practice of his profession as a member of the firm of Kernan Ouinn & Ker- 
nan. Mr. Quinn died in August, 1863, and the firm continued as F & W Kernan 
until 1867 when it became W. & J. D. Kernan. In 1883 J. D. Kernan, having been 
appointed railroad commissioner, the present firm of W. & N. E. Kernan was organ- 
ized. This is one of the strongest law firms in Central New York. Mr. Kernan 
was school commissioner of Utica five terms, and is a trustee of the Utica Water 
Works Company, a member and trustee of St. John's church and a member of Fort 
Schuyler Club. In September, 1862, he married Frances E. Warnick, daughter of 



352 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Leslie A. Warnick, of Utica, and they have seven children: Ellen W., Leslie A., 
John B., Edward, James, William, jr., and Warnick. Leslie W. Kernanwas admit- 
ted to the bar in 1890 and immediately afterward became a member of the firm of 
W. & N. E. Kernan. 

Pitcher, Herbert D., son of D wight C. and Phebe A. Pitcher, was born October 13, 
1860, in Boonville, Oneida county, where his paternal grandfather became a very 
early settler. He was graduated from Boonville Academy, read law in Utica with 
Cookinham & Sherman, and was admitted to the bar at Syracuse in 1888. Since 
then he has been a law partner of Myron W. Van Auken, the firm name being Van 
Auken & Pitcher. 

Thomas, Rees E. , was born in Landilofawr, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, June 
30, 1857, was graduated from Llandovery College in 18T6, read law in his native vil- 
lage with J. Prothero Lewis until December, 1879, and then came to America, set- 
tling in Utica, where in March, 1880, he entered the law office of W. & J. D. Ker- 
nan. He was admitted to the bar at Utica general term in April, 1886, but contin- 
ued as managing clerk for his preceptors and their successors until January, 1890, a 
period of nine years, when he opened his present office. He makes a specialty of 
real estate and title law. In January. 1890, with George D. Frank as a partner, he 
organized the Central New York Abstract and Title Company, which he has con- 
ducted alone since 1894. He is somewhat active in Democratic political circles and 
was attorney for the Excise Board of the city in 1891, 1892 a id 1893. He is a mem- 
ber and past master of Faxton Lodge No. 697 F. & A. M., a member and past grand 
of Oneida lodge No. 70, I. O. O. F. ; a member and past chief patriarch of Tri- 
Mount Encampment No. 24, I. O. O. F, ; a member of Canton Utica No. 23, I. O. O. F. ; 
and past district deputy grand master and past district deputy grand patriarch of 
the Grand Lodge of the State. He is past regent of Fort Schuyler Council No. 404 
R. A., and past district deputy grand regent. He is a member of Oneida Chapter 
No. 57, R. A. M., past sachem of Teugaga Tribe No. 138, I. O. R. M., past district 
deputy and past grand representative for the State of New York to the Grand Coun- 
cil of the United States, a charter member and the first and present secretary of the 
Masonic Club of Utica, a member of Utica Lodge Knights of Honor and Our Coun- 
cil Home Circle, and a member of the Utica Mannerchor. June 22, 1879, he was 
married in Wales to Mary Anna Williams, and they have five children living: Mabel 
Anna, Sarah Llewelyn, Herbert Francis, Harold Pryse and Tudor Lloyd. 

Rogers, J. Frank, one of the most energetic practitioners at the Utica bar, was 
sworn in as an attorney and counselor at law at Buffalo, N. Y., in June, 1881, and 
the December following opened an office in the city of Utica, where he has since 
practiced his profession, early acquiring a large clientage. He is a studious and a 
painstaking counselor, a keen examiner of witnesses in the trial of a cause, and a 
forceful speaker to court and jury. Mr. Rogers was born in Ripley, Somerset 
county, Maine, June 20, 1846, son of John S. and Elizabeth (Grant) Rogers. He ob- 
tained his education at the High School in Springfield, Mass., and afterward learned 
the watchmaker and jeweler's trade and worked at it steadily for eleven years, being 
employed during that period at the Howard Watch Factory at Boston, by the Amer- 
ican Watch Company at Waltham, Mass., and the Hampden Watch Company at 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 353 

Springfield, Mass In 1869 he removed to Ilion, N. Y., where he was employed by 
O. B. Rudd. In 1875 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he held for 
four years, and has been attorney for the Excise Board of Utica for three years. 
August 23, 1871, Mr. Rogers married Anna M., daughter Of P. A. Skiff, of Frankfort, 
Herkimer county. She died August 25, 1895. 

Coupe, James, was born in the town of Frankfort, Herkimer county, about four 
miles southeast of Utica, and is a son of James Coupe. When he was six years old 
his father and family removed to the homestead about two miles from Utica, on the 
Minden turnpike, in the town of New Hartford, where he remained till about 
twenty-two years of age. His father died when he was thirteen, leaving his mother 
with five sons and five daughters. He entered the law office of John F. Seymour, of 
Utica, and there completed his law studies. Having been admitted to the bar, he, 
with his brother, Henry F., formed the law firm of Henry F. & James Coupe, with 
offices at 166 Genesee street, where they have since continued. The firm has been 
engaged in the practice of law in all its branches, except that in the marine courts, 
both civil and criminal. They have tried many important criminal cases as well as 
causes of civil action ; several cases were for capital crimes. Perhaps the most 
noted one was the defense of Michael Cafaldo, who was charged with having in the 
night shot a co-workman in the village of Remsen, Oneida county, and resulted in 
acquittal of defendant. Another case was that of the People vs. Laaze, a French- 
man, who murdered his wife with an axe some distance west of Rome. The de- 
fense was successful in that the defendant, instead of being found guilty in the first 
degree, was found guilty in the second degree and sentenced to Auburn for life. 
Still another case was the defense in the People vs. McElwaine, which rose out of 
the escape of O'Brien in 1895. This was the first of the defendants tried, who were 
acquitted. During the trial great public interest was taken and much excitement 
prevailed, and at the time it was said to have been one of the greatest trials ever 
held in the court house in Utica. They also engaged in the trial of many other im- 
portant criminal cases and a very large number of civil actions in various courts of 
this county and other counties in the State, in all of which success has followed. 
Henry F. Coupe, senior member of the firm, was special city judge of Utica and has 
also served as one of the city school commissioners. During his term the school 
system of Utica was revised and many changes and improvements made. The old 
system was entirely abandoned and a course of studies laid out which conformed to 
the most improved method of education and has since prevailed. James Coupe was 
corporation counsel one term and is now acting as a member of the police and fire 
commission of the city. Both are Democrats and have been very active in politics, 
and have always taken much interest in the public welfare of the city. James 
Coupe was urged to accept the nomination for mayor on several occasions, but has 
eschewed public office. Henry F. married Miss Mary Sweeney, of New Hartford, 
and they have three children. 

Mclncrow, Richard W., son of William and Maria A. (Thornbury) Mclncrow, was 
born in Utica, June 15, 1839. His father came from Cashel, County Tipperary, Ire- 
land, to Deerfield, Oneida county, when ten years of age, and died in Utica, in 1861. 
Mr. Mclncrow was graduated from the Utica Free Academy in 1857, read law with 
Kernan, Quinn & Kernan, and was admitted to the bar at Syracuse in October, 1860. 



354 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

He practiced in the office of his preceptors until March, 1862, when he formed apart 
nership with J. Thomas Spriggs, as Spriggs and Mclncrow, which continued until 
March, 1870. Since then he has practiced alone, and as a lawyer enjoys a wide 
reputation. He has been in Democratic politics and was city attorney in 1866. His 
brother, Thomas S., was clerk of the city of Utica for seventeen years. 

Boss, Joseph, son of Peter, was born August 23, 1860, in Utica, where his father 
still resides, coming here from Germany about 1845. He was for four years in the 
employ of Sherwood & Hemmens, tobacco dealers, for another four years with the 
U. S. Express Company, and for eight years with the old baggage express firm of 
Dunn& Lent, having charge of their business during the last two years. In Janu- 
ary, 1887, he established his present baggage express and livery business. Mr. Boss 
was married in 1886 to Matilda Briggs, of Mohawk Hill, Lewis county, and they 
have two children : Joseph John and Helen Mergret. 

Doolittle. Henry A., was born at Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., May 22, 1857. He 
went to Utica in 1873 and entered the employ of F. H. & G. W. Shepherd, dry goods 
dealers, where he remained several years. He studied law in the office of Senator 
Francis Kernan, and was graduated from the Hamilton College Law School in April, 
1878, at which time he was duly admitted to practice. Since his admission to the 
bar he has practiced his profession at Utica, and is now the senior member 
of the firm of Doolittle & Hazard. Mr. Doolittle was supervisor of the Eighth ward 
of the city in 1883. In 1883-84-85 he was the examiner of guardians' accounts, un r 
der Van Dresar & Bliss. He was attorney for the Board of Excise of LTtica in 1884 
and 1885. Mr. Doolittle is largely interested in real estate and in various business 
enterprises. He is president of the Utica Fire Extinguisher Company, and treas- 
urer and general manager of the Baker-Rose Gold Cure Company, both of which 
corporations have their principal place of business at Utica. 

Chase, Dr. Charles E. , was born in Utica, N. Y. , May 6, 1851, the son of Ira and 
Alma (Hyatt) Chase. He received his education in the public schools of the city and 
at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, graduating from the latter institution 
in 1873. He opened an office in Utica that year, where he has since practiced his 
profession. January 18, 1882, Dr. Chase married Cornelia M. Francis, by whom he 
had two children : Francis Temple, and Eleanor Gertrude Chase. Dr. Chase is a 
member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the State and County Homeo- 
pathic Medical societies, and has been the attending physician of the House of the 
Good Shepherd, a hospital for children, for many years. He is also a member of the 
staff of the Home Hospital. Dr. Chase is a member of the Arcanum Club. 

Davies, John S., was born in Wales, England, March 25, 1851, learned the mer- 
chant tailor's trade in London with the noted firm of Squires & Son in Saville Row, 
and came to America and settled in Utica in May, 1874. He followed his trade here 
until 1880, when he established his present merchant tailoring business. He is a 
member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., Utica Commandery, No. 3, K. T., 
and the Mystic Shrine. He has been a member of the choir of Westminster church 
for several years. 

Horsey, Dr, George F-, son of Edward, was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 355 

August 81, 1846, and received his education in the public schools of his native city. 
His father, a native of England, was a government architect, came to Canada in 
1839, and died in Kingston in 1869. Dr. Horsey studied dentistry with Dr. B. W. 
Day, of Kingston, was graduated from Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, 
at Toronto, March 5, 1875, and began practice in Chicago. In 1878 he came to 
Utica and practiced about ten years. He was the first dentist outside of New York 
city to take up the practice of crown and bridge work, beginning in 1882. In 1887 
he went to Mexico and spent a few months instructing dentists in that work, and in 
1888 returned to Utica. In May of the same year he went to South America' and in- 
structed dentists in Buenos Ayres, Monteviedo, and Rio de Janeiro. He thence went 
to London and practiced a short time and returned to Utica in January, 1890. In 
the fall he went to Mexico for his health and remained three years, practicing most 
of the time. He again returned to Utica in 1893 and since then has followed opera- 
tive dentistry. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M., of Kings- 
ton. June 20, 1878, he married Harriet L. Tuttle, a native of Watertown, N Y., 
and their children are Burton T., George F.. jr., Edward Noyes and Julia T.' 

Babcock, Mrs. G. D., born Elizabeth Clark, of Poughkeepsie, is the widow of the 
late George Denison Babcock, whom she married in 1843. They had six children, 
but only one daughter is living, who is the wife of Frank C. Ogden. Mr. Babcock 
was a representative of an old Connecticut family, and a son of Denison Babcock, who 
settled in New Hartford, where George D. was born in 1818, during the latter' part 
of the last century, being a central figure in the development of the town. Mr. 
Babcock was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, to which he was 
united when twelve years of age, and where he was for many years a faithful teacher 
in the Sabbath school. His death occurred in 1874. 

Titus, E., was born at Forge Hollow in 1856, son of Hosea B. and Harmony (New- 
ton) Titus. Hosea Titus was also a native of Forge Hollow, and was a member of 
the Central New York Farmers' Club, and also conducts the forge at Forge Hollow, 
which was established by William Titus, his father, in 1800. Mr. E. Titus married 
Minerva Buckingham, by whom he had three children: Florence, Anna and Ruth. 

Melvin, Cutler, was born in the town of Marshall, N. Y. , April 5, 1841, son of James 
and Harmony Melvin. His grandfather, James Melvin, was a native of England. 
Mr. Melvin has been engaged in farming all his life and owns a fine farm of 237 
acres. He is one of the leading farmers of Marshall. He married Ellen Snell, by 
whom he has a family of two sons and two daughters. 

Porter, N. W., was born in the town of Augusta, N. Y., February 12, 1850, son of 
Aaron and Paulina (Vaughan) Porter. The family originally came from Connecti- 
cut, and his grandfather, Reuben, was one of the early settlers in this section. Mr. 
Porter was engaged in farming for twenty years, after which he embarked in the 
hotel business and is one of the most successful in the county. In 1868 he married 
Favorite Miller, by whom he had three children : Adelbert, who married Elsie Gard- 
ner, and assists his father in the hotel business in the Hamilton House at Deansboro; 
Mrs. Bowner, and Mrs. Hawkins. 

Davis, Evan J., was born in Madison county, November 1, 1844, son of Daniel M. 



356 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

and Mary (Jones) Davis. The family came originally from North Wales in 1840. 
He learned the trade of carpenter, and subsequently engaged in farming. He is one 
of the progressive men of Marshall, and has been assessor of the town and commis- 
sioner of highways, and has also been a member of the Republican county com- 
mittee for eight years. In 1865 Mr. Davis married Phoebe Austin, by whom he 
has two children: Ellis J., married to Minnie Stafford, and Ruth Edna Davis. 

Clark, O. Arthur, M. D., was born in the town of Bridgewater, N. Y., August 13, 
1868. He was educated at the Brookfield Academy, and Baltimore Medical College, 
from which he was graduated April 17, 1894, standing first in a class of ninety-seven 
graduates, and carried off the honors of his class. He is a son of Orrin A. and Mary 
A. (Spencer) Clark. May 29, 1894, he married Jessie R., daughter of Richard and 
Frances Palmer of Brookfield. Dr. Clark has established a practice in Deansville 
and stands high in his profession as well as public favor. 

Young, Thomas P., was born in Orange county, N. Y. , December 18, 1818, son of 
Shaw and Hannah (Drummond) Young, natives of Norwalk, Conn. Mrs. Young 
lived to be 102 years of age. His grandfather, William Young, was from Northeast, 
Conn., and his grandmother was from Cape Cod, and was of old Puritan stock. 
Thomas P. Young came to the town of Marshall in 1834, and has resided on his pres- 
ent farm for forty-five years. In 1844 he married Mary Ann Millard, by whom he 
has two daughters: Mrs. Julius Day of Deansboro, and Harriet Young. 

Sexton, Michael H., son of Patrick and Margaret (Conway) Sexton, natives of 
County Clare, Ireland, was born in Waterville, Oneida county, May 19, 1859. His 
parents came to this country wljen children, and were married in Corning, N. Y. 
They finally settled permanently in Waterville, where Mrs. Sexton died October 11, 
1879. Mr. Sexton is a stone mason by trade, and now resides in Utica. Of their 
eight children five are living. Michael H. Sexton was educated in Waterville Acad- 
emy, in St. Joseph's College in Otawa, Canada, and spent two years in Will- 
iston Seminary, in Easthampton, Mass. He went from Williston Seminary 
to Hamilton College, but did not graduate. At the age of sixteen he bought 
his time from his father, and immediately began the task of obtaining an edu- 
cation. With no capital excepting honesty, and no influence excepting that born 
of a grim determination, he began his career of self education. He left Hamilton 
College and taught school at Brothertown, Oneida county, to acquire funds, and for a 
short time thereafter read law in Waterville with E. H. Lamb, and again went upon 
the farm, and there continued until the fall of 1883, at which time he came to Utica, 
and commenced the study of law in the office of R. O. & J. G. Jones, and later fin- 
ished his clerkship with Hon. W. T. Dunmore, and in January, 1887, was admitted 
to the bar. Notwithstanding the fact that his studies, both literary and legal, were 
frequently interrupted by work on the farm or in teaching school to supply the 
needed funds for continued effort, he was admitted on his first examination at the 
end of his clerkship. After his admission he formed a co-partnership with Judge 
Dunmore, which continued until 18S9, since which time he has practiced alone. 
Though his family and relatives are Democrats, Mr. Sexton has always been a 
staunch Republican, and in 1887 was nominated for member of assembly for the 
Utica district, but was defeated by a very small majority by J. Harry Kent. Since 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 357 

then he has acquired considerable prominence as a stump speaker and campaign 
orator. He is pre eminently a self-made man, and since coming to Utica a poor boy 
has accumulated a fair competency. He is of an inventive turn of mind and has se- 
cured letters patent on two or three appliances which promise much success. He is 
a member of the Elks, and of the I. O. of R. M., and as a gifted writer and a tal- 
ented elocutionist, has won a very good reputation. He is very successful in his 
chosen profession, and a bright future is predicted for him by his associates at the 
bar. April 20, 1887, he married Mattie F. Creagan, of Utica, and their children are 
Marguerite, Warren M., and Howard P. 

Churchill, George Clarence, son of Alfred, was born in Utica April 14, 1829. Al- 
fred Churchill, born at Chatham, Conn.. August 29, 1790, removed with his father, 
Daniel, to the town of Richfield, Otsego county, N. Y. , in the year 1795, and came 
to Utica in 1826, where he died January 10, 1865. He served the city several years 
as alderman, and for over thirty years was owner and proprietor of Bagg's Hotel. 
He married Miss Emma, daughter of Matthew Derbyshire of Hartwick, Otsego 
county, N. Y., who died August 26, 1866. Their children were: Alfred Derbyshire, 
died December 27, 1853; George Clarence, Charlotte D., died February 26, 1834. 
George Clarence Churchill was educated at the Utica Academy and in 1851 was 
graduated from Rutgers College, N. J. He then spent three years as a civil engi- 
neer, after which he became a student in the law office of Mann & Edmonds, of 
Utica. He was admitted to the bar at Watertown, N. Y. , in 1857. He is a director 
in the Second National Bank, the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, Mohawk Valley Cotton 
Company and the Utica Water Works Company, and trustee of the Savings Bank of 
Utica, the Utica Female Academy and the Y. M. C. A. In 1861 he married Miss 
Annie S., daughter of Hervey Brayton, of Rome, N. Y., and they have one daughter 
living — Annie Churchill, wife of Edward D. Mathews, of Utica. 

Sink, William W., was born in Utica, N. Y., October 1, 1853, son of William and 
Sarah Sink. William Sink was educated in Utica, N. Y. He engaged in the rail- 
road business at the age of seventeen, and was employed in Utica eight years, after 
which he went to Little Falls and then came to Oriskany in 1881, where he has been 
engaged as station and express agent, also freight and ticket agent. Mr. Sink is 
school trustee in Oriskany, where he has served on the board for nine years. He 
married Jennie Thomas of Chittenango, N. Y., by whom he has two children Sey- 
mour and Anna. Mr. Sink is a member of the I. O. O. F., Schuyler Lodge No. 147 
of Utica, and is a vestryman of the Episcopal church at Oriskany, of which his wife 
is a member. 

MacGarrity, James H., born in Ogdensburg. N. Y., September 6, 1862, was edu- 
cated and for several, years clerked in shoe and dry goods stores in his native city. 
In 1880 he became the city ticket agent for the R., W. & O. and Utica & Black River 
Railroads, and about 1881 went to Watertown to accept a position in the general 
offices of these companies, which at that time pooled their passenger business. In 
October, 1883, he came to Utica as a clerk for the West Shore Railroad and later 
held a similar post in the New York Central office. Upon the consolidation of these 
lines on May 1, 1887, he became the Utica city passenger agent for the D. L. & W. 
Railroad Company, which position he still holds. He is a prominent member of the 
Arcanum Club. 



358 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Eynon, Dr. David Slade, son of John, was born in Utica, March 17, 1863. John 
Eynon was born in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, South Wales, England, in October, 
1816, settled permanently in Utica in 1846, where he died in August, 1886. His wife, 
Esther E. Williams, born in South Wales in 1835. survives him. Their children 
were Dr. David S. of Utica; Dr. William G., of New York city; and John S., of 
Boston, Mass. Dr. David S. Eynon was educated in the Utica public schools and 
academy. He read medicine with Dr. James Garrettson of Philadelphia, and Dr. 
Wallace Clark, of Utica, was graduated as M. D. from the Medico-Chirurgical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia in 1886, and spent some time in the Orthopedic Hospital of that 
city. In 1887 he began practice in Ashland, Wis., and came to Utica in 1890. In 
1891, 1892, and 1893 he took post-graduate courses in the New York Eye and Ear 
Infirmary, the New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute under Dr. Knapp, and the 
Will's Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, and since 1892 has made a specialty of diseases 
of the eye and ear. He is secretary of the Oneida County Medical Society, a member 
and formerly treasurer of the Utica Medical Library Association, a member and ex- 
president of the Utica Medical Club, a member of Faxton Lodge F. & A. M., and 
the Masonic Club, and a member of the medical staffs of St. Elizabeth's and Faxton 
Hospitals and the Masonic Home. August 26, 1887, he married Mary, daughter of 
Dr. J. G. Parshall, of Cooperstown, N.Y., whodied Decembers, 1892, leavingorre son, 
Stuart. May 6, 1896, he married, second, Anna J., daughter of Dr. George Seymour, 
of Utica. 

McElhinney, Daniel E., was born in Marshall, Oneida, county, N. Y , November 
24, 1853. His father, William J. McElhinney, was born in Ireland, and came to this 
country in 1848, settling in Marshall, N. Y. He died in February, 1890, aged seventy- 
three years. His wife, Margaret, survives him, being now sixt)'-three years of age. 
In early life Daniel E. followed the occupation of farming with his grandfather, the 
late Daniel Shields, in the town where he was born. He was educated at the com- 
mon schools of that place, and afterward taught school there and at Sangerfield for 
four years, engaging during vacation in clerking and canvassing for the sale 
of books, continuing his clerkship for some time. In 1891 he engaged in the 
mercantile business at Oriskany Falls, conducting a general store under the firm 
name of D. E. McElhinney & Co., which he continued until in November, 1893, 
when he was appointed postmaster. Mr. McElhinney has occupied many important 
town and village offices, and is now chief of the Oriskany Fire Department, in which 
he takes a great interest. 

Doolittle, Hon. Charles A., was born in Utica September 22, 1849. Hon. Charles 
H. Doolittle, his father, was a son of Dr. Harvey Doolittle, of Herkimer, and was 
born in that village February 19, 1816. He was graduated from Amherst College in 
1836, read law with Simeon Ford, of Little Falls, and later with Denio & Hunt, of 
Utica, and was admitted in 1839. He soon became one of the foremost lawyers in 
Central New York. In 1869 he was elected a justice of the Supreme Court and ably 
filled that office until his death, which occurred at sea, May 21, 1874. He 
was a member of the common council of Utica in 1839, 1844, and 1845, and mayor of 
the city in 1853. He was also president of the Oneida County National Bank, a 
manager of the Utica State Hospital, and a vestryman of Grace church. He mar- 
ried Miss Julia T. Shearman, of Rochester, N. Y., and their children living are Hon. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 359 

Charles A., Mrs. A. Coxe, William S., Julius T., and Miss Isabel, all of Utica. 
Charles A. Doolittle was graduated with the degree of A. B. from Amherst College 
in 1872 and received the degree of LL. B. from Hamilton College in 1875, after read- 
ing law in Utica with Adams & Swan. He was admitted to the bar at Syracuse in 
1875 and began practice as a member of the firm of Adams, Swan & Doolittle. He 
was appointed United States commissioner of jurors by Judge Blatchford, served as 
mayor of Utica in 1883 and 1884, and as a director in the Oneida County Bank and 
an original direector of the American District Telegraph Company of Utica, now 
the Central Telephone Company. He was a vestryman of St. Paul's church, Utica, 
and is a charter member of Fort Schuyler Club. 

Keith, Myron, was born in Madison county, January 9, 1825, son of John and Sarah 
(Mason) Keith. His grandfather, John Keith, came from Connecticut, and was a 
Revolutionary soldier; and his grandfather, Ezra Mason, was a native of Massachu- 
setts. Mr. Keith engaged in farming in Oneida county for thirty-four years. In 
1852 he married Sabra L. Kinney, by whom he has two children Wayne V. Keith, who 
married a Miss Gruman, and Nettie Keith. Mr. Keith was justice of the peace 
for sixteen years, a longer period than any other man in Marshall. 

Yale, J. Palmer, was born in Munnsville, Madison county, October 20, 1852, son of 
John and Sarah A. Yale. John Yale died October 4 1884, and Sarah A., his' wife, 
is still livingat the advanced age of seventy-eight. J. Palmer Yale studied lawforthree 
years from 1876 to 1879 with S. H. Babcock of Utica. He then went to Wisconsin 
and engaged in farming until 1883, in which year he came to Waterville, and he 
resides on a farm that has been in the Yale family for seventy five years. In 1883 
Mr. Yale married Mary A. Carpenter, by whom he has two children; Isabelle and 
Charles. 

Bartlett, Dr. Howard G., was born at Lee Center, Oneida county, November 5, 
1863, a son of John Bartlett, who was also born at Lee Center, July 26, 1832. The 
ancestors were from Massachusetts and Connecticut, and came to this county about 
1820. John Bartlett married Dolly N. Hodge, by whom he had two children: Minnie 
L., wife of James A. Corey; and Howard G., who remained on the farm with his 
father until he was seventeen years of age, and attended the district schools. He 
was graduated from the Clinton Grammar school, after which he began the study 
of medicine, and in 1885 entered Bellevue College, where he remained until 1888. 
In 1891 he was graduated from Long Island Hospital, and began the practice of his 
profession at Oriskany, N. Y., where he remained until 1894, since which time he 
has been located in the village of Clinton. He married Anna Luther, of Cazenovia, 
N. Y 

Pratt, Charles T., was born at Clark Mills, N. Y., September 25, 1859, son of 
Henry and Julia (Carleton) Pratt. He began for himself as a machinist in Clark 
Mills, and after spending three years there, he was employed as foreman in the shop 
of the Utica Cotton Mills at New Hartford, N. Y., for five years; after which he had 
charge of the Hunter & Babcock Mfg. Co.'s mills at Washington Mills, N. Y., for 
two years. After spending two years at Albany, he went to Nashville, Tenn. , tak- 
ing charge of the mechanical department of the Lewis & Babcock Mfg. Co., and in 
1890 organized the Pratt Chuck Co., of which he is president. Mr. Pratt designed 



360 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

all the fine machinery with which the shops are equipped, and has eleven different 
patents on drill chucks, as well as many on different devices. In 1887 he married 
Julia Durrenbeck. 

Hermant, Ernest T., was born in France, February 23, 1840, son of Cassimere and 
Clementine Hermant, natives of France, who came to Utica in 1856 and thence to 
Deerfield, where they reside, he at the age of seventy-eight, and she at the age of 
eight)'. He is a wheelwright and blacksmith, and for a number of years carried on 
the business at Deerfield with his son Edward T., who still runs the shop, Mr. Her- 
mant having retired a few years ago. Ernest T. was educated in France, and Will- 
iams's private school at Utica. He engaged in farming for three years, selling out 
in 1873. In 1884 he bought seven acres, to which he has added six acres, and all of 
which he cultivates as a market garden. He carried on a greenhouse business at 
Deerfield from 1885 to 1894, when he rented his business to Mr. Soller. " September 
11, 1870. he married Mary, daughter of George Pfluger of Deerfield, a native of 
Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hermant have four children: Flora, Theodore C, William 
E., and Leo M. He is a member of Skenandoa Lodge, No. 95, I. O. O. F., and also 
of the Church of the Redeemer at Utica, N. Y. 

Davis, George, was born in West Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., July 33, 1828, and 
came with his parents to this town when thirteen years of age. He was educated 
in the common schools, and afterwards engaged in farming which he followed until 
he retired. December 27. 1857, he married Lavina A. Swan, of Lenox, Madison 
county. Mr. Davis's father, Jonathan Davis, was born in New Jersey in 1798. He 
was educated there, and was also a farmer. In 1822 he came to this State and 
located in Lewis county. He married Mary M. Allen of West Turin, by whom he 
had two children : George, as above, and Ann S. , now Mrs. Bowers of Whitesboro. 
Mr. Davis died February 23, 1876, and his wife January 17, 1888. Mrs. Davis was 
the sixth in descent from Samuel Allen of England. Her father, Ebenezer Allen, 
was born in Connecticut in 1769, and came with an ox team and cart in company 
with James Allen, in 1796, through the Mohawk Valley to Utica, which city then had 
only nineteen log houses. Mrs. Davis's sister, Lavina, married William Guest, of 
New London, and resides on the Davis homestead with Mr. and Mrs. Davis. Mr. 
Guest is a member of the Masouic lodge of Canastota, No. 331, F. & A. M. Mr. 
Davis's grandfather, Samuel Davis, was born in Kentucky in 1768. He married 
Marj', daughter of Governor Gordon of that State. Mrs. George Davis's father, 
Alonzo Swan, was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., June 4, 1803. 
He married Phoebe Earl, by whom he had eight children, two of whom died in 
infancy: Alonzo E., Emily B., Mortimer R., Martha E., Lavina A., as above, and 
John A. Both father and mother are dead. The ancestry of the family is Welsh 
and Scotch. 

Cochran, John M. , is a native of Oneida county, where he has resided, and all of 
his business life has been spent in Oneida village. He was born in Durhamville, N. 
Y. , in 1859, and was educated in Oneida until sixteen years of age. His father. Rev. 
Andrew Cochran, was born in Chautauqua county in 1817, and was for thirty-five 
years pastor of the Presbyterian church at Oneida Castle. He was a man whose 
christian character made him beloved and revered by all who knew him. He built 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 361 

up a flourishing society and in 1884 erected a new church edifice, which was dedi- 
cated the " Cochran Memorial Church." Mr. Cochran prepared for the ministry at 
the Princeton Theological Seminary, and began his labors when thirty two years of 
age, his first charge being at Durhamville. His wife, Catherine More, of Durham- 
ville, is now living at Oneida Castle. Rev. Mr. Cochran died in 1886. After receiv- 
ing his education, John M. Cochran engaged as clerk in Oneida with Randall & 
Barker, dry goods dealers, and remained in that position for a period of twelve years, 
and at the end of that time he had saved enough to purchase the business from the 
partners, and which he has since conducted, building up a prosperous trade. He 
married Marilla, daughter of C. A. and Adelia Wells, by whom he has one son, C. 
Wells Cochran, born February 11, 1895. 

Candee, J. W. — The late William Candee was born in Sangerfield, N. Y., May 16, 
1831, and was a lawyer by profession. He married Lucia Newberry, of Detroit, 
Mich., by whom he had four children: Lucia Clark, wife of W. S. Hawkins, Kate 
Louise, Julius Warner and W. H. Candee (deceased). Mrs. Candee's father, Julius 
Newberry, was a merchant of Detroit, Mich. The family all belonged to Sanger- 
field but Julius and Oliver, who moved to Detroit, Mich., where Oliver was a cele- 
brated boat builder. He built the Michigan, the largest steamboat at that time on 
the lakes. He participated in the Black Hawk war and the war of 1812. Walter 
Loomis Newberry was born in Connecticut in 1804 and was one of the founders of 
the Young Men's Library of Chicago. Amasa Stoughton Newberry was a well 
known agriculturist of Sangerfield, and served in the State Assembly. He was 
also vice-president of the Waterville Bank before it became a national bank, and he 
died April 15, 1858. Julius Warner Candee, the only representative of the family, 
is a young man of twenty-two years, who resides with his mother. He was edu- 
cated at the St. John's Military School and at schools at Linwood, and is a member 
of the Pickwick Club and his college societies. William Candee died in March, 1886. 

Gorton, F. T., M. D., was born in Brookfield. Madison county, N. Y., October 22, 
1843, son of Thomas Rogers and Prudence (Treat) Gorton. His great-grandfather, 
Samuel Gorton, settled in Brookfield in 1776, and was an officer in the Revolutionary 
War. F. T. Gorton was educated at Whitestown and Cazenovia. He attended 
medical lectures at the Michigan University and was graduated from the University 
Medical College of New York City in 1871, after which he commenced practice in 
Waterville and established a high reputation in medical circles. He is a member of 
the Oneida County Medical Society, and has been coroner of the county two terms. 
He has also been village trustee two terms, and was United States pension exam- 
iner from January, 1872, until October 1, 1893. Dr. Gorton married Alida C, daugh- 
ter of C. A. Budlong of Cassville, N. Y. , by whom he has one son and two daugh- 
ters. 

Maher Brothers. — The six brothers who comprise this enterprising firm are a part 
of Oneida county, interested in its progress, alive to all its interests, and active in 
every movement projected for its material advancement. All are natives of Carlow, 
Ireland — the senior partner, John L. Maher, being born December 1, 1856; William, 
September 21, 1860; James P., December 31, 1862; Thomas J., June 5, 1865; Edward 
J., October 20, 1868; and Laurence P., September 29, 1869. The death of are- 



362 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

spected father in 1870 left eight small children, among whom were two daughters, 
one being Sister Mary Laurence, now of the Convent of Mercy, Greenbush, N. Y., 
the other the wife of Dr. H. E. Brown, of Utica. This presented a difficult task to 
a devoted mother with moderate means. After a short business training in Dublin 
John L., in 1874, came to America, where his uncle, the late Edward Maher, well 
and favorably known to the older residents of Utica, was engaged in the clothing 
trade. Securing ready employment he steadily forged ahead, and in 1880 formed a 
copartnership with his uncle under the firm name of E. Maher & Co. In 187S James 
P. joined his brother and on the death of their mother in 1881 all the remaining chil- 
dren came to Utica. Soon after the death of Edward Maher in 1866 the six brothers 
established the present firm of Maher Brothers, first at 44 Genesee street and in 1893 
at 56 and 57 Franklin square. Here they have one of the largest and finest clothing 
establishments between New York and Buffalo, occupying four stories, or an area of 
more than 20,000 square feet. Their business has grown to very large proportions 
and covers several branches, including those of manufacturing and jobbing. Other 
stores are being established by the firm in adjacent cities, leaving the one in L'tica 
as a center. Their business has been conducted from the first along those honorable 
and progressive lines which insure success and obtain the best practical results, and 
theirs is to-day one of the representative institutions of the county. But it is as pub- 
lic spirited and enterprising citizens that each member of the firm has acquired a 
reptuation that is as commendable as it is permanent. Imbued with a laudable 
patriotism for their adopted country they have on several occasions exemplified that 
spirit which is dear to the hearts of native-born Americans. Their effort during the 
recent State encampment of the G. A. R. was noteworthy, and the Utica Daily 
Herald of May 19, 1896, said: "Probably the finest collection of relics of the war 
for the Union and the war for Independence ever displayed in this city is that 
arranged by Maher Brothers at their clothing establishment in Franklin Square. 
The firm is famous for its patriotic spirit and always takes advantage of opportuni- 
ties to prepare for the people valuable displays on occasions like the encampment. 
The present exhibition is the best ever prepared by the firm and should be noticed by 
every one of the thousands who will fill Utica to overflowing to-day." The same 
day the Observer said: "To the thoughtfulness of Maher Brothers is due the 
credit for the collection and display of the rarest and most interesting relics of the 
late Rebellion and of Colonial days ever seen in this part of the State." The Press 
said: " It is a far larger and better display, in historic value, than the one heretofore 
made by the same firm. The decorations on the outside of the store are the hand- 
somest in the citv." Space will not permit of mention of the numerous historic 
articles collected and displayed on this and other occasions, but suffice it to say 
that most of them have a local value and an absorbing interest. Two uncles of the 
Maher Brothers were in the Union army during the Civil war, one being killed in 
battle, the other dying of fever contracted in service. Five of the brothers are mar- 
ried and have families, and all enjoy eminent distinction as representative and enter- 
prising citizens. 

McTiernan, William, was born in Ireland in July, 1847, and came to America in 
1870, settling in Utica, where he first engaged in railroading. Two years later he 
visited his native country for a few months and returning to Utica entered tne em- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 363 

ploy of Wood & Mann, proprietors of a large machine shop. Later he was steward 
of St. Joseph's Hospital about four years. In 1880 he engaged in business for him- 
self as a dealer in groceries on the corner of Bleecker and Second streets. About 
three years later he sold out and under the firm of Mooney & McTiernan engaged in 
the brewing business, which they continued about two years. In 1894 he started his 
present grocery store on the corner of Bleecker and Wetmore streets. In 1884 he 
was ejected alderman of the Fifth ward and served two years. He was health com- 
missioner under Mayor Goodwin for three years and in 1885 was elected a charity 
commissioner for three years. In 1880 he married Annie Dempsey, of Utica, and 
they have four children: Charles, William, John, and Mary. 

Milgate, Henry E., was born in Utica, September 9, 1853, and is a son of George 
H. Milgate, a native of England, and a farmer, who died here about 1884. He was 
educated in the Utica public schools, and about the age of seventeen went to Rome 
and engaged in the millinery business, which he continued about two years. He 
then returned to LTtica and opened a fish and poultry market with his brothers, Will- 
iam T. and Ellsworth W., under the firm name of Milgate Brothers. They con- 
tinued in business about eight years, or until December, 1895, when they sold out. 
About 1880 the firm also purchased of the Snyder estate a large gardening and hot 
house supply business in Steuben street, and of this H. E. Milgate became sole pro- 
prietor in 1895, the firm dissolving. Mr. Milgate was married in 1879 to Wilhelmenia 
Hienrich, of Utica, and they have two children: Walter H., and Raymond G. 

Lynch, Anthony V., came from Eaton, Madison county, to Utica in May, 1872, 
and for a few years was engaged in various business occupations. He was superin- 
tendent in Hon. S. S. Lowery's Knitting Mill from 1878 to 1881, and then started a 
furnishing goods business, which he still continues, the present firm being Lynch & 
Kelly. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Charles G. Duffy, under the firm name 
of Lynch & Duffy, and engaged in the manufactnre of Scotch caps, continuing until 
Mr. Duffy's death in 1887. Since then the business has been successfully continued 
under the style of the Lynch Scotch Cap Company. They manufacture Scotch caps, 
tarn o'shanters, toques, etc. Mr. Lynch was one of the original members of branch 
63, C. M. B. A., and its first president, and is also a member of the C. B. L., and the 
A. O. H. In 1885 he married Theresa M. Gaynor, sister of Judge William J. Gaynor, 
of Brooklyn, and they have one son, A. Vincent Lynch, born August 33, 1887. 

Jones, Dr. Herbert Gordon, was born in Utica, July 26, 1857 and is a son of John 
Francis Jones, who came here from Wales, England, with his parents, Cadwallader 
and Ann Jones, when young, and died here in 1875, aged forty-six years. John F. 
was a stock raiser and provision dealer, and married Jane, daughter of Herbert 
Williams, of Steuben, Oneida county, who died in 1873. Of their six children the 
subject of this sketch was the eldest. Dr. Jones was educated in the Utica public 
schools and academy and spent two years in Whitestown Seminary. Later he was 
a pupil in John Williams's private school in Utica. He read medicine with Dr. Ed- 
win Hutchinson in Utica and was appointed house surgeon to St. Elizabeth's Hos- 
pital, a position he held two years. The partnership continued until Dr. Hutchin- 
son's death in 1887, since which time Dr. Jones has practiced alone, giving special 
attention to surgery and to the treatment of diseases of the eye and ear. After two 



3G4 OtJR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

years as house surgeon to St. Elizabeth's Hospital he was appointed (in 1882) attend- 
ing surgeon to that institution, which position he held five years, when he resigned 
to accept the appointment of surgeon to St. Luke's Hospital, and still serves in this 
capacity. He has been surgeon of the West Shore Railroad since 1884 and medical 
director of the order of United Friends since 1890. He was elected coronor of Oneida 
county in 1884 and served two terms. He is a member of the Utica Medical Library 
Association, a member of the Oneida County Medical Society and its treasurer since 
1886, a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York, a member of the 
National Association of Railway Surgeons, and a member of the New York State 
Association of Railway Surgeons. He was a delegate from the Oneida County 
Medical Society and the American Medical Association in 1887 and 1888. In the 
order of United Friends he has been since 188S imperial trustee in the Imperial 
Council, and for four years previous to that was the first representative of the Grand 
Council of New York in the Imperial Council of the United States. He was one of 
the active promoters and organizers of that order in 1881 and has always taken a 
prominent part in its growth and welfare. Dr. Jones is also a member of the Utica 
Maennechor and a member of Faxton Lodge No. 697, F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter 
No. 57, R. A. M., Utica Commandery, No. 4, K. T.. and the Scottish Rite Bodies, 
and Central City Consistory of Syracuse, Northern Jurisdiction. He has been one 
of the surgeons to the Masonic Home in Utica ever since its inception and was very 
active in securing the location and obtaining subscriptions, being a member of the 
subscription committee. He has read many valuable papers on surgery and 
kindred subjects before the Oneida County Medical Society and the L T tica 
Medical Library Association, and several of them have been published in the New 
York Medical Journal and the Philadelphia Medical Times. June 15, 1882, Dr. 
Jones married Katherine E. , daughter of Henry D. Perry, of Utica, and they have 
three children: Harold S., Mildred K., and Stuart G. 

Howarth, Frederick E., was born in Utica August 13, 1866, and is a son of John 
Howarth who came from England about 1834 and for several years was engaged in 
the manufacture of cement pipe. He was educated in the Utica public schools and 
was graduated from the advanced school in 1881, and then became a clerk for Howarth 
& Ballard, druggists, with whom he remained nine years. In 1891 he organized and 
incorporated the Utica Cabinet Company, capitalized at §10,000, and has since been 
its secretary and manager. This company manufactures roll-top desks, office sup- 
plies, and wood novelties, and utilizes the works formerly occupied by the Utica Fur- 
niture company on the corner of Broad and Gilbert streets in East Utica. Mr. 
Howarth is a member of the Utica Citizen Corps, of Faxton Lodge F. & A. M., and 
of Imperial Council R. A. He was married September 12, 1894, to Miss Nellie L., 
daughter of Micajah Pinkney, of St. Paul, Minn. 

Fuller, Asa O., born August 3, 1836, in Rome, Oneida county, was the youngest 
of five children of Orrin I. Fuller, a native of New England, who came to Rome at 
an early day. Orrin I. Fuller was a farmer and deputy sheriff, and was drowned at 
Albany by the breaking of a drawbridge in 1840. His children were Mrs. Cordelia 
Bush, of Utica; John T., who died in California; David, who died in Utica; and Mrs. 
Jane A. Harvey, and Asa O., of Utica. Asa O. Fuller engaged in butchering for 
about three years, and then learned the trade of silversmith in Utica. Later he en- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 365 

tered the employ of the New York Central Railroad and continued in that capacity 
for several years or until he lost his right arm and left hand. He subsequently be- 
came a contractor on railroads and later engaged in heavy trucking and city express 
business in Utica, and still continues in both enterprises, carrying on also large con- 
tracting interests. He did all the excavating for the New Masonic Home the Sken- 
andoa Cotton Mills, and Mohawk Valley Mills extension, and also put in the 
machinery of these two establishments. He is an active Republican July 19 1871 
he married Mrs. Fannie A. Kellogg, daughter of Tracv Wade, of Utica and thev 
have four children: Cora, Orrin O., Fannie Amelia, and Lucina. 

M FI T %lT k Z" S ° n ° f Ge ° rge an<1 Mai ' y FIUme ' WaS born in Baden ' Germany 
March 8, 1843, and came to America with his parents in 1849. The family first set 
tied in Schoharie county, but moved thence to Montgomery county about 1858 
1 here his father died in 1862. His mother resides in Fort Plain N Y Mr Flame 
was educated in the public schools and first engaged in farming and later in a saw 
mill. In 1878 he removed to Utica and became a clerk in the grocery store of T 
Parker s Sons, with whom he remained three and one-half years. He then learned 
the carpenter s trade, which he has since followed. He was one of the first members 
of the carpenters union and served (as its secretary for a short time. September 15 
1870, he married Angeline, daughter of Frederick and Naomi (Dunster) Martin of 
Tenterdon, county Kent, England. They have one son, Truman Frederick born 
August 3, 1871, and now engaged in the insurance business in Rochester, N. Y. 

Fuller, Charles Y., was born December 25, 1850, in Schenectady N Y and is a 
son of Charles and Sarah A. (Lewis) Fuller. Charles Fuller, son of Ebenezer was 
born in Schenectady county and was a broom maker bv trade, and died in 1857 He 
was a lineal descendant of Ebenezer Fuller, of the Mayflower. His wife survives 
him. Her maternal grandfather, Sanborn Ford, was a Revolutionary soldier and 
was present at Fort Montgomery and the Siege of Yorktown, and witnessed the 
surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Charles Y. Fuller came to Utica with his mother in 
1857, and received his education in the public schools of the city In 1886 he be^an 
learning the stone cutter's trade in Lockport, N. Y, where he remained about seven 
years Later he was employed for eleven years on the State capitol at Albany In 
18M he returned to Utica and in 1888 engaged in cut stone contracting, which he 
sti 1 successfully continues. Among the many buildings he has erected are the OH- 

MSW ™rf Tt ?T ar i. d TT tbe ChUrCh ° f the H ° ly Cr ° SS ° n Ble «*er street 
(1893), and St. Patrick s church on Columbia street in Utica, the Parochial school in 
Little Falls; the Hieber building, Walton High School, Second National Bank build- 
ing, Oneida Historical building (Munson Williams Memorial), schools Nos 20 and oi 
and the Albany Street school in Utica. He has also erected many other large build- 
ings m Central New York, including numerous fine residences, blocks etc He 7, 
an act.ve Republican and has been delegate to several local conventions He is a " 
member of Oneida Lodge No. 224 F. & A. M., of Samuel Reed Lodge, K.'of P. an d 
of the Knights of Honor. April 23, 1887, he married Augusta Blumenlhal, of UUca 
AdVc * Dy ' a " d they haVe three Chlldren : Geor ge L., Albert B., and 

Adams, George W., was born in the town of Marshall, Oneida county, in 1837, and 



366 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

spent his boyhood on a farm. Orphaned in early life he was left wholly dependent 
upon his own resources for his support and education. The eight hour law was not 
in force in those days, and there was much more opportunity for a boy to work than 
to play or study. In 1852 Mr. Adams went to the Jefferson County Institute at 
Watertown, N. Y., preparatory to entering college. After three years of alternate 
work and study he entered in 1855 the freshman class of Union College. Two years 
of the college term was spent at Fairfield Seminary. In 1859 he was graduated from 
old Union, having there won the Blatchford prize for literary and oratorical work. 
After teaching a private school at Brown ville, N. Y. , Mr. Adams commenced to 
study law with Doolittle & Babcock, and in 1863 was admitted to the bar. In 1864 
he formed a co-partnership with Senator Richardson, which continued some fifteen 
years. At one time James F. Mann was a member of the firm. In 1869 Mr. Adams 
married Laura Crouse, who died in 1889, leaving two sons, Daniel C. and George 
W. , jr. The former was graduated from Yale College in 1895; the latter is now at- 
tending school in LTtica. Mr. Adams has always been a Republican and at one time 
was quite prominent in the councils of his party. Politics was not, however, con- 
genial to his tastes, and in 1867, when Congress passed a national act of bankruptcy, 
he turned his attention especially to that law, acquired a very extensive practice un- 
der it, and was connected with most of the leading bankruptcy cases in this part of 
the State. For some fifteen years he has been a director of the Utica, Clinton and 
Binghamton Railroad and is now the counsel of that corporation. He is quite a 
large land holder in the east end of the city and interested in all that pertains to the 
growth of Utica. He is a charter member of the Fort Schuyler Club, a member of 
the Delta Kappa Epsilon Club of New York city, and president of the Utica Art As- 
sociation. While Mr. Adams is a man of pronounced convictions he is liberal 
minded, and tolerant of the opinions of others. He has enlarged his mind by for- 
eign travel and is a lover of music and paintings, as many specimens of the latter 
which now adorn the walls of his house will fully testify. He is a devout follower 
of Isaac Walton, and few men know the North Woods more thoroughly than he. 
For over a quarter of a century he has been an attendant of the Dutch Reformed 
church. 

Brayton, M. Jesse, son of Almond and Caroline (Schermerhorn) Brayton, was born 
on a farm near the Herkimer-Oneida county line July 20, 1852, attended Fairfield 
Seminary, and was graduated from the Clinton Liberal Institute. His ancestors 
were Rhode Islanders. His grandfather, Jesse Brayton, came with several brothers 
to Newport. Herkimer county, and Deerrield, Oneida county, very early in the pres- 
ent century. In 1860 his parents settled in Deerfield, where his father died in 
January, 1886. His mother survives. Mr. Brayton read law in Utica with J. 
Thomas Spriggs and later with D. C. Pomeroy, and was admitted to the bar in 
in Syracuse in 1876. He began the practice of law in Utica with D. E. Pomeroy, 
with whom he was associated for about five years. He then practiced alone until 
January, 1883, when he was appointed deputy count}' clerk, which position he held 
until he was elected county clerk in 1885. He served in this capacity from January 
1, 1886, to December, 31, 1888. He had become interested in the LTtica Electric 
Light Company and since the close of his term as county clerk has served as its 
secretary and treasurer, and has also acted in the same capacity for the Utica 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 3CT 

Manufacturing and Supply Company. Mr. Brayton is a member of Oriental Lodge, 
F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter, R. A. M., Utica Commandery No. 3, K. T., the Royal 
Arcanum, and the I. O. O. F. In January, 1885, he married Cora B., of Uion, 
daughter of Joseph A. Johnson. 

Bensberg, Frederick W. , was born in Utica, May 2, 1852, and is a son of Fred- 
erick W. and Barbara Bensberg, who came from Germany to America and settled in 
Utica in 1850, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Bensberg, sr. , 
was engaged in the grocery and coal business here until his death. Frederick W., 
his son, was educated in the public and advanced schools of Utica, graduating in 
1862, and when eleven years of age commenced to learn the trade, first in the Herald 
office, where he was employed from 1863 to 1881, being assistant foreman during the 
last twelve years. In 1881 he was one of the organizers of the Utica Daily Press and 
has since been its foreman. When the company was incorporated in 1882 he was 
made a director and a member of the executive committee, which position he still 
holds. Mr. Bensberg is a staunch Republican, was school commissioner of Utica 
for three years (1891, 1892, and 1893). February 29, 1873, he married Miss Georgia 
A. Perkins. They have had two children: Florence P., and Frederick P. (who died 
aged two years). 

Cranwell, Frank J., son of James, is of Irish and English descent and was born 
in Utica January 20, 1870. His father is one of the oldest contractors and builders 
in Central New York, and as such is not only well known in this State, but in New 
Jersey and elsewhere. He has erected many of the more notable buildings in Utica, 
New York city, and other points, and is still active in his lifelong business. Frank 
J. Cranwell was graduated from the Assumption Academy in 1889 and later from 
the Utica Business College. As soon as he could do anything he identified himself 
with his father's business, which he has always followed. In 1889 he formed a 
partnership with his brother, Edward H., which was dissolved in May, 1896. His 
first contract was the construction of the Grimes and Pelton block in Ilion in 1889- 
90. Since then he has erected several factory buildings at Dolgeville, the Metro- 
politan Hotel in Little Falls, the Utica Carriage Factory and St. Agnes church on 
Blandina street in Utica, the Ilion Memorial Public Library building, the Leach 
building in Utica, the Frankfort High School, the Hotaling building in Ilion, the 
Johnson stone residence at Palatine Bridge, and many others. In 1895 he married 
May Anna M. Hermann, of Utica, and they have one daughter, Olive Marguerite. 

Divine, Fred D., was born July 17, 1856, in Utica, in the house No. 76 State street, 
in which he has always lived. He is a son of Deloss Divine, who was born at Hope 
Factory, Otsego county, came to Utica in 1855, and died here February 14, 1892, 
aged seventy-six. Deloss Divine was a roll coverer in the LTtica Steam Cotton Mills 
and at the time of his death was the oldest employee in that estalishment. He mar- 
ried Martha J. Higby, of Canoga, Seneca county, who survives him. They had two 
children: Mrs. Chester M. Smith, of Westfield, N. J., and Fred D. Divine, of Utica. 
The latter was graduated from the Utica Free Academy in 1876, and engaged in 
manufacturing hand-made fishing rods, which he still continues. On his father's 
death he succeeded to the latter's position in the Utica Steam Cotton Mills. He also 
does electric plating and manufactures boats, camp stools, cots, etc. He is a mem- 



368 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

ber of Oriental Lodge F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter R. A. M., LTtica Commandery 
No. 3, K. T., and Ziyara Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member 
of the Masonic and Arcanum Clubs, the Onondaga Fishermen's Association, the 
Oneida Company Sportsmen's Club, the Michigan Sportsmen's Association, and 
many other sporting organizations. January 27, 1886, he married Ada C, daughter 
of William McDuffee, of New York city. 

Davis, Charles P., was born in Alcester, England, in 1823, learned the trade of 
glass staining in Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire, and came to America in 1850, 
settling in LTtica, where he spent the remainder of his life and died April 17, 1877. 
Here he established the stained glass works now conducted by the firm of Charles 
P. Davis's Sons. He was the first stained glass worker in the city and one of the 
earliest establishments of the kind west of New York. Being a practical workman, 
a skillful and artistic designer, he was successful from the start and won a wide and 
enduring reputation. His first work in Utica was executed on Trinity church. Af- 
terward he designed the windows of many of the finest churches east of the Missis- 
sippi, particularly those of this State, and also executed large contracts on numer- 
ous important buildings. He was a good nauralist and an expert taxidermist, for 
both of which he had a natural inclination, and at his death he left a fine and valu- 
able collection of birds, insects, etc. He was an active and prominent Democrat, 
but never sought or held public office. He was one of the original members of St. 
George's church. He married in England, Mary Callaway, who died in 1864, leav- 
ing children: Joseph P., William A., Frederick J., and Charles C. Davis, Mrs. Will- 
iam H. Trembly and Mrs. A. H. Richardson and Albert Davis (both deceased). 
Upon Mr. Davis's death the stained glass business passed to his sons Joseph P., 
William A., Frederick J., and Charles C, who formed the present firm of Charles P. 
Davis's Sons. Later Joseph P. and Charles C. withdrew, leaving the business to 
the management of the other two brothers. Frederick J. Davis follows his father as 
naturalist and taxidermist and carries on these professions in connection with the 
firm's stained glass business. 

Daily Dennis L., was born in the town of Annsville, Oneida county, January 23, 
1847, -and is a son of Cornelius Daily, who was born in County Cork. Ireland, in 1804, 
and died January 26, 1894. Cornelius Daily came to America about 1832, landing in 
Quebec, Canada. A few months later he became foreman on the construction of the 
railroad from Boston to Worcester, the first equipped steam railroad in the United 
States, which position he held for about six years. He then came to Rome, N. Y., 
by way of the Erie Canal, and settled on an unbroken farm in the north part 
of Annsville, where he lived and died. He cleared the farm, which comprised 100 
acres, and lived to see the country transformed from a wilderness to a fertile section. 
He was one of the first settlers of that part of the town, and was active in all local 
affairs, a Democrat in politics, and especially interested in education, serving as 
school trustee for many years. He was married in Ireland in 1831 to Margaret 
Mahoney, who died May 26, 1893, in her eighty-third year. Their children were 
Mary, deceased, who married Thomas Murphy, who died in the army during the civil 
war; Katharine Teresa, of Lynn, Mass.; Margaret Maria, deceased; B. Amelia, of 
Utica, who married Lieut. Wallace Mott, who died in the army ; Ellen (Mrs. P. T. 
O'Toole), deceased; Jane of Utica; Dennis L. , of LTtica; Rose A. (widow of Martin 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 3C9 

Hinton), of Utica; and George P., who resides on the homestead in Munnsville. 
Dennis L. Daily was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of 
Annsville. He remained on the homestead until 1877, when he entered the employ 
of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In the fall of 1880 he came to Utica and 
in 1885 established his present grocery business in Sunset avenue. In Annsville he 
took an active part in local politics and served two terms as town collector and one 
term as assessor. In Utica he has also taken an active interest in local political 
affairs. June 7, 1882, he married Katharine M., daughter of Daniel Sullivan, of 
Utica, and they have six children: Cornelius Sullivan, Margaret Maria, Ellen Jane, 
Katharine Teresa, Mary Loretta, and George Vincent. 

Davis, George A., son of Charles S., was born in Utica December 4, 1857. 
Charles S Davis, son of David, was born in the town of Frankfort, Herkimer county, 
July 1, 1829, married Polly Brockway, a native of New Hartford, Oneida county, 
and came to Utica about 1856, where he still resides. He was for many years the 
proprietor of a livery stable and a large trucking business. When seventeen George 
A. Davis engaged in the manufacture of picture frames and spring beds with F. P. 
Baldwin but one year later associated himself with his father in the trucking busi- 
ness, in which he continued four and one-half years. He subsequently formed a 
copartnership with William N. Weaver, purchased his father's business, and still 
continues it under the firm name of Davis & Weaver. In March, 1889, Mr. Davis 
also became proprietor of the Clinton House in Bleecker street and conducted it for 
six years, changing its name in 1894 to New American. He was also proprietor of 
the Metropolitan Hotel for three years, and as a landlord in each of these hosteleries 
attained unusual success. In August, 1894, he formed a partnership with Charles 
Kilkinney, as Kilkinney & Davis, and purchased the old Wilsey brick yard and 
manufactory at Deerfield, opposite the New York Central freight depot. They re- 
fitted it, adding the most improved machinery, etc., and now manufacture about 
5,000,000 brick annually. Mr. Davis is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, 
F. & A. M., Imperial Council R. A., and the Arcanum Club, and in politics is a 
staunch Republican. November 1, 1884, he married Mary Morgan, of Oneida, N. Y., 
who died September 25, 1893. He married, second, October 10, 1894, Miss Florence 
Bliskey, of Oneida, N. Y. 

Hatfield, Richard E., one of the substantial and influential farmers of this town, 
has been a resident of the immediate vicinity since 1851, when the family of George H. 
Hatfield, his father, first settled here. They came from South Wales, and the elder, now 
deceased, was noted for his integrity and industry and soon became master of a com- 
petence and position among the most respected people in New Hartford. Richard 
Hatfield, like his father, tilled the soil with diligence and has become so situated as 
to enjoy the fruit of his labors. He was born in Wales, December 25, 1836. In 1861 
he man-ied Mary Davis, a daughter of the late David Davis, of South Clinton. He 
has served his town as assessor and superintendent of the poor. 

Wheeler, Frank E. , is the only son of Russel Wheeler, who was born in Rome, N. 
Y., August 7, 1820, and died in IT tica January 5, 1895 George Wheeler, father of 
Russel, was born in Glastonbury, Conn., in February, 1791, came to Oneida county 
with his father, and died on the homestead near Rome September 2, 1882. He had 



370 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

one daughter and seven sons, of whom Russel was the third. Russel Wheeler came 
to Utica in 1838 and entered the hardware store of John Mairs, where he remained 
four years. In 1842 he became bookkeeper for Joel C. Bailey, who had just pur- 
chased the Chester Dexter foundry on Columbia street. In 1844 he formed a partner- 
ship with Mr. Bailey, as Bailey, Wheeler & Co., which continued until 1855, when Mr. 
Wheeler bought his senior partner's interest. In 1865 he secured that of S Alonzo 
Bailey and in 1887 he took his son, Frank E., into the business; two years later Fran- 
cis Kernan, jr., became a partner, but on January 1, 1890, the Wheelers again be- 
came sole owners, the firm name being Russel Wheeler & Son. They manufacture 
stoves, furnaces, heaters, etc., and employ from 150 to 200 men. Mr. Wheeler was 
alderman in 1849-50, a director in the Oneida National Bank, a trustee of the Savings 
Bank of Utica, for many years vice-president of the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, the 
Globe Woolen Mills, the Utica Willowvale Bleaching Works, and the Utica and 
Black River Railroad Company. He was also for many }'ears a trustee of Colgate 
University. He was an extensive traveler, a man of unswerving integrity, and an 
influential, respected citizen. August 5, 1845, he married Amanda, daughter of 
Joel C. Baile)', of Utica, who died at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. , August 29, 1884, 
leaving one son, Frank E., who was born in Utica in 1853. November 10, 1887, Mr. 
Wheeler married, second, Mrs. Katharine K. Anderson, of New York. Frank 
Wheeler was graduated from Yale College in 1876, and for several years has managed 
the business of the firm. In 1878 he married Louise Vanette, daughter of Hon. 
Cheney Ames, of Oswego, N. Y. 

White, Charles N., is a son of Nicholas A. White, who was born in February. 1819, 
in Thetford, Vermont, and came with his parents, Noah and Frances White, to 
Oneida county, when he was an infant. In 1827 the family settled in Utica, and 
when nine years of age Nicholas A. entered the employ of George Brayton and Aaron 
Kellogg, proprietors of the pottery situated on the site of the present Central New 
York pottery, on the northwest corner of Whitesboro and Breeze streets, with which 
he was ever afterward connected. In 1827 Noah White entered the employ of the' 
same firm and later made some ware on shares. He subsequently bought-the estab- 
lishment and also leased and finally purchased the pottery on the east side of Breeze 
street, thus having the only important concerns of the kind in the county. About 
1840 he took his sons Nicholas A. and William in as partners, under the firm name of 
N. White & Sons, which continued until William went west in 1856, when it became 
N. White & Son. About 1862, a grandson, William N., son of Nicholas A., was ad- 
mitted as N. White, Son & Co. Noah White died November 4, 1865, and the firm 
became N. A. White & Son. William N. (the son) died about 1877, when N. A. 
assumed the sole management. He died August 10, 1886, and since then it has been 
managed by Charles N. White. Nicholas A. White was alderman for two terms, 
member of assembly one year, a member of the I. O. O. F., and during his life a 
prominent and influential citizen. He married Julia Tucker, of Utica, who survives 
him. Their children were William N. (deceased), Mrs. Henry Roberts, Dr. Sue A. 
White, Mrs. E. B. Odell, Chas. N. White, and Mrs. Luther I. Foster, of Syracuse. 

Wheeler, Hon. Thomas, son of George, was born in Utica, October 5, 1845. George 
Wheeler, a native of Ireland, came to America and settled in Utica with his father, 
John, when very young, and died here in 1858. He was engaged in the trucking 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 371 

business. Thomas Wheeler was educated in the public schools, and at the age of 
fifteen entered the Utica Steam Cotton Mill and later the Woolen Mills. August 30, 
1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 146th N. Y. Vols., was promoted second lieutenant, and 
was mustered out July 25, 1865. He was in the army of the Potomac, participated 
in most of the battles of his regiment, was wounded March 31, 1865, at White Oak 
Road, and was confined in the hospital till shortly before his discharge. Returning 
to Utica he followed various employments until 1870, when he was appointed patrol- 
man on the police force. In 1873 he entered the district attorney's office under D. 
C. Stoddard and remained there about eight years. He was also chief detective for 
the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company, having charge of their 
detective department from Albany to Syracuse, and held this position about eleven 
years. In politics he has been an active Democrat. In 1888 he was nominated and 
elected county sheriff, and served until his term expired December 31, 1891. March 
1, 1892, he was elected maj'or of Utica and served from March 8, 1892 to March 13, 
1894. During his term as mayor he conducted the fight against the Warren-Scharf 
Asphalt Paving Company, and broke the prices for street paving, being the first man 
in the United States to attempt such a movement. May 1, 1894, the present coal 
firm of Wheeler, McQuade & Co., was formed, and on February 19, 1895, Mr. Wheeler 
was appointed assistant superintendent of public works by State Superintendent 
Aldridge, and still holds that position. He is a member of Post Bacon G. A. R., 
the Elks and the Arcanum Club. April 26, 1886, he married Helen Frances, daughter 
of Lawrence Doyle, of Utica. 

Smith, Benjamin, was born March 7, 1842, in Sheffield, England, is a son of Charles 
T. and Sarah Smith, and came to America with his parents in 1844. The family 
first settled in Brooklyn, N. Y., but in 1845 came to West Utica, where Charles T. 
died about 1878, aged sixty-three. He was an ivory and bone turner by trade, which 
he followed here for about thirty years. He was also a dealer in real estate and kept 
a grocery store, and was collector of the Third ward two years. He was a prominent 
cricketer, a member of the Utica Cricket Club and its president, and took many 
prizes in this popular game. He was also a prominent member of St. George's So- 
ciety and held several offices. His wife died in May, 1891. They had ten children 
of whom five are living, viz. : Mrs. Anna Graham, Mrs. Emma Johnson, Benjamin 
Smith, and Mrs. Lydia Ann Higgins, all of Utica, and Mrs. Sarah Jane Tompkins 
of Chatham, N. J. Benjamin Smith was in Utica and first engaged in machinist's 
trade, which he followed for twent)' years. In 1879 he purchased and has since kept 
the Western Hotel in West Utica. In 1864 Mr. Smith enlisted in the U. S. Navy 
and served until the close of the war, being on the gunboat Shawmut. He is a 
member of Post McQuade G. A. R. and the Veteran Firemen's Association, being 
connected with the volunteer fire department for about five years. In 1861 he mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Levi Atherton, of Camden, Oneida county, and they have 
had two children: Benjamin, who died aged four, and Nellie B. (Mrs. Joseph Wilbert), 
of Utica. 

Townsend, Walter C, is a son of Homer Townsend, who was born in Grandbor- 
ough, Warwickshire, England April 17, 1822, came to America in 1831, settled in 
Utica in 1833, and died here April 20, 1884. Homer Townsend was long a promi- 
nent and influential citizen and held several positions of trust and honor. He was 



372 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

alderman of the Eighth ward of Utica for eight years a member of the Board of 
Charity Commissioners for the same length of time, and a member of the Exempt 
Firemen's Association and of the Seymour Artillery. In all these positions he served 
with distinction and great credit, He was married in Utica, November 13, 1843, to 
Miss Emily Hill, and their children were Charles Henry, Grace Louisa, Homer 
Clemens, William Fall, Henrietta Neeley, John Adams, Mary Louise, George Ar- 
thur, Walter Clarkson, Fanny Camelia and Frank. 

Sheridan, Simon, son of Thomas and Rose (Burns) Sheridan was born May 31, 
1823, in County Meath, Ireland, and came to America in 1847, landing in New York 
city July 1. He had learned the carpenter trade, and coming immediately to 
Utica (in July, 1847,) he actively identified himself with that calling. He worked 
here and in Rome until 1850, and since then has lived in Utica. He followed 
carpentering and building during his active life, working on the Rome Acad- 
emy and court house and many other noted structures as a journeyman, in 
which capacity he was with A. J. Lathrop for eight years. He was foreman for 
William Metcalf about eleven years, and is one of the oldest carpenters and builders 
in L T tica. He is a Democrat, has been quite active in local politics, and has several 
times been the candidate for his party for office. He joined the 45th Regiment, 
Emmett Guards, in 1854, and served seven years, becoming sergeant. He was a 
member of the old St. Vincent de Paul Society for ten years prior to its disbandment. 
February 9, 1854, he married Sarah A., daughter of Patrick Donally, of Utica, and 
the)' have had six children : Thomas, who died in infancy, Mary (Mrs. Edward Cal- 
lahan), of Utica, Rose and Ann, who died young, and James D. and Simon F. , of 
Utica. 

Stappenbeck, Henry, was born in Seehausen, Prussia, Germany, December 22, 
1850, and came to America in May, 1869. He settled in Utica and learned the busi- 
ness of glue manufacturing, and about 1871 established his present glue and boiled 
bone manufactory. He was the first in this section to manufacture glue, and has 
built up a large and successful business. Within recent years he added the manu- 
facture of fertilizers from bone. His establishment is located in the town of Whites- 
boro, just outside the city limits. Mr. Stappenbeck has always taken a keen interest 
in local affairs and in politics is a Republican. He is a member of Lodge 242, Order 
of Harugari, and the Utica Maennechor, and for several years was president of Zion 
German Lutheran church of Utica. He married, first, Wilhelmenia Zimmerman, a 
native of Germany, who died about 1877, leaving two children, William and Henry. 
His second wife is Laura Gliffe, of Germany, and they have three children living: 
Emil, Joseph and Clara. 

Sauer, G. Adam, born June 1, 1865, in Utica, is a son of George Sauer, a native of 
Bavaria, Germany, who came to America about 1862 and still lives in Utica. George 
Sauer has been since about 1870 engaged in the meat business in West Utica. He 
married Anna M. Weimer, who died July 21, 1893. They had three children: 
Joseph J., G. Adam, and Mary M. G. Adam Sauer was educated in the Utica pub- 
lic schools and Assumption Academy, and at an early age entered his father's meat 
market. In July, 1888, he established his present business, first on Kirkland street 
and in 1892 at his present location on the corner of Plant and Francis streets. - Mr. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 373 

Sauer is president of the Retail Butchers' Mutual Protective Association of Utica, 
and is an active Democrat. In November, 1895, he was elected alderman of the 
Eleventh ward. May 7, 1889, he married Anna A. Zimmerman, daughter of the late 
Edward Zimmerman, of Utica. 

Risley, Edwin Hills, was born in the town of Madison, Madison county, N. Y., 
February 5, 1842, and is a son of Chauncey and Sophia (Brewer) Kisley, and a 
descendant of Richard Risley, who emigrated from England to the Plymouth Colony 
in 1630, settled in Newton, and in 1635 went to Hartford, Conn., with the Hooker 
party. Mr. Risley's education was limited to the country schools of those times sup- 
plemented with an academic course of about two years. He taught school in the 
year 1860, and in March, 1861. began the study of law in the office of Edwin H. 
Lamb, of Waterville, Oneida county. In July, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the 
117th New York State Volunteers and was mustered as first lieutenant of Co. D on 
August 13, 1862. He served with the regiment and on detached service for one 
year. In September, 1863, he entered the Albany Law School and was admitted to 
practice at Watertown, N. Y., at the October term, 1863. He began the practice of 
law in Sherburne, Chenango county, N. Y. , in the early summer of 1864. While in 
the Albany Law School he was appointed captain of cavalry in the battalion being 
raised by Colonel Newberry, of Chicago, and was mustered out of the service on 
the consolidation of the battalion with other troops. He was appointed captain in 
the 103d N. Y. State Militia and served with that regiment till it was disbanded. In 
the fall of 1865 he removed from Sherburne to Hamilton N. Y. , and continued the 
practice of law in that village until April, 1869, when he settled in Utica, where he 
has since resided. Mr. Risley has had an extensive practice in the trial courts and 
in the appellate courts of the State and is considered successful as a lawyer. During 
.the past ten years his practice has been almost exclusively in Federal courts, involv- 
ing patent litigations. In 1884 he spent one year in a large machine shop to perfect 
his knowledge of mechanical appliances. In 1890 he organized and promoted the 
National Harrow Company, which controls the entire spring tooth harrow manu- 
facture of the United States, and is at the present time president of the company. 
In 1892 he promoted and organized the Standard Harrow Companv with a view of 
consolidating into one manufacture all of the spring-tooth harrow business in 
the United States. He obtained options on all the business, but owing to 
the financial panic of 1893 only partially carried out the project. At the pres- 
ent time he is one of the managing directors of the Standard Harrow Company, 
having a large and successful manufactory in Utica. He promoted and organized 
the Savage Repeating Arms Company, who manufacture hammerless, smokeless- 
powder sporting rifles, being in this department the pioneer in the world. At 
present he is treasurer of the company. He organized and was director in the D. B. 
Smith Company, whose business was absorbed by the Standard Harrow Company. 
Mr. Risley is president of the New Forest Association of Utica. and for a number of 
years was a director in the Westmoreland Malleable Iron Company. He possesses 
first-class mechanical ability, good business judgment, and is interested in all the 
public enterprises for the benefit of the city. He is a Republican, but a relentless 
foe of corruption and bossism in politics. He joined the Baptist church in 1865 
and has been an active and influential member of that denomination ever since. 



374 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Maxfield, Rouse B., son of Rufus G. and Mehitable (Bennett) Maxfield, was born 
in the town of Ohio, Herkimer county, June 29, 1847, and received his education in 
the district schools and under the tutelege of his father, who was well versed in the 
sciences. Oct. 27, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 97th N. Y. Vols., joining the same com- 
pany in which his brother David E. had been fatally wounded at Antietam. He 
served until his discharge on June 15, 1865, participatingin thefirst and second battles 
of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, where he wasseverely wounded 
in the right arm and taken prisoner. He lay in the enemy's lines during the second 
and third days' light and until they retreated, and then remained with his regiment 
until the close of the war, being present at Hatcher's Run, Petersburg, Five Forks, 
and Appomattox. Returning home he resumed his studies for one year and then 
began teaching district school, which he continued winters until 1875. In 1875-77 he 
taught the Union school at Taberg, N. Y., where he served as justice of the peace. 
In 1882 he was clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Oneida county, and in 1883 be- 
came a traveling salesman. His old wound broke out at this time and on Dec. 1, 
1SS3, his right arm was amputated, which incapacitated him for two years. In 1885 
he was again clerk of the Board of Supervisors and on Jan. 1, 1886, he -entered the 
county clerk's office under M. Jesse Brayton. Here he remained until Jan. 1, 1892, 
when he became county clerk, having been elected in the preceding November on 
the Republican ticket. Jan. 1, 1895, he engaged in his present business as pension 
attorney. He has been a notary public since about 1880, and is a member and past 
commander of Post Bacon, No. 53, G. A. R., and for several years its quarter-mas- 
ter. He is also a member and past grand of Skenandoa Lodge, No. 95, I. O. O. F. , 
a member and chief patriarch of Tri-Mount Encampment, and a member of Utica 
Lodge K. of H, Excelsior Council, K. P., Imperial Council R. A., and the Arcanum 
Club. He is an enthusiastic sportsman, a great lover of the rod and gun, and a pub- 
lic spirited citizen. Dec. 25, 1875, he married Ella M., daughter of David Moyer, of 
Taberg. N. Y. . and they have had two children: Grace M. and Bessie M. (who died 
aged seven years.) 

Mather, Charles W., son of Westley and Julia Ann (Keyser) Mather, and grandson 
of Joshua Mather, was born in the town of New Hartford, Oneida county, May 1, 
1852. The family descends from Rev. Richard Mather, father of Dr. Increase Mather, 
oneoftheearlypresidentsof Harvard College. Rev. Richard camefrom Lewton, Win- 
wick parish, England, and settled in Boston, Mass., in 1635. Among his descendants 
were Cotton and Dr. Samuel Mather. Asaph Mather, of the fifth generation, was born 
in East Lynn, Conn., in 1753, and fin ally settled in 1792atSchuyler, Herkimer county, 
where his son, Joshua, grew to manhood. The latter in 1810 married Cornelia, 
daughter of Rev. Joseph Willis, and their children were Lucinda, Wesley, Asaph D. 
and Joshua, jr. Joshua Mather, jr., came to Utica in 1847 and engaged in the grocery 
business with Asaph D. In 1866 the firm of A. D. Mather & Co. founded the present 
bank of that name. A. D. died in April, 1880, and Joshua associated with himself 
his nephew, Charles W. Mather, and in November, 1890, the business was incorpo- 
rated under the name of A. D. Mather & Co.'s Bank, with a capital of §200,000, and 
with Joshua Mather as president. He was also president of the Utica Belt Line 
Street Railroad Company. He died August 18, 1893. Wesley Mather was born 
January 19, 1819, came to New Hartford in 1847, and died there September 15, 1892. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 375 

His wife died in 1855. Their children .were Albert, and Lucinda (Mrs. Joseph D. 
Monroe), who reside on the homestead; Warren, of New Hartford; and Sarah J. 
(Mrs. J. F. Turner) and Charles W., of Utica. Charles W. Mather finished his edu- 
cation at the private school of John Williams. In 1871 he became a clerk in the 
banking house of A. D. Mather & Co., and rose to the post of teller. In 1880 he be- 
came a partner and in 1890 vice-president. On the death of his uncle in 1893 he was 
elected president. He has been a director and the treasurer of the Utica Belt Line 
Street Railroad Company since its organization in 1886. He is a member of Faxton 
Lodge, No. 697, F. & A. M., Oneida Chapter R. A. M., Utica Commandery, No. 3, 
K. T. , and Ziyara Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and a charter member of the 
Masonic Club. August 7, 1873, he married Ida F., daughter of David J. Crane (a 
member of the editorial staff of the New York Tribune at the time of his death). 
Their children are Cornelia F., William, Maud, Ida A., Katherine A., and Richard. 

Dempsey, Hon. James L., son of John and Catherine (Lyons) Dempsey, was born 
April 39, 1818, in Dublin, Ireland, and came to America with his parents the same 
year, settling first in New York city. In 1849 the family came to Utica and in 1853 
moved thance to a farm in Westmoreland. In 1857 they settled in Kirkland. Oneida 
county, where his parents still live. John Dempse)- is a farmer and mason by occu- 
pation. He had eight children, all of whom are living: James U, Terrence J., 
Thomas E., all of Clinton; John J., of the town of Kirkland; William, of Clinton; 
Mary J. (Mrs. John R. Tierney), of Lairdsville, Oneida county; Anna (Mrs. John 
Nichols), of Utica; and Nellie (Mrs. Michael Dolan), of Albany, N. Y. James L. 
Dempsey was educated in the public schools of Kirkland, learned the trade of mason 
and builder, and for a time carried on a successful contracting business. In 1870 he 
became proprietor of a hotel in Clinton, his partner being Peter Blake, his brother- 
in-law, continuing seven years. In 1869 he commenced dealing in hops and farm 
produce, and has ever since continued in that business with unusual success. He 
has been an extensive operator in this connection, buying, handling, and shipping 
large quantities of hops, etc. In 1886 he was one of the organizers and first directors 
of the Clinton Burial Case Company, since removed to Utica. He was the prime 
mover and mainly instrumental in securing the location of the Clinton Canning 
Company in the village of Clinton, the leading manufacturing industry there. He was 
in business at different times with Henry McNamara, Peter Pegnim and R. J. Billing- 
ham. Mr. Dempsey has always taken a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity 
of the village of Clinton, contributing liberally of both time and means toward every 
worthy enterprise, and encouraging all movements promising general benefit. Public 
spirited, progressive, and energetic he is prominently identified with the town, and 
is active in furthering its moral and material interests. He is a staunch Democrat, 
and has been for several years an influential member of that party. In 1890 and 1891 
he represented his district in the State Legislature, where, as the records show, he 
looked carefully after the interests of his constituents, and especially after the wel- 
fare of the farming and laboring classes. As member of assembly he was instru- 
mental in starting the movements which resulted in the selling of the old county 
farm and poor house at Rome for 8209,000, which gave to the county the present 
county house and poor farm and also the Rome State Custodial Asvlum, two insti- 
tutions of permanent local as well as general value. He has been a trustee and one 



376 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

of the water commissioners of the village of Clinton since the spring of 1893. He 
was also a member of the first sewer commission, and as snch was instrumental in 
introducing the present sewerage system, resigning to become village trustee. In 
all matters of local improvement he has taken a conspicuous part, and has labored 
assiduously for the benefit of the place. May 19, 1870, he married Catharine, 
daughter of Michael Blake, of the town of Kirkland, and they have had eight chil- 
dren: John A., Francis M., Joseph W., Elizabeth Maria, James L., jr., Kate, Robert 
(deceased), and Rose. 

Daily, Dennis L., was born in the town of Annsville, Oneida county, January 23, 
1847, and is a son of Cornelius Daily, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1804, 
and died January 26, 1894. Cornelius Daily came to America about 1832, landing in 
Ouebec, Canada. A few months later he became foreman on the construction of the 
railroad from Boston to Worcester, the first equipped steam railroad in the United 
States, which position he held for about six years. He then came to Rome, N. Y., 
by stage, and settled on an unbroken farm in the north part of Annsville, where he 
lived and died. He cleared the farm, which comprised 100 acres, and lived to see 
the country transformed from a wilderness to a fertile section. He was one of the 
first settlers of that part of the town, and was active in all local affairs, a Democrat 
in politics, and especially interested in education, serving as school trustee for many 
years. He was married in Ireland in 1831 to Margaret Mahoney, who died May 26, 
1893, in her eighty-third year. Their children were Mary, deceased, who married 
Thomas Murphy, who died in the army during the civil war; Katharine Teresa, of 
Lynn, Mass.; Margaret Maria, deceased; B. Amelia, of Utica, who married Lieut 
Wallace Mott, who died in the army; Ellen (Mrs. P. T. O'Toole), deceased; Jane of 
Utica; Dennis L., of Utica; Rose A. (widow of Martin Hinton), of Utica; and George 
P., who resides on the homestead in Munnsville. Dennis L. Daily was reared on 
the farm and educated in the common schools of Annsville. He remained on the 
homestead until 1877, when he entered the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine 
Company. In the fall of 1880 he came to Utica and in 1885 established his present 
grocery business in Sunset avenue. In Annsville he took an active part in local pol- 
itics and served two terms as town collector and one term as assessor. In LTtica he 
has also taken an active interest in local political affairs. June 7, 1882, he married 
Katharine M. Sullivan of Utica, and they have six children: Cornelius Sullivan, 
Margaret Maria, Ellen Jane, Katharine Teresa, Mary Loretta, and George Vincent. 

Prescott, D. D., was born in the town of New Hartford in 1856, son of Daniel 
Morgan Prescott. He is the owner of the farm with which the name of Prescott has 
been identified over one hundred years, and which descended from father to son for 
many generations. His great-grandfather came here from Connecticut when his 
grandfather, Oliver Prescott, was but four years of age. The death of his father, 
Daniel Morgan Prescott, in 1805, removed from the community a beloved and ven- 
erable citizen ; he held the offices of assessor and collector, and was a member of 
the Assembly one term, and also held many important positions about the State 
Capitol — postmaster, sergeant-at-arms, and librarian. He married Lydia M. Bacon, 
of Litchfield, Herkimer county, by whom he had four sons and two daughters; and 
she still survives him at the age of sixty-six. D. D. Prescott, following in the foot- 
steps of his father, is a staunch Republican, but not an office holder. He is identi- 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 



377 



fied with the Presbyterian church. In 1880 he marned Stella Schooley, of Litch- 
field, by whom he has four children: Fannie S., Walter D., Arthur A., and Eva E. 

Durfee, W. V., was born in Madison county Ausrust 6 1fm =«t, ~t wiv 
Ursula (Seabura) Durfee, natives of Rhode Island W V Durfee ha Z ^ f 
all of his life in Sangerfield, where he has been engage!' in farmW T 7 

1856, he married Maria Bush, who died Tune 30 1895 Mr n ? ' J Y *' 

the Masonic fraternity, and of the Gran/e ^ ^^ W * m6mber ° f 

Weaver, Van Rensselaer, son of George F. and grandson of Henry Van R Weav 
er, was born m Deerfield, Oneida county, Tan 21 1855 anf l " * t 

father's farm. The founder of the family In Leilas Georglj WeTve/whT 
led J\ZT " P th£ f ° haWk With Capt Mark Daraoth ^ Chriftan Reall and set ' 
-ents AfSrward M n w 76 ^ ^ *™ the » ^^ and burned thefr ^prov ! 

three men again settled at Deerfield Corners, where Mr. Weaver's grandson Geo *e 
Lan^mV'annT- / T- ^ ^ ^ ^ * the tOWn ' ^ birth o^S 

Rensselaer ir R a l„h n « <~"nton, N. Y., and their children are Van 

Rensselaer, jr., Ralph O., Harrison, and Clarence W. 

Wheeler, Russel, was born in Rome, Oneida county N Y Aue-u.t 7 1S pn 

...... „,o p„,.,« Mp , „ a „ lhe arn , ni „ of M|ey £££££ £7» J- 



378 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

sel Wheeler purchased the interest of Joel C. Bailey, and the firm became Wheeler 
& Bailey. In 1865 he bought the interest of S. Alonzo Bailey, and continued the 
business in his own name and without partner for twelve years. In 1877 he took his 
son, Frank E., into the business, and the firm name became what it is to-day, Rus- 
sel Wheeler & Son. They manufacture warm air furnaces, hot water and steam 
heaters, ranges and stoves, and employ from 150 to 200 men. Mr. Wheeler occupied 
many positions of trust and responsibility. He was trustee of Colgate University, 
and also of the Young Ladies' Seminary of LTtica. He was for some years vice- 
president of the Utica City National Bank, was director of the Oneida National 
Bank and trustee of the Savings Bank of Utica. He was for many years a director 
and member of the Executive Committee of the Utica and Black River Railroad ; 
was a director of the Utica Steam Cotton. Mills, the Mohawk Cotton Company, the 
Willowvale Bleaching Company, and the Globe Woolen Company. He was an ex- 
tensive traveler, both in his own land and abroad. A man of unswerving integrity 
and exceptional judgment, he was in every way a most influential and respected 
citizen. August 5, 1845, he married Amanda, the eldest daughter of his partner, Joel 
C. Bailey, a lady who became interested in many of the charities of LTtica, and who 
combined to a more than usual degree those attributes which make a happy, attract- 
ive home, and which endear one to all who are fortunate enough to be brought under 
their influence. She died August 29, 1884, at Saratoga Springs. They had but one 
child, a son, Frank E. Wheeler, who was graduated from Yale College in 1876, and 
who has succeeded his father in the business, as well as in many of his positions of 
trust. November 10, 1887, Mr. Wheeler married, second, Mrs. Katharine Kneeland 
Anderson, of New York, who survives him. He died in LTtica, at his home on Gene- 
see street, January 5, 1895. Frank E. Wheeler, the son, married, April 23, 1878, 
Louise Vanette, daughter of Hon. Cheney Ames of Oswego. 

Sheehan, John H., was born in Ireland, March 16, 1838. Having lost his parents 
by death he came to America when about six years of age with an elder sister and 
first settled in Troy, N. Y. , where he attended the public schools. In 1850 he came 
to Utica and finished his education in the Advanced school of this city. At the age 
of fourteen he became an errand boy in the drug store of Uriah H. Kellogg. About 
four years later Mr. Kellogg was succeeded by Grove & Hamilton, with whom Mr. 
Sheehan remained for a short time. In 1857 he entered the employ of Dickinson, 
Comstock & Co., wholesale druggists and grocers, and in 1865 he was admitted as a 
partner. He continued in this capacity until 1868, when he formed a copartnership 
with his father-in-law, Peter Vidvard, who was then in the wholesale wine and spirit 
business at Nos. 29 and 31 John street. This firm adopted the name of Vidvard & Shee- 
han and continued for ten yeai-s, or until 1878. In January, 1879, Mr. Sheehan started 
in the wholesale and retail drug business on his own account on the site of the Oneida 
National Bank bnilding, where he was burned out June 10, 1886. In 1884 he took 
Charles S. England (then in his employ) and Philip Sweene)' as partners under the 
firm name of John H. Sheehan & Co., which name still continues, although Mr. 
Sheehan has been for several years the sole proprietor. In the fall of 1886 they es- 
tablished the present store in Genesee street, purchasing the site from one of the heirs 
of the late John Carton. Mr. Sheehan is a Democrat in politics, a successful business 
man, and was charity commissioner for one year, being appointed to fill the vacancy 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 379 

caused by the death of Joseph Fass. He is a member of Fort Schuyler Club and 
takes an active interest in the welfare of the city. September IB, 1865, he married 
Josephine Francis Schaler, step-daughter of Peter Vidvard, and they have six 
children : Dr. John P. , a physician of Utica ; Edward J. , of the Sheehan Fruit Syrup 
Company, of Utica; Robert S., who died April 15, 1894, aged twenty-one; Frederick 
Paul, a student at Fordham College in New York city; and Josephine Catherine and 
Agnes Emily, students in Mrs. Piatt's Ladies' Seminary of Utica. 

Dygert, George W., is a grandson of Peter Dygert, who came to Utica from 
Schenectady at an early day and drove stages from several years. James H., son of 
Peter, was born there in 1839, and has been a life-long restaurateur. His son, 
George W., was born in Utica, April 17, 1865, followed bookkeeping about ten years, 
and in the fall of 1891 succeeded his father as the proprietor of a restaurant and 
oyster house. He is a member of I. O. of R. M., and a charter member of the old 
LHica Mandolin Club, the first organization of the kind in the city. He has always 
taken an active part in important musical entertainments. 

Pohl, George D., was born in West Leyden, Lewis county, N. Y. , December 25, 
1855, son of Adam and Francisca (Vogal) Pohl, natives of Darmstadt, Germany, who 
came to America in 1853, stopping at New York city, from where they came to 
Lewis county, and finally settled in Ava. Mrs. Pohl died in 1883, and Mr. Pohl is 
still living at the age of sixty-seven. He is a blacksmith by trade, having learned 
the trade in Germany, and the shop in which he learned his trade and worked was 
conducted by his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, being in the family 
over 200 years. George D. learned the trade of his father. In 1886 he married Jen- 
nie R., daughter of Henry and Mary E. (Hicks) Slone. Mr. Slone was a graduate 
of the Eclectic Medical College at Philadelphia, and also of the Homeopathic College 
at Cincinnati. He began his practice at Vienna, and spent his last years in practice 
at Ava, where he died in 1872. In 1884 Mrs. Slone married Perm Rockwell of Ava. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pohl have three children : Florence M. , Arthur and Harold. Mr. 
Pohl, with his brother, Valentine, began general blacksmith business at Ava in 1879. 
In 1883 they patented a curd mill, which they have since manufactured. They have 
also invented and manufactured an automatic curd agitator, and manufacture gas 
and gasoline engines, in which business they associated with themselves in 1894 
Henry Pokosney, of Vienna, Austria, late of the automatic gas engine works of 
Philadelphia, Pa. They also conduct a foundry in which Frank Tryon, of Syracuse 
is foreman. Mr. Pohl is at present justice of the peace. 

Crandall Charles E., was born at Vernon Center, in the town of Vernon, Oneida 
county, N. Y., December 1, 1833. He was educated in the district schools, and re- 
mained on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, and then learned the currier's 
trade, which businesshe followed until 1859, when he became a manufacturer of 
boots and shoes. He continued this business six years, then added the- grocery 
business, and in 1872 began conducting a general store, which he still follows with 
success, taking his son, Willard L. , into partnership April 1, 1885, under the firm 
name of C. E. Crandall & Son. January 29, 1881, he was appointed postmaster and 
served about five years, till there was a change of administration. October 5, 1853 
he married Maria T., daughter of George C. Cadwell, of this town, by whom he has 



380 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

three sons: George C, Willard L. and Charles F. Mrs. Crandall died June 13, 
1896. George C. married Minnie Bell, of Glens Falls, and they have one daughter, 
Florence. Willard L. married Marian Barrett, of Medina, Orleans county, and they 
have two children, Charles A. and Barrett L. Charles F. resides at home and runs 
the stage route, carrying the mail. Mrs. Crandall's father, George C. Cadwell, was 
justice of the peace twenty years. C. E. Crandall has held the position of notary 
continuously for over twenty years and still holds the office. Willard L. Crandall is 
treasurer of the School Board. The ancestry of the family is of Dutch extraction. 

Bensberg, Frederick W. , was born in Utica May 21, 1852, and is a son of Frederick 
W. and Barbara Bensberg, who came from Germany to America and settled in 
Utica in 1846 where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Bensberg, sr., was en- 
gaged in the grocery and coal business here until his death in 1883. Frederick W. , 
his son, was educated in the public and advanced schools of Utica, commenced to 
learn the trade of printing first in the Herald office, where he was employed from 
1863 to 1881, being assistant foreman during the last twelve years. In 1881 he was 
one of the organizers of the Utica Daily Press and has since been its foreman. 
When the company was incorporated in 1883 he was made a director and a member 
of the executive committee, which position he still holds. Mr. Bensberg is a staunch 
Republican, was school commissioner of Utica for three years (1891, 1892, and 1893). 
He married Miss Georgia A. Perkins, of Oriskany Falls, Oneida county, and a 
daughter of John P. Perkins. They have had two children: Florence P. and Fred- 
erick Stafford (who died aged two years). 

Fuller, Charles Y., was born December 25, 1850, in Schenectady, N. Y., and is a 
son of Charles and Sarah A. (Lewis) Fuller, Charles Fuller, son of Ebenezer, was 
born in Schenectady county and was a broom maker by trade, and died in 1857. 
He was a lineal descendant of Ebenezer Fuller, of the Mayflower. His wife sur- 
vives him. Her maternal grandfather, Sanborn Ford, was a Revolutionary soldier 
and was present at Fort Montgomery and the Seige of Yorktown and witnessed the 
surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Charles Y. Fuller came to Utica with his mother in 
1857, and received his education in the public schools of the city. In 1878 he began 
learning the stone cutter's trade in Lockport, N. Y., where he remained about seven 
years. Later he was employed for eleven years on the State capitol at Albany. In 
1887 he returned to Utica and 1888 engaged in cut stone contracting (the first to in- 
troduce machinery for cutting stone in LHica or Oneida county), which he still suc- 
cessfully continues. Among the many buildings he has erected are the Olivet 
church on Howard avenue, the Church of the Holy Cross on Bleecker street (1893), 
and St. Patrick's church on Columbia street in Utica; the Parochial school in Little 
Falls; the Hieber building, Walton High School, Second National Bank building, 
Oneida Historical building (Munson Williams memorial), schools numbers twenty 
and twenty-one and the Albany street school in Utica. He has also erected many 
other large buildings in Central New York, including numerous fine residences, 
blocks, etc. He is an active Republican and has been delegate to several local con- 
ventions. He is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., of Samuel Reed 
Lodge, K. of P., and of the Knights of Honor. April 23, 1S77, he married Augusta 
Blumenthal, of Utica, but a native of Germany, and they have three children: 
George L. , Albert B. and Ada C. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 381 

Joslyn, William H., was born in Brockport, Monroe county, N. Y., November 23, 
1835, and was educated in the public schools of Brockport and Colgate Institute. 
He has had a variety of occupations, but engaged most of the time in farming. 
October 18, 1856, he married Louisa Brockway, of his native place, by whom he had 
four children, all of whom are dead. Mrs. Joslyn died October 16, 1874, and in 
November, 1875, he married for his second wife, Mary Duff, of Sweden, Monroe 
county, by whom he had five children: Margaret M., W. Henry, Theresa M., Susan 
M., and Charles E. April 26, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 13th N. Y Vols., in which 
he was orderly sergeant, was captured at the first battle of Bull Run, and was con- 
fined in Libby Prison, Old Parish Prison, in New Orleans, and Saulsbury Prison, 
North Carolina, and was paroled December 3, 1862. October 14, 1863, he was mus- 
tered into the service as first lieutenant of Co. H, of the 21st N. Y. Cavalry. He 
participated in all the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, and served as provost 
marshal on the brigade staff through the fatal Lynchburg raid, when 1,500 horses 
perished in the mountains in one day from hunger. May 12, 1865, he was pro- 
moted captain for brave and meritorious service. He was honorably discharged 
October 5, 1865. His father, Isaac Joslyn, was born in the town of Verona, 
March 15, 1806, and was educated in the schools of his day. He married 
Maryette Peters, of 'Genesee county, N. Y., by whom he had five children: William 
H. (as above), Charles A., Susan M., Sarah M., and Elias P. Isaac Joslyn died 
December 28, 1878. His father. Ephraim Joslyn, was born at Leominster, Mass., 
in 1774, and settled in Verona in 1790, son of Captain Abijah, of the Revolutionary 
war. The family are of Norman ancestry. 

Eaton, Maurice.— Samuel Eaton was born in Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y. 
and afterward moved to Deerfield, where he engaged in farming. He was a Repub- 
lican in politics, and was assessor of the town of Deerfield for several terms. He 
married Hannah Tanner, of Schuyler, Herkimer county, by whom he had five chil- 
dren: Morris, a farmer on the homestead, who is a Republican in politics and is at 
present assessor of Deerfield ; Charles, also a farmer on the homestead, who is a 
member of Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M., ; Albert, a carpenter of Goshen, Ind. ; Sher- 
man, a farmer in Herkimer county; and Emma, who married Hugh Jones, a farmer, 
of Deerfield, and who died in 1890. Samuel Eaton died March 16, 1894, and his 
wife died in November, 1891. Elijah Eaton, father of Samuel, came from Vermont 
and was a pioneer of Deerfield, where he was a farmer. He married Hannah Good- 
rich, of Whitestown. 

Gorton, F. T., M.D., was born in Brookfield, Madison county, N. Y., October 22, 
1843, son of Thomas Rodgers and Prudence (Treat) Gorton. His great grandfather! 
Samuel Gorton, settled in Brookfield in 1796 and was an officer in the Revolutionary 
war. F. T. Gorton was educated at Whitestown and Cazenovia. He attended one 
course of medical lectures at Michigan University and was graduated from the Uni- 
versity Medical College of the city of New York in 1871, after which he commenced 
practice in Waterville, and established a high reputation in medical circles. He is 
a member of the Oneida County Medical Society and has been coroner of the county 
two terms. He has also been village trustee two terms, and is a member of the 
Waterville Board of Education. He held the position of United States Pension 
examiner from January, 1872 to October, 1893, a period of nearly twenty-two years 



382 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 

Dr. Gorton married Alicia C, daughter of C. A. Budlong of Cassville, N. Y., by 
whom he has one son and three daughters. 

Maurer, Deabold, was born in Alsace, France, now Germany, of German ancestry, 
May 30, 1832, and was educated in the French and German schools of his native 
country. He was reared on a farm, his parents, Michael and Dora Maurer, being 
farmers there. In 1852 he came to America and settled first in New London, Oneida 
county, N. Y., where he remained one year on a farm. He then traveled in the 
Southern and Western States, engaging m such employment as his tastes and the 
circumstances permitted. In 1854 he started for California, but was taken ill en 
route and stopped at Boonville, Mo., where he remained about five years, being em- 
ployed D3' an express company there. In 1859 he joined an expedition to Pike's Peak 
and engaged in mining, but not meeting with success he cut a quantity of hay in one of 
the fertile valleys of Colorado, and sold it for 81 a pound to the mountaineers. 
Later he bought and shipped general merchandise from the States to the miners of 
Colorado, which proved quite profitable. He also sold goods among the mining 
camps of Montana, transporting them 1,600 miles across the plains with ox-teams, 
and frequently encountering Indians, wild animals, and other adventures common 
to those pioneer days. He continued this business successfully until 1866, when he 
made a visit to his native country with the intention of remaining permanently, but 
local conditions induced him to return to the United States and settle in New Lon- 
don, Oneida county, where he resided until the spring of 1896, when he removed to 
Syracuse, N. Y. In New London he carried on a general mercantile business for 
twenty-seven years, and during that period won the respect and confidence of the 
entire community. He was an active Democrat, and was a deacon of St. Peter's 
German Lutheran church of Churchville, near New London, and was also president 
of that church for several years. He was a member of the school board of New 
London for twenty-six years, a part of the time being its president. He is a mem- 
ber of New London Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M., and was for five years its trustee. 
In April, 1867, he was married at West Lyden. Lewis county, to Harriet Triess, and 
they have five children: Otto G. , of Kansas City, Kan. ; Theodore D., of Syracuse; 
Oscar D., of Syracuse; Helen M., of Syracuse; and Minnie M., of Utica. Mrs. 
Maurer's father, George Triess, was born in Germany, December 11, 1810, came to 
America in 1835, and located in West Leyden, N. Y. He married Catherine Maurer, 
a native of Alsace, and has four children living: George, Harriet (Mrs. Deabold 
Maurer), William and Samuel. 



INDEXES. 



Abbott, Peter, 377 

Acts resulting in the war of 1812, 167 

Adgate, Matthew, 126 

Aiken, Samuel C, Rev., 32!) 

Alder Creek, 406 

Alexander, Caleb, Rev. , 268 

Alverson, Uriah, 279 

William, 76 " 
Ambler, David, 388 
Annsville, town of, 372-379 

business interests of, 375-377 

churches of, 378, 379 

first town officers of. 377 

leading farmers of, 378 

list of supervisors of, 377 

pioneers of, 372-375 

schools of, 376 

topographv and natural character- 
istics of , 372 
Andrus, David I., 60, 514 
Armstrong, Archibald, 61, 62, 137 

David, 61 

E. B., 410 

Jonas W., 61 

Nicholas, 375 

William C, 61 
Arnold's, General, ruse to relieve Fort 

Stanwix, 48, 49 
Arsenal, U. S., at Rome, 176. 177 
Augusta, town of, 379-393 

churches of, 383, 389, 390 

early physicians of, 386 

first events in, 388 

first officers of, 382 

lawyers from, 389 

leading farmers of, 388 

list of supervisors of, 392 

organization of, 382 

pioneers of, 380-389 • 

population of, 392 

schools of, 383 

topography of, 379 

town officers of, 393 

Center, 384 



Ava, town of, 393-396 

churches and schools of , 396 

first officers of, 394 

leading farmers of, 395 

list of supervisors of, 396 

pioneers of, 393-395 

topography of, 393 

Corners, 395 
Avery, Charles, 273 

Clark, 273 

D. A., 364 

Babcock, Asa and Oliver, 411 

Hill, 412 
Babbitt, John, 594 

William. 492 
Backus, Azel, Rev., 268 
Bacon, Ezekiel, 188, 297, 354 

Thomas, 440 

William J., 229; sketch of, 239; 286, 
324, 353, 364, 365 
Bagg, Moses, 281, 290, 301 

Moses, Mrs., 348 

M. M., Dr., 229 

Sophia, Mrs., 342 
Bagg's hotel, 290 
Bailey, E. Prentiss, 356 

Joel C, 370 
Baker, Thomas F., 357 

William T., 357 
Baldwin, Amos G., Rev., 214, 332 
Ballou, Benjamin, 28(1 

jr., Benjamin, 329 

Jerathmel, 289 

Joseph, 280 

Theodore P. , 289 
Bank commissioner, 204 

D. G. & J. G. Dorrance's, 423 

First National, Rome, 529 

of A. D. Mather & Co., 365 

of Boonville, First National, 404 

of Rome, 529 

of Utica, 362 

Utica City, 363 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Bank of Utica, First National, 362 

of Utica, Savings, 364 

of Utica, Second National, 304 

of Vernon, 572 

Manhattan Brauch, 361 

Oneida County, 3 3 

Oneida County Savings, 530 

Oneida National, 362 

Rome Savings, 530 

S. C. Thompson & Co.'s, 404 
Banks and banking, beginning of, in 

Utica, 291 
Banyar, Goldsboro, 102, 107, 117 
Bar of Oneida county, list of members of 

the, 246, 247 
Barker, Louisa M., -'713, 377 
Barnard, Harvey, 310 

Harvey and sons, 304 
Barnes, Benjamin and son. 76 

jr., Benjamin, 77 

Manning, 415 
! -Wheeler, 190, 243 
Barn urn, Ezra S. 297, 310 
Barrett, Stephen, 76 

William, 349 
Bartholomew, Sherman, Dr., 248 
Bartlett, 612 

Charles, 349 

Montgomery R. , 349 
Barton, David, 475 
Baschard's Location, 124 
Bayard, William and Robert. 108 
Beach, B. T., account of Bloomfield's 
trip by, 138 

John Newton, 270 
Beal, Moses, 92 
Beardsley, Arthur M., 355 

Samuel, sketch of, 235 
Beckwith, Asa and four sons, 70 
Beers, Franklin D., 531 
Bellinger, John, Maj., 64, 279, 291, 329 

Peter, 280 
Bench and bar of Oneida county, 229 
Benedict, A. G..270 
Bensberg, F. A. 357 
Benson, Egbert, 67, 68, 70, 71 
Best, I. P., 273 
Bierbauer. Charles, 358 
Bird's, Colonel, diary, 35 
Birdseye, Rufus P., 265 
Bishop, Lcverett, Dr., 256 
Bissell, Daniel P., Dr., 353 
Black River Canal, 223 
Blackmer, Ephraim, 60 

sr. , Joseph. 76 

jr., Joseph, 60 
Blackstone, Henry, 482 
Blaikie, William, 365 



Blair, John, 64 

Blauchard, Andrew, 56 

Bleecker, John R., 58, 124, 278, 351 

Rutger, 102 
Blodgett, Ludlim, 61 
Bloodgood, Francis A., 143, 183, 282, 283, 
289, 291, 346 
< Bloomfield, John, 372 
v John W., 137 
Blossvale, 376 
Bogue, Horace, 273 
Boom, Abraham, 279 
Boon, Gerrit, 105, 397, 554 
Boonville Agricultural Society, 405 

town of, 396-407 

churches of, 406, 407 

first events in, 399 

first officers of, 399, 400 

in the war of 1812. 400 

list of supervisors of, 399, 400 

newspapers of, 403 

pioners of, 397-4o:i 

schools of. 404 

topographv and natural features of, 
396 

village, 401-405 

business interests of, 402-405 
Erwin Library at, 405 
list of presidents of, 401 
Bosworth, Joseph S., 273 
Bounties and bounty legislation, 197, 198 

Bours, Peter, 295 • 

Bovnton, Milton, 303 

Brace, Samuel W., Rev., 329, 330, 346 

Bradish, John, 296 

Bradlev, Dan, Rev., 482 

Bradstfeet, John, Col., 6, 13, 17, 18, 102 

Brandegee, John E., 352 

Brayton, Edward S., 364 

George, 597 
Breese, Ann, Mrs,, 342 

Arthur, 143. 296, 346 

Samuel, 293 

S. S., 188 
Brendle, A., 358 
Brewster, Elias, 373 
Bridgewater, town of, 407-414 

churches of, 413 

first town officers of. 410 

leading farmers of, 413 

list of supervisors of, 410 

pioneers of, 408^112 

prominent men from, 413 

schools of, 409 

settlement of, first, disputed, 408 

topography of, 407 

village, 412 
Briggs, Clark, 531 



INDEXES. 



385 



Bristol, Moses, 272 
British plans for 1777, 28 
Broadhead, Charles C, 183, 284 

E. H., 319 
Broadwell, Ara, 287 
Brodock, Bartholomew, second settler 

in the county, 24 
Bronson, Greene C, sketch of, 234 

James, 61, 446 
Brothertown Tract, the, 116 
Broughton. Jai-ed, extract from reminis- 
cences of, 78 
Brown, Enos, 287 

Matthew, Dr., 248 

Samuel G., Rev., 269 
Bryan, John, 416 
Buck, Daniel, 394, — 
Buckingham, Edward D., 369 

Joseph H.,354 
Bullens, John, 61 
Burchard, Gurdon, 281 
Burgoyne, Augustus, Dr., 389 
Burgoyne's expedition, 28 
Burke, J. M., 531 
Bush, John P., 355 
Bushinger, Eduard, 365 
Bushnell, Josiah 567 
Butler, Comfort, 297 

Eli, 483 

Horace, 303 

John M.,270, 363,497 

Nathaniel, 329 

Richard, 57 

Sylvester, 77 

Truman K., 333, 345 

Walter N. , capture of, and a body of 
tones and Indians, 48 

Memorial Hall, 488 
Butterfield, John, 92, 226, 303 
Butts, Gideon, 515 

Cadwell, Dan P., 226 
Cahill, Thomas D., 358 
Camden, town of, 414-426 
canning business in, 421 
churches of, 424, 425 
early schools and churches of, 515 
Knitting Company, 419 
Library Association, 422 
list of supervisorsof, 425 
pioneers of, 414-417 
population of, 418 
topography of, 414 
village, banks of, 423 
foundries in, 418 
hotels of, 422.423 
incorporation, first officers, and 
list of presidents of, 418 



Camden village, manufacturing and busi- 
ness interests of, 418-424 
newspapers of, 421 
pr-ominent business men of, 422 
union free school, 423 
water works, 424 
Camp Abram, 183 

John, 296 

Talcott, 282, 283, 287, 329, 346 
Campaign of 1756, the, 8, 12-14 

of 1758 under Abercrombie, 17 

of 1759, 21 
Campbell, Adam P., 137, 375 

John P., 632 

Samuel, 629-631 

Samuel R., 630, 631 
Camroden, 441 
Canal appraiser, 204 

commissioners, 204 
Capron Knitting Company, 489 

" Seth, Dr., 488, 628 
Carberry, John E., 352 
Carnahan, James, Rev., 214 
Carpenter, Benjamin, 293 

Edward, 293 
Carraher, Patrick, Rev., 340 
Carrington, Samuel, Dr., 281 
Carter, Joseph, Rev., 348 
Carton Furnace Company, 370 

John, 370 
Cary, Ira B., 363 
Cassety, James, Capt, 61, 143, 380 

Thos., Col., 382, 446 
Cassville, 501, 502 

Census, names of male heads of families 
given by, in 1800, 81-84 

of Whitestown in 1790, 80 

second U. S., 146 

the first United States, in 1790, 79 

U. S., of 1810, 159 
Central New York Farmers' Club, 213 

Homoeopathic Medical Soci- 
ety, 257 
' pottery, 367 
Chadwick, George W., 489 

John, 500 
Chadwick's Mills, 489 
Chamberlain, Ephraim, 326, 365 
^Chapin, Israel, 89, 90 
Chase, Enoch M., 357 

Henry W. , 360 

Philander, Rev., 328 
Chenango Canal, 223 
Child, Jonathan, 346 
Childs, David W., 290, 346 

Silas D., 92, 319,342, 369 
Chipman, Annie, 277 
Chittenden, Jared, 608 



386 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Cholera epidemic of 1832, 193 
Chrisman, Jacob, 59 
Christian, Jacob, 279 
Churchill, Alfred, 305 

Alfred, Mrs., 342 
Civil list, 204-208 

Clark, Erastus, 143; sketch of, 235; 282, 
283, 289, 329 

Silas, 282 
Clarke, Elijah, Dr., 516 

George,. 95 ; and family, 96-98 

William, 297 
Clayville, 495-498 
Clinton, Gov. George, 57, 67, 75, 87, 108 

James and George, 18 

Grammar School, 272 

Liberal Institute, 276 
— village, 456, 457 

churches of, 459, 460 
Cloher, William H., 489 
Clowes, Timothy, Rev., 276 
Cochrane, James and Walter L., 302 
Coe Isaac 287 289 
Colbraith, William, 52,01, 85,88; advice 

of, to Judge Starring, 139 
Cold summer of 1816, 177 
Coleman's Mills, 635 
Colling, Thomas, 310, 318, 346 
Collins, Oliver, Gen., 61, 481 
Colston, Edwin R., 355 
Commercial Travelers' Mutual Accident 

Association, 365 
Commissioner of public charities, 205 
Comstock, Calvert, 530, 531, 

David, 272 

Edward, 528 

Elon, 530, 531 
Conant's Sons, F. H., 420 
Congressional districts, 295 
Colliding, Roscoe, 242 
Constitution of 1821, 188 
Constitutional conventions, delegates to, 

205 
Cook, Theodore P., 356 
Cooper, Apollos, 182, 281, 291, 329, 346 

& Co., H. H., 368 
Corbin Cabinet Lock Company, 421 
Corev, Thomas and Augustus, 280, 284 
Cosb'y's Manor, 100-103 
Cottage Seminary, Clinton, 277 
Counties, division of the State into. 63 
County buildings, 149-152 

clerks, 208 

clerk's office, 183 

Poorhouse and Asylum, 210 

seat, struggle for the, 154 

treasurers, 208 
Court house and jail, 146 



Court house, burning of, in 1848, 156 

of Appeals, 230 

of Common Pleas, early, 139, 231 

Supreme, 230 

Supreme, of Judicature, 229 
Courts, Circuit, 230 

County, 232 

places of holding, under law of 1793, 
85 
Coventry, Alexander, Dr., sketch of, 251 ; 
282, 429 

C. B., Dr., 209, 249, 253 

Robert, 429 
Cox, Joseph, 430 
Coxe family, the, 108 
Coye, Jason G., 344 
Cozier, Ezra S., 296, 301, 310 
Crafts, Willard, 319 
Crawford, Clark, 432 
Cross, Shubael, 506 
Crouse, Clarence B. 307 

Daniel, 306 

& Brandegee, 368 
Crowley, R. M., Mrs., :;4* 
Culver, Abraham, 301 
Cunningham, Hugh, 387 

John, 59, 279 

John H„ 355 

William, 59, 63 
Curran, Edward, 300, 365 
Curry, Isaac, 559 
Curtenius, Peter, 118, 119 
Curtis, Philo C, 367. 368 

PhiloS., 367 
Curtiss, Jesse, 415, 448 

Medad, 143 

Dakin, Martin, 285 

Samuel D., 286,353, 354 
Dalliba, James, Major, 172 
Daly, Thomas, Rev., 340 
Damuth family, the, 62 

George, 59, 279 

(or Damoot), Mark, 24, 56, 426 
Dana, Joseph, 346 
Danfortn, J. N., Rev., 313 
Darling, Henry, Rev., 269 
Dauby, Augustine G. . 355, 362 
Davis, Henry, Rev., 269 
Dawley, Job, 433 
Dayton, Elias, Col., 37 
Dean, James, 56, 58, 114, 512, 604 

John, 475 

Philena, 276 

Thomas, 476 

William, 60 
De Angelis, Pascal C. J., 558 
Deansville, 477, 478 



INDEXES. 



387 



Deerfield, town of, 426-432 

churches of, 431 

first officers of, 428 

leading farmers of, 430 

list of supervisors of, 431 

pioneers of, 426-430 

topography of, 426 

Corners, 430 
De Grow, Stephanes, 24 
De Lancey, James, 99 

Oliver, 102 
Delta village, 467 
Denio, Hiram, sketch of, 237; 318, 350, 

363, 365 

Israel, 439, 514 
Dering Nicoll H., Dr., 254 
Despard, Madame, 349 
Development and improvements at the 

beginning of the century, 166 
Devendorf, H. E., 357 
Devereux, John C, 285, 286, 339, 342, 

364, 365 

Nicholas, 209, 286, 319. 339, 343 

Thomas B., 344 
De Witt, Simeon, 220 
Dickinson, A. M., 357 
Dimbleby, Wesley, 326 
Dimon, George D., 365 
District attorneys, 233 
Dix, Charles, and family, 574 
Dixon, David R., 346 
Documentary History of New York, ex- 
tract from, 140 
Documents relating to monopoly of trans- 
portation at the Carrying Place, 25 
Dolan, JohnM., 358 
Doolittle, Charles H., 363 

George, Gen., 59, 619, 629 

Jesse W.. 348 
Dorchester. Eliasaph, 296, 346, 348, 355 
Dorrance, Daniel G., 423, 434 

J. G., 423 
Douglass, Isaac H., Dr., 255 
Downer & Son, Edward F., 368 
Dunbar, Joel, 417 
Dunham, George E. , 357 
Dunmore, Watson T., 365 
Durham, Eber, 584 
Durhamville, 584 
Durkee, Robert, Benjamin and Joseph, 

381 
Dutton, James, 307 
D wight, Henry, Rev., 329 

Sereno E., Rev., 269 
Dyer, Samuel, 439 

Eastburn, Robert, narrative of, 11 
Eastman, F. A., 357 



Easton, Rufus, 143 
Eaton, Ezra, 286 

Oliver P., 137 
Ecker, Nicholas, 100, 101 
Eddy, Obed, 346 
Edmunds, Andrew, 397 
Edwards, J. D., 368 
Eggleston, Aaron, 281 
Election in Whitestown, the first general, 

77 
Elections and town meetings, 75 
Elmore's, Samuel, Col., regiment in the 

Mohawk valley, 31 
Ely, E. S., 354 
Empey, sr. , Anthony, 433 
Empeyville, 436 

English activity under the administra- 
tion of Pitt, 17 
Ensworth, Nehemiah, 482 
Erie Canal, first boat on the, between 
Rome and Utica, 180 

genesis of the, 215, 220 
opening ceremonies of beginning 

work on the, 179 
opening of, between Utica and 
Rome, 185-18S 
Erwin, Cornelius B., 405 
Eton, Ebeneze!,354 
Events of the war of 1812, 171-173 
Everett, Robert, Rev., 550 
Everts, Charles C. , 349 
Execution of incendiaries in Rome, 182 
Expedition against Niagara under Pri- 
deaux and Johnson, 21 
of Belletre in 1757, 15 
of Bradstreet via Wood Creek, 6 
of Bradstreet in 1758, 17, 18 
of Colonels Willett and Van Schaack 

against the Onondagas, 51 
of De Lery in 1756, 8 
of General Shirley to Oswego, 6, 7 
of Sullivan against the Senecas, 51 
Explorations and settlements, early, 2 

. Faas, Joseph, 358 
Farman family, the, 386 
Farnham, Samuel, 274 
Farnon. Rev. Mr., 339 
Farwell, Joseph, 64 

Major, 409 
Fauconnier, Peter, 95, 98 
Faxton Hospital, the, 344 

T. S., 92, 209, 301, 343, 344, 353, 364, 
369 
Fellows, Roswell, 517 

William, 282 
Financial crisis of 1837-38, 193 
Fish Creek Landing, 594 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Fisher, Samuel W., Rev., 269 . 
Fisk, Job, 399 
Flandrau, T. M., Dr., 528 
Fletcher's, Governor, land grants, 93, 94 
Florence, town of, 432-437 
churches of, 434, 435 
first officers of, 433 
list of supervisors of, 430 
pioneers of, 433, 434 
topography of, 432 
village, 435 
Floyd, town of, 437^145 
churches of, 441 
leading farmers of, 442 
list of supervisors of, 439 
pioneers of, 437-441 
topography of, 437 
Corners, 441 
John G., 356 
William, 68, 75, 291, 599 
Fonda, Jellis, 25, 109 
Foot, Moses, 61, 445 
Ford, Stephen, 281 
Forestport, town of, 442-455 
churches of, 444 
first officers of, 443 
lumber business of, 444 
State dam at, 443 
supervisors of, 443 
topography of, 442 
Forman, Joshua, 221 
Fort Bull, 10, 11 

Schuyler, establishment of, 20 
Stanwix, armament and condition of 
in August, 1777, 30 
building of, 19, 20 
called Fort Schuyler, 27 
Col. Gansevoort's letters relating 

to affairs at, 29 
Colonel Willett's account of his 

sortie at the siege of, 44 
destruction of homes at, by Tories 

and Indians in 1776, 26 
discontent at, in 1778, 50 
importance of, during the Revo- 
lution, 26 
investment of, by Colonel Bird 

and Brant, 37 
location of, 20 
murder of two girls at, in 1777, 

29 
raising of the siege of, through 

Arnold's ruse, 49 
repaired by Colonel Gansevoort, 

27 
St. Leger's proposal of surrender 

to, 45 
siege of, in 1777, 32-49 



Fort Stanwix, troop in occupation of, in 

1776 and 1777, 31, 32 
Forts at Wood Creek, capture of by De 

Lery, 9 
Foster, Francis, 64 

Henry A., 180, 190, 225; sketch of 
238 

Francis, 279 

Thomas, 226 
Fox, Henry (Lord Holland), 105 
Francis, John J., 306 
Franklin, Abraham, 121 

and Robinson Tract, the, 121 
French, John, 181 

power in America, end of, 21 

spy, narrative of a, 15 
Frisbie, Willard J., 419 
Fuller, Russell, Major, 545 
Fulmer, John C , 358 

Gage, Thomas, Sir, 106 

Gale, George W., 273 

Gallup, J. C, Dr., 276 

Gang Mills, 564 

Gansevoort, Peter, Col. , 27, 29, 32, 45 46 

50, 67 
Gardner, Benjamin, 441 

James S., 274 
Gates, Horatio, 17 
Geddes, James, 220 
Genesee Road, the Great, 89 

street, Utica, houses on, in 1786, 58 
George, Samuel, 285 
Gibbs, Zenas, 80 
Gibson, Henry, 292 

Henry B., 291, 361 

William T., Rev., 360 
Gilbert, Elisha M., 306 

Nathaniel, 60, 514 

Sarah A., Mrs., 330 
Globe Woolen Mills, 368 
Gold, Theo. S., 302, 354 

Thomas R., 143, 182; sketch of, 234; 
620 
Goodrich, Roswell, 58 

Solomon P., 287, 329, 349 
Goodsell, Thomas, Dr., 252 
Goodwin, Evan R., 333 
Governor, etc., 204 
Graham, Edmund A., 226, 369 
Grannis, Timothy O., 362 
Gray, John P., Dr., 254 
Great Carrying Place, the, 3-5 

destruction of forts at, by 
Col. Webb, 14 
Green, Beriah, Rev., 274, 313 

George S. , Mrs., %M' 
Griffith, Harry H., 404^ 



INDEXES. 



389 



Griffiths, C. C, 355 

Griffith O., 546 

James, Rev., 331 

J. C.,359 360 

Owen, Rev., 359 

Thomas J., 358, 359 
Griswold, Chester, 303 

Joab, 143 
Grosvenor, Francis, 353 
Grove, De Witt C, 324, 356 
Groves, William, '372 
Guernsey, J. J-, 531 • 
Guiteau,' Calvin, 105, 285, 428 

Francis, Dr., 248; sketch- of, 252 

jr., Francis J., Dr., 285 

Luther, Dr., 285, 555 
Gurney, Nathan, 534 

Hadley, Hiram, 259 
Hahn, John, 358 
Hale, Minivera, 434 
Halleck family, the, 598 

H. W., Gen., 77 
Hallock, Robert T., 316, 350 

William, 428 
Halstead, Timothy, 589 
Hamilton College, 268-272 

Oneida Academy, 266-268 
Hamhn, William D., 306, 364 
Hammill, E. S., Mrs., 350 
Hammond, John, Rev., 282 
Handy, John H., 297 
Harger, Ebenezer, 393 
Harrington, Elisha, 349 
Harris, Joseph, 285 
Hart, Alexander B., 367 

Ephraim, 291, 297, 310, 367, 449 
H. Gilbert, 367 
Henry R., 312, 367 
Martin, 226, 318, 367 
Thomas, 449 
Harter, Nicholas and Philip. 59, 427 
Hartler, Isaac S., Rev., 332 
Hartwell, Thomas, Dr., 517 
Hasbrouck, David. 248, 252, 287 
Haselton, J. S., 528 
Hastings, Charles, 302 

Seth, Dr., 248 
Hatch, Jarvis M., 356 , 
Hathaway, Joshua, 143, 179, 180, 240 
Haven, S. Z., Dr-^258 - 
• Hawkinsville, 405 
Hawley, Chester W., Rev., 277 

Jesse, 2i'0 
Hayes, Mary, 273 
.Head, Harvey, 210 
Heath, Hawley E., 324 
Heatherington, Isaac, 429 



Hecla Works, 611 

Heffron, Daniel S., Rev., 274, 347, 351 
Hemenway, W. F., Rev., 385 
Herbert, Philip, 333 

Herkimer county, formed from Mont- 
gomery, 85 
jail, 139 
George, 61 
Han Yost, 61 
Nicholas, Gen., 39-43 
Herlan. F., Rev., 336 
Hicks, Thomas G., 559 
Higginsville, 585 
Hill, David, 598 

Jonathan A., Gen., 444 
Hillman, Levi, 399 
Hillside (Leila), 600 
Hinman, Benjamin, Maj., 282 
John E., 293, 297, 301 
Samuel, 283 
Hitchcock, Marcus, Dr., 2S7, 291 
Hobby, John, Epenetus, and Elkanah, 

281 
Holcomb, Roswell, 346, 348 
Holland Patent, 562 
Hollister, Ephraim, 507 

Frederick, 371, 488, 497 
Hiel, 287 
Holman City, 502 
Holmes, Alexander, :!81 
Home for Aged Men, the, 344 
for the Homeless, the, 343 
Homestead Aid Association, the, 366 
Homoeopathic Medical profession, the, 

255-260 
Hopkins, Mark, 272 
Sewal, Dr., 248 
Hopper, James, Capt, 285 

Thomas, 319 
Hotchkin, Beriah B.. 354 
Houghton Seminary. Clinton, 276 
House of Good Shepherd, 343 

John, 90, 281 
Hovty, George. 443 

Solomon, 61 
Hoyt, John C, 283, 329 
Hubbard, Bela, 285 

O. P., Dr., statement of, relative to 

building the Erie Canal, 222 
Samuel, 61 
Hubbell, Alrick, 303 

Matthew, 279, 280 
Hull, Amos G., Dr., 248,252 
Humaston, John, 76, 77, 589 
Humphrey, Erasmus, Dr., 255 

G. H., 359 
Hunt, Jacob, Dr., 255 

Montgomery, 291, 292, 361 



390 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Hunt, Ward, 313, 326 
Huntington, Benjamin N., 292, 3G2 

George, 143, 383 

Henrv, 188, 291, 292, 362 

William R., 258 
Hurd, Elliott, 389 
Hurlburt, Augustus, 310 

Kellogg, 301, 362 

Samuel, Mrs., 395 
Hutchinson, Charles W., 211 

Edwin, Dr , 255 

Holmes, 303 

Immigrants of 1789-92, 75 et seq. 
immigration, beginning of, 55 

inducements to, 75 
Ingham, Joseph, Capt., 546 
Inman, William, 282, 293 
Inspector o f State prisons, 204 
Internal improvements following 1830, 

192, 194, 200 
Iroquois, the, 1 

Confederacy, the, 73 
Ives, Jesse and Joel, 408 
Ivison, Henry, 304 

Jackson. Asahel, 580 

William B., 368 
Jail, burning of, in Rome, 182 
Jauncey, James, 102 
Jenkins, Timothy, 570 
Jennings, Joseph, 183 
Jervis, John B., 223 
Jewell, N. D., 354 
Jewett, Benjamin F., 342, 344 
Johnson, Aylmer, 285 

A. B., 282, 346 

A. S., 324 
Bryan, 282, 346 

B. P., Col., 190 

Sir John, and his Orderly Book, 33- 
35 

Sir William, 6, 21, 102, 104 
Jones, Isaac, 60, 608 

John B., 352 

j. Mather, 353, 459 

John W., 358, 359 

Joseph, 60 

Nehemiah, Capt., 60. 607 

Pomrov, 607 

Simon, 281 

Thomas, 281 

William, 297 
Judd, Elnathan, Dr., 248 

Jonathan, Rev., 332 
Justices of the peace, appointment of, 
143 

Kane, Archibald, 284 



1*pi*» 



Kaselitz, O., Rev., 337 

Kasson, Ambrose, 349 

Keiner, Andrew, 357 

Reiser, Paul, 8S8 

Keith, C. B., 292 

Kellogg, Hiram H., Rev., 277 

John L., Dr., 259 

Palmer V., 304, 324 

Spencer, 301, 304, 318, 350 

Truman and Webster, 481 

& Sons Company, 368 
Kelly, Dennis T., 3S7 

Jane E., Miss, 344, 350 

John, 105, 137 
Kent, James, 143 
Kernan, Francis, 243, 324,-326, 335, 350, 

363 
Kessinger, A. C, 53 1 

A. R., 528 
Kimball, Nathan, 382 

Richard, 283 
Kingsley, W. J. P., Dr., 528 
Kipp, James S., 281, 291, 292, 362 
Kirkland, Joseph, 143 

Samuel, Rev., 67, 115, 266-268; and 
family, 450 
Kirkland, town of, 445-460 

churches of, 452 

early manufactures of, 453-456 

first burglary in, 449 

first events in, 448 

Indians in, 450 

iron industry in, 455 

leading farmers of, 456 

list of supervisors of, 447 

period of famine in, 448 

pioneers of, 444-450 

schools of, 451 

topography of, 445 
Kirtland, Orlando, 2)3 
Kittle, John F., 355 
Kline, William, 24 
Klock, J. G. and George, 119 
Knox, James, 312 

John J., and familv. 385 
Koelbel, Fred. 358 
Kruempel, Henry, 358 

La Favette, General, 57 
La Fayette's visit, 189-192 

reception at Utica, newspaper ac- 
count of, 190-192 
Laird, Samuel, 64, 608 
Lairdsville, 611 
L'Amoreux, Andrew, 348 
" Land grabbers," trouble with, 66 

patents and sales, 141 
Lands, rights to, 93 
Langley, H. A., 392 



\W*S 



INDEXES. 



391 



Lansing, Antill, 293 

Barent Bleecker, 297, 301 

Gerrit G., Col., 630, 632, 633 

John, 75, 143 

jr., John, 117, 118 
Leavenworth, Lemuel, 57 
Lee, Arthur, 57 

town of, 460-469 

churches of. 468 

early mills in, 464 

early residents at 60th anniversary of 
settlement of, 461 

first officers of, 465 

libraries of, 466 

list of supervisors of, 469 

post-offices of, 466 

proceedings leading to the erection 
of the town of, 464 

review of settlement of, by Hon. A. 
S. Miller. 461^64 

schools of, 465 

topography of, 460 

Center, 467 
Legislation affecting the county, 145-153 
"Lessees," legislative action concerning 

the, 66 
Leutheuser, Joseph, 358 
Lewis, Benjamin F., 359 

Edward Z., Rev., 333 

Ladd J., 488 

Randall, 61 

William, 550 
L'Hommedieu, Ezra, 55, 67, 103 
" Line of Property," 104 
Little Paul at the treaty of 1788, 70-72 
Lloyd, David R.,443 
Long, William W., 324 
Loomis, Nathaniel, 57 
Lathrop, John H., 286, 353 
Lowell, 612 
Lush, Stephen, 117 
Lyman, Samuel P., 354 
Lynch, Dominick, 91, 100, 146, 157 

James, 339 

James S., 320 
Lyon, Joseph M. , 354, 355 

McBride, Robert, 296, 310 
McCabe, Hugh P., 357 
McCall, John, Dr., 253 
McConnellsville, 593 . 
McElwaine, John, 310 
McGuire, Philip, 444 
McHarg, John B., 177 
Mcllvane, Joshua H., Rev., 330 
McKesson, John, 126 
McLauren, Samuel, 350 
McLean, William, 137, 283, 353 



McMillan, Andrew, 351, 352 

sr., Andrew, 380 
McNeil, Henry,' 492 
McQuade, James, Gen., 303 

Michael, 303 

M., Rev,, 339 

T. R., 360 
Machin, Thomas, 112 
Macomber, George, ?85 
Mail, first, to Utica, 91 
Mainwaring, E. L., 358 
Manchester (Kirkland P. O.), 458 
Manley, E. W., 276 
Mann, Charles A., 310, 319, 363, 369 
Manning, Edward T., 307 
Map of Land Patents in Oneida county, 
facing 93 

of Utica in 1806 288 

of Utica about 1835, facing 309 
Mappa, Adam G., Col., 554 
Marcy, town of, 469^173 

churches of, 471, 472 

first officers of, 470 

list of supervisors of, 472 

pioneers of, 469-471 

schools of, 471 

topography of, 469 
Marklove, John G., 369 
Marsh, William C, 365 
Marshall, town of, 473-479 

Brothertown Indians in, 473^175 

churches of, 478 

first officers of, 488 

leading farmers of, 477 

list of supervisors of, 479 

pioneers of, 475-477 

topography of, 473 
Martin, James B., 368 
Mather Asaph D., 365 

Charles W.. 365 

Joshua, 365 
Matson, William A., Rev., 360 
Matteson, Silas. 513 
Maude, John, extract from record of, 

90 
Maynard, Elisha A. , 305, 355 

Isaac, 326. 363 

William H., 241, 286, 353 
Meeker, Moses T., 306 
Melvin, James, 476 
Members of Assembly, 206-208 
Merrill, Andrew, 297, 303 

Byron B., 357 

Ira, 286, 353 
Metcalf & Dering, 368 
Meyer, Otto A., 357 
Middleton, Robert, 368 
Midlam, Thomas, 304 



392 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Military officers from Oneida county in 
the war of 1812, list of, 174 

operations of the war of 1812, 168 
Millar, Charles, 326, 370 
Millard, David J., 496, 497 

Sterling A. , 496 
Miller, Addison C, 36"i 

Daniel 374 

Eliakim, 374 

Isaac, 475 

John B., 356 

Morris S., 339 

Rutger B.. 310, 367 

Valentine, Rev., H3S 
Mills, Samuel T., Rev., 347 
Mix, J. W., 421 

Mohawk, measures to improve the navi- 
gation of, 87 

route, the. 4 

valley, condition of, after the Revo- 
lution, 162 

Valley Cotton Mills, 369 
Mompeson, Robert, 95 98 
Monroe's, President, visit to Northern 

New York, 181 
Montgomery county, 63 

inconvenience arising from great 
extent of, 87 
Moore, Horatio S., 352 
Morey, Philip, and sons, 64. 279 
Morrin, Edward, 356 
Morris, Daniel, Rev., 285, 331 

Frederick, 103 

T. B., 358 

William, Dr., 253 
Morrison, Roderick, 608 
Morton, Benjamin, Jonathan, James and 

Abraham, 374 
Moseley, Elizur, Dr., 91, 143 
Moulton, jr., Stephen, 438 
Muller, Rembrandt, 121 

Tract, the, 121 
Munger, Erastus A., Dr., 256 
Munson, Alfred, 302, 319, 333, 342, 363, 
367, 369 

Brothers, 367 

Edmund, 367 
Myer, Michael, 89 
Myers, Thomas, 24 

New Hartford, town of, 479-491 
churches of, 482, 490, 492 
first officers of, 486 
list of names and dates from cemetery 

of, 484-^86 
list of supervisors of, 406 
newspapers of, 484 
topography of, 479 



New Hartford village, 486^180 
list of presidents of, 488 

Cotton Manufacturing Company, 487 
New London, 585 
New Petersburgh Tract, the, 117 
Newell, Jesse, 285 
Newspapers of Boonville, 403 

of Camden, 421 

of Clinton, 456 

of New Hartford, 484 

of Oriskany Falls, 391 

of Rome, 530-531 

of Utica, 353-361 

of Vernon, 573 

the first in the county, 137 
"New York Genesee Land Campany," 
the, 66 

Mills, 628-632 

State Cheese Manufacturers' As- 
sociation, 212 
Neyenhouse, John A., 358 
Nichols, James, Rev., 350 

Joseph W. , 359 
Nock, Thomas G., 528 
North Simeon, Rev., 269 

S. N. D., 355 
Northrup, Beardsley, Rev., 333 
Northway, Rufus, 354 
North Bay, 592 
North Bridgewater, 413 
North Gage, 431 
North Western, 600 
Norton, Asahel S., Rev., 214 

David, Col., 535 

Thomas, 281 
Noyes, Josiah, Dr., 268 

O'Gorman, Michael, Rev., 339 
Old Fort Schuyler, early settlers at, 59 
Oneida County Agricultural Society, 212 
assessed valuation of, by towns, 

203 
Bible Society, 214 
civil officers from, 204-208 
early history of, one of bloodshed, 

22 
erection of, 142 
Farmers' Alliance, 213 
first courts of, 143 
first settlers of, 22, 23 
geology of, 126-131 
Historical Society, 211 
houses in, in 1787, 69 
Homoeopathic Medical Society, 

357-859 
in the war of 1812, 168, 169 
increase in population of, 192, 

195 



INDEXES. 



Oneida county, legislation affecting, 145- 
153 S 

list of first officers of, 142 
Medical Society, 248-251 
population of, by towns, 202 
second settlement in, 24 
since the war, 199-201 
tax ratio and apportionment of, 
for 1894 and 1895, 204 
, topography of, 131-133 
towns and boundaries of, in, 133 
Castle, 570, 571 
Community, 576-578 
Glass Company, 366 
Reservation, 122 
Turnpike Road Company, 91 
Oothoudt, Henry, 110-112 
O'Reilly, Luke G., Rev., 341 
Oriskany, 632-634 
battle of, 40-42 

Falls, and its business interests, 390- 
392 

newspapers of, 391 
Osborn, Amos. 537, 538 
Osborne, M. P., 423 
Ostrom, David, 143, 287 
John H., 297, 310 
Joshua, 92, 296 
Oswego, capture of, by Montcalm, 13 
Otis, Joseph, 514 
O'Toole, Francis, 339, 381 
Otsequette, Peter, 125 
Owen Brothers, 368 

Paddock, Benjamin G., Rev., 334 
Paine, Benjamin, 290 

John A., 259 
Palmer, Chauncey, 306 

Cyrus F. , 370 
Paris, town of, 49i-505 

churches of, 503-505 

first officers of, 492 

pioneers of, 492-495 

schools of, 498, 501 

supervisors of, 503 

topography of, 491 

Hill, sketch of, by Lorenzo Rouse 
493-495 
Parker, Amos, 380 

Ezra, 64, 77, 409 

Jason, 92, 281 

Milton D., 312 
Parmalee, Truman, 303 
Patent, Adgate's, 126 

Banyar, 117 

Bayard, or Freemason, 108 

Coxe, 108 

Curteniun, 118 



Patent, Dean's, 114 
Fonda's, 109 
Gage's, 106 
Holland, 105 
Kirkland, 115 
Lansing, 117 
Lawrence, or Smith, 125 
McKesson, 126 
Oothoudt, 110 
Oriskany, 95-100 
Otsequette, 125 
Remsenburgh, 119 
Sadequahada, 103 
Sargeant's, 121 
Scriba's, 119 
Servis, 104 
Steuben, 113 
Sumner, 107 
Van Epps, 124 
Willett, 119 
Patents, Bleecker, 124 
Machin, 112 
Wemple, 123 
Patterson, Albert C, Rev., 332 
Pease, Harmon, lf8 
Herbert J., 352 
Peck, Gates, 361 
Peckham, Edwin, 367 
Frank, 367 
John S., 366 
Merritt, 367 
PelegB., Dr., 253 
Seth, 356 
Peirce, Nehemiah N., 411 
Pen field, Thomas D., 420 
Penney, Joseph, Rev., 269 
Penniman, William, 296 
Perkins, Elijah, 415 
George R., 276 
Phelps, Tedediah, 56, 58, 512, 581 

Zerah, 534 
Phillips, W. S., 392 
Philo, C. H., 488 
Phoenix Iron Works, 370 
Piatt, J. C, Mrs., 350 
Pierce, Joseph, 281 
Pike, Benjamin, Capt., 437 

Jarvis, 437 
Pixley, Henry D., 365 
& Son, H. D.,368 
Plank road era, the, 194 
Plant, Benjamin, 280, 329 
Piatt, Jonas, 85, 88, 143, 183, 184, 188 
214, 220, 223; sketch of, 234; 296, 619 
Zephaniah, 55, 103 
Point Rock, 468 
Pomeroy, George D., 368 
Theodore.br., 368 



394 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Pomeroy, Thomas F., Dr., 260 
Pond, Andrew S., 304, 310, 309 

Barnabas, 61 
Pool, Simeon, 91 
Population and valuation, table showing 

the, 158 
Porter, Augustus, record left by, 78 

Joseph S., 296 
Post, John, 279, 280, 399 
Potter, H. C, Dr., 355 

Stephen, Capt., 280 
Powell, Watkin, 285 
Presidential electors, 205 
Preston, Stephen, Dr., 536 
Principal of State Normal School, 305 
Proctor, Thomas R., 364 
Prospect, 563 
Prost, Joseph, Rev., 340 
Punitory laws, comparison of, 159 
Putnam, Charles, 80 

Ouinn, William, 24 

Radford. C. J., 354,355 
Railroad, New York Central, 225 

New York and Oswego Midland, 228 

New York, West Shore and Buffalo, 
228 

Rome and Clinton, 228 

Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg, 
226 

Utica and Black River, 226 

Utica and Syracuse, 224 

Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna 
Valley. 227 

Utica, Clinton and Binghamton. 227 
Ramsdell, Francis, 342 
Rannev, Abel, 385 

Seth, 60 

si., Willett, 60, 69,514 

jr., Willett, 60 
Rathbone, Justus, 352 
Rathbun, Achus, 582 
Rathbunville, 585 
Rawson, Pelatiah, 64, 273 
Reall, Christ Jan, 24, 57, 426 
Rebellion, the, 195-198 
Recruiting during the Rebellion, 196, 

197 
Reddy, William, Rev., 334 
Reed, David, 285 
Regents of the University, 205 
Remsen, Henry, 119 

Peter, 102 
Reminiscence of an overland journey 

through Westmoreland in 1791, 79 
Remsen, town of, 506-511 

churches of, 511 



Remsen, pioneers of, 506-508 

schools of, 509 

supervisors of 508 

topographv of, 506 

village, 509-511 . 

Welsh settlers of, 508 
Representatives in Congress, 205 
Reusswig, Fred G., 357 
Revolution, closing of the, 52 

the summary of, to 1777, 26-32 
Reynolds, J., 381 
Rhodes, Anthony, Maj., 411 
Rice, Captain, 76 

C. E., Rev., 339 
Richardson, John, 180 
Risley, David and Allen, 481 

Elijah, 137 
Roberts, Ellis H., 324, 354, 355 

H. L., 355 

J. C, 359 

Robert W. , 355 
Robinson, Horatio, Dr., 256 

William, 121 
Rockwell, Thomas, 297 
Rogers, Charles B. , 362 

Jacob, 398 

Publius V., 292, 362 
Rome, town of, 511-533 

banking institutions, 529 

churches of, 523-526 

city, business interests of, 528-532 

city, officers of, 523 

" Expense Lot" in, 518, 519 

first officers of, 512 

manufacturers of, 532 

pioneers of 512-520 

post-office, 529 

press of, 530, 531 

schools of, 526-528 

supervisors of, 533 

village, incorporation of, 523 

village, settlers of, 520-522 
Roof, John, first settler of the county, 

23, 25, 512 
Roosevelt, John and Nicholas I., 119 
Rose, Elisha 287 
Rowe, Chauncey, 310 
Royce, Amaziah, Major, 492 
Rudd, John Churchill, Rev., 360 
Russ, lohn A., 310 
Russell, David, 209 

William, Dr., 254 

St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Home, 344 
St. John's Female Orphan Asylum, 312 
St. Leger's confidence, 36 

message, proposing the surren- 
der of Fort Stanwix, 45 



INDEXES. 



St. Leger's retreat from Fort Stanwix, 49 

siege of Fort Stanwix, 33-49 
St. Luke's Home, 345 
St. Vincent Male Urphan Asylum, 443 
Salyea, Hendrich, 279 
Sampson, Caleb, Dr., 248 
Sanborn, Nathaniel, Mrs., extract from 

reminiscences of, 79 
Sang, Frank, 358 

Sanger, Jedediah, 04, 85, 90, 102, 137, 143, 
14li, 480, 481, 536 

Richard, 304 
Sangerrield, town of, 533-543 

churches of, 541-543 

first officers of, 534 

pioneers of, 534-537 

schools of, 541 

supervisors of, 543 

topography of, 533 
Sargeant, John, 121 

Sauquoit, 498-501 

Sawyer, George C, 34S, 352 

I. Gilbert, 404 

J. T., Rev., 276 
Sayles, Welcome, Dr., 248 
Sayre, James, 226, 302, 363 

Theodore S.. 331 
Sehermerhorn, Jacob H., 429 

John F , Rev., 332 
School system, establishment of the 

common, 260-266 
Schreiber, John C, 352, 358 
Schuyler, Han Yost, the medium of Gen- 
eral Arnold's ruse, 48 

Peter 95, 96, 102 
Schultz. Christian, statement of, relative 

to Utica, 290 
Scotch cap factories, 370 
Scovill, Isaac, 492 
Scriba, George, 120 
Selden, jr., Thomas, 515, 516 
Senators, State, 206 

United States, 205 
Seneca Road Company, the, 90 
Servis, Peter, 104 

Settlers and settlement before 17.SN, 561-62 
Seward, Alexander, 354 

Asahel, 280, 353 

Nathan, 293, 481 
Seymour, Arden, 190 

Henry, 302 

Horatio, 211. 213, 318 319 369 

i 



Shearman, W. H, 209, 285 
Sheldon, Esek, and sons, 461 

Urania, Miss, 350 
Shepard, Abraham, 304 

Asa, 77 
Sheriffs, 233 
Sherman, Hazard, 428 

John, Rev., 555 

Lewis, 61 

Watts, 282 
Shirley, General, 0, 12, 13 
Sicard, Stephen, 363 
Siemers, John, 352 
Silliman, Horace B., 269 
Simon, Joseph, 296 
Simons, Aaron, Adam and / 

77 
Six Nations, territory occupied 

1. 2 
Skenandoa Cotton Company, 861 
Skinner, Thomas, 2t>o, ■■>. t« 
Smith, Bill, 514 

David, and sons, 461 

Eldad, 416 

George A., 580 

Melancthon, 55, 103, 125 

Nathan, 291 

Nicholas, 293 

Peter, 76, 117, 279, 380 

Stephen R., Rev., 276 

Timothy, 427 
Snow. Jotham, 398 

Samuel, Dr., 398 
Snyder, Rudolph, 310, 350 
Soper, Albert, daring feat of, 1 

Alexander C. , 269 

Arthur W., 269 

James P., 269 
Sources of settlers' knowledge! 

New York, 53 
South Trenton, 563 
Sparrow, William, 349 
Special judges, 232 
Spencer, Hamilton, 1S8 

I. S., 275 

Joshua A. , sketch of, 239 

L. C, 594 

Thomas, friendly half breei 
30 
Spinning, John, 432 
Spriggs, T. J., 324 
Stafford, Daniel, 287, 296 






OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



and Stripes, the first, unfurled at 
Stanwix, 44 
\rsenal at Rome, 157 
: jspital at Utica, 209 
gineers, 204 

perintendent of public instruction, 
204 

• r, 585 
ics of losses in the Mohawk valley 
Dg the Revolution, 52 
ns, Joseph, 276 



Thorn, John, 226 

Thummel, C. B., Rev., 276 

Thurston, D. W., Rev., 335 

Tiffanv, Israel, 303 

Tillman, William, 287 

Toll, rates of, on the Seneca turnpike, 

90 
Toomey, John J., Rev., 341 
Tower family, the, 537 
Town meeting in Whitestown, the first, 



■ (or Steeve), John, 24 






officers of Whitestown, the first, 77 


■ns, Levi, 92 






Towns, changes in territory of 144 


n, Frederick William, 


Baron, 75, 


dates of erection of, 148, 149 


545 






divisions of, 155, 157 


\vn of, 543-552 






erection of, 1794-97, 140, 145, 192 


urches of, 551 






Townsend, F. W., Rev., 331 


first officers of, 544 




' 


Jesse, Rev., 346 


iers of, 545-551 






John and Nathan, 76 


pervisors of 55° 






Nathan. Cart . 440 


ipography of, 543 






Nathaniel, 80 


Welsh settlements in, account of, 


Tracy, Gardner, 305 


by Griffith O. Griffiths, 


54; 


-549 


Seymour, 296 


rt, Samuel W., 256 






William, 312, 354 


in, Josiah, 76 






William G., 91 


lie, 564 






Treaty of Ghent, 174 


ig, Samuel, 286 






of 1788, festivities at, 70-72 


and pillory, 158 






with the Indians in 1788, at Fort 


ell, Lieutenant, peril 


3US 


trip of, 


Stanwix, 67-69 


Colonel Willett, 46-48 






Trenton, town of, 532-566 


rd. Eliakim, 590 






churches of, 564-566 


ael, 415, 416 






first officers of, 553 


466 






items of early history of, from Cen- 


Benjamin D., 420 






tennial address, 556-558 


C, 421 






pioneers of, 554-559 


Cordial, 61 






supervisors of, 566 


ibael, 296 






topography and natural features of, 


• Melancthon Woolsej 


r, Rev. 


553 


'Theodore, 268 






village, 560-561 


r, Hezekiah, 107 






Falls, 564 


ales, 232 






TrevveU, Edmund, 365 


Jonathan, 597 






Troops in Utica in 1812-1814, 169, 170 


) ; ,eph R., 355, 364 






Tryoc county, subdivision of, into dis- 


:y, Timothy H., 357 • 






tricts, 63 


Beach, 594 






Tuttle, Noah, 415 


. is, Charles S. , 363 






Timothy, 61 
Vincent, 558 


village, 375-377 








ft. Dan, 137, 375 






U:e, James, 285 


, Samuel A. , 241 






Utica, abolition excitement in, 313-315 


.-. . Othniel, 89 






Academy, 346 


>, Abijah and Anson, 


287 




arrivals in, from 1800 to 1805, 284- 


son, 346 






289 


ggsW., 297 






banks and banking in, 361-365 


niel, 285, 550 






beginning of banking an<i manuf 


- niel G., Dr., 254 








1 550 














' 



INDEXES. 



397 



Utica Burial Case Company, 370 
charter amendments of 1843, 318 
charteramendmentproposed, 320, 321 
charter amendment concerning city 

indebtedness, 322 
charter amendments, 324, 327 
charter, third, of, 207 
cholera in, 311, 312 
churches of, 328-41 
city debt, 320, 321 
city hall, 319 
City Hospital, 345 
Clothing Company, 308 
commom council of, first, 310 
condition of at close of first decade 

as a city, 318 
contention over police commission 

of, 325 
description of, in 1810. by Dr. Bagg, 

development of, since the war, 327, 

328 
directory of, first, 293 
early growth of, 288 
early newspaper enterprises in, 280 
early travel through and hotels in, 

284 
English traveler's notes on, an, 292 
events in, from 1852-55, 320 
Female Academy, 350 
financial crash of 1837 in, 315-317 
financial panic of 1657 in. 322 
fire department of, in 1839, 317 
fire department of, trouble in, 320 
fire engine, first, in, 292 
fire of March 31, 1837, 317 
fires in, incendiary, 320 
first newspaper in, 283 
first religious society in, 281 
first settlers on the site of, 219 
free school, 348 
growth of, from 1815 to 1825, 297- 

299 
growth in population of, 318 
High School, 349 
Holland Land Company's purchase 

in, 284 
improvement in water supply of, 

320 
in thp Rebellion, 323 
i ncorpora 



Utica, market house, 292, 300, 301 

mayors of, list of, 371 

municipal business, 1830-37 315 

municipal changes and improve- 
ments in, from 1827-1832, 300-30.! 

officers of, under village charter' 
307-309 

origin of the name of, 283 

Orphan Asylum, 341 

period of prosperity in, after th 
war, 324 

Pipe Foundry Company, 370 

police commissioners, 324 

press of, the, 353-361 

private schools, 348 

progress of, from opening of Eri 
Canal to 1837, 299-300 

prominent additions to population 
under the third charter, 302-306 

relucuxMo^u^ 7 f pillage of, 289 

o^liools of, 346-352 

settlers and business men of, fro 
1805 to 1815, 295-297 

settlers of, up to time of village or- 
ganization, 279-283 

sidewalks, first provision for, in, 25 I 

site of, 278 

State Armory at, 323 

Steam Cotton Mills, 369 

Steam Guage Company, 370 

strepts in, opening of, 290 

Tool Company, 488 

troops from, in' 1812, 293 

U. S. Government building at, 326 

village improvements, 292 

Water Works Company, 319 

Woman's Christian Association, :i 

Young Men's Christian Associatu 
of the city of, 312 
Utley, David, 597 

Vanderberg, Richard, 137 
Vanderkemp's journey, description 

134-137 
Van Deusen, E. M., Rev., 345 
Van Epps, Abraham, 124, 568, 509 
Van Rensselaer, James, 296 

Jeremiah, 163, 284, 289, 290, 329, 
Robert, 300 
Van Sai tv ord A1 rah 392 205 



398 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Vernon, newspapers of, 573 

pioneers of, 567-569 

topography of, 566 
villfge, 571, 572 

Center, 573 

Edward, 297 
Veron-i, town of, 579-588 

churches of, 586-588 

first officers of, 582 

pioneers of, 580-582 

schools of 582 

supervisors of, 582 

topography of, 579 

village, 583 

Springs, 579 
Vienna, town of, 588-596 

churches of, 595 

early hnntinp experiences in, 590 

pioneers of, 589-591 

schools of. 591 

oupci visors of, 596 

topography of, 588 

village, 592 
Volunteers from Oneida county, 196, 197 

Wadsworth, William and James, 89 
Wager, Daniel E., sketch of, 244 

David. 77, 310 

Henry, 76, 597 
Wakeman, Thaddeus, 296 
Walcott, Reniamin S., 628 

jr., Benjamin S., 628 P98 

Charles D., 629 

Frederick C, 632 

William D., 274, 629-631 

William Stuart, 030. 631 
Waldo, Ephraim and Nathaniel, 76 

families, 408, 409 
Walesville, 634 
Walker, Benjamin, Capt., fO 

Benjamin, Col,, 282 

Thomas, 91, 286, 291, 292, 346 354 
362, 364, 365 

Thomas R., 368 

W. C, 367 

Hu,rh, 103, 107 
Walton, Abraham, 285 
War meetings, 195 

of 1754-56, 5 

of 1812, 101, 175 

1 E 3 63 



Washington Mills, 488 
Wasmer, J. W., 358 
Waterville, 536-541 
Watson, Elkanah, journal of, 64-66 
Elkanah, extract from journal of, in 

1788, 86 
Elkanah, extract from diary of, 164 
Weaver (or Weber), George J., 24, 56, 
426 

George M. , 427 
Jacob G., 427 

Peter, Nicholas and George, 59, 427 
William N., 324 
Webb, Daniel, Col.. 13, 14 
Weed, Thurlow £93 
Weeks, William R., Rev., 273 
Welch, jr., Benjamin, 356 
Wells, Alfred and Solomon, 287 
L. B., Dr., 257 
.Samuel, 137 
Welles, John, 387 
Wemple, Abraham, 123 
Wenham, Thomas, 95, 98 
West Branch, 468 
West Camden, 424 
West Vienna, 594 
Westcott, John, 182 
Western, town of, 590 
churches of, 602 
first officers of, 590 
necrological list of, 601, 602 
pioneers of, 397-599 
schools of, 000 
supervisors of, 597 
topography of, 596 
Centine), the, 137 

Inland Lock Navigation Comnanv 
216-220 F J ' 

Western', ille, 599 
Westmoreland, town of, 603-615 
churches of, 013, 014 
fi.'st officers of, 605 
pioneers of, 597-609 
schools of, 612 
statement relative to settlement of 

Judge Dean in, 005-007 
village, 610 
topography of, 603 
Wetmore, Amos, 57, 58 85 

E. A., 318, 347, 365 
Whali •- Uexauder, Dr., 58? 



INDEXES. 



399 



White, Daniel C, Col., 619 

D. P., 324 

F. C, 182 

Henry, 346 

Hugh, 55, 56, 63, 85, 88, 103, 146, 
616-619 

jr., Hugh, 619 

Levi, 598 

Nicholas A., 367 

Noah, 305 

Philo, 158, 610 

William M., 364 
Whiteley, William, 296 
Whitesboro Colony, additions to, in, 
1785, 57 

county buildings at, 624, 625 

manufactures of, 627 
Whitestown, town of, 615-636 

churches of, 622, 635, 636 

division of town of, in 1792, 86 

early history of, 616 

early military spirit in, 622 

erection of the town of, 63 

first town meeting in, 620, 621 

supervisors of, 621 

topography of, 615 

Gazette, the, 137 

Seminary, 273, 274 
Whitfield, J. W., Rev., 331 
Whittlesee, Samuel, Rev., 350 
Wienke, FredH., 355 
Wilcox, Reuben, 620 
Wilcoxson, Gilbert, 346 
Willard, Aaron, 398 

Garry A. , 403 
Willett, Marinus, Col., 17, 27, 32, 33, 35, 
42, 43, 44 ; hazardous journey of, for 
assistance, 46-48; 75, 119 
Willey, Elijah F., Rev., 336 
Williams, Abraham, 285 

A. J., 226, 344, 363 
Comfort, Rev. , 272 



Williams, David, John and Solomon, 517 

Henry, 414 

James Watson, 312, 319, 350 

James Watson, Mrs., 211, 333 

Jesse, 212, 514 

John, 310, 349 

Nathan, 143, 188; sketch of, 234; 
282, 289, 291, 293 

R. S., 363 

Stalham, 295, 364 

William, 286, 293, 301, 353, 354 

& Co., I. A., 370 
Williamson, Charles, 90; statement of, 

concerning the Mohawk valley, 163 
Willowvale, 489 
Wilmarth, Isaac, 273, 349 
Wilson, Charles S., 371 

George S., 304, 354 

John, 469 
Wood, Harriet C. , Mrs. , 330 

Thomas H., 307 

Creek, 4, 7 
Woodbridge, William, Rev., 349 
Woodhull, Nathaniel, Maj., 17 
Woodworth, Amos, 432 
Wolcott, Oliver, 57 

Samuel, 346 

Solomon, Dr., 285, 291 

William, 369 
Wright, Benjamin, 92, 108, 121, 223 . 

Benjamin H., 220 

sr. , Ebenezer, 76 

Ebenezer, 513 

Moses, 105 

Thomas, 76, 514 

Yates, Abraham, 348 

Robert, 103 
Yorkville, 628 
Young, John G., 293 

Ladies' Domestic Seminary, Clinton, 
277 



PART II. 



Ablett, Robert, 28 
Adams, Silas, 7 

Allen, Bion Pemberton. M. D., 43 
Anthonv, Jesse B., 141 
Babbitt^ John L., 129 
Bagg, M. M., M. D., 162 
Bailey, E. Prentiss. 154 
Ballou, Walter, 110 



Barrows, Samuel J., 46 
Birdseye, Rufus P., 66 
Booth, Wilbur H., M. D., 146 
Boyle, John Wellington, 38 
Brewster, Amos F., 173 
Brown, Calvin, 11 
Butler, John Milton, 119 
Butler, Morgan, 144 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Capron, Seth, Dr., 101 
Chadwick, sr , George W., 138 
Chadwick, jr., George W., 140 
Chamberlain, Ephraim, 54 
Cloher, jr., William H., 134 
Coggeshall, Henry J., 166 
Costello, Patrick C, 178 
Costello, Patrick H., 177 
Coxe, Alfred C. 164 
Cromwell, Stephen, 27 
Curran, Edward, 71 
Darling, Charles W., 97 
Devereux, N. E., 170 
Dickinson, Albert M., 42 
Dorrance, Daniel G., 123 
Douglass, James A., 13 
Dunham, George E., 154 
Dunmore, Watson T , 23 
D wight, Benjamin W. , 94 
Farman, Henry, 9 
Faxton, Theodore S., 40 
Frisbie, WillardJ., 95 
Graham, Edmund A., 105 
Hagedorn, Henry, 45 
Hall, Benjamin, 116 
Harvey, Edwin A., 92 
Helmer, Robert J., 58 
Hieber, John C, 67 
Hunt, James D., M.D., 18 
Hunt, Myron W., M.I J., 125 
Hutchinson, Charles W., 157 
Jenkins, Timothy, 37 
Jones, Thomas S., 44 
Kellogg, Spencer, 150 
Laird, "Frank F., M.D., 64 
Lamb, Harrison, 93 
Lee, Arthur D., 59 
Lewis, Ladd J. 69 
Locke, William P.. 13 
Loomis, Jon J., 10 
McGuire, Philip 62 
Middleton, Robert, 48 
Millar, Charles, 152 
Miller, Addison C, 56 
Millspaugh, Edward J., 174 



Munson, Alfred, 117 
Munson, Edmund, 3 
Nicholson, Charles A., 113 
North, Edward, 5 
Osborn, Amos O., 16 
Owen, Philip, 169 
Pen field, Thomas D., 29 
Perry, Josiah, 60 
Philo, Charles H., 57 
Ralph, George, 61 
Rogers, Publius V., 50 
Sanger, Jedediah, 147 
Sanger, William Cary, 149 
Scott, Isaac R., 21 
Scripture<-WilrralH - Err465' 
-Seaton, Albert P., 127 
Smith, J. Arthur, V.S., 36 
Spencer, James D., 11 
Stoddard, David Curtis, 74 
Studor, George M., 65 
Tower, Reuben, 14 
Trevvett, Edward, 114 
Utley, Squire, 175 
Warren, David A., 109 
Weaver, Fred G.. 168 
- Wells, John B., 32 
Whiffen, Isaac, 136 
White Family, the, 77 
Hugh White, 78 
Hugh White Hon., 81 
Canvass White, 82 
William Clark Young, 87 
Philo w hite, 88 
Fortune C. White, 89 
William Mansfield White, 
Wiley, George H., Ill 
Willard, Garry A., 161 
Williams, Abijah Jewel, 102 
Williams, Elliott S., 35 
Williams, Robert Stanton, 131 
Williams, Othniel S., 122 
Wilson, Claude, M.D., 6 
Woodruff, Arthur C, 26 
Young, William Clark, 87 



INDEXES. 



401 



PART III. 



Abbott, John W., 8 
Abel, William P., 3 
Ackerman, Charles, 87 
Ackroyd, Joseph. 320 
Adams, Charles H., 338 

Elbridge K., 128 

George W., 365 

Justus B., 131 
Adkins, F. A., 271 
Adsit. Leonard E., 38 
Agne, jr., Jacob, 71 
Ague, Charles, 336 

Philip C, 301 
Albot, Charles T., 168 
Aldrich, Reuben ML, 267 
Aldridge, Willard C, 198 
Allanson, Thomas B., 166 
Allen, Fred C, 77 

George H., 74 

Hiram J., 281 
Allison, William E., 325 
Alhvood, Joseph S. , 191 
Alsheimer, John G.,342 
Alvord, Clarence E., 169 
Amann, Ignace L., 149 

Magdalen, 58 
Anderson, August, 4 
Anken, Samuel, 3 
Annis, Albert S., 21 
Armbrust, John, 271 
Armstrong, Amos P., 299 

David, 166 

George H., 337 

William C, 107 
Arnold, Charles F., 203 
Ashmore, George, 233 
Atwood, Willard T., 4 
Austin, Ai, 179 

David, 300 

Samuel 163 __ 
Avery, J. B., 253" 

Joseph S., 81 
Aylesworth, David W., Rev. 

Babcock, E. C, Dr.. :17 

G. D., Mrs 355. 

Henry E., Dr., 82 
Bacon, Ezekiel, 306 

Hiram H.. 335 
Baer, G. A., 147 
Bagg, Asahel S., 218 

Egbert, 264 
Bailey, Myron J., 174 



Baker, A. E., 75 
Charles F., 219 
Daniel, 332 
Philip J., 4 
Thomas F., 93 
Ball, Chester A. , 294 
EmmettJ., 263 
Ballou, Ellis, 102 

Walter, 5 
Bangs, G. R., 113 
Bannigan, Michael T., 264 
Barber, William F., 265 
Bardeen, John, 311 
Bardsley, John S., 322 

Josiah, 326 
Barker, John S., 300 
Laurens M., 303 
Barnard, Josiah E., 151 
Barnes, Samuel C, 232 
Barney, Moses, 263 
Barns, Amos, Capt, 126 

Henry D., 80 
Barnum. D. A., Dr., 114 
Barrett, F. A., 180 
Barrows, Samuel Jones, 137 
Barry, John J., 158 
Bartholomew, Edward J., 149 

James J., 115 
Bartlett, Howard G., Dr., 359 
Barton, D. W.. 115 
J. F., 68 
Seth E., 5 
Bartow, Pierrepont, 200 
Bates, Charles E., 328 
Baxter, Frank K., 197 
Beach, John J., 77 
Beardsley, Backus A., 83 

Samuel A., 94 
Beck, Christopher, 230 
Beebee, Edward B., 238 
Beers, G. P., 311 
Bell, Henry Dwight, 281 
Bellinger, Daniel H., 286 

Henry H., 07 
Bemister, Alfred, 47 
Bennett, C. H , 70 
Bensberg, Frederick W.,380 
Bensted, W. H, 313 
Bentley, Henry W., 4 
Benton, Eugene C, 61 

George, 279 
Berical, Anthony, 73 
Beyel, Charles, 19 



402 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Beyel, Jacob, 213 
Biddlecome, William D., 72 
Bielby, Isaac P., 268 
Bigelow, H. P., 70 
Biggar, David I., Rev., 273 
Billingham, Fred G., 296 

Richard J., 82 
Birdsey, George L. , 6 
Blake, Frank, 296 

John, 302 
Blasier, Irving, 175 
Bliss, Frederick, 321 
Blue, Malcom A. , 51 
Boss, Joseph, 354 
Bourke, Miles R., 150 
Bowen, John, 103 
Bowes, John A., 342 
Bowman, John, 171 
Boyd, Chauncey, 5 
Brainard, I. D., 312 
Bray ton, Frances A., Mrs., 76 

M. Jesse, 366 
Breitenstein, George Frederick, 348 
Brennan, Thomas, 293 
Breslauer, Theobald, 160 
Brewer, Edward E. , 102 
Briggs, George, 213 
Brill, Fred J., 293 
Broadbent, Frank, 89 83 
Brockway, William H., 
Bronson, James C, 124 
Brooks, W. A., 112 
Brown, Brayton E., 346 

Charles A., 218J 

James. 55 

Thomas S., 5 
Brownell, James B., 322 

Jonathan, 223 
Brucker, George L., 343 
Brush, Charles W., 292 
Bryden, Edward N., 82 
Buckley, Jeremiah, 180 

Patrick, 181 
Buell, C. E.. 70 

Wales, Dr., 258 
Burback, Joseph H., 73 
Burdett, Miner E., 74 
Burgess, George H., 277 

William A., Dr., 239 
Burleson, William Tay, 78 
Burlingame, J. K., 181 
Burns, Owen J., 296 
Burr, Henry A., 76 
Burrell, Joseph, 134 
Burritt, A. W. , 204 . 
Burrows, H. F., Mrs., 298 
Burton, Thomas M., 215 
Bushinger, Eduard, 201 



Bushnell, Monroe, 174 
Butler, Marianne H., Mrs., 79 
Butterlield, Charles, 273 
Samuel, 309 

Cady, A. B., 68 
Cagwm, Marenus, 330 
Calder, Frederick Manwell, 90 
Callahan, W C, 310 
Campbell, Roderic, 339 
Candee, J. W., 361 
Canfield, M. T, 127 
Cantwell, John A., 245 
Capron, C. G., Dr., 236 

James H., 109 
Carleton, Charles, 51 
Carpenter, Horace M., 329 

W. H., 271 
Case, A. Pierson, 146 
Cassidv, Fred A., 341 
Castle,' Charles C. , 83 
Cavana. James, 319 
Chapman, O. B., 114 

W. H., 273 

William Wallace, 296 
Chamberlin, George L., 260 
Chase, Charles E., Dr., 354 
Chassell, George G. , 6 
Childs, William Tapping, 225 
Chrestien, Alfred B., 173 

Martin, 60 

Theodore, 55 
Churchill, George Clarence, 35' 
Clark, Charles H., 6 

Charles W.. 77 

Hiram G., 224 

John F., 56 

O. Arthur, Dr., 356 

Roland H., 328 

William A. , 251 
Clefford. Daniel B., 53 
Cleveland, Charles F., 222 

Charles H. 143 
Coan, Luke, 203 
Cochran, John M., 360 
Cody, jr., Francis A., 274 
Cogswell, George, 8 
Cole, John N., 319 
Coleman, George, 91 

E. G , 138 
Collins. Reuben, 334 
Colton, C. W.. 7 
Comstock, Gastin E., 36 

Ira Morris, 270 

James M. , 292 

M. L., 298 
Conger, Daniel, 69 
Conley, William, 335 



INDEXES. 



Constable, James, 93 
Cook, Albert D., 173 

Caspar I. , 41 

Mathias, Dr., 235 
Cooley, Gary W., 159 
Coombs, Orville, 7 
Coon, Luke H., 274 
Cooper, Henry H., 193 

Lansing B., 321 

Robert, 323 
Corbitt, James, 326 
Costigan, W. H., 271 
Cottman, Joseph S., 266 
Coughlin, John B., Ill 
Coupe, James, 353 
Courtney, Humphrey, 9 
Covel, Stephen A., 333 
Coventry, Robert, 103 
Cox, Truman, 8 
Crandall, Charles E., 379 

Charles S., Dr., 341 

EnosT., 40 

J. Wells, 308 
Cranwell, Frank J., 307 
Crippen, A. E., 257 
Crisman, William N., 321 
Cronin, James V., 251 
Crosby, Anson T., 86 
Cross, John Cleveland, 281 
Crossman, George H., 215 

jr., George H., 7 
Crouse, JohnM., 235 
Cruikshank, James M.,97 

J. Robert, 84 
Culhton, John, 245 
Cummings, James W., 141 
Cunningham, James, 115 

John Howard, 92 
Curtis, Lyman W., 7 
Curtiss, Heman, 6 

Hiram L., 49 
Cushman, Joseph B., 159 

Daggett, A. W., 123 
Dagwell, Charles M., 201 
Daily, Dennis L., 376 
Daly, William Francis, 152 
Dana, George W., 176 
Dapson, Thomas, H">_ 
Darrow, David E., 185 

Nicholas N., 335 . 
Davidson, John, 207 
Davies, Arthur H., 343 

John S., 354 

Morris J., Dr., 221 

R. M., 258 
Davis, Charles P., 368 

Eugene, 257 



Davis, Evan J., 355 

George, 360 

George A. , 369 

I. E., 237 

John J., 107 

John L., 215 

Pratt M. , 56 
Day, Horace E., 144 

Julius, 112 
Dayton, Clinton L., 183 
Deecke, Theodore, 195 
Deeley, David, 173 
Delester, John, 254 
Dempsey, James L., 375 

Thomas E., 267 
Denton, Alonzo, 9 
De Votie, Duane D., 237 
Dewey, Charles M., 86 

Sanger, Rev., 256. 
Dewhurst, J. C, 154 
Dewing, W. H., Dr., 271 
Dietche, Henry, 151 
Dilleubeck, Douglas E., 167 
Dimbleby, Wesley, 225 
Divine, Fred D., 367 
Dixon, James, 175 
Dobson Family, the, 246 
Dodge, E. C, 107 

Jesse E., 222 

William P., 218 
Dohn, Frederick, 328 
Donlon, Joseph M., 240 

Thomas H., 154 
Donnelley, William T., 224 
Dooley, John J., 166 
Doolittle, Charles A., 358 

F. C, 317 

Henry A., 354 
Dorn, Samuel, 100 
Dorrance, jr., Daniel G. , 91 

John G., 50 

W. H., 56 
Douglass, A. P.. 321 

J. W., Dr., 177 

William, 228 
Drummond, James, 156 

John, 220 

Thomas, 334 
Dunham, George Earl, 84 

M. Earl, 154 
Durfee, W. V., 377 
Durr, Charles J., 9 
Dwyer, Michael, 252 \ 
Dye, Daniel C, Dr., 302 
Dvgart, John H., 144 
Dygert, George W., 379 
Dykemanr Theodore W., 201 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Easingwood, Arthur L. , 125 
Eastman, W. J., 313 
Eaton, Elmer E., 148 

Maurice, 381 
Edic, Alson A., 47 

Henry, 170 
Edwards, John E., 217 

L. D., 312 
Eells, Charles W., 135 
Ehrsam, George, 342 
Ellinwood, Reuben C, 222 
Elliott, John Edward, 136 
Ellis, Hugh M., 10 

Thomas T., 37 
Elthorp, William, 206 
Elwood, Ernest J., 346 
Ely, Belle, 238 
Ensworth, George W., 267 
Entwistle, John, 343 
Erwin, Cornelius B., 181 
Euin, Joseph F., 226 
Evans, Charles H., 10 

John, 45 

John V., 206 

Owen J., 255 

jr., Richard, 298 

Richard J., 318 
Everett, Charles M., 297 
Eynon, David Slade, Dr., 358 

Fardett, Solomon, 207 
Fargo, Orrin S. , 266 
Farley, George R., 11 
Farnsworth, Theron A., 49 
Ferris, Reynolds, 81 

Timothv Harvey, 92 

V. Seaman, 327 
Finn, E. L., 313 
Fisher, G. M., Dr., 254 
Fisk, J. W., 179 
Fiske, L. W., 11 
Fitch, A. L., 141 

Bordman L., 343 

Norman, 127 
Fitzgerald, Edward, 97 
Flanders, Thomas, 50 
Flanagan, James Henry, 175 
Flint, James H., 98 
Flume, Frank V., 365 
Foote, John B., 124 

Samuel G. , 266 
Foster, Burton G., 260 

Ellen M., 145 

Nathaniel W., 331 

Theodosia M., Mrs., 230 

William S., 304 
Fowler, jr., William H., 259 
Fox, Henry, 10 



Fox, Winfield M.,166 
Frame, William L., 217 
Franklin, James H., 14 
Freiberger, George H., 317 
Freinberger, Fred, 292 

John J., 294 
French, Frank W., 288 

James G., 227 
Frisbie, Charles P., 88 
Fuess, L. P., 311 

jr., Philip, 242 
Fuller, AsaO., 364 

Charles Y., 380 
Fulmer, Edgar J., 211 

Gainsway, Philip A , 183 
Gallagher, jr., James, 11 
Gamble, Frederick S., 176 
Gammel. George W. , 351 
Gardner, O. S., Mrs., 237 0T 

Richard H., 176 
Garrett, Edward E., 13 

Henry L., 11 
Gates, Henrv L., 261 

"William 'M., 280 
Gaus, Fred E., 13 
Gaymond, George A., 171 
Georg, Emil J., 278 
German, Jerome B., 350 
Gerwig, Frederick, 261 
Gibson, William M., Dr., 248 
Gifford, Hamilton W., 21 
Gilchrist, Florence, 231 
Glatt, A. S., 320 

Joseph, 305 
Gleason, Henry N., 122 
Gliffe, Henry, 13 
Golly, Andrew, 46 
Golley, William E., 203 
Goodfellow, C. H., Mrs., 297 
Goodier, Lewis Edward, 72 

Wadsworth S., 186 
Goodsell, Lawton B., 226 
Goodwin, S. W., 311 
Gookins, Milo, 212 
Gorton, F. T., Dr., 381 
Gossin, William A., 317 
Gould, George A. W., 294 
Gouge, Frederick H., 136 
Grace, John, £56 
Graham, George H., 142 

Joseph E., 137 
Gracilis, C. E., Mrs., 299 

William E., 122 
Grant, John H., 73 
Graves, C. H., 247 

Ferdinand V., 252 

William B., 66 



INDEXES. 



405 



Green, Adelbert, 254 

Alvin L., 123 
Greene, Albert W., Dr., 1G3 
Griffin, Charles A., 189 
Griffith, William H., 232 

William Penn, 12 
Griffiths, Lewis G., 114 
Groff, Benjamin, 295 
Groves, Adelbert D. , 266 
Gue, Jerome V., 12 
Gypsoni Adelbert G., 141 

Hagedorn, Henry, 13 
Hainault, Francis J., Rev., 108 
Hale, Andrew Jerome, 270 
Haley, Cornelius, 252 
Hall, Henry L., 320 
Halladav, James, 158 
Hallenbeck, William A., 84 
Halstead, Charles N., 14 
Charles N., 42 
John, 107 
Hamilton, William, 275 
Hamlin, Edward A., 283 
Edwin S., 125 
Joseph Eugene, 37 
Fred W., 13 
Hanchett, Julian A., 68 
Hanna, Nathaniel, Col., 129 
Harden, Charles, 174 

Frank S., 64 
Harding, L. S., 298 
Harrer, Karl, 244 
Harrig, Albert, 63 
Harris, Henry, 14 
James, 250 
John W., 65 
Hart, Seth W., 160 
Hatfield, Richard E., 369 
Hathaway, Gilbert, 164 
Haven, A. G., 67 
Haviland, L. P., 71 
Hawkins, James S , 134 

W. S., 123 
Hayes, Albert L., 176 
Charles R., 96 
E. N., 137 
Haynes, Archibald M., 165 

George H., 116 
Heath, William, 194 
Hemenway, Henry M. , 104 
Henderson, W. H., 337 
Hepworth, Joseph, 324 
Herbage, William, Mrs., 323 
Hermant, Ernest T., 360 
Hewett, C. E., 303 
Hickox, W. Jerome, 204 
Hicks, Alpheus, 248 



Hicks, John W., 48 

Nicholas H., 214 

William Harrison. 59 
Hilsinger, Myron,. 313 
Hinman, William, 282 
Hitchcock, Albert, 228 
Hooper, John, 164 
Horrigan, John, 171 
Horsey, George F., Dr., 354 
Horton, George C, 268 
Houghton, Thomas, 291 
Hovey, George I., 75 

Julietta (Kilmer), Mrs., 208 
Howarth, Frederick E., 364 
Hubbard, Edward, 75 

George M., 313 
Hubbell Family, the, 241 
Hudson, Joel, 55 
Huggins, E. H., 317 
Hughes, Edgar, 14 

John W., 103 

Robert P., 295 
Hunt, A. A., Mrs. Dr., 291 
Hurlbut, Henry, 212 

Illingworth, Joseph J., 196 
Irion Elias, 254 

Jackson, B. O., 15 

Isaac W., 181 

John T., 130 

Walter D., 180 

W. H., 38 
James, A. Willard, 264 

William M., Dr., 187 
Jamieson, Robert, 144 
Jenks, M. S., 312 
Jenny & Nelbach, 221 
Jessup, Benjamin T., 133 
Jewett, James G., 30S 
Joerisson, Joseph, 204 
Johnson, Charles H., 272 

James, 293 

Samuel, 43 

Stephen Albert, 54 
Jones, Edwin E., 344 

Evan W., 116 

Even D., 169 

Herbert Gordon, Dr., 363 

Hugh, 169 

James E., Dr., 143 

J. Lewis, 198 

John R., 108 

John R.. 243 

J. Whitfield, 195 

Lewis, 243 

Owen E., 55 

Richard J., 15 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Jones, Richard R., 65 
Robert G., 15 
Robert H., 108 
R. K., Dr., 255 
Seymour, 65 
Thomas F., 75 
T. Z., Dr., 312 
William, 289 
William Jay, 53 
& Shippey, 202 
Joslin, C. Eli, 182 
Joslyn, William H., 381 
Joy, William H., 309 
Kassorj, Calvin H., 214 
Kau, Charles D., 179 
Keeler, Miles L., 108 
Keith, Charles B., 146 

Myron, 359 
Keller, Hugo, 91 
Kellogg, Henry G., 338 
Hiram Spencer, 290 
Kelly, Edward, 325 
Martin, 294 
Patrick E., 263 
Kelsey, A. P., Mrs., 300 
Kendall, Eugene M., 287 
Kennedy, Michael, 41 
Kennev, Marcus E., 238 
Kent, Bion H., 184 
John S., 39 
Justus Vinton, 44 
M. J., 252 
Perrv E., 279 
Kenyon/O. S., Dr., 21 
Kernan, Nicholas E., 340 

William, 351 
Kilborn, George L. , Dr., 15 
Kilbourn, Judson G., Dr., 343 
Kilts, Andrew, 37 

Jacob, 50 
Kincaid, Frederick W., 240 
King, A. E., 272 
William, 19 
Kinne, Eri, 64 
Kinne}', Thomas E., 191 
Kirkland, George A., 308 
Klammer, Charles N., 327 
Knight, Charles B., 344 
Knittel. Joseph, 330 
Knox, J. Theodore, 132 
Krebs, Albert, 100 
Kunkel, jr., George M., 169 
Kuolt, Joseph, 348 

Lane, A. V., 229 
Langley, Henry A., 117 
Latus, George F., 273 
W. W., 117 



Law, George C, 116 

William C, 293 
Lawes, Richard, 294 
Lawrence, A. W., 41 

Lewis H, 161 
Lee, Arthur Delos, 139 

Robert, 265 
Leete, Pelatiah W., 261 
Lehr, Charles M., 50 
Leonard, Franklin, 277 
Lewis, Elias, 85 

John, 180 

John M., 16 

Marion P., 275 

William D., 162 
Lindsley, Smith M., 278 
Linsley, Harve}', 238 
Lints, Jeremiah, 179 
Lloyd, David R., 99 
Lockwood, Andrew J., 106 
Loomis, U. L. , 272 
Lorenz, Anton, 331 
Lowe, Charles, 58 
Lumbard, H, 317 
Luther, Thomas and Mary, 277 
Lvman, Charles Simeon, 135 
Lynch, Anthony V. , 363 

McAra, William F, 300 
McBride, Thomas, 297 
McCall, Thomas A., 195 
McCamus, Lucia C, 316 
McClanathan, William, 18 
McClements, James, 60 
McClusky, Henry, 42 
McDonald, William, 205 
McElhinnev, Daniel E., 358 

N. B., 316 
McGuire, Mary, Mrs., 17 
McGurk, William, 272 
Mclncrow, Richard W. , 353 

William J., 219 
McLean, A. Waters, Mrs., 241 

John, 326 

William Gardner, 153 
McPherson, Henry A., 346, 

John, 147 
McTiernan, William, 362 
MacFarland, L. W., Mrs., 236 
MacGarrity, James H., 357 
Mack, Jonathan, 17 
Mackie, William S., 325 
Macomber, Jay, 92 
Magill, David B.. 148 
Maher Brothers, 361 
Maine, August, 229 
Mallory, A. P., 232 
Maloy, John F., 349 



INDEXES. 



407 



Manahan, Richard J., 208 
Mansbach, Simon, 189 
Marsden, William Robb, Dr , 342 
Marsh, John, 171 

Lyman, IT 

Thomas, 36 
Marshall, Charles L., 136 

ElmironC, 293 
Marson, Edward M., 169 
Martin, Asa F., 222 

Chester H., 233 

Leander, 80 

Louis M., 139 

M. F., 318 

Noble F., 187 

Pliny F., 117 
Marvin, W. Tyler, 316 
Mason, C. B., 313 

George C, 349 

Harry, 239 

John C, 313 

Morris, 316 
Mather, Charles W., 374 
Matthews, Joseph, 316 
Maurer, Deabold, 382 

George H., 330 
Maxfield, Rouse B., 374 
Maxson, Sands Carr, Dr., 186 
Mayer, W. G., 70 
Mayhew, Mortimer M., 16 
Meays, John H., 110 
Melvin, Cutler, 355 
Merna P., 140 
Merriman, Emma, Mrs., 80 
Merritt, George, Rev., 287 
Merry, Frederick J., 145 

Gotleib, 87 
Merwin, Milton H., 234 
Met?., Charles W., 243 
Meyer, Otto Angus, 307 
Midlam, John W., 18 
Milgate, Henry E., 363 
Miller, Frank P., 155 

Frederick Munger, Dr., 101 

sr., G. Adam, 18 

jr., G. Adam, 18 

Jacob, 301 

Morris S., 281 

Philip 118 

Philip J., 256 
Mills, Andrew W., 81. 

E. Deloss, 111 
Monroe, C. Wilbur, 314 
Moore, Maria, 18 
Morehouse, George C, 244 

Henry D., 212 
Morgan, Albert C, 69 

Frank W., 153 



Morgan, John S., 257 

William A., 95 
Morris, Price, 345 
Morrow, James E. , 120 
Moshier, William B., 345 
Mulchi, William. 309 
Mullin, Martin H., 19 
Mulverhill, F. C, 314 
Munger, Charles, Dr., 259 
Munn, John Sherman, 192 

Neal, Austin D., 142 

Morris M. , 148 
Neaskern, John, 21 
Neejer, John H., 208 
Nelbach. John, 223 
Nelson, William H., Dr., 56 
Newell, George S., 221 
Newton, Frank J., 332 
Nicholas, Henry, Dr., 22 
Nichols, Charles F., Dr., 282 

Dexter E., 64 

George A.. 82 

Henry, 22 
Nicholson, William, 290 
Norton, Adelbert E., 125 

E. A.. Mrs., 251 

Orlo B., 153 

Peter J., 287 

Samuel D., 237 

William M., 22 
Nolton, Charles F., 217 
Nugent, Patrick F., 350 
Nutt, Albert, 73 

Edwin, 185 
Nye, Willis C, 287 

O'Brien, John, 283 
Odell, Edgar B., 205 
Olds, Marquis D., 236 
O'Leary, Jeremiah, 182 
Olmsted, Henry L., 275 
Olney, George B., 49 

Thomas J., 290 
O'Mara. Daniel, 98 
O'Reilly, Patrick J., 344 
Osborn, William, 68 
O'Toole, Frank W., 113 
Overrocker, EnosD. , 143 
Owen, F. W., 39 

John, 23 

John C. 217 

Robert C, 3d', 1 

William E., 220 

Paddock, Daniel, 61 

Harvey, 165 
Palmer, E. G., 177 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Palmer, E. H., 259 
Parke, Morgan Adalbert, 152 
Parkinson, T. W., 140 
Parks, Perry, 44 
Parmelee, David E. . 258 
Parsell, Charles D., 47 
Patten, Delford, 111 ■ 
Pattengill, Lucia G., 147 
Patterson, John H., 345 
Pearl, H. D., 299 
Peck, Dwight Bristol, 358 
Peckham, S. Wilber, 188 
Pelton, A. G., 203 
Pender, "William, 320 
Pepper, Edwin J,, 45 
Perkins, William, 216 
Perry, Gilbert, 100 
Phelps, C. A., 44 

Pliny, 23 
Pillmore, John, 109 

Johnson. 24 

William F. . 23 
Pitcher, Herbert D., 352 
Pittock, Lewis, 216 

William D., 214 
Plumb, Henrv A., 185 
Pohl, George'D., 379 
Pollard, Grant J., Dr., 140 
Porter, Chester Winfield, 39 

George L., 104 

J. M., 232 

N. W. , 355 
Potter, Carroll C.,102 

G. R., 314 

George S., 210 

John H.,24 

John W., 106 
Powell, Fred R., 170 

J. L. , 40 

John N., 339 
PraU, Charles A.. 101 

Charles T., 359 

Charles W., 178 
Prenilergast, E. R., Rev., 43 
Prescott, D. D., 376 
Preston, Medina, Dr., 69 
Proctor, Thomas Redfield, 194 
Putnam. Charles S , 216 

E. B., 314 

Frederick W., 314 
Pugh, William E., 109 

Ouinlan, Patrick F., 248 
Quinn, John, 262 

Race, Chester A., 134 
Ramsdell, I. J., 162 
Rawnsley, William, 284 



Rayhill, James W., 163 
Reed, David H., Dr., 183 

John J., 68 

Laura D., Mrs., 331 

Leonard R., 66 
Reeder, William S., 190 
Rees, John D., 167 

Thomas R., 25 
Reese, O. W., 291 
Reilly, Thomas W., Rev., 324 
Remmer, Joseph H., 295 

Louis, 347 

William M., 347 
Ressegue, James M., 329 
Reusswie, George A., 346 
Rhodes, A. J., 239 

Rice, Charles F., 40 

George W., 138 
Richards, Edward, 94 
Rinkle, David, 25 
Risley, Edwin Hills, 373 

John R., 274 

Orville, 337 
Ritchie, Thomas, 48 
Robbins, Albert W., 140 

George B., 170 
Roberts, Daniel J., 23 

Emma J., Mrs., 105 

Henry W., 303 

Roberts, John C, 144 

R. Wilson, 69 

Thomas D., 25 
Robinson, Henry, 276 
Rogers, J. Frank, 352 

J. W., 20 

Stephen, 25 
Root, Oren, 131 
Ronspees, Herman. 75 
Rose. F. W., Dr., 322 
Roser, Charles, 95 
Rowley, Warren C, 246 
Rush, Horace J., 176 
Ryan, William F., 202 

St. John, N. J., 301 
Salisbury, Albert C, 348 

John H., 123 
Sanders, E. E., 268 
Sanford, Helen B., Mrs , 112 
Sargent, Foster, 105 
Saner, G. Adam, 372 
Savvtelle, Washington Sewell 90 
Saver, James W., 156 
Scheehl, Jacob, 188 
Schilz, jr., Peter, 62 
Scoilard, Clinton, 132 
Scott, Walter F., 66 



INDEXES. 



40!) 



Scott, W. I., 276 

W. J., 228 
Scovill, James Van Horn, 161 
Scoville, Samuel T. W., 44 

William, 204 
Seaman, Jerome M., 161 
Searle, Charles H., 340 
Seaton, J. W., 339 
Seiter, George, 128 
Selbach, John H., 280 
Sessions, F. W., 346 
Sexton, Michael H.,, 356 
Seymour, Henry A., 29 
Sharp, Charles W., 263 
Shattuck, Luther, 210 
Shaw, Henry W., 102 
Shedd, Philander, 291 
Sheehan, John H, 378 
Shepard, Luther M., 330 
Sheridan, Simon, 372 
Sherrill, L. T., 231 
Shirley, Thomas A., 110 
Shoewalter, Joseph H., 90 
Sholes, Herbert C, 158 
Siegman, Frederick, 265 

Leopold, 267 
Simmons, Cyrus C, 29 
Singleton, W. H., 315 
Sink, William W., 357 
Sippell, William D., 28 
Sly, Andrew J., 168 
Small, Lewis J., 262 

W. R., 239 
Smith, Angelia E., Mrs., 157 

Benjamin, 371 

Charles E. , Dr. , 250 

Clarence D., 57 

Daniel, 255 

Dewitt Clinton, 172 

E. C, 339 

F. A., 315 
Frank W.. 178 
George H., 26 
George W., 276 
Giles, 73 
Giles, 86 
Myrtalu F., 286 
Samuel G., 153 
W. Harvey, 345 

Snell, Albert M., 315 

Ira L., 234 
Snow, Arch. B., 96 

Eugene, 284 
Solzman, Francis X., 209 
Somers, E. M., Dr., 140 
Soule, Germain M., 105 
Sparrow, Joseph, 249 
Spaulding, William P., 28R 



Spencer, Lyman C. , 89 

Reuben J., 89 
Sporie, Charles, 26 
Spratt, Charles H., 20 
Stamburg, William Riley, 29 
Stannard, J. R., 52 
Stappenbeck, Henry, 372 
Starr, jr., John P., 327 
Start, S. William, 160 
Stearns, Eugene, 199 
Steates, Andrew, 71 
Stedman, Gilbert R., 167 

R. Willett, 28 
Stevens, Franklin, 258 
Walter T., 27 
William C, 219 
Stoddard, Dwight L, 290 
Stone, Alexander I., 121 
John D. F., 157 
Richard, 231 
Walter C, 28 
Storey, William H., 289 
Storm, Arthur C, 218 
Storrs, William Mansfield, 226 
Strewn, George W., 64 
Strong, Warren C, 285 
Studor, George M., 27 

Philip, 63 
Sturdevant, Oliver W., 128 
Suits, Verena C, Mrs., 333 
Suters, William, 121 
Swan, Gustavus, 26 
Swancott, Benjamin L., 350 

David, 172 
Swartwout, Leander, Dr., 105 
Sweet, Herman L. , 325 
Sweeting, Jesse V., 202 
Symonds, James, 319 
Syphert, William E., 52 

Taft, George H. , 79 

Rufus, 57 
Tafft, Julian E., 329 
Tanner, Levi G., 170 

W. Ray, 30 
Taylor, George, 37 

Lorenzo M. , 347 
Teachout, Asa, 30 
Terhune, W. L., 118 
Thayer. Emory R., 285 
Thomas, Charles H., 150 

Evan T. , 99 

Frank E., 350 

Griffith D., 110 

HughE., 278 

Rees E. , 352 

William B., 168 

W. I., 191 



410 



OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 



Thompson, Henry D., '.'57 

Joseph T., 151 
Thorneley, Edward, 306 
Tibbits, Susan, 102 
Tibbitts, Milton G., 338 
Titus, E., 355 
Tompkins, C. H., 155 
Townsend, Walter C, 371 
Towslev, William Dealton, Dr 
Tracy, Charles, 307 
Traxel, George E., 140 
Tripp, Franklin, 45 

George L., 118 

Orris B., 130 
Tuigg, Edward D., 349 
Tuttle, Frank J., 135 

Lansing, 30 

Noah, 31 

Rufus, 30 
Tyler, Cyrus H., 289 

Henry H., 280 

H. N., 338 

Ulrich, Simon, 46 
Underwood, Frederick G., 118 
Utley, Fred W., 180 
Henry T., 70 

Van Auken, Myron W., 339 
Van Buskirk, Marcus, 60 
Vandawalker, Milton, 31 
Vanderhoof, Thomas J., 45 
Vanderzee, H. B. , 257 
Van Dresar, Francis, 32 

Steward, 31 
Van Evera, Virgil E., 78 
Van Hatten, Michael, 48 
Van Home, Nicholas, 32 
Vansize, Hibbard K., 188 
Van Slvke, John P., 391 
Van Swall, Pernett, 233 
Van Wagenen, Lewis B., 164 
Vary, Gideon, 31 
Vollmar, Jacob, 178 

Wagner, Edward G., 205 

Louis, 207 
Walbran, T. F., 120 
Waldo, Wellington, 314 
Walker, Aaron C, 76 

Henry J., 36 

PeteK 34 
Wallace, Joseph Franklin, 172 
Walters Charles F. . 42 

James N., 35 
Warcup, Edwin S. , 36 

John, 27 
Ward. G. C, 34 



Ward, John L., 42 

Salmon, 210 
Warfield, C. H., Prof., 34 
Warner, Seth H., 124 
Warren, Charles K., 285 

John D., Rev., 193 
Wasmuth, Fred W., 285 

Theodore, 156 
Wasserman, Felix. 283 
Waterbury, Nathaniel G., 2(1 
Waterman, Charles, 123 
Waters, J. F., 315 
Watkins, Thomas D., 196 
Watson, James, 276 

Thomas, Mrs., 179 

William L., 244 
Weaver, Abram H., 144 

Alfred M., 170 

Charles C, 213 

Frederick G., 88 

Van Rensselaer, 377 
Webb, Alvin, 34 
Weber. A. H., Ill 
Weismantle, Casper, 336 
Weller, W. H., 122 
Wells, Albert B., 67 = 

Chester A., 215 — — 
Wendt, Frederick S., 87 
West, Joseph, 141 
Westcott, Frank D., 210 
Wetherell, Thomas G., 221 
Wetmore, Ezra F. , Major, 119 
Wheeler, E. A., 302 

Frank E., 369 

Russel, 377 

Thomas, 370 

William H., 77 
Whitcher, Benjamin Williams, Rev., 309 
White, Caroline, 35 

Charles M., 98 

Charles N., 370 

George W., 47 

I. J., 33 

N. Curtis, 199 

Co., N. E., 195 
Whiter, Andrew J., 43 

Hiram A., 33 
Whitford, H. P., 79 
Whitney, S. S. , 113 
Whittaker, George H., 168 
Whitten, John B., 318 
Wickman, Henry G., 211 
Wickwire, C. M.", 80 
Wight. Lyman L., Dr., 233 
Wilcox, Frederick D., 175 

Lucy B., 120 

Wallace B., 192 
Wilgus, Elmer T., 284 



INDEXES. 



Willard, Garry Allen, 177 
Williams, Arnon George, 133 

Griffith, 182 

R. C, 315 

Rees G., 143 

Thomas H., 255 

W. B., 318 
Willson, Merritt N., 46 
Wilmarth, Margaret, Mrs., 95 
Wilson, Benjamin F., 99 

Charles M., 120 

Charles W., 323 

Robert, 53 

William H., 134 
Witherstine, Willard, 67 
Wood, A. E., 114 

Francis C, 227 

John W., 35 

Permelia I., Mrs., 9S 
Woodard, Heni'y M., 174 
Woodbridge, Edward, 216 
Woodin, Julia, 299 



Woods, Orson C. , 33 
Wolcott, Julius O., 216 
Wolf, Henry, 249 

Philip D., 213 
Wolfe, George, 58 

Jacob, 164 
Wright, George E., 333 

George P., 336 
Wyman, Simeon T., 173 
Wynn, John D., 255 

Yager, Helen, 332 
Yale, J. Palmer, 359 
Yerdon, James H., 59 
Young, George, 121 
George A., 139 
Israel W., 159 
Robert Grant, 311 
Thomas P., 356 

Zeigler, George, 212 
Zimmerman, L. , Mrs., 251 







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